Latest Asthma Guidelines released
Serious symptoms and disability associated with asthma can be avoided to a great extent if asthmatic people can follow the latest guidelines from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) were presented during the Annual Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) for controlling asthma.
It was remarked by Michael B. Foggs, M.D chief of asthma, allergy and immunology, Advocate Health Care, Chicago, that asthma, which is a chronic ailment, can be easily managed by following these guidelines so that severe attacks can be prevented before occurrence.
From News-Medical.Net:
According to Dr. Foggs, the guidelines put a new emphasis on the physician-patient partnership and ongoing monitoring and management. Specific recommendations include: :
* All patients with asthma should be monitored by a doctor every one to six months, regardless of how severe their condition is and whether they are experiencing symptoms.
* Patient should have a written asthma action plan with instructions for daily treatment and what to do if symptoms become worse. The action plan should be developed by a doctor or nurse, with input from the patient, and shared with all those who interact with the patient such as family members, teachers and coaches.
* Education that takes into account cultural background and literacy should be part of asthma care, and patients should play an active role in managing their condition.
* Asthma treatment based on severity is classified in six steps, rather than four in previous guidelines. A stepwise approach to treatment is still recommended, with medication stepped up or increased when asthma symptoms increase and stepped down, if possible, when asthma is under control.
Carlos Camargo, M.D., DrPH, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, remarked that the guidelines truly emphasize the difference between acute and chronic asthma management.
Tags: asthma, asthma management, chronic asthma, controlling asthma
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