Asthma suffocation

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Bronchial asthma - symptoms and treatment, signs in adults

Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases among the population of the entire planet. Whether asthma can be cured or not is an open question. Even if we consider that at the moment it is diagnosed in the early stages and current treatment methods are used.

Table of contents:

What is asthma? This is a constantly present inflammatory disease of the airways, which is always accompanied by bronchial hyperreactivity.

The main symptoms of asthma are attacks of suffocation or respiratory discomfort in the form of paroxysmal coughing and/or wheezing and shortness of breath. Due to excess mucus production, inflammatory edema and spasm, the bronchial wall thickens and its lumen narrows. Through such a narrowed bronchus, there is not enough gas exchange with the environment, which leads to the characteristic symptoms of asthma.

More than 250 million adults and children on our planet suffer from bronchial asthma, and their number is increasing every year. The disease can worsen and lead to death. In industrialized countries, the incidence is much higher than in underdeveloped countries.

The disease usually begins at an early age. About 50% of children with proper treatment get rid of asthma by adulthood. Understanding how to treat asthma will allow you, with the help of your healthcare provider, to confidently manage your asthma symptoms on a daily basis.

Causes of bronchial asthma

What it is? The reasons why an adult or child develops bronchial asthma are not fully understood. The development of allergic asthma is based on the pathogenetic mechanism of immediate-type hypersensitivity (IgE-dependent immune response). In most cases, the disease develops due to the body's hypersensitivity to external stimuli. The cause of bronchial asthma in children over 3 years of age, in most cases, is an inhaled allergen.

The chronic inflammatory nature of this disease has now been proven, as a result of which mucus secretion increases in the respiratory tract and the production of a number of biologically active substances is disrupted. Another important reason is frequent infections and inflammations of the respiratory organs that develop under the influence of viruses, bacteria, etc.

In approximately 1/3 of sick children, asthma is of hereditary origin. The occurrence of allergic forms is provoked by various allergens - house dust, pollen, bacteria, viruses, fungi. Patients are often allergic to several different allergens.

Forms and degrees

Asthma is divided into forms depending on the cause of occurrence, as well as into degrees, depending on clinical symptoms.

  1. Allergic – its occurrence is associated with an identified allergen;
  2. Non-allergic – associated with factors of a non-allergic nature, for example, hormonal changes;
  3. Mixed (combines the characteristics of the two above forms).

Depending on the severity of the course, bronchial asthma is divided into three degrees:

  1. Mild degree - symptoms of exacerbation of the disease are observed about once or twice a month and disappear quickly, often without treatment;
  2. Moderate (exacerbation mainly at night, attacks no more than five times a year, accompanied by mild symptoms);
  3. Severe disease requires the immediate adoption of emergency measures. Frequent exacerbation of the disease, constant presence of symptoms, severely limited performance, sleep disturbances, significant impairment of external respiratory function according to spirometry.

Depending on the stage of the disease, the symptoms of the disease and treatment methods will vary.

Symptoms of bronchial asthma

The clinical picture of bronchial asthma is characterized by symptoms such as respiratory failure in the form of shortness of breath and cough. These signs in adults and children occur after contact with an allergen.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, a person takes a specific position during an attack, as if making it easier for himself to inhale painfully and especially exhale.

An asthma attack begins with a feeling of shortness of breath and a dry, painful cough, breathing becomes buzzing, and exhalation is prolonged. Whistling may become worse with deep breathing. A common symptom is a paroxysmal cough, often dry or with the discharge of a small clot of light sputum at the end of the attack.

Under the influence of medications, the attack is reversible. Mild forms can go away on their own. If left untreated, attacks become frequent and prolonged. Leaving the pathology unattended for a long time becomes the cause of irreversible asthma.

The main signs of asthma in adults and children:

  • heavy difficulty breathing;
  • tightness in the chest;
  • attacks of suffocation - a feeling that you do not have enough air;
  • very frequent cough, which is especially severe at night;
  • Many asthmatics experience wheezing;

Most patients experience the first symptoms of asthma at an early age: about half of patients are under 10 years of age and about a third are before 40 years of age. It is worth noting that not all people have the same symptoms of bronchial asthma - the symptoms and treatment of the pathology directly depend on the causes that provoke the onset of the disease.

Treatment of bronchial asthma

Currently, treatment of patients with bronchial asthma includes planned treatment in the exacerbation phase, emergency therapy aimed at stopping the attack, as well as treatment in the remission phase.

Drug treatment of bronchial asthma includes the use of drugs from the following groups:

  • glucocorticosteroids in inhaled form;
  • cromones (“Intal”, “Tailed”);
  • leukotriene receptor antagonists (Acolat, Singulair);
  • xanthines (aminophylline);
  • monoclonal antibodies (“Xolair”);
  • adrenomimetics.
  • Expectorants that improve sputum discharge and other auxiliary agents are also used.

As a treatment, basic therapy drugs are used that affect the mechanism of the disease, through which adults control the disease, as well as symptomatic drugs that affect only the smooth muscles of the bronchial tree and relieve an attack of suffocation.

A diet for bronchial asthma involves excluding from the diet foods that can provoke an allergic reaction, focusing on eating fresh vegetables, meat, fish and dairy products (if there are no allergies).

During an asthma attack, follow your plan of action. To stop an attack, you need to take a bronchospasmolytic drug using an inhaler and ensure a flow of fresh air to the lungs. If the inhalation does not work and the attack does not go away, you must urgently call an ambulance.

At the moment, medicine has made a step forward in the principles and methods of treating bronchial asthma, which over time may help cure asthma forever.

