Chiesi has been developing innovative medicines with an R&D focus for the treatment of respiratory system diseases for more than 30 years. In this ongoing research for patient health, Chiesi has developed the patented Modulity technology and adapted this patented technology to inhalers (pressure metered dose inhaler), allowing extra fine particles to reach and treat the lungs with comprehensive access by inhalation. Thanks to Modulity technology, patients can use the device easily and comfortably with a slow and long-term cloud speed. In addition, by using this technology, which allows the inhalation of extra-fine particles in its patented dry powder-based medical device (DPI, dry powder inhaler- NEXTHALER®), the widespread lung access of the drug in the treatment of asthma and COPD patients has been made possible. Thanks to BAM technology, patients use the device easily and comfortably, and both the patient and the health professional make sure that the treatment is used effectively.
In these innovative formulations that he has developed, Chiesi has aimed to enable patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to live safer, more active lives.
After all, "To live is to be able to breathe!”
Asthma is a chronic airway disease that manifests itself with symptoms such as recurrent shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness and coughing. Symptoms may occur spontaneously or as a result of narrowing of the airways caused by various triggers. Its frequency and severity vary from person to person or in the same person over time. It may progress in the event of attacks (crises) and patients may feel well outside of the attack periods. (1)
Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with frequent and different clinical types defined by different underlying mechanisms. The clinical features of the disease, its natural course, pathophysiological mechanisms, and treatment response show differences between different types of asthma. A set of recognizable demographics, clinical and /or pathophysiological characteristics are often called "asthma phenotypes", but they are not strongly associated with the specific pathological process or treatment response. The disease is usually associated with chronic airway inflammation and airway hypersensitivity, in which many cells and mediators are involved. Symptoms and airflow restriction can be triggered by factors such as viral respiratory infections, irritant or allergen exposure, exercise, and may improve with treatment or on their own. (2)
Purpose of Asthma Treatment
The purpose of asthma treatment in the chronic process is to provide asthma control. Within this scope, it is recommended to ensure daily symptom control and protection of the patient from future risk factors that will negatively affect the course of the disease.
In the treatment, it is recommended to reduce/prevent attacks within the scope of protection against future risks, to prevent the movement to persistent airflow restriction and to keep the drugs used within safe limits in terms of side effects. For this reason, it is recommended that patients with asthma should be reviewed in terms of these risk factors during their initial evaluation and annual follow-up. (2)
How Often Does Asthma Occur?
Asthma is one of the most common non-communicable chronic diseases worldwide. It is estimated that there are about 300 million asthma patients in the world. Asthma is observed in approximately 5-7 out of every 100 adults and 13-15 out of every 100 children in our country. (1)
Can asthma be completely controlled? (1)
If you are under the supervision of a doctor,
If you use your medications as recommended by your doctor and with the appropriate technique,
If you do not smoke, do not stop where you are drinking,
If you are aware of the factors and allergens that trigger your asthma and stay away from them as much as possible,
If you exercise regularly,
If you get your flu shot,
If necessary, you use your fast-acting breathalyzer medication without wasting time, without waiting for your airways to completely close,
Asthma is a controllable and treatable disease.
References:
COPD is an abbreviated disease name consisting of the initials of the name ”Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease".
The word chronic means long-standing. The word obstructive means occlusive and is used to indicate that the windpipes (bronchi) are blocked in this disease.
Then we can describe COPD as “a disease that causes blockage of the bronchi for a long time”. The worst part of this disease is that the blockage formed in the bronchi does not improve again, and if there is no treatment, the disease progresses insidiously. (1)
This disease occurs due to non-microbial inflammation of the airways, which develops especially due to cigarette smoke and other harmful gases and particles. (2)
How Often Does It Occur? (2)
The incidence of COPD is 15-20% in adults over the age of 40. In other words, one out of every 5 people over the age of 40 in our society has COPD. According to the data of the Global Burden of Disease Study, COPD causes 2.9 million deaths per year. COPD, which has become the cause of death, is also responsible for 5.5% of all deaths. Respiratory system diseases are the 3 most common in Turkey. it is the cause of death, and 61.5% of these deaths are due to COPD.
What Are the Factors That Cause the Disease? (2)
Although active smoking is a mandatory risk factor for the development of COPD, it shows that some other environmental and genetic factors are also effective in the development of the disease.
