Stating that asthma is a disease that manifests itself with obstruction of the airways in attacks (crises), Chest Diseases Specialist Specialist Dr. Eda Çelik said, “Patients feel good between attacks.”
Explaining that there is a non-microbial inflammation in the airways in asthma and therefore the airway wall is swollen and edematous, Dr. Eda Çelik said, “This causes the lungs to be hypersensitive to stimuli. With stimuli such as dust, smoke and odors, complaints such as cough, shortness of breath and a feeling of pressure in the chest immediately occur. Asthma is a chronic disease that can affect people of all ages and can severely limit daily activities when not under control. Asthma is a serious public health problem estimated to affect approximately 300 million people worldwide.”
“Symptoms may vary seasonally”
Stating that asthma is seen in approximately 5-7 out of every 100 adults and 13-15 out of every 100 children in our country, Dr. Eda Çelik said, “Symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, feeling of pressure in the chest and wheezing occur. Symptoms are recurrent and come in bouts. It usually occurs at night or in the morning. It improves spontaneously or with medication. Some causes that vary according to the individual may cause symptoms to occur. Symptoms may vary seasonally. There is no blood test that can reveal asthma. X-ray findings are usually normal. The diagnosis is made by performing breath measurements (with or without medication) with pulmonary function devices.”
“It should avoid exposure to things to which it is allergic”
Reminding that the aim of asthma treatment is to prevent and improve the progression of non-microbial inflammation in the airways, Chest Diseases Specialist Specialist Dr. Eda Çelik, in the article she wrote in the Public Health Bulletin of Erzurum Provincial Health Directorate, said, “In order to achieve these goals, it forms the components of the treatment as follows. Improving patient/physician cooperation. Identification and reduction of exposure to risk factors. Evaluation and treatment of asthma, identification and treatment of comorbidities, and monitoring of medical treatment. Almost all medicines used in asthma treatment are inhaled medicines. In this way, the medication reaches the lungs faster, at the desired dose and side effects are avoided. Risk factors that trigger asthma symptoms should be identified individually and measures to prevent the development of asthma symptoms and attacks by avoiding or at least reducing exposure to these factors should be implemented wherever possible. The patient should avoid exposure to things to which they are allergic, if any. Patients with asthma should also avoid smoking or passive exposure. Each patient should be evaluated regularly to determine the current treatment plan, adherence to this treatment and the level of asthma control. The frequency of examinations and evaluations depends on the initial severity of asthma. Typically, patients should be evaluated between 1-3 months after initial treatment is started and then every 3-4 months thereafter.”
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