Table of Contents
Other Treatments
Immunizations
Patients with asthma should get an annual flu vaccine, and they should receive the vaccination against pneumococcal pneumonia at least once. [For more information, see In-Depth Report #94: Colds and influenza.]
Treating Seasonal Allergies and Sinusitis
Patients with asthma and chronic allergic rhinitis may need to take medications daily. Patients with severe seasonal allergies may need to start medications a few weeks before the pollen season, and to continue medicine until the season is over.
Immunotherapy ("allergy shots") may help reduce asthma symptoms, and the use of asthma medications, in patients with known allergies. They may also help prevent the development of asthma in children with allergies. Immunotherapy poses some risk for severe allergic reactions, however, especially for children with poorly controlled asthma.
Treatment of allergies and sinusitis can help control asthma.
[For more information, see In-Depth Reports #77: Allergic rhinitis, #5: Asthma in children and adolescents, and #62: Sinusitis.]
Preventing and Treating Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections, including the common cold, can interact with allergies to worsen asthma. People with asthma should try to minimize their risk for respiratory tract infections. Washing hands is a very simple but effective preventive measure.
Treating Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Patients with obvious symptoms of reflux (heartburn) may consider the following lifestyle changes:
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Review Date: 05/03/2011
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
