What is the treatment for bronchial asthma in older adults?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 49-year-old male, and I have been having asthmatic symptoms for the past four years. Since it started, the symptoms were severe; they did not respond to normal antihistamines. My doctor gave me a few steroids to control the symptoms. Since then, my symptoms have started reducing only with steroids. I am afraid of taking steroids every three months. Will this affect my health? Will it cause any side effects or complications? What is the alternative treatment for uncontrolled asthma? Is there any advanced treatment for this? Somehow, I wanted these symptoms to reduce.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

As you already described, you are suffering from bronchial asthma, and the key to its treatment is the use of inhaled medications. For adequate asthma control, appropriate inhalers with the right dose are to be used with adequate technique, and they should be used regularly.

Investigations to be done for newly diagnosed bronchial asthma:

Complete blood count.
Serum total IgE (immunoglobulin E).
Chest X-ray.
Pulmonary function test (spirometry pre and post-bronchodilator).

The following advice is to be followed for bronchial asthma:

Stop using oral medicines, including steroids and antihistamines. Start regularly using inhaler MDI Budetrol 200 (Formoterol and Budesonide) two puffs twice daily with a spacer, followed by mouthwash. Inhalers are to be used on a daily basis without any break for at least six months. No dose is to be skipped unless advised by a pulmonologist.
Mac spacer (it is to be attached to an inhaler; the technique of its usage can be learned through online videos). A spacer is necessary if you are using an MDI (metered dose inhaler) device.
Consult a pulmonologist either physically or virtually on a regular basis (at least once monthly).
Take vaccinations appropriate for the age if not taken already.
Control of co-morbid conditions, if any.

Get the investigation advised and follow up after one week, will then evaluate if your asthma is controlled or not and if it requires any further kind of treatment.

Take care to follow up with an investigation or earlier if further queries arise.

I hope this has helped you. Please feel free to reach out to me again in case of further queries.

Thank you.