How to treat bronchial asthma with folk remedies

It is not yet possible to completely cure such a complex disease as bronchial asthma, but it is quite possible for every sufferer to weaken attacks and make them shorter. It should be remembered that folk remedies can pose a health hazard, so before using them in practice, it is recommended to obtain medical advice.

  1. Grind the ginger root to obtain about 400 grams of the finished powder; it should be infused for 2 weeks in 1 liter of alcohol, shaking occasionally. Strain the resulting tincture and take a teaspoon 2 times a day.
  2. Grind the propolis and pour it with alcohol in a ratio of 1:4. Let it brew for 7 days, remembering to stir once a day. The finished mixture is filtered, and after a day they begin to take 10 drops 3 times a day, 30 minutes before meals. Course: 2 months of use, 1 rest, then repeat.
  3. You need crushed hyssop herb, pour it into a thermos and pour boiling water over it. Take 4 tbsp per liter of water. spoons of hyssop. After an hour, you can drink it after straining it. Take one tablespoon before bed, and in the morning 30 minutes before your first meal. The course is 10 days, then it is carried out again.
  4. Take a jar in which you should put 250 grams of aloe, then add 500 grams of wine and 350 grams of honey. Stir and let it brew for 9-10 days in the refrigerator. Afterwards, the resulting tincture should be strained and the leaves squeezed out. For the first 3 days, take a tablespoon 3 times a day, then reduce the dose to a teaspoon. An important point is that aloe leaves should not be watered for 14 days before cutting them, then simply wipe them from dust without washing them under the tap.

Such methods can be effective in relation to the main manifestations of the disease, but alternative medicine also does not answer the question of how to cure asthma completely.

Preventing asthma

Prevention of the disease should begin in early childhood. If family members have a predisposition to allergies, then prevention of bronchial asthma is simply necessary. If the problem already exists, adequate treatment and elimination of allergens is necessary, which allows stabilizing the course of the disease and reducing the risk of exacerbations.

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One comment

Why is Strelnikova’s breathing exercises not mentioned at all? Well, if it’s scary to call it a means of treating asthma, then at least it would be necessary to write it as a means of relief during its course and exacerbations. The article indicated as many as 4 folk remedies that help with asthma like a dead poultice, but not a word was said about gymnastics. Haven't you heard anything about her? Yes, this gymnastics is not for the lazy and you need to allocate 30 minutes a day for it and you need to do it correctly, but it really helps and how.

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Source: http://simptomy-lechenie.net/bronxialnaya-astma-simptomy-i-lechenie-priznaki-u-vzroslyx/

Asthma: causes, symptoms, treatment, first aid

Asthma video

Asthma is a chronic disease that involves repeated attacks of breathlessness caused by spasms of the bronchi and swelling of their mucous membrane.

Alternative name: bronchial asthma

Asthma has existed since ancient Egyptian times, but there is some evidence that asthma was around long before that.

Georg Moritz Ebers, an Egyptologist of German origin, back in Egypt in the 1870s, found a papyrus containing hieroglyphs of recipes for more than 700 remedies for asthma, one of which was inhaling the vapors of a mixture of herbs heated on hot bricks.

The word "asthma" is of Greek origin and is translated as "difficulty breathing, shortness of breath." The first detailed description where “Asthma” is used as a medical term is found in the collected works of ancient Greek doctors “Corpus Hippocraticum”. Hippocrates described that spasms associated with asthma are more common among fishermen, tailors, and mechanics.

Causes and risk factors of asthma

Asthma is caused by inflammation and irritation of the airways. When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles surrounding the airways spasm and the lining of the airways swells. Due to this, the bronchi narrow, which reduces the amount of air that passes through them, and suffocation occurs.

The basis of bronchial asthma is an allergic nature - increased sensitivity of the body, and especially the tissues of the bronchi, to various, usually harmless substances - the so-called allergens and triggers. But asthma also has a mental nature as a disease, when fears or acute mental shocks provoke coughing and suffocation.

Common asthma allergens (triggers) include:

— Animals, more precisely the hair of domestic animals and the dander contained in it;

— Dust and dust mites contained in it

— Weather conditions, such as sudden changes in temperature, cold air, windy days, heat, humidity;

— Chemicals in the air or in food;

- Food products containing sulfites, such as sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, potassium metabisulfite and sodium sulfate, widely used in the food industry;

- Certain medications and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin and ibuprofen;

- Respiratory infections such as colds;

— Strong emotions and stress;

— Air pollution;

— Microorganisms inhabiting the upper respiratory tract

— Cold and flu viruses are a common cause of asthma.

- Personal or family history of allergies such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or eczema.

People whose daily or professional activities involve conditions that contribute to airway irritation and daily contact with potential allergens have increased risk factors for asthma.

The following professions are more susceptible to occupational asthma:

— Painters and plasterers

— Pastry bakers

— Chemical industry workers

— Livestock workers

— Food industry workers

— Woodworking industry workers

Asthma symptoms

Asthma symptoms can range from mild to severe. When asthma symptoms worsen, it is known as an asthma attack.

Most people with asthma experience asthma attacks separated by symptom-free periods. An asthma attack can last minutes to days, and can become life-threatening if airflow is restricted for long periods of time.

A severe asthma attack usually develops slowly, over 6 to 48 hours, called status asthmaticus, however, in some people, asthma symptoms can worsen quite quickly. During status asthmaticus, the patient's life is in real danger. It is especially difficult for older people and children.

