Bronchial asthma: first signs and symptoms, causes and treatment

Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by short-term attacks of breathlessness caused by spasms in the bronchi and swelling of the mucous membrane. This disease has no specific risk group or age restrictions. But, as medical practice shows, women suffer from asthma 2 times more often. According to official data, today there are more than 300 million people living with asthma in the world. The first symptoms of the disease most often appear in childhood. Elderly people suffer from the disease much more difficult.

• Etiology
• General symptoms
• Kinds
• Bronchial asthma
• Stages of development
• Subtypes of bronchial asthma
• Aspirin asthma
• Allergic asthma
• Asthma of tension
• Cough asthma
• Occupational asthma
• Nocturnal asthma

Etiology

The exact etiology of this disease is still unknown. But, as medical practice shows, the causes of the development of the disease can be both hereditary factors and external stimuli. Very often, etiological factors from both groups can act together.

Initially, the following possible risk factors should be identified:

• hereditary predisposition;
• presence of allergens;
• overweight, impaired metabolism.

The main allergens that can cause an asthma attack include the following:

• dander and pet hair;
• dust;
• detergents for cleaning the house, washing powders;
• food products that contain sulfite and its compounds;
• mold;
• tobacco smoke;
• some medications;
• infectious or viral diseases.

The following ailments can also trigger an asthma attack:

• inflammatory diseases in the bronchi;
• acute infectious diseases;
• frequent use of aspirin;
• long-term use of medications;
• severely weakened immune system.

Causes of asthma

Classification according to clinical variants and ICD-10

The typology of clinical variants of the disease includes the following forms of bronchial asthma:

1. Primary altered bronchial reactivity.
2. Professional.
3. Allergic.
4. Infection-dependent.

Bronchial asthma

Less common than others is primary altered bronchial reactivity (in approximately 7% of cases). It is characterized by symptoms such as:

• suffocation;
• intolerance to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• constant growth of polyps in the paranasal sinuses, as well as in the chambers of the nose.

Most often, this disease develops in women aged 30 to 50 years against the background of frequent use of medications containing acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).

Workers of chemical, textile and woodworking enterprises, as well as workers in the agro-industrial complex, most often suffer from the occupational form of the disease. This option differs in that in the absence of provoking factors, intermittent bronchial asthma is formed. In every fifth patient, it is possible to identify the substance that provokes asthma attacks. This type of bronchial asthma is called allergic. With it, the main manifestations also reduce their severity or completely disappear after stopping contact with the allergen.

Infection-related asthma occurs in approximately half of patients. This disease develops against the background of various infectious diseases of the bronchi.

The classification of asthma according to ICD-10 is generally accepted. According to it, the following stand out:

• predominantly allergic form;

• non-allergic form;
• mixed form;
• unspecified form.

The first type of asthma develops in the presence of an identified substance that provokes an attack of difficulty breathing. Many doctors also consider cold asthma to be this type. In this form, the attack is provoked by cold weather.

In the non-allergic form there is no such provoking substance. The most common cause of such asthma is bronchitis, as well as COPD of degrees 2 and 3.

The mixed form is characterized by symptoms of the 2 previous variants of the disease. In an unspecified form, it is not possible to identify the cause of the disease.

General symptoms

At the initial stage, asthma symptoms may look like this:

• cough - dry or with sputum;
• dyspnea;
• retraction of the skin in the ribs while drawing in air;
• shallow breathing that worsens after physical activity;
• almost constant dry cough, for no apparent reason.

As the disease progresses and during the attack itself, the patient may experience the following symptoms:

• chest pain;
• rapid breathing;
• increased sweating;
• swelling of the veins in the neck;
• unstable blood pressure;
• wheezing and a feeling of tightness in the chest;
• drowsiness or confusion.

In some cases, short-term cessation of breathing is possible.

