APPROACH TO ASTHMA TREATMENT

The approach to asthma treatment depends on the frequency and severity of your symptoms, including asthma attacks, as well as your personal preferences and risk factors. Asthma is typically categorized as "intermittent" or "persistent." Your health care provider will work with you to review your symptoms and adjust your treatment plan over time.

Intermittent asthma — People with intermittent asthma are defined as those who have the following characteristics:

●Daytime symptoms occur two or fewer days per week

●Nighttime symptoms awaken you two or fewer nights per month

●Asthma does not interfere with daily activities

●A short-acting bronchodilator is needed to relieve asthma symptoms fewer than two days a week 

●Oral steroids are needed no more than once per year to treat increased symptoms

If your asthma is triggered only by vigorous exercise (called "exercise-induced asthma" or, more accurately, "exercise-induced bronchoconstriction") and can be prevented by pre-treatment with a short-acting bronchodilator medicine, you will likely be considered to have intermittent asthma. Exercise-induced asthma is discussed in more detail separately. 

Persistent asthma — People with persistent asthma have symptoms regularly. If you have persistent asthma, there may be days when your symptoms prevent you from doing your normal activities, and you may often be awakened from sleep.

Based on the frequency of symptoms as well as the measurement of your lung function, your provider will classify your persistent asthma as mild, moderate, or severe. This will help determine the best treatment plan for you.

To determine whether your asthma is mild, moderate, or severe, your provider will consider the frequency of asthma attacks requiring treatment with oral steroids over the past year. They will also consider how many days per week you have one or more of the following:

●Symptoms such as cough, wheeze, and shortness of breath

●Nighttime asthma symptoms that awaken you from sleep

●Symptoms that need treatment with a bronchodilator (reliever medication)

●Symptoms that affect your ability to participate in normal activities

Regardless of the severity of your asthma and the medications you take, it is important that your provider assess how well controlled your asthma is at each visit. Treatment is then adjusted as needed until good asthma control is achieved.