The main symptoms of asthma include:

- Cough with or without phlegm;

- Retraction of the skin between the ribs during breathing (intercostal retractions);

- Dark bags under the eyes;

- Difficulty breathing that worsens with exercise or vigorous activity;

- Shortness of breath, which occurs during asymptomatic periods and worsens at night or in the early morning;

- Difficulty breathing in cold air;

- Chronic dry cough;

— Relief of the condition after taking drugs that dilate the bronchi.

An asthma attack develops differently in different people. When asthma attacks last longer than usual, and medications that previously helped suddenly lose their effectiveness, the onset of status asthmaticus can be suspected.

Symptoms of an asthma attack include:

- Blue lips and face;

- Decreased activity level, drowsiness or confusion during an asthma attack;

- Difficulty breathing, with especially difficulty exhaling;

- Severe anxiety due to shortness of breath;

— Temporary cessation of breathing;

- Pain and tightness in the chest

— Expansion of the chest;

- Swelling of the neck veins.

Diagnosis of asthma

If you have typical asthma symptoms, this is already enough to make a diagnosis. Therefore, the first step in diagnosing bronchial asthma is to carefully collect anamnesis: how long ago the symptoms began, how long they lasted, what causes their intensification or relief, what allergic reactions you have, and whether there are cases of bronchial asthma in your family history.

However, several diagnostic measures are still necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Spirometry. The most important way to assess lung function, spirometry is done to assess how well your lungs are working. You will be asked to breathe by a device called a spirometer.

The spirometer evaluates two measurements: the volume of air exhaled in one second (called forced expiratory volume in one second), and the total amount of air exhaled (called forced vital capacity).

The readings are compared to the average of normal readings for people your age, allowing you to determine whether your airway is truly obstructed.

Sometimes spirometry is done after taking medications to open the airways. This allows you to evaluate how your breathing improves, or more precisely, how the air flow into your lungs increases. And if spirometry readings are significantly higher after taking medication, this helps confirm the diagnosis.

Peak flowmetry. Peak flowmetry is a method for determining the speed of expiratory flow. A small hand-held device known as a peak flow meter can be used to estimate how quickly you can blow air out of your lungs in one breath. This is your peak expiratory flow rate, and the test is commonly called a peak expiratory flow test.

You may be asked to take home a peak flow meter and keep a diary recording your peak flow measurements, which are typically taken in the morning and evening.

The norm of exhalation indicators is calculated individually, taking into account gender, age, and height.

To diagnose occupational asthma, your doctor may ask you to take measurements of your peak expiratory flow both at work and away from work.

Airway reactivity. This test evaluates how your airways react when they come into contact with a trigger. You will be asked to alternately inhale increasing amounts of dry powder containing the allergen. This intentionally causes asthma symptoms and narrows the airways. Then spirometry is performed and the change in breathing in response to a potential stimulus is assessed.

Laboratory research. A sputum sample may be needed to check if you have inflammation in the lungs, as well as a blood test to assess your overall health and assess the number of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) and IgE (immunoglobulin).

Nitric oxide concentration. Nitric oxide levels are measured during exhalation. High levels of nitric oxide may be a sign of airway inflammation.

Allergy tests. Skin or blood testing can be useful to confirm how asthma is related to a specific allergen, such as dust mites, pollen, or food, and to identify the trigger. Allergy tests can be useful to identify allergens in people with chronic or long-standing asthma.

Chest X-ray. A chest x-ray may be necessary to rule out other bronchial and lung diseases, such as pneumonia, bronchitis or tuberculosis, which cause somewhat similar symptoms.

Asthma treatment

The main goals of asthma treatment are to control asthma attacks, normalize breathing and maintain respiratory function at a level as close to normal as possible, eliminating the causes that cause the disease.

There are two main types of medications to treat asthma:

1. Drugs to prevent seizures, anti-inflammatory drugs

2. Drugs for quick relief during an attack - bronchodilators.

Oral steroids. Oral steroids belong to the first group of drugs that are prescribed for long-term use in the treatment of bronchial asthma. Typically, these drugs are taken orally as tablets, capsules, or liquids.

The most commonly prescribed corticosteroids to treat asthma are prednisone, prednisolone, and methylprednisolone. Their reception lasts from 3 to 10 days.

Long-term asthma therapy is indicated to prevent symptoms in people with moderate to severe asthma. They are taken every day, even when you feel well.

Inhaled steroids can prevent symptoms by preventing swelling of the airways. They work very well and are almost always the first choice when treating asthma.

Long acting beta agonists. Long-acting beta-agonist inhalers will also help prevent asthma symptoms. These drugs should be used together with inhaled steroids.

Other control medications that may be used for asthma:

— Leukotriene inhibitors reduce inflammation by blocking the action of leukotrienes, chemicals that cause inflammation during an allergic reaction.

— Omalizumab (Xolair) is a selective immunosuppressant.

— Sodium cromoglycate (inthal, lomudal, cromolyn), which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug of non-systemic action

As a rule, medications are taken using inhalers, devices that deliver the drug directly into the respiratory tract through the mouth during inhalation. Inhalation is an effective way to take asthma medications because they go directly into the lungs with little contact with other parts of the body.

Mucus thinners. It is known that an excessive amount or increased viscosity of sputum complicates gas exchange, creates conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, and makes it difficult to cough, thereby aggravating the course of asthma. Therefore, such drugs are usually used in complex therapy with other drugs for the treatment of bronchial asthma.

Nebulizer therapy. Nebulizer therapy can be very effective in treating asthma, when medicine is delivered to the lungs using a special inhaler - a nebulizer, which generates not vapor, but an aerosol cloud consisting of microparticles of a medicinal solution.