Signs of an allergic type of disease

Allergic asthma is quite common and is expressed by a reaction to any allergens. Each person can have an allergic reaction to different objects, smells, foods, substances. Allergens entering the respiratory tract cause shortness of breath, suffocation, skin rash, and itching. There are cases that allergic attacks appear even to substances that previously did not cause any reactions in a person.

Allergic asthma

All asthma patients react to irritants such as tobacco smoke, smoke from a fire or stove, while no rashes are observed in patients with allergic asthma.

With allergic asthma, the reaction to irritants such as smoke increases, but no rashes are observed

Signs of allergic asthma are similar to signs of bronchial type disease:

• whistling during inspiration;
• persistent cough;
• difficulties with the breathing process;
• pressing pain in the chest area;
• I always want to sleep.

Symptoms of bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma

Today in official medicine it is customary to distinguish four stages of development of bronchial asthma:

• imitating(variable);
• mild persistent;
• moderate asthma;
• severe persistent asthma.

It goes without saying that treatment of this disease in the initial stages is much more effective and poses virtually no threat to the life of a child or adult. The development of the initial stages may be caused by prolonged contact with the allergen. As a rule, when contact is avoided and appropriate medications are taken, the symptoms completely disappear.

As for the last stage of development of bronchial asthma, there is already a real threat to human life. If the patient is not provided with timely medical care, then death is not an exception.

Stages of development of bronchial asthma

First stage:

• the attack occurs no more than 2 times a week;
• night attacks no more than once a month;
• exacerbations are short-lived.

Second stage:

• the clinical picture appears no more than once a day;
• night attacks bother the patient more often - 3-4 times a month;
• possible insomnia;
• unstable blood pressure.

Third stage:

• attacks of illness bother the patient every day;
• frequent night symptoms of the disease;
• the disease can significantly affect the patient’s life.

Fourth stage:

• attacks daily, several times a day;
• insomnia, frequent attacks of suffocation at night;
• the patient leads a limited lifestyle.

At the last stage of the disease, an exacerbation of the disease is clearly diagnosed. You should seek medical help immediately.

Clinical manifestations

Endogenous and exogenous bronchial asthma can manifest themselves with the same symptoms. Typical manifestations of the disease are:

• cough during the day or at night;
• shortness of breath;
• feeling of lack of air;
• whistling in the chest;
• suffocation;
• wheezing.

The most common complaint of patients is cough. In most cases it is dry. More often it bothers you in the morning or at night. Often wheezing is heard when coughing. A small amount of viscous sputum may be produced. Even with mild asthma, shortness of breath may occur. She is expiratory. Such people experience difficulty in exhaling. The inhalation is short and the exhalation is long. In moderate to severe cases, patients breathe through their mouths.

With stage 3 asthma, the condition of patients is more severe. This type of asthma is called moderately persistent asthma. With it, attacks can occur several times a day. Such patients may develop movement disorders. Only grade 4 can be more severe than grade 3. In this case, the attacks are constant. They bother a person several times a day. All this significantly worsens the patient’s quality of life.

The persistent course of the disease is characterized by frequent attacks. Depending on the severity of clinical signs, 4 degrees of asthma severity are distinguished. At grade 4 there is a high risk of respiratory arrest. This division is based on the following objective signs: motor activity of a sick person, difficulty speaking, clarity of consciousness, respiratory rate, wheezing, auscultatory signs, heart rate, blood gas composition, blood oxygen saturation, peak expiratory flow and some others.

Subtypes of bronchial asthma

Aspirin asthma

Among all the possible causes of the development of this disease in children or adults, acetylsalicylic acid, commonly known as aspirin, should be especially highlighted. Sensitivity to this medication is observed in 25% of the total population. As a result, a subtype of bronchial asthma may develop - aspirin asthma. This subtype of the disease is characterized by a pronounced clinical picture and serious condition of the patient.

It should be noted that not only aspirin can provoke an asthma attack or asthmatic cough. Almost any drug with a similar chemical composition can have such an effect on the body. The stages of development of the disease are the same as in the general clinical picture.