Smoking: It is the most important cause of the disease. About half of the adults in our country smoke. The age of starting smoking, the intensity of smoking, the daily and total amount smoked affect the development of the disease. Respiratory system diseases and chronic bronchitis are more common in children whose parents’ smoke. After the age of thirty, lung capacity begins to decrease every year. This rate is much higher in smokers; however, this decrease in lung capacity slows down with smoking cessation. It has been reported that smoking is responsible for 80-90% of the development of COPD, the risk of developing COPD increases by 9.7-30 times compared to non-smokers, smoking is responsible for 85% of deaths due to COPD in men and 69% in women. There is a strong relationship between the amount of cigarettes smoked and the loss of lung function. Dec.
How is COPD treated? (1)
The rules that must be followed to be successful in the treatment of COPD;
The basis of COPD treatment is “quitting smoking”. When smoking is stopped, the severity of disorders in the bronchi and air sacs slows down. Medications do not prevent the progression of the disease, so they are used only to reduce shortness of breath.
A patient who cannot quit smoking should not expect benefits from medications. Medications can reduce shortness of breath only temporarily. Patients who do not quit smoking will search for the previous year every year.
REFERENCES:
Rhinitis is a disease of inflammation of the tissue that lines the inner part of the nose and is called the mucosa.
Allergic rhinitis occurs when allergens adhere to the airway mucosa located in the nose and initiate inflammatory reactions. It is especially common in people with allergic constitution and/or those with a family history of allergies. Although the age of onset of the disease is usually at a young age, it can also be triggered at an advanced age. (1)
What are the signs and symptoms of rhinitis? (2)
Itching in the nose, palate, throat, and eyes
Nasal congestion
Runny nose
Itching in the nose
Sneezing
Bruising under the eyes
Watering in the eyes
In patients with allergic rhinitis, frequent and consecutive complaints of sneezing, itching in the nose, runny nose and/or nasal congestion, such as water, are observed. Since this disease is usually accompanied by allergic conjunctivitis, burning, stinging, itching, watering in the eyes is typical. In patients with allergic asthma, signs such as shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing are observed. (1)
The type that occurs during certain seasons (in the spring months when pollen flies) is called Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis, also known as Hay Fever.
Allergic rhinitis also has a type that lasts all year round and is called Perennial Allergic Rhinitis. The causes of Perennial Allergic Rhinitis can usually be house dust mite, various chemicals, mold fungi and animal dander. If the necessary measures are taken and appropriate treatment is given, it is possible to reduce the number of attacks of this disease.
Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis
Sneezing one after another
Runny Nose
Juicy, frequent, thick, nasal discharge
Itching / redness / burning of the eyes
Non-Allergic Rhinitis (Non-Allergic Rhinitis) is a medical term that describes sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and nasal discharge that occur in cases where there is no known allergic cause. Symptoms usually occur throughout the year, but may worsen seasonally (for example, during seasonal changes). This condition usually does not occur until adulthood. Although the exact cause is unknown, complaints are increasing with air pollution, dry air, spicy foods, alcohol, and the use of various medications.
How is rhinitis treated?
If you have allergic rhinitis and the triggers have been determined, protection from them is the first and most important step of treatment. Click here for protection measures against household allergens or pollen.
Antihistamines (oral and spray), cortisone (corticosteroid) sprays and salt water are used in the treatment of rhinitis. If nasal congestion is excessive, decongestants can be used for a short period of time (less than four days) at first. If the discharge is too much, ipratropium nasal sprays may be useful. Cortisone sprays are very effective in nasal congestion that develops due to an allergic reaction.
These drugs are quite effective in those with seasonal allergic rhinitis. In these patients, symptoms can be prevented by starting treatment before the season, or it can be ensured that they spend the season with milder complaints.
References:
(1) Home Page | Turkish National Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (aid.org.tr )
(2) ARIA guide 2019
As Chiesi, we focus on innovative treatment solutions to offer more than providing drug treatment to patients and we manage our R&D processes in this direction. In this way, we aim to facilitate breathing in the medicines that patients take by breathing, reduce the use of multiple medications, support our patients by focusing on the most appropriate and comprehensive delivery solutions for inhaled medicine to the lungs, and improve their quality of life.