Short-acting drugs - bronchodilators

Short-acting medications are used for quick relief to control asthma symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or an asthma attack. These drugs help relax the muscles of the respiratory tract and dilate the bronchi. They are called "bronchodilators".

An asthma patient should always have these medications on hand, anytime, anywhere.

Short-acting beta-agonists. Short-acting beta-agonists are the most common quick-relief medications for treating asthma attacks. They can also be used just before exercise to help prevent asthma symptoms caused by physical activity. They work by relaxing the muscles in the airways, allowing breathing to quickly resume during an asthma attack.

These are the most commonly used beta antagonist drugs used to quickly relieve an attack of bronchial asthma:

— Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)

— Metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel)

— Terbutaline (Brethine, Brethaire, and Bricanyl)

However, along with providing quick relief from asthma, these drugs often cause side effects, such as:

– Tremor (shaking of the hand or other parts of the body)

- Rapid and irregular heartbeat.

Anticholinergics. Inhaled anticholinergic drugs also belong to bronchodilator drugs, slightly inferior in the severity of the bronchodilator effect to beta-agonists, but without such pronounced side effects. The bronchodilator effect of these drugs develops slowly, within minutes after inhalation, and reaches a maximum after 1.5-3 hours. However, their effect lasts 6-8 hours. Therefore, they are not used for the treatment of exercise-induced bronchospasms and for the initial treatment of acute episodes bronchial asthma. But at the same time, they are successfully used to treat asthma in children, the elderly, with concomitant cardiovascular diseases and in the presence of chronic obstructive bronchitis.

These include:

Long-acting theophyllines. Theophyllines are bronchodilators widely used for the treatment of bronchial asthma due to their long-lasting bronchodilator effect, which lasts for a period of time. Although they have a moderate bronchodilator effect, they have a number of advantages:

- Relaxes the muscles of the bronchi

— Inhibit the release of mediators of allergic reactions

— Increase mucociliary clearance

— Normalize respiratory function

- Promotes oxygenation of the blood

— Strengthen ventilation of the lungs in conditions of hypokalemia

– Increase the strength of heart contractions, stimulating cardiac activity

— Reduces the tone of blood vessels

— Increase renal blood flow, providing a moderate diuretic effect.

Extended-release theophyllines include:

— Euphylline (aminophylline, diaphylline, syntophylline)

Among the side effects of theophyllines I would like to highlight:

- Tremors and convulsions

- Nausea and vomiting

— Pain from the gastrointestinal tract

— Pronounced diuretic effect

— Increased body temperature

— Heart rhythm disturbances

Related articles:

Breathing exercises and other non-drug treatments for asthma

Non-drug methods of treating bronchial asthma include breathing exercises, recreational walking, skiing, cycling, restorative massage, treatment of asthma using the Buteyko method, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, ionizers for charging (ionizing) air molecules, yoga, telhomeopathy and various Dietary supplements.

The goal of most activities comes down to developing correct breathing and learning to control it. First of all, it is important to learn to breathe through your nose and master diaphragmatic, or abdominal breathing. The essence of the method is that the strongest muscle for inhaling is the diaphragm, and for exhaling, the abdominal press is used; when inhaling, the stomach is slightly retracted, and when exhaling, it protrudes.

There is considerable evidence that breathing exercises, including Buteyko breathing exercises (a method involving shallow breathing) and yoga, can improve symptoms and reduce the need for medications in some people with asthma.

Asthma prognosis

Unfortunately, there is no medicine that provides a 100% cure for asthma; its symptoms improve over time. With proper treatment, symptom control, and underlying causes, most people with asthma can lead normal lives.

Complications of asthma can be very serious and sometimes require emergency medical attention. Serious complications of bronchial asthma include:

— Deterioration in quality of life

- Lack of sleep due to nighttime symptoms

- Persistent changes in lung function

When to see a doctor about asthma

Call to make an appointment with your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if you experience asthma symptoms:

- To relieve asthma attacks, more and more medications are required than recommended by the doctor;

- Symptoms worsen or do not improve with adequate treatment;

— Shortness of breath appeared during a conversation

- Drowsiness or confusion

- Severe shortness of breath at rest

- Severe chest pain

- Blue lips and face

Prevention of bronchial asthma

You can reduce asthma symptoms by avoiding known triggers and substances that irritate your airways:

- Remove carpets from the bedroom or vacuum them regularly. If possible, replace them with other hard floor coverings.

— Use odorless detergents and cleaning products at home.

- Maintaining low humidity in special areas such as the bathroom, basement, closet to reduce the growth of organisms such as mold.

— Keep the indoor air dry. Try to keep the humidity level below 50%.

— Keep your home clean and free of cockroaches, which can trigger asthma attacks in some people.

— Wash bedding and pillows once a week in hot water.

— If possible, do not keep animals in the house or at least in the bedroom.

— Eliminate tobacco smoke from your home. Smoking outside the home is not enough. Family members and guests who smoke outside the home bring smoke residue inside on their clothing and hair, which can cause asthma symptoms.

— Avoid air pollution, industrial dust and other irritating fumes as much as possible.

— Avoid contact with plant pollen, especially in spring. Wear a mask when outdoors this time of year.

— Fight dust and dust mites every day, do wet cleaning.

— Do not use a closed fireplace.

- Avoid cold or dry air.

— Get rid of upholstered furniture. Try using wood, leather or vinyl.

- Use air conditioning if you have one.

— Do not dry clothes outdoors. Plant pollen or industrial and household dust can settle on it.