The following symptoms are observed in aspirin-induced asthma:

• attacks of suffocation;
• inflammation of the nasal mucosa;
• the formation of polyps on the nasal mucosa.

Aspirin asthma is diagnosed extremely rarely in a child. The main risk group is women 30–40 years old. It is noteworthy that initially the disease can manifest itself in the form of influenza or ARVI. Therefore, patients do not seek medical help in a timely manner, which significantly aggravates the situation.

Allergic asthma

This subtype of bronchial asthma is considered the most common among people. Symptoms of the pathology first appear in childhood and can only intensify over time. Main manifestations of pathology:

• frequent sneezing;
• cough;
• profuse lacrimation;
• allergic rhinitis.

Such asthma develops due to an excess of histamine in the body, which begins to be more actively produced due to exposure to allergens.

Most often, the disease develops as a result of prolonged exposure to the following allergic substances on the body:

• animal hair;
• smoke - tobacco, from fireworks, etc.;
• flavored substances;
• dust;
• plant pollen and so on.

Allergic asthma

The main treatment tactic in this case is taking antihistamines. They are prescribed by an allergist or immunologist. It is prohibited to “prescribe” medications to yourself, as this can only worsen the general condition of the body.

Asthma of tension

Signs of progression of this disease usually appear during intense physical activity. The patient has difficulty breathing and a severe cough. The airways narrow to their maximum 5–20 minutes after starting certain exercises. Treatment for this condition involves the patient using inhalers to control the occurrence of such attacks.

Cough asthma

The main symptom of the disease is a severe cough that continues for a long time. Cough asthma is very difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat. Most often, physical exercise and respiratory infections can provoke the progression of pathology.

If the patient repeatedly develops coughing attacks, then it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor for diagnosis. You should undergo a test that will help determine the presence of the disease - a pulmonary function test.

Occupational asthma

The causative agents of this type of asthma are located directly in a person’s workplace. Most often, a person notes that an exacerbation of the disease develops on weekdays, and on weekends the symptoms decrease.

Main symptoms:

• cough;
• runny nose;
• my eyes are watering.

The development of such asthma is observed in people of the following professions:

• hairdresser;
• farmer;
• carpenter;
• artist.

Nocturnal asthma

If this disease develops, the symptoms become more intense at night, during sleep. It is worth noting that according to statistics, most deaths due to asthma occurred at night. This is due to many factors:

Bronchial asthma

• decreased lung performance during sleep;
• horizontal body position;
• circadian rhythm disturbance, etc.

Main symptoms:

• coughing;
• labored breathing;
• wheezing.

Causes of the disease

As mentioned above, the occurrence of an attack of bronchial asthma is caused by a spasm of smooth bronchial muscles. The disease occurs regardless of a person's age. Bronchial spasm leads to a sharp deterioration in health, coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing. The main causes of attacks:

• Human contact with irritants (dust, pollen, mold, wool, chemicals, etc.)
• Feelings of fear and increased anxiety - emotional overload negatively affects the respiratory tract
• Diagnosis of acute respiratory diseases and respiratory pathologies
• Taking certain medications
• Physical overexertion

Cardiac asthma

Cardiac asthma is attacks of suffocation and shortness of breath that occur in a person due to stagnation of blood in the pulmonary veins. This condition develops when the left side of the heart malfunctions. As a rule, attacks develop after stress, increased physical activity, or at night.

Causes:

• disruption of blood flow from the lungs;
• various heart pathologies - chronic cardiac aneurysm, acute myocarditis, etc.;
• increased blood pressure;
• cerebrovascular accident;
• infectious diseases - pneumonia, glomerulonephritis, etc.

Factors that increase the risk of developing the disease:

• drinking alcohol in large quantities;
• constant overwork;
• lying position;
• stress;
• injection of a large amount of solutions into a vein.

