[How can asthma in children be controlled?]

Asthma is a disease manifested by recurrent episodes of shortness of breath, wheezing or cough that often require treatment at the emergency department or even hospitalization. These exacerbations are caused by an increased inflammatory process in the airways. This review focuses on the various daily long term control medications used to prevent exacerbations. The pharmacotherapy used to manage asthma is based mainly on inhaled corticosteroids (ICS and leukotriene receptor antagonists. In more severe cases, other drugs can be added, such as long-acting beta 2 agonists lare used only in conjunction with ICS] as well as additional drugs such as slow release theophylline, anti-lgE monoclonal antibodies, and more. The step-up step-down approach is used to decide on the controller medication needed. If the preventive therapy fails, it is essential to assess the adherence to therapy, the technique used, the existence of aggravating factors and the possibility that the cause of the symptoms is not asthma. For proper disclosure the third author (E.K.) has received payment in the past for lectures from Asthma drug companies.