- Keep stuffed animals away from the bed, and wash them once a week.

— Replace fabric curtains with plastic blinds.

— Keep cabinets clean and closet doors closed.

— Children with asthma need support at school. They may need help from school staff, so be sure to alert the school nurse, teachers, and coaches.

— The child should be able to take asthma medication at school when needed. School staff should know how to help a child if they have an asthma attack.

Bronchial asthma of physical exertion

Sometimes physical activity triggers asthma symptoms. This condition is called exercise asthma.

Symptoms of exercise asthma are coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath. In most cases, these symptoms appear soon after you stop exercising. But, some people may have symptoms even after they start exercising.

Experiencing these symptoms when you exercise does not mean that you cannot or should not exercise. The tips below may keep you from having exercise-related asthma attacks:

- Be careful when you exercise.

- Cold or dry air can trigger asthma symptoms if you exercise outdoors in cold or dry weather.

- Breathe through your nose.

- Wear a scarf or mask over your nose and mouth during cold and dry seasons.

— Do not exercise when the air is polluted or near fields or lawns that have just been mowed.

- Warm up before training, and cool down after training.

- Start physical activity with slow exercises before speeding up. The longer you stay warm, the better.

- To cool down, walk or exercise slowly for a few minutes.

- Football, baseball, basketball and other similar sports are more likely to cause asthma symptoms.

- Use your asthma medications before exercise, minutes before you begin the activity.

- Always carry quick-acting medications with you for emergency assistance in case of an attack.

Source: http://www.f-med.ru/pulmonologia/asthma.php

Bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma is a chronic non-infectious inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract. Chronic inflammatory processes in the respiratory organs lead to their hyperactivity, as a result of which, upon contact with allergens or irritants, bronchial obstruction instantly develops, which limits the speed of air flow and causes suffocation. An attack of bronchial asthma often develops after warning signs and is characterized by a short, sharp inhalation and a noisy, prolonged exhalation. It is usually accompanied by a cough with viscous sputum and loud wheezing. Bronchial asthma can lead to the development of emphysema and cor pulmonale, and status asthmaticus.

Bronchial asthma

Over the past two decades, the incidence of bronchial asthma has increased, and today there are about 300 million people in the world who suffer from it. This is one of the most common chronic diseases, which affects all people, regardless of gender and age. The mortality rate among patients with bronchial asthma is quite high. The fact that in the last twenty years the incidence of bronchial asthma in children has been constantly increasing makes bronchial asthma not just a disease, but a social problem, against which maximum efforts are directed.

Bronchial asthma is a chronic non-infectious inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract. Chronic inflammatory processes in the respiratory organs lead to their hyperactivity, as a result of which, upon contact with allergens or irritants, bronchial obstruction instantly develops, which limits the speed of air flow and causes suffocation.

Attacks of suffocation are observed with varying frequency, but even in the remission stage, the inflammatory process in the respiratory tract persists. The following components are at the heart of the disturbance of air flow in bronchial asthma:

  • obstruction of the airways due to spasms of the smooth muscles of the bronchi or due to swelling of their mucous membrane.
  • blockage of the bronchi with the secretion of the submucosal glands of the respiratory tract due to their hyperfunction.
  • replacement of bronchial muscle tissue with connective tissue during a long course of the disease, which causes sclerotic changes in the bronchial wall.

Despite its complexity, bronchial asthma responds well to treatment, thanks to which stable and long-term remission can be achieved. Constant control over their condition allows patients to completely prevent the onset of asthma attacks, reduce or eliminate the use of drugs to relieve attacks, and also lead an active lifestyle. This helps maintain lung function and completely eliminate the risk of complications.

The most dangerous provoking factor for the development of bronchial asthma are exogenous allergens, laboratory tests for which confirm a high level of sensitivity in patients with asthma and in individuals who are at risk.

The most common allergens are household allergens - house and book dust, aquarium fish food and animal dander, plant allergens and food allergens, which are also called nutritional allergens. In 20-40% of patients with bronchial asthma, a similar reaction to medications is detected, and in 2% the disease was acquired as a result of working in hazardous industries or, for example, in perfume stores.

Infectious factors are also an important link in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, since microorganisms and their metabolic products can act as allergens, causing sensitization of the body. In addition, constant contact with infection maintains the inflammatory process of the bronchial tree in the active phase, which reduces the body's sensitivity to exogenous allergens.

The so-called hapten allergens, that is, allergens of non-protein structure, entering the human body and binding to its proteins also provoke allergic attacks and increase the likelihood of asthma. Factors such as hypothermia, family history and stressful conditions also occupy an important place in the etiology of bronchial asthma.

The changes in the bronchi are based on sensitization of the body, when during immediate allergic reactions, occurring in the form of anaphylaxis, antibodies are produced, and when the allergen is encountered again, an instant release of histamine occurs, which leads to swelling of the bronchial mucosa and hypersecretion of the glands. Immune complex allergic reactions and delayed sensitivity reactions proceed similarly, but with less severe symptoms. An increased amount of calcium ions in human blood has recently also been considered as a predisposing factor, since excess calcium can provoke spasms, including spasms of the bronchial muscles.

A pathological examination of those who died during an attack of suffocation reveals complete or partial blockage of the bronchi with viscous thick mucus and emphysematous expansion of the lungs due to difficulty in exhaling. Tissue microscopy most often shows a similar picture - a thickened muscle layer, hypertrophied bronchial glands, infiltrative bronchial walls with desquamation of the epithelium.