Symptoms:

• dyspnea. It's hard for a person to breathe. The exhalation is long;
• due to venous stagnation, swelling of the neck veins occurs;
• The cough is suffocating and painful. This is the human body’s reaction to swelling of the bronchial mucosa. At first the cough is dry, but later sputum begins to be produced. Its quantity is insignificant and the color is transparent. Later, its volume increases, it becomes foamy, and changes color to pale pink (due to the admixture of blood);
• pale skin;
• fear of death;
• increased arousal;
• cyanotic skin tone in the nasolabial triangle;
• profuse and cold sweat.

Cardiac asthma: symptoms and first aid

How to distinguish asthma from bronchitis?

There are signs that allow you to distinguish asthma from bronchitis in an adult.

They are presented in the table below:

Asthma in children

In the CIS countries, asthma is diagnosed in 10% of children. Most often the disease is diagnosed in a child aged 2–5 years. But, as medical practice shows, the disease can affect a child at any age.

It should be noted that bronchial asthma cannot be completely cured. In some cases, during puberty, the child's symptoms may disappear. But in this case it is impossible to talk about a complete recovery.

In general, there are three forms of this disease in children:

• atopic;
• infectious;
• mixed type.

As in cases of the development of the disease in adults, the main etiological factor is the allergen. This, in turn, can be anything - dust, pet hair, detergents, flowering plants and medications.

Symptoms of asthma in children are:

• 2–3 days before the attack – irritability, tearfulness, loss of appetite;
• attack of suffocation (most often in the evening or at night);
• cough;
• increased sweating.

Attacks of asthmatic cough in a child can last from 2 to 3 days. During the period of remission, the child does not complain about his health and leads a normal lifestyle.

The main course of treatment for bronchial asthma in a child consists of planned therapy. Treatment should be strictly under the supervision of an allergist.

It is important for adults to understand that the child’s condition and the period of remission depend directly on them. It is necessary not only to give the baby the necessary medications in a timely manner, but also to prevent the allergen from entering the baby’s vital activity field.

As for hypoallergenic living, the following rules should be followed:

• books and wardrobes with clothes should be closed;
• there should be no feather or down pillows in the house;
• The baby’s presence of soft toys should be minimized;
• put all cleaning and laundry products out of reach;
• Clean the house thoroughly and prevent mold from forming;
• If there are pets in the house, they should be bathed and thoroughly combed.

Following these rules at home and your doctor's recommendations will help minimize the frequency of acute attacks and asthmatic cough in your child. The slightest signs of asthma in children require immediate medical attention.

What is preasthma

Pre-asthma is a condition when the first signs of bronchial asthma appear. These include:

• Frequent nasal congestion with copious, clear discharge
• Sometimes nasal congestion occurs as a reaction to a specific allergen (fur, pollen, etc.).

The first signs of bronchial asthma are often ignored by the patient due to their similarity to colds. For this reason, they rarely see a doctor in the early stages of preasthma.

Regardless of the form, bronchial asthma manifests itself:

• A persistent cough that produces sticky sputum
• Wheezing accompanied by whistling, audible at a distance

Treatment is carried out using aerosol-type beta-agonists and m-anticholinergics. Chronic asthma is controlled with hormonal medications.

Asthma during pregnancy

If a woman suffers from asthma, the disease may worsen during pregnancy, or vice versa - a long period of remission will occur. But, as statistics show, such cases are quite rare - only 14%.

As for pregnancy with asthma, there are only two forms of this disease:

• infectious;
• allergic, but non-infectious in nature.

In the first case, the etiological factor is infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Regarding the second form, we can say that allergens became the cause of the development of the disease.

Asthma during pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman may experience the following clinical picture:

• discomfort in the throat;
• runny nose;
• pressing pain in the chest;
• noisy, shallow breathing;
• pale skin;
• cough with slight sputum production.

In some cases, pregnant women may experience increased sweating and bluish skin.

When these symptoms end, an asthmatic attack usually occurs. This is a human condition in which the symptoms only worsen and the attack does not stop for 2-3 days.

