[Treatment of bronchial inflammation].
Inflammation is a general defence mechanism. It is constant in asthma where it is characterized by the presence of eosinophils in sputum and blood. Treatment of bronchial inflammation is one of the master pieces of therapeutic strategy and relies on inhaled corticosteroids in most cases. These drugs are remarkably effective and can be used for long periods with little or no side-effects, but compliance with treatment must be checked regularly. In all cases, even when corticosteroids are the mainstay of maintenance treatment, bronchodilators must be used simultaneously. The triggering factors must be taken into account and re-evaluated according to the course of the disease. In the short-term all efforts must concentrate on educating the patients and making sure that they comply with their treatment. In the mid-term new, more effective steroids with even less side-effects than the others can be tried. In the long-term anti-inflammatory agents might multiply and be prescribed in combinations for successful cure of a multifactorial syndrome.
Godard
P
P
Clinique des maladies respiratoires, hôpital Aiguelongue, Montpellier.
Ray
P
P
Demoly
P
P
Bousquet
J
J
Michel
F B
FB
D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids
Traitement de l'inflammation bronchique.