Bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma: symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Bronchial asthma: symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Definition of bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, characterized by increased reactivity of the bronchi, spasm of the smooth muscle of the bronchial tree, and excessive infiltration of eosinophils and lymphocytes. Patients with bronchial asthma have an increased tendency to experience episodes of shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and mucus production, which can occur in response to various triggers such as allergens, respiratory infections, cold air, or physical exertion.

Etiology of bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, characterized by increased bronchial reactivity and variable obstructions. The main causes of bronchial asthma include exposure to various allergens, such as pollen, pet dander, or dust. Genetic factors also play an important role – having a family history of allergic asthma increases the risk of developing the disease. Exacerbation of asthma symptoms can be triggered by exposure to irritants, respiratory infections, changes in environmental conditions, stress, or physical exertion.

  • Allergens: Pollen, dairy products, pet fur can become allergens that may trigger asthma attacks.
  • Genetic factors: Having allergic asthma in relatives may increase the risk of developing bronchial asthma in a person.
  • Respiratory infections: Viruses and bacteria causing respiratory infections can contribute to asthma exacerbations.
  • Environmental factors: High air pollution, tobacco smoke, and chemicals can adversely affect the condition of the bronchi and promote the development of asthma.
  • Physical exertion: In some people, physical activity can trigger an asthma attack known as exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

The clinical picture of bronchial asthma

The clinical picture of bronchial asthma includes characteristic symptoms such as attacks of shortness of breath, a feeling of heaviness in the chest, cough, especially at night, and wheezing. Attacks of suffocation can occur either suddenly or gradually, sometimes exacerbated by contact with irritants or allergens.

Patients with bronchial asthma may also experience an increase in symptoms in response to physical exertion or changes in the environment. In addition, symptoms may vary depending on the degree of airway obstruction and the severity of the disease, covering both episodic mild attacks and more serious and prolonged exacerbations.

  • Attacks of shortness of breath: characterized by a sudden or gradual increase in difficulty breathing.
  • Feeling of heaviness in the chest: patients may experience discomfort and constricting pain in the chest area.
  • Night cough: worsens at night or early morning, contributing to sleep disturbance.
  • Wheezing: a characteristic sound that occurs during exhalation indicating airway obstruction.
  • Increased symptoms with physical exertion: intensified shortness of breath or discomfort in the chest during activity.

The specialists’ perspective on bronchial asthma therapy

Experts in the field of pulmonology are concerned about the effectiveness of therapy for bronchial asthma and are striving for an individualized approach to the treatment of each patient. According to recent studies, combination medications that include inhaled glucocorticoids and long-acting bronchodilators provide more effective symptom management and improve the quality of life of patients.

Experts also emphasize the importance of lifestyle and environmental factors in the treatment of bronchial asthma. Avoiding contact with allergens, wearing masks during polluted air, engaging in regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight contribute to reducing the frequency of exacerbations and improving clinical control over the disease.

The main methods for diagnosing bronchial asthma

Diagnosis of bronchial asthma usually includes history taking, physical examination, and special functional tests. During the history taking, the doctor determines the nature of the patient’s symptoms, the presence of possible provoking factors, and their connection with exacerbations. The physical examination may reveal wheezing, whistling noises during breathing, as well as a percussion sound characteristic of this disease.

To clarify the diagnosis and assess the severity of asthma, lung function tests are often conducted, including spirometry and peak flow measurement. These methods allow for the evaluation of lung volumes, expiratory flow rate, and the condition of the airways. Additional diagnostic methods, such as allergy tests and chest X-rays, may be used for further assessment of the patient’s condition.

  • Medical history: Involves a detailed questionnaire of the patient about the nature of symptoms, presence of provoking factors, and relation to exacerbations.
  • Physical examination: Allows the doctor to identify characteristic signs of the disease, such as wheezing, whistling sounds, and characteristic percussion sounds.
  • Spirometry: A functional study that allows assessment of lung volumes, expiratory speed, and the state of the airways.
  • Peak flow measurement: A method for assessing maximum expiratory flow, helping doctors monitor patients’ conditions and treatment effectiveness.
  • Additional diagnostic methods: Include allergy tests, chest X-rays, and other studies for further assessment of the patient’s condition.

Treatment of bronchial asthma

The treatment of bronchial asthma includes several main directions, including symptom control, prevention of exacerbations, and improvement of the patient’s quality of life. To achieve this goal, medications are used, including bronchodilators to widen the bronchi and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation in the airways.

In addition, an important component of treatment is the patient’s lifestyle. This includes avoiding contact with allergens or irritants, maintaining a healthy diet, exercise, and other recommendations aimed at strengthening the immune system and reducing the risk of exacerbations. The organization of treatment should be individualized and take into account the characteristics of each patient to achieve optimal results.

  • Drug therapy: Includes bronchodilators to expand the airways and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation.
  • Immunotherapy: Used in cases where asthma is associated with allergic reactions and aims to reduce sensitivity to allergens.
  • Lifestyle: Healthy eating, physical activity, avoiding tobacco smoke, and contact with allergens reduce the risk of exacerbations.
  • Education and self-monitoring: Patients are taught the proper use of inhalers, symptom control, and monitoring of disease status.
  • Treatment of exacerbations: Conducted using short-acting bronchodilators and, if necessary, corticosteroids to relieve inflammation.

Measures for the prevention of bronchial asthma

Prevention of bronchial asthma is aimed at reducing the likelihood of exacerbations and lowering the risk of developing the disease. One of the important aspects of prevention is avoiding contact with allergens such as dust, pollen from plants, and animal dander. This may include regular cleaning of the home, frequent airing of rooms, using special air filters, and other measures to reduce the impact of allergens on the body.

Moreover, a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular physical exercise, and avoiding harmful habits such as smoking, can help reduce the risk of developing bronchial asthma. It is also important to regularly monitor your health, follow the doctor’s recommendations, and, if necessary, undergo preventive measures to strengthen the respiratory system.

  • Avoid contact with allergens: regular cleaning of the premises, using hypoallergenic materials, using air filters.
  • Ventilate the premises: regular ventilation helps reduce the concentration of allergens in the air and provides fresh air in the room.
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle: a balanced diet, regular physical activity, quitting smoking and harmful habits contribute to strengthening the body and reducing the risk of disease.
  • Regularly monitor your health: preventive examinations, timely treatment of respiratory diseases, and following the doctor’s recommendations will help maintain lung health.
  • Follow the doctor’s recommendations: it is important to follow the specialist’s instructions, take prescribed medications, and undergo examinations and consultations for effective bronchial asthma prevention.

Unusual aspects of bronchial asthma

Despite the fact that bronchial asthma is well-studied and characterized by typical symptoms, there are a number of unusual aspects of this disease. For example, some patients may experience asthma attacks after physical exertion, known as exercise-induced asthma. For such cases, special attention is recommended to the dosage of medications used and prior consultation with a doctor regarding individual treatment features.

Another interesting aspect of bronchial asthma is its connection with the patient’s mental state. Stress, depression, and other psychological factors can negatively affect the course of asthma and intensify the attacks of the disease. This underscores the importance of psychological support and a comprehensive approach to treating patients with bronchial asthma, including not only physiological but also psychological aspects of the disease.

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