The rise in air pollution due to industrialization has led to a global increase in asthma patients. This surge is not limited to rapidly industrializing countries like Korea and China, but also affects already industrialized nations such as the United States and Europe. To effectively treat asthma patients, three key factors must be considered.
First and foremost, education plays a crucial role in managing asthma. Patients need to be well-informed about asthma symptoms and their current lung function. As asthma symptoms tend to worsen rapidly, patients often find themselves rushing to emergency rooms. The primary objective should be preventing such emergency visits by addressing asthma before it escalates. Recognizing symptoms like coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or nocturnal sleep disturbances is essential to gauge the severity of asthma. Measuring lung function can be accomplished using a simple and affordable tool called a peak flow meter, which can be used at home. For instance, if an asthmatic patient who usually has a maximum inspiratory volume of 350ml in the morning experiences a drop to 150ml, it is a clear indication that respiratory symptoms have worsened. In such cases, immediate action should be taken, such as using oral steroids or inhalers, and visiting a hospital if no improvement is observed. Regular pulmonary function tests in hospitals are also helpful in assessing the extent of asthma in patients.
As bronchial asthma is directly caused by inflammation in the airways, researchers are exploring methods to measure the degree of inflammation and detect worsening asthma at an early stage. Some approaches include analyzing the amount of eosinophils in sputum or measuring exhaled nitric oxide concentration (NO). Such tests aid in determining the level of inflammation and facilitate timely intervention.
Identifying and avoiding triggers that can exacerbate asthma is the second crucial factor. These triggers commonly include respiratory infections, exposure to cigarette smoke, strong perfumes, chlorine-based detergents, and air pollution. It is worth noting that even exercising in cold air can trigger asthma symptoms. Additionally, psychological stress and acid reflux can also contribute to asthma flare-ups. It is therefore imperative for asthma patients who experience periodic exacerbations to identify their triggers and make concerted efforts to avoid them. It is worth mentioning that certain medications, such as beta blockers used for blood pressure and heart conditions, can also worsen asthma symptoms.
Finally, tailoring drug treatment to address specific asthma symptoms at each stage is the cornerstone of effective asthma management. Appropriate medication, prescribed by healthcare professionals, helps to alleviate symptoms and prevent asthma attacks.
In conclusion, addressing the increasing prevalence of asthma worldwide requires a comprehensive approach. Patient education, trigger identification and avoidance, as well as appropriate drug treatment, are vital components in mitigating the impact of this chronic respiratory condition. By adopting these strategies, individuals with asthma can lead healthier lives. (Medical treatment continues next week) – Youngjik Lee, Internal Medicine Specialist (213-383-9388)
As pollutants in the air increase due to industrialization, the number of asthma patients is increasing worldwide. It is said that the number of patients is increasing not only in countries where industrialization is progressing rapidly, such as Korea and China, but also in countries such as the United States and Europe that are already industrialized.
In order to successfully treat asthma patients, the following three factors are important.
First of all, education for asthma patients is very important. Patients suffering from asthma should be familiar with asthma symptoms and their current lung function status.
When most asthma patients’ symptoms worsen, the rate at which they worsen is very rapid, so patients often visit the emergency room.
Therefore, the main goal is to prevent emergency room visits by treating asthma before it gets worse.
If you experience symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or not being able to sleep at night, it can be considered that your asthma is getting worse. In order to objectively know the level of your lung function, you can use the maximum amount of oxygen you can use alone at home It is important to know how to use a peak flow meter.
This machine can be bought cheaply and is easy to use. If an asthmatic patient whose maximum inspiratory volume (maximum inspiratory volume when exhaling) is usually 350ml one morning and his expiratory volume drops to 150ml one morning, his respiratory symptoms will be significantly reduced ■ Even if there is no improvement, it is a good idea to consider that your asthma is getting worse and start using oral steroids or inhalers and visit a hospital if there is no improvement.
In hospitals, the extent of a patient’s asthma can be determined by periodic pulmonary function tests.
As bronchial asthma is directly caused by an inflammatory reaction in the airways, methods are being investigated to determine the degree of inflammation and early detection of worsening asthma, including counting the amount of eosinophils in sputum or measurement of nitric oxide during exhalation. for testing the concentration of (nitric oxide-NO) are studied.
Second, regulators that worsen asthma must be identified and avoided. Factors that commonly aggravate asthma include respiratory infections such as colds, cigarette smoke, strong perfumes, detergents that contain chlorine, and air pollution. In particular, exercise in cold air can also cause asthma.
In addition, psychological stress or acid reflux (when stomach acid flows back into the respiratory system and irritates the bronchial tubes, making asthma worse) can also cause asthma.
Beta blockers used as blood pressure/heart medication can also make asthma worse. Therefore, if asthma flares up from time to time, it is important to identify the trigger and make efforts to avoid it.
Third, appropriate drug treatment at each stage according to asthma symptoms is the most important part of asthma treatment.
(Medical treatment continues next week) Youngjik Lee Internal Medicine (213-383-9388)
Lee Young-jik, internal medicine specialist >
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