Classification of bronchial asthma

  • allergic bronchial asthma
  • non-allergic bronchial asthma
  • mixed bronchial asthma
  • bronchial asthma, unspecified

By severity:

  • intermittent, that is, episodic
  • persistent mild severity
  • persistent moderate severity
  • persistent severe

By level of control:

  • controlled
  • partially controlled
  • uncontrollable

That is, the diagnosis of a patient with bronchial asthma includes all of the above characteristics. For example, “Bronchial asthma of non-allergic origin, intermittent, controlled, in the stage of stable remission.”

Symptoms of bronchial asthma

An attack of suffocation during bronchial asthma is divided into three periods: the period of precursors, the period of height and the period of reverse development. The period of precursors is most pronounced in patients with an infectious-allergic nature of asthma; it is manifested by vasomotor reactions from the organs of the nasopharynx (copious watery discharge, incessant sneezing). The second period (it can begin suddenly) is characterized by a feeling of tightness in the chest, which does not allow breathing freely. The inhalation becomes sharp and short, and the exhalation, on the contrary, becomes long and noisy. Breathing is accompanied by loud wheezing, a cough appears with viscous, difficult to expectorate sputum, which makes breathing arrhythmic.

During an attack, the patient’s position is forced; usually he tries to take a sitting position with the body tilted forward and find a fulcrum or rest his elbows on his knees. The face becomes puffy, and during exhalation the neck veins swell. Depending on the severity of the attack, you can observe the participation of muscles that help overcome resistance during exhalation.

On percussion, the sound is clear and boxy due to the hyperairiness of the lungs, the mobility of the lungs is sharply limited, and their boundaries are shifted downward. On auscultation over the lungs, vesicular breathing is heard, weakened with prolonged exhalation and with a large number of dry wheezing rales. Due to the increase in lung volume, the point of absolute dullness of the heart decreases, the heart sounds are muffled with an accent of the second tone above the pulmonary artery.

During the period of reverse development, gradual discharge of sputum begins, the amount of wheezing decreases, and the attack of suffocation gradually fades away.

Manifestations in which the presence of bronchial asthma can be suspected.

  • high-pitched wheezing when exhaling, especially in children.
  • repeated episodes of wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and coughing that gets worse at night.
  • seasonality of deterioration of health in the respiratory system
  • presence of eczema, history of allergic diseases.
  • worsening or occurrence of symptoms upon contact with allergens, taking medications, contact with smoke, sudden changes in ambient temperature, acute respiratory infections, physical activity and emotional stress.
  • frequent colds that “descend” to the lower respiratory tract.
  • improvement after taking antihistamines and anti-asthmatic drugs.

Complications of bronchial asthma

Depending on the severity and intensity of asthma attacks, bronchial asthma can be complicated by pulmonary emphysema and the addition of secondary cardiopulmonary failure. An overdose of beta-adrenergic stimulants or a rapid reduction in the dosage of glucocorticosteroids, as well as contact with a massive dose of an allergen, can lead to status asthmaticus, when attacks of asthma come one after another and are almost impossible to stop. Status asthmaticus can be fatal.

Diagnosis of bronchial asthma

The diagnosis is usually made by a pulmonologist based on complaints and the presence of characteristic symptoms. All other research methods are aimed at establishing the severity and etiology of the disease.

Spirometry. Helps to assess the degree of bronchial obstruction, determine the variability and reversibility of obstruction, and also confirm the diagnosis. In asthma, forced exhalation after inhalation of a bronchodilator increases by 12% (200 ml) or more in 1 second. But to obtain more accurate information, spirometry should be performed several times.

Peak flowmetry or measurement of peak expiratory activity (PEA) allows you to monitor the patient’s condition, comparing the indicators with those obtained previously. An increase in PEF after inhalation of a bronchodilator by 20% or more from PEF before inhalation clearly indicates the presence of bronchial asthma.

Additional diagnostics include allergen tests, blood gas assessment, ECG, bronchoscopy and chest x-ray.

Laboratory blood tests are of great importance in confirming the allergic nature of bronchial asthma, as well as for monitoring the effectiveness of treatment.

  • general blood analysis. Eosinophilia and a slight increase in ESR during an exacerbation.
  • general sputum analysis. Microscopy in sputum can reveal a large number of eosinophils, Charcot-Leyden crystals (brilliant transparent crystals formed after the destruction of eosinophils and shaped like rhombuses or octahedrons), Courshman spirals (formed due to small spastic contractions of the bronchi and look like casts of transparent mucus in the form spirals). Neutral leukocytes can be found in patients with infection-dependent bronchial asthma in the stage of active inflammatory process. The release of Creole bodies during an attack was also noted - these are round formations consisting of epithelial cells.
  • A biochemical blood test is not the main diagnostic method, since the changes are of a general nature and such studies are prescribed to monitor the patient’s condition during an exacerbation.
  • study of immune status. In bronchial asthma, the number and activity of T-suppressors sharply decreases, and the amount of immunoglobulins in the blood increases. The use of tests to determine the amount of immunoglobulin E is important if allergy tests are not possible.

Treatment of bronchial asthma

Since bronchial asthma is a chronic disease, regardless of the frequency of attacks, the fundamental point in therapy is the exclusion of contact with possible allergens, adherence to elimination diets and rational employment. If the allergen can be identified, then specific hyposensitizing therapy helps reduce the body’s reaction to it.

To relieve asthma attacks, beta-agonists are used in aerosol form to quickly increase the lumen of the bronchi and improve the outflow of sputum. These are fenoterol hydrobromide, salbutamol, orciprenaline. The dose is selected individually in each case. Drugs from the group of m-anticholinergics - aerosols of ipratropium bromide and its combination with fenoterol - are also effective in stopping attacks.

