Asthma

This article originally appeared in the November 1996 FDA Consumer. The version below is from a reprint of the original article and contains revisions made in June 1998 and June 2000.
-- asr:FDA article more reliable info

The key to effective, long-term treatment of asthma is finding the drugs and dosage plan most effective in dealing with or preventing acute episodes. But effective treatment depends as well on the patient and the care-giver knowing what the various anti-asthma drugs do, when and in what amount each drug should be used, when a change in symptoms or in the response to a particular drug requires a call or visit to the physician, and when to get emergency help. Physicians who specialize in treating asthmatics go over these points in detail as part of an overall treatment plan designed and, as necessary, adjusted to meet the needs of each individual patient.

A cure for asthma is judged by experts to be still a far-off possibility. But the majority of asthma sufferers can lead essentially normal, symptom-free lives by understanding and sticking to a well-planned strategy to keep clear of asthma triggers and to use the right drugs in the right way.


______________________________________________________

Treating Asthma: Personalized Medicine
Are you getting care that's right for your body, your age, and your background?

"Every person who has been diagnosed with asthma needs a treatment plan that's custom-tailored to his or her specific needs," says allergist Jonathan A. Bernstein, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

"If you're just using a bronchodilator -- a rescue medicine -- you're not dealing with the real disease," Bernstein tells WebMD. "You're not treating the underlying inflammation in the airways."

"Many people -- and some doctors -- still don't realize that asthma is a chronic disease," he says. "It's still there even when you're feeling well."

In fact, the inflammation in the airways can worsen without causing any symptoms -- only lung function tests may detect it, says Bernstein. Even if you do have worsening symptoms, the changes may happen so slowly that you don't notice it.

Studies bear this out. In 2005, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation released the results of a poll of 4,500 adults in the U.S. The majority -- 88% of people with asthma -- said that their condition was "under control." But doctors would disagree. Of the patients polled, 50% said that asthma made them stop exercising, and 48% said that it woke them at night. If your asthma is "under control," you should not be having these problems.

"I explain to my patients that asthma is really more like diabetes or hypertension," says Blaiss, who is also clinical professor of pediatrics and medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis. "We can't cure it, but we can control it with the right daily medication."

Treatment Plan:
--------------------------------
Keep track of any asthma attacks and any potential triggers that you are aware of. And also write down how often you're having attacks during the night or while exercising. If you have nighttime symptoms more than twice a month you may need a change in your treatment.

Also, monitor how often you use your inhalers. If you're using your quick relief inhalers more than two days per week, you may need different medication.

While you must get enough medication to control your symptoms, don't assume that more is better. Every medicine you add increases the risk of interactions and side effects.

"A lot of people wind up on five different medicines over time," says Windom. "They may have their symptoms under control, but two or three of those medicines may not really be doing anything." So he says that, together with your doctor, you need to make sure you are not taking any unnecessary medicines.

"Once you and your doctor agree on a treatment plan, you need to stick to it," says Bernstein. He also says that people need to be careful to practice environmental control at home -- like keeping pets out of the bedroom, wrapping the mattress and box spring in vinyl to keep out dust mites, and using a dehumidifier. You shouldn't expect your doctor to resolve your asthma entirely through prescription medications.

Finally, don't give up.

"Like other chronic illnesses, dealing with asthma can be exhausting," says Windom. It's easy to get discouraged, especially if treatment hasn't been helping.

But don't surrender to your symptoms. If your asthma treatment hasn't been working, maybe it just needs to be adjusted or changed. You might find that a good partnership with your doctor and a personalized treatment plan could make all the difference.


______________________________________________________

Myths, facts, and statistics about asthma
-MedicineNet, Inc. - Owned and Operated by WebMD and part of the WebMD Network
- so information is reliable

Before we present the typical symptoms of asthma, we should dispel some common myths about this condition. This is best achieved by conducting a short true or false quiz.

T or F Asthma is "all in the mind."
T or F You will "grow out of it."
T or F Asthma can be cured, so it is not serious and nobody dies from it.
T or F You are likely to develop asthma if someone in your family has it.
T or F You can "catch" asthma from someone else who has it.
T or F Moving to a different location, such as the desert, can cure asthma.
T or F People with asthma should not exercise.
T or F Asthma does not require medical treatment.
T or F Medications used to treat asthma are habit-forming.
T or F Someone with asthma can provoke episodes anytime they want in order to get attention.
Here are the answers:

F - Asthma is not a psychological condition. However, emotional triggers can cause flare-ups.
F - You cannot outgrow asthma. In about 50% of children with asthma, the condition may become inactive in the teenage years. The symptoms, however, may reoccur at any time in adulthood.
F - There is no cure for asthma, but the disease can be controlled in most patients with good medical care. The condition should be taken seriously, since uncontrolled asthma may result in emergency hospitalization and possible death.
T - You have a 6% chance of having asthma if neither parent has the condition; a 30% chance if one parent has it; and a 70% chance if both parents have it.
F - Asthma is not contagious.
F - A new environment may temporarily improve asthma symptoms, but it will not cure asthma. After a few years in the new location, many people become sensitized to the new environment and the asthma symptoms return with the same or even greater intensity than before.
F - Swimming is an optimal exercise for those with asthma. On the other hand, exercising in dry, cold air may be a trigger for asthma in some people.
F - Asthma is best controlled by having an asthma management plan designed by your doctor that includes the medications used for quick relief and those used as controllers.
F - Asthma medications are not addictive.
F - Asthma attacks cannot be faked.
-------------------------------------------
Homeo Doctor (got reference from desi yahoo group )
http://www.billgrayhomeopathy.com/DrGray.html