Patient was educated on inhaled corticosteroids and their mechanism of action as follows:
- Chronic inflammation of the airways happens to be the key pathology in conditions such as asthma and COPD.
- In asthma, the inflammation of smooth muscle in the respiratory passages is secondary to various chemical mediators that are released due to repeated exposure to the allergens in the air. As part of the inflammation, the airways become swollen, increase mucus production, and the smooth muscle contracts, thus closing the airway down.
- In COPD, the inflammation of smooth muscle in the respiratory passages is secondary to exposure to chronic smoking. Chronic exposure to smoke and other irritants results in continued and repeated inflammation of the bronchial mucosa with increased mucus production and persistent cough. Accumulation of mucus in the airways and lungs can set the conditions favorable for chronic bacterial infections and further inflammation.
- Corticosteroids reduce the release of chemical mediators of inflammation and reduce the swelling of the airways. They also control the mucus production in the airways. Controlling all the major elements of inflammation in the airways, corticosteroids exert an anti-inflammatory action and are the main stay of treatment in asthma and COPD.