But this is not the greatest danger. Some women during pregnancy refuse to take medications, believing that it can harm the baby. And they are very wrong. Refusal to take necessary medications poses a direct threat to the life functions of not only the mother, but also the baby. Simply put, he can simply suffocate in the womb. Asthma should always be treated, even during pregnancy.

The easiest way to treat asthma during pregnancy and maintain a period of remission is with the help of special inhalers. This does not pose a threat to the life and development of the fetus. In addition, you need to adhere to a healthy lifestyle and avoid contact with allergens.

Infectious asthma

Infectious (bacterial) dependent bronchial asthma most often occurs in adulthood after suffering from certain diseases.

Its symptoms are usually acute and reach their peak 2-3 weeks after the onset of the first manifestations. Infectious or bacterially dependent bronchial asthma develops as a complication in the presence of pneumonia, bronchitis, ARVI, influenza, chronic rhinitis, etc. With this course of the disease, a person observes symptoms that can quickly transform into status asthmaticus.

Often (especially in children) infectious (bacterial) allergic bronchial asthma develops. This form of the disease develops under the influence of various causes. Many scientists agree that the first asthma attack is most often caused by an acute infection affecting the respiratory tract.

It leads to the body's susceptibility to the negative effects of various allergens. Often the bacteria themselves that provoke the development of an infectious disease, and their waste products, are the main irritants. They lead to a further allergic reaction of the body and to the development of bronchial asthma.

Diagnostics

When diagnosing this disease, it is very important to find out the possible causes and the patient’s medical history, both personal and family. After this, the patient is sent for instrumental diagnostics.

Diagnosis of bronchial asthma

The standard diagnostic program includes the following:

• spirometry - test for lung function;
• peak flowmetry - studies to determine the speed of air flow;
• chest x-ray;
• allergy tests - to determine the cause of the disease;
• test to determine the concentration of air oxide - this allows you to diagnose inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.

Spirometry

As for laboratory tests, the doctor may prescribe a general and biochemical blood test. This is necessary to assess the general condition of the patient and measure the number of white blood cells.

Diagnosis of cardiac asthma

Basic diagnostic methods:

• ECG;
• Ultrasound of the heart;
• heart doppler;
• radiography in two projections.

Only on the basis of the results obtained can a doctor make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment for an adult or child. It is worth noting that research is needed not only for an accurate diagnosis, but also to identify the cause of the disease. Unauthorized treatment at home or through folk remedies is unacceptable.

Asthma attack

If the onset of the disease can be asymptomatic, then asthmatic attacks are easy to recognize. The main symptom of an asthma attack in adults is suffocation. In this case, the person’s chest takes on a cylindrical shape, and he himself takes a forced sitting position (orthopnea position) in which respiratory functions are preserved. Pain in the area of ​​the left sternum is less common, but can occur with heart failure.

Treatment

Bronchial asthma

This disease cannot be completely cured. By following the correct lifestyle and doctor’s recommendations, you can only extend the period of remission and minimize the frequency of attacks. Initially, the cause of the development of this allergic process should be completely eliminated.

Drug therapy involves taking two types of drugs:

• to block attacks - anti-inflammatory drugs;
• for quick relief during the attack itself - bronchodilators.

The first group includes oral steroids. They can be in the form of tablets, capsules or a special liquid. The second group includes beta-agonists. That is, asthma inhalers. Inhalers should always be at hand for a person who has bronchial asthma. These asthma inhalers must be used together with inhaled steroids.

In general, drug therapy involves taking the following drugs:

• Prednisone;
• Prednisolone;
• Methylprednisolone.

On average, the course of taking these medications lasts from 3 to 10 days. But the dosage and frequency of administration are prescribed only by the attending physician.

Also, treatment of asthma in adults involves taking medications to remove phlegm from asthmatic coughs and nebulizer sessions.

