Asthma

  

ASTHMA

 

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in which many cells and cellular elements play a role. 

In susceptible individuals, this inflammation causes recurrent episodes of:

  • Wheezing
  • Breathlessness
  • Chest tightness
  • Coughing- particularly at night or early morning

These episodes are associated with airflow obstruction (excessive airway narrowing) that is often reversible either

spontaneously or with treatment.  This airflow obstruction is the result of contraction of the airway smooth muscle and

swelling of the airway wall

           

Risk factors for the development of asthma

  • Exposure to trigger factors (allergens)
  • Family history
  • Previous respiratory infection
  • Allergic disorders (eczema, hay fever)
  • Stress

 

Trigger factors for asthma

  • Inhaled allergens (house dust mites, tree & weed pollens, moulds)
  • Pets
  • Tobacco smoke
  • Occupational sensitisers (wood, latex, flour & grain dust  ... etc)
  • Foods and additives (nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish  ... etc)
  • Respiratory infection
  • Exercise and sport
  • Drugs (e.g. beta-blockers)

Treatment of asthma

If people with asthma understand that asthma is caused by more than bronchospasm, they will appreciate the need for separate types of medication for asthma management:

  • Bronchodilator (also known as reliever) medication
  • Anti-inflammatory (also known preventer) medication
  • Long-acting beta2 agonist (also known as symptom controller) medication.

 

Signs and symptoms of asthma vary widely from person to person and the absence of typical symptoms does not

exclude the diagnosis of asthma.  Community pharmacists should seek all relevant information from the patient’s history

when confronted with any of the symptoms discussed earlier.

 

Bronchodilator medications

Bronchodilators relax bronchial smooth muscle and hence allow widening of airways.  They provide mainly symptomatic

relief and are first line treatment for acute asthma attacks.

 

In Australia, these are sold over the counter and adhere to all legal and professional guidelines for the selling Schedule 2 medications.

 

§         Salbutamol (Epaq, Ventolin, Airomir & Asmol) MDI (metered dose inhaler)

Inhale 1-2 doses by mouth as required, repeat 3-4 times a day if needed.

 

§         Terbutaline (Bricanyl turbuhaler)

Inhale 1-2 doses by mouth as required, repeat 3-4 times a day if needed.

 

Common side effects of bronchodilators:

Tremor, palpitations, headache, agitation and infrequently hyperactivity in children.