Xanthine derivatives are very popular among patients with bronchial asthma. They are prescribed to prevent asthma attacks in the form of long-acting tablet forms. In the last few years, drugs that inhibit mast cell degranulation have shown positive effects in the treatment of asthma. These are ketotifen, sodium cromoglycate and calcium ion antagonists.

When treating severe forms of asthma, hormonal therapy is included; almost a quarter of patients need glucocorticosteroids; mg of Prednisolone is taken in the morning along with antacid drugs that protect the gastric mucosa. In a hospital setting, hormonal medications can be prescribed by injection.

The peculiarity of the treatment of bronchial asthma is that it is necessary to use drugs in the minimum effective dose and achieve an even greater reduction in dosage. For better sputum discharge, expectorant and mucolytic drugs are indicated. It is also necessary to promptly treat concomitant diseases - chronic bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, then taking antibacterial drugs is indicated.

Prevention and prognosis for bronchial asthma

The course of bronchial asthma consists of a series of exacerbations and remissions; with timely detection, a stable and long-term remission can be achieved, but the prognosis depends largely on how attentive the patient is to his health and follows the doctor’s instructions.

Prevention of bronchial asthma is of great importance, which consists of sanitizing foci of chronic infection, combating smoking, as well as minimizing contact with allergens. This is especially important for people who are at risk or have a family history.

Bronchial asthma - treatment in Moscow

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Asthma

Asthma is a fairly serious and common disease. It affects the respiratory tract, causing a feeling of suffocation. If treatment is not started promptly, it can lead to serious complications. There are several types of illness, all of them are accompanied by severe symptoms and require certain treatment.

Asthma, what is it

Asthma is a serious disease that provokes asthma attacks of various origins. During asthma and, especially during an attack, the airways (AT) become narrow, and their inner lining becomes swollen and painful. Such an unpleasant process causes inflammation of the mucous membrane. On its surface there are small glands that secrete a lot of viscous mucus during an exacerbation. Inflammation provokes coughing and contraction of the respiratory muscles, which contributes to suffocation.

The disease can be caused by a variety of factors:

As a rule, asthma is a congenital disease that actively develops from early childhood. However, the disease can be acquired and appear in an adult. The disease actively manifests itself during the flowering period of plants, during physical exertion, severe stress, or under the influence of environmental factors (for example, working conditions, allergies). The disease needs timely treatment, otherwise it can develop into a chronic form.

Important! Asthma in children and adults requires timely and high-quality treatment. If you neglect the doctor's recommendations and do not monitor your health, this disease is fatal.

Classification of the disease

Asthma affects the airways, leading to suffocation. However, this unpleasant disease can be caused by several factors, according to which the disease is classified.

Bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma code according to ICD 10 is a chronic inflammation of the airways. An unpleasant process occurs and worsens if there are irritating factors. They provoke severe symptoms that impair quality of life:

  • severe and painful cough, which worsens after physical exertion, in cold air, most often an attack of bronchial asthma begins at night;
  • shortness of breath, in which it is difficult to exhale. Breathing is very constrained, which provokes fear in a person;
  • whistling wheezing is heard, causing air to pass through the mucus-clogged DP;
  • lack of air causes suffocation.

During an attack, a person begins to breathe through his mouth, which allows him to inhale the necessary portion of air. However, in this case it becomes difficult to exhale. If the disease is chronic, then the patient develops the so-called “pigeon breast”.

The main cause of this illness is infectious diseases (colds). Initially, asthma manifests itself as bronchitis, so it is difficult to diagnose. An unidentified diagnosis does not allow starting the correct treatment that will restore health.

Cardiac asthma

Cardiac asthma is a serious condition characterized by acute failure of the left side of the heart. The disease is characterized by shortness of breath and suffocation, so during an attack, urgent medical attention is needed. A person experiences the following severe symptoms:

  • lack of oxygen;
  • severe and nonproductive cough;
  • blood pressure rises;
  • there is pain in the heart;
  • there is a fear of death.

The disease develops against the background of various heart diseases. It is formed if the left side of the heart cannot cope with the load placed on it. This causes a lot of blood to accumulate in the blood vessels and increases blood pressure. As a result, plasma leaks through the capillary walls and penetrates into the lung tissue. This abnormal process leads to pulmonary edema, which naturally makes it difficult to breathe normally.

Aspirin asthma

Aspirin-induced asthma is a type of bronchial asthma caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Groups of anti-inflammatory drugs block enzymes responsible for the formation of important biologically active substances. Due to this process, molecules are formed in the body that provoke a narrowing of the bronchi. As a result, a person experiences signs of asthma, which is accompanied by severe symptoms:

  • attacks of suffocation that vary in duration and severity;
  • the mucous membrane in the nasal cavity becomes inflamed;
  • intolerance to non-steroidal drugs.

Aspirin-induced asthma is considered a serious disease. If a diagnosis is not made in a timely manner, the person becomes disabled or may even die. However, with timely treatment and following the recommendations of a specialist, the disease is highly treatable.

Allergic asthma

Allergic asthma is the most common form of the disease, which is expressed by increased sensitivity of the respiratory system to certain allergens. As soon as a person inhales an allergen, the body receives a signal that an irritant has entered. The immune system is instantly launched, which is accompanied by a sharp contraction of muscle fibers located near the respiratory organs. Doctors call this process bronchospasm. As a result, the mucous membrane swells, and the body begins to produce viscous mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe properly. During an exacerbation, a person experiences the following unpleasant changes in his health:

  • severe and nonproductive cough;
  • wheezing and whistling are heard during inhalation and exhalation;
  • severe shortness of breath is felt;
  • there is pain in the chest;
  • there is a feeling of squeezing in the chest;
  • suffocation.