Inhalation with a nebulizer

Cardiac asthma

If cardiac asthma develops, you should immediately call an ambulance. Before her arrival, it is necessary to sit the patient comfortably and lower his legs from the bed. It is best to prepare a hot foot bath for him to ensure sufficient blood flow to his feet. A tourniquet is applied to the lower extremities for 15 minutes. This will help relieve the pulmonary circulation.

Treatment of cardiac asthma is carried out only in inpatient settings. Drug therapy includes the prescription of the following drugs:

• narcotic analgesics;
• nitrates;
• neuroleptics;
• antihistamines;
• antihypertensive.

Remember that any medicine for asthma should be taken only on the recommendation of a doctor and in the dosage indicated by him.

What signs indicate the onset of asthma development?

Causes of asthma

In adults, the symptoms of the onset of the disease are practically invisible, but during the season of exacerbations, attacks are very life-threatening. Basically, the signs of the onset of an attack depend on the degree of the disease. The more severe the disease, the more clearly the symptoms appear.

The initial signs of the onset of the disease are often mistaken for a common cold (runny nose, coughing, sneezing). All this aggravates the recognition of bronchial asthma at the earliest stages. At first, adults are treated for a cold, but the condition gets worse, and attacks of suffocation appear. If such symptoms occur, you should immediately consult a specialist.

The initial symptoms of asthma are similar to a common cold.

The first signs you should pay attention to:

• any manifestations of allergic reactions;
• Frequent colds, regardless of the time of year, may indicate the onset of asthma;
• chest pain, irregular breathing with difficulty, intermittent speech.

The first signs to look out for are chest pain and difficulty breathing

Treatment with folk remedies

On the recommendation of a doctor and if the patient’s health condition allows, treatment can be carried out at home. Folk remedies should also be used only on the recommendation of a doctor. This is due to the fact that most of these products have not been tested; the patient may have an individual intolerance to some ingredients.

Folk remedies should be considered as preventative, and not as the main course of treatment. If the decision was made to treat at home with folk remedies, then it is better to use ginger infusion. Inhalation with steam from boiled potatoes helps a lot in this case.

It is worth noting that treating cardiac asthma at home is unacceptable, as this can lead to the death of the patient. This disease is extremely dangerous, so it needs to be treated only in a hospital setting.

Diagnosis and treatment

You can check for asthma using a peak flow meter, which measures your maximum exhalation rate.
This can be done at home by purchasing the device at the pharmacy. Previously, everyone was afraid of the diagnosis of asthma, there were no effective treatment regimens, and a person with asthma was forced to live on medications with no hope of improvement. Asthma is successfully treated. As a treatment, drugs are selected that should eliminate inflammation and spasm of the bronchi, eliminate the allergic reaction.

To eliminate the occurrence of an allergy, it is necessary to eliminate the source or allergen that provokes the allergic reaction.

To dilate the bronchi, drugs are used - bronchodilators, short or long acting. For asthma, medications are prescribed to reduce inflammation of the bronchi. Most often, hormonal inhaled drugs are prescribed as treatment.

For inhalation, devices are used - nebulizers, which help spray drugs with ultrasonic frequency; the smallest particles enter the damaged and vulnerable parts of the bronchi.

What is the prognosis for asthma treatment? By using all the medications recommended by your doctor and following the correct treatment regimen, you can completely get rid of the disease.

But the tendency of the bronchi to relapse remains, and due to the influence of unfavorable factors, the disease may return, so it is necessary to register with the clinic at your place of residence and protect the bronchi from negative influences (smoking, inhalation of toxic substances).

Prevention

There is no prophylaxis as such to prevent asthma. But you can minimize the frequency of attacks. To do this, the following rules should be applied in practice:

• regularly carry out wet cleaning of premises, without using scented detergents;
• bookcases must be closed;
• if there are pets in the house, then regular disinfection should be carried out;
• bed linen should not contain down or feathers. It is better to replace it with synthetic;
• there should be a minimum of fabric and curtains in the room;
• You should always have an inhaler on hand to relieve an attack;
• treat diseases of internal organs of infectious and non-infectious nature in a timely manner.

