Basic treatment for asthma

Contrary to the treatment of the attack which brings an immediate relief, the basic treatment must be taken on a regular basis in order to control the symptoms and reduce the number of attacks. These drugs also prevent the deterioration of respiratory function over time.

Asthma: the interest of disease-modifying therapy

The basic treatment of asthma treats the causes of asthma , mainly the inflammation of the bronchi. This treatment to be effective must be taken every day . Basic treatment is the only way to effectively reduce the number, duration and intensity of attacks. It is thanks to this treatment that the patient can lead a normal life.

Basic treatment of asthma: drugs

The background treatment is mainly based on an anti-inflammatory action to reduce bronchial hyper-reactivity and inflammation . These two components of asthma absolutely must be controlled to stop the deterioration of the disease. The products used are inhaled corticosteroids , inhaled cromones or antileukotrienes .

To reduce respiratory discomfort and improve quality of life, asthma treatment is based on controlling not only symptoms but also risk factors that can aggravate the disease or cause exacerbations: beta2 stimulant bronchodilators for the treatment of attacks, or background treatment   with long-acting bronchodilators or inhaled corticosteroids for persistent asthma. Traditionally used on demand in the treatment of attacks, the bronchodilators used in background treatment are not the same compounds. They have a much longer duration of action, which makes it possible to maintain the diameter of the bronchi throughout the day.

Increasingly, anti-inflammatories and bronchodilators are directly associated in certain medications . This reduces the number of daily intakes and therefore facilitates treatment follow-up.

More recently, an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, Xolair  ® constitutes an additional treatment accessible from the age of 12 for severe poorly controlled asthma (in addition to traditional management, most often high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators). It is advisable beforehand to make sure of the allergic origin of asthma by skin tests or a dosage of specific IgE. The initial prescription must be made at the hospital, the renewal is reserved for specialists in pulmonology and pediatrics.

Adapt basic treatment for asthma

Unfortunately, the effectiveness of the basic treatment is not perceived immediately. This often results in a relaxation of the patient who ends up forgetting doses or even stopping his treatment. However, good compliance with treatment is essential to good control of asthma.

Ideally, an asthmatic patient consults his doctor every 3 to 6 months to take  stock: measurement of the peak expiratory flow (peak-flow), analysis of the respiratory discomfort felt and its impact on the quality of life, number of emergency consultations... On the basis of this information, the doctor will be able to adapt his prescription and take measures to facilitate the follow-up of the treatment.

Does your treatment allow you to live well with your asthma on a daily basis? To find out for sure, we encourage you to take this test to assess your asthma control .

When the asthma is well controlled, that is to say when the attacks are infrequent and have not led to consultation or hospitalization, the doctor can even consider a "therapeutic decrease". That is to say, a lowering of dosages or a change of medication.

For asthmatics allergic to dust mites, pollens and moulds, there is also the possibility of desensitization . It makes it possible to reduce the strength of the treatments because it facilitates the control of the disease. Unfortunately, it is contraindicated in severe and moderate persistent asthma. To learn more about desensitization, read our article Desensitization in questions . But be aware that avoiding the allergen is the most logical and effective measure, hence the importance of keeping the room of the asthmatic as clean as possible, eliminating dust and mold and airing the room every days.