Originally published October 24 2005
New asthma study recommends doctors reevaluate their patients
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology has published a study by Dr. James T. Li that advises doctors to continually reassess asthma patients to ensure their asthma is under control.
Every time an asthma patient sees a doctor, his asthma should be assessed to determine if it's being properly controlled, says a new practice parameter in the November issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
The parameter authors noted that asthma symptoms change over time and need to be constantly monitored by a doctor or other health-care professional to ensure that a patient's asthma is under control.
Every doctor or clinic visit should consist of a detailed assessment to determine if the patient's asthma is or is not under control.
"Asthma is not a static disease, and each patient reacts differently to mediation, their environment, triggers and changing allergens that affect their asthma symptoms.
Assessing these changes requires strong communication between the doctor and patient on an ongoing basis to determine whether changes are needed in medication -- either an increase or decrease," Li said.
* Asthma management should be individualized because each patient reacts differently to medication.
If asthma is completely or well-controlled, patients may be able to take less medicine.
Uncontrolled asthma may require increased medication and more frequent visits to the doctor.
Complete control is defined as: full activity; no asthma symptoms during the night or day; no need for "as needed" Albuterol; no missed school or work; normal lung function.
The parameter was developed by the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters for Allergy and Immunology, a coalition of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
According to the groups, asthma affects approximately 20 million Americans and is responsible for nearly 5,000 deaths a year.
In addition, there are almost 2 million asthma-related visits to the emergency department each year.
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