Management of asthma: Adherence, inhaler technique and self-management

Abstract

Hetal Dhruve describes how increasing adherence to inhaled therapies, optimising inhaler technique and engaging the patient in self-management can improve asthma control and quality of lifeAsthma is defined as a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways associated with an increase in airway hyper-responsiveness that leads to recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing (particularly at night). When control is achieved, patients can avoid these symptoms, exacerbations, side effects of treatment and lead an active life. The fundamental components to achieving this is adherence to inhaled therapies, optimising inhaler technique and engaging the patient in self-management.