Ongoing Research on Asthma Treatments and Triggers

What do humans need to survive? Water? Food? Love? Yes, yes, and yes; but nothing is more necessary than air. During an asthma attack, your body’s reactions to a trigger prevent its ability to breathe. Your air passages become irritated and constrict. If you suffer from asthma, you know how important treatment is.

 

Asthma is a common condition. Nearly 7 percent of the population suffers from the symptoms of asthma. Because it is so common, there are many doctors and scientists looking to improve how patients treat and manage their asthma.

 

While there may not be a cure for asthma, there is constant and ongoing research on the condition. In the search for a cure, researchers have been able to identify more triggers and create more targeted treatments. The prognosis for asthma is only improving.

Researchers are constantly looking into asthma triggers. To anyone following news about the environment, it will come as no surprise that as air pollution and car exhaust fumes increase, so do rates of childhood asthma. If you live in an area with poor air quality, try to limit your exposure. Using a HEPA filter in your home will decrease the risk for you and your children.

 

In an interesting twist, it isn’t just the environment that affects asthma treatment but also asthma treatment that affects the environment. Until recently, asthma inhalers were contributing to the deterioration of the earth’s ozone layer. Inhalers used to utilize chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as a propellant. These gases chilled the medicine and delivered it to the patient’s lung. Also used in aerosol cans for products such as hairspray, CFCs were shown to be extremely harmful to the ozone layer and banned from use. Now asthma inhalers use a much more environmentally-friendly propellant that is just as effective.

Even traditional treatments have benefited from new research on asthma. One example of this is the dosage of inhaled control medicines. When corticosteroids are prescribed as a daily medication, they are often given at a high dosage at the time treatment is initiated. Research has shown that the level of corticosteroids can be reduced over time while maintaining the effectiveness of the higher dosage. If you work with your doctor and are vigilant about both taking your medicine and tracking your symptoms, you will be able to step down your dosage and tailor your treatment plan more effectively.

 

New research is improving how acute asthma attacks are treated in emergency rooms as well. Studies have shown that immediately giving patients oxygen is incredibly important. While intravenous steroids will be needed to reopen the bronchial passages, the direct inflow of oxygen will improve the quality of air that reaches their lungs. It makes sense: if a limited amount of air is being inhaled, it ought to be as oxygen rich as possible.

A recent asthma research study has discovered a previously overlooked risk—aspirin. Published in the British Medical Journal, this particular study looked at results from 21 previous studies. What they found was surprising. Aspirin can trigger acute attacks in asthma sufferers. This is especially noteworthy because as an over-the-counter medication, aspirin is frequently self-prescribed. The lesson? Be sure to talk to you doctor before taking any medication, no matter how harmless it seems.

New research is refining how asthma is treated. Even when you asthma is under control, talk to you doctor about new treatments and studies. You many find that there is a more efficient method of treating your asthma symptoms.

 

 

British Medical Journal Abstract. (2004) One in five asthmatics are highly sensitive to aspirin. Retrieved March 18, 2009, from the BrightSurf Web site: http://www.brightsurf.com/news/headlines/10672/One_in_five_asthmatics_
are_highly_sensitive_to_aspirin.html.

 

British Medical Journal Abstract. (2003) Stepping down inhaled steroids can cut side effects. Retrieved March 18, 2009, from the BrightSurf Web site: http://www.brightsurf.com/news/headlines/12437/Stepping_down_inhaled_
steroids_can_cut_side_effects.html.

 

British Medical Journal Abstract. (2001) Oxygen treatment for severe asthma could save lives. Retrieved March 18, 2009, from the BrightSurf Web site: http://www.brightsurf.com/news/headlines/17006/Oxygen_treatment_for_severe
_asthma_could_save_lives.html.

 

British Medical Journal Speciality Journals Abstract. (2007) Exhaust fumes boost asthma risk in genetically susceptible children. Retrieved March 18, 2009, from the BrightSurf Web site: http://www.brightsurf.com/news/headlines/32345/Exhaust_fumes_boost_asthma_
risk_in_genetically_susceptible_children.html.