Asthma?? Treatment...

The good news for anyone with asthma in the UK is that there are a range of effective treatments on offer.
When you’re first diagnosed with asthma, your GP or asthma nurse will prescribe you treatment based on the latest ‘gold standard’ guidelines for asthma care. These are from recommendations in the latest British Thoracic Society / Scottish Intercollegiate Network Guideline (BTS/SIGN) on the Management of Asthma. They are based on the latest clinical evidence and updated every two years. They state that the aim of treatment is to manage your asthma so that:

• You get no daytime symptoms
• You get no night-time waking due to asthma
• You have no need for rescue medicines
• You have no asthma attacks
• Asthma doesn’t limit your daily life (including exercise)

Starting treatment

When they’re working out which medicines are best to treat your asthma, your GP or asthma nurse will use an approach recommended in the BTS/SIGN guidelines called ‘stepwise’. There are five steps for adults (and children aged over 12) and for children between the ages of five and 12. There are four steps for children under five.
The idea is that asthma treatment is like a staircase, and you can move up or down a step depending on your symptoms. The goal is always to make sure your asthma is as well managed as possible using the fewest medicines possible. So at different times of your life, or even different times of the year, your GP or asthma nurse can move you up or down a step. The step you’re started on will depend on your age and the severity of your symptoms.

Book annual reviews

Even if your symptoms are well managed, it’s important to book in an asthma review at least once a year (at least once every six months for children). This is so your GP or asthma nurse can see how you’re doing and move you up or down the steps if necessary.

Book extra reviews if you need them

You don’t have to wait for your next annual review before booking in to see your GP or asthma nurse. For instance, if you haven’t had any asthma symptoms for at least three months, book an extra review. Your GP or asthma nurse may reduce (step down) your medicines dose. Or, if you notice that your asthma symptoms are getting worse (for instance, you’re using your reliever inhaler more often than usual; you’re coughing, wheezing or feeling breathless; you’re waking up at night; your peak flow drops) book an extra review. Your GP or asthma nurse may increase (step up) your medicines dose.

Source:  http://www.asthma.org.uk/advice-how-is-asthma-commonly-treated