Treatment of patients with asthma in the 1990s.

The treatment of patients with asthma in this decade requires an understanding of the inflammatory process in their airways. A combination of bronchodilators and inhaled medications that reduce or prevent this inflammatory process provides the best treatment for this population. Because the inhaled anti-inflammatory medications do not offer the immediate clinical response that bronchodilators will provide, patient education regarding proper management becomes more critical. The patient's assistance in frequently monitoring the function of the airway can help both the patient and the physician implement the necessary changes in medications to reduce the severity of or to prevent an asthma attack. Through these monitoring and treatment techniques, mortality and morbidity caused by asthma can be reduced.