An allergic reaction is provoked by any irritant, for example, pollen, animal hair, dust and others.

Diagnostics

If a person observes symptoms of asthma in the body, they should immediately consult a doctor. The specialist prescribes a series of examinations that can establish an accurate diagnosis. Among the mandatory tests are:

  • obtaining information (history) from the patient;
  • peak flowmetry, determines the speed of air flow;
  • airway reactivity;
  • laboratory tests (sputum, blood test);
  • nitric oxide level;
  • allergen test;
  • chest x-ray.

All these examinations will allow the doctor to understand the general condition of the patient and establish an accurate diagnosis. Based on this, the specialist will be able to make the correct appointment.

Emergency care for bronchial asthma

During an attack, a person’s life completely depends on how quickly and correctly first aid is provided. It is necessary to remove from the person everything that would interfere with his free breathing. After which the patient must take the correct position, sit down or stand so that he can rest his hands on a hard surface. The patient must be reassured and the window opened to let in fresh air.

Treatment

Asthma therapy allows you to control asthma attacks, restore breathing and eliminate the causes of the disease. Treatment always takes place in several stages; only this approach will effectively maintain health. All drugs have many contraindications, so they must be taken under the strict supervision of a doctor and accordingly the permissible dosage. For treatment, tablets, injections and inhalers are used.

Important! Whether asthma is treated or not depends entirely on the severity of the disease.

  1. Treatment with tablets and injections. The patient is prescribed to regularly take medications that restore normal functioning of the respiratory system. However, such drugs are not suitable for emergency use. Among the common medications, the patient is prescribed:
  • glucocorticosteroids (Acolat);
  • leukotriene antagonists (Singulair);
  • monoclonal antibodies (Klosar);
  • xanthines (Neophyllin, Teopek).
  1. Asthma inhaler. They are used to quickly restore breathing and relieve an attack of suffocation. If a person has a chronic form of the disease, then he must constantly carry this remedy with him. As a rule, doctors recommend using:
  • b-2 alrenomimetics (Berotec, Serven);
  • cromones (Tailed, Intal);
  • anticholinergics (Ispraven, Atroven, Spiriva);
  • glucocorticosteroids (Beclotid, Flixotide, Beclazone);
  • combination medications (Seretide, Berodual).

Which doctor treats asthma? Choking attacks can be caused by various factors, so the disease is treated by several specialists: an allergist, a pulmonologist and a cardiologist. Children need to see a pediatrician, who will restore the baby’s health.

Breathing exercises for bronchial asthma

Regular exercise will significantly improve the patient's quality of life. They strengthen blood vessels, cleanse them of plaque, increase immunity, restore blood circulation, which promotes normal breathing.

Important! During exercise, you need to breathe only through your mouth, but your breaths should be shallow. Gymnastics must be done twice a day.

There are many different breathing exercises. One of the most common methods is Strelnikova. The main advantage is that the exercises are easy to perform. It is called a “pump” because it focuses on exhalation. The person should take the starting position, place their feet shoulder-width apart, and take a rolled-up newspaper or stick in their hands. It is necessary to lean forward and take a quick breath through your nose. After which the person straightens up and exhales freely through his mouth. That's the whole technique, but its results won't take long to arrive.

Disease prevention

Prevention of any disease will not allow the disease to develop. Initially, you should try to avoid any allergens and promptly treat bronchitis. It is important to maintain a normal immune system, which will protect against various diseases. For preventive purposes, it is necessary to relax in special resorts where the air is clean and healthy. To make a choice, you need to consult a doctor. He takes into account the general condition of the patient and will be able to recommend the best preventive measures.

Therapy for bronchial asthma involves the mandatory use of inhalers, which relieve the symptoms of the disease and minimize the risk of exacerbations. Each asthma inhaler contains highly effective medications.

Bronchial asthma is accompanied by attacks of suffocation. The disease poses a serious threat to human health, so it is impossible to do without drug treatment. Special ones can be an excellent addition to the main therapy.

Asthma is a common respiratory disease. Her seizures can strike at any time. It is difficult to completely get rid of the disease, but it is important to maintain a stable state of health and not.

The most significant causes of bronchial asthma are hereditary predisposition and allergic reactions. Of the allergens, the most important are medicinal allergens, waste products of dust mites and cockroaches, and birds.

Aspirin asthma is one of the varieties of this disease; it occurs when using drugs based on acetylsalicylic acid and other anti-inflammatory painkillers. In this form.

Atopic bronchial asthma is a common form of allergy manifestations. In this case, the mucous membranes of the respiratory organs become hypersensitive to the effects of allergens, as a result of which symptoms such as severe develop.

Bronchial asthma is a disease characterized by damage to the respiratory tract as a result of exposure to allergic irritants. Usually chronic. The disease causes a lot of trouble in everyday life.

Asthma is a serious disease, attacks of which often require emergency medical attention. Despite the fact that most often they talk about the bronchial form, cardiac asthma also occurs.

Bronchial asthma is a common disease that affects the airways. During an attack, a person feels suffocated, so he needs urgent help. From speed and.

Bronchial asthma is a chronic disease characterized by the appearance of an inflammatory process in the respiratory tract as a result of the influence of harmful external factors. This disease is quite common among.

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