Modern Treatment of Asthma

Abstract

The first step in treating asthma is to remove or avoid agents that provoke symptoms. When this is impossible, the physician should try to desensitize the patient. If a paroxysm does occur, drugs—by mouth, injection, suppository or inhalation—are necessary to relieve symptoms. These include sympathomimetic drugs, expectorants, steroids and, when infections occur, antibiotics.