The application of such simple rules will help to significantly reduce the frequency of attacks and significantly facilitate a person’s life. But it should be understood that a person needs to adhere to such a lifestyle throughout his life. It is impossible to completely cure this disease.

Signs of classification

According to the ICD document, bronchial asthma was classified based on its etiology and severity. But such information was not enough to understand the overall picture. Therefore, the modern approach to formulating a diagnosis includes the following parameters:

• severity at the time of detection of the disease;
• indicator of the effectiveness of the therapy;
• the possibility of stabilizing the course of the disease over a long period of time;
• the relationship between the etiology of bronchial asthma and the characteristics of its clinical manifestations;
• the presence of complications and the causes of their occurrence.

Signs of an approaching attack

The first symptoms of the onset of the disease appear in a mild form (most often at night):

• At night, suffocation is expressed in the form of a regular short or periodic cough. In the morning and afternoon all symptoms disappear. Due to interrupted sleep, a person feels very tired, as if “he spent the whole night unloading wagons.”

• Deterioration in health and cough during the day are observed under certain conditions. This could be work, public transport, or a walk along a busy street. Most likely, at this moment the person comes into contact with an allergen or irritant substance, which contributes to the exacerbation of the first symptoms. At home, health most often improves, the cough goes away.

• When coughing, a small amount of clear and viscous sputum is released (typical only for asthma).

• Physical activity is accompanied by cough, mild shortness of breath, and rapid fatigue. Performing the same work each time requires more and more effort, so a person is forced to take a rest break more often.

• Cold air or strong odors in the room (perfumes, flavors, household chemicals, spices) cause breathing problems. Once these factors are eliminated, the symptoms stop.

• Emotional tension and stressful situations lead to difficulty breathing.

• Worsening of health in the summer (runny nose, cough, wheezing) in windy sunny weather with relief during periods of high humidity.

• Rash, redness and other allergic reactions (including hereditary predisposition to them) that occur in nature or when cleaning the house.

• heredity in 30% of cases;
• in a region with a lot of industry, there is a low level of ecology, reflected in bad air;
• passive or active smoking;
• consumption of large quantities of citrus fruits, chocolate, nuts and other allergic irritants;
• poor environmental conditions at work.

Once asthma is identified, the first step is to get rid of the causes of its development.

Cough is the first and main symptom of the development of bronchial asthma, but since it is a sign of a number of colds and viral diseases, people rarely pay attention to it. It can be distinguished from the symptoms of other diseases. As symptoms develop, the cough becomes dry and appears in attacks with the release of a small amount of sputum.

At the initial stage of the disease, a person develops wheezing and whistling, which the doctor can hear during auscultation. How to determine bronchial asthma by these symptoms yourself? In a quiet environment, even a sick person can hear this, but often they do not pay attention to it, attributing it to fatigue or a mild cold.

• With increasing emotions and aggression;
• In a supine position during sleep, when a person is at rest.

The manifestation of whistles is the first sign that helps the doctor determine the authenticity of the developing disease.

Another clear sign of the development of diseases appears unexpectedly in the form of pressure in the chest. This symptom lasts for a few minutes, but people often go into a state of panic. Some begin to rush around the room, call an ambulance, thinking that this sign is related to the heart, others prefer to fall into a stupor.

Bronchial asthma, like any other disease, can have an individual development, in which the standard list of symptoms is not visible, but there are other signs of its development. The cough form of asthma is only the most common type of disease, which is accompanied by symptoms that come to the surface. Additional signs include the following symptoms:

• the breathing process becomes confused and uneven for no apparent reason;
• noises are heard during inhalation, but this does not cause discomfort and is not accompanied by similar sounds when exhaling;
• lack of tone in a person, reluctance to work and move, apathy;
• undue outbursts of agitation or poor concentration;
• the appearance of insomnia or disruption of the biological sleep clock.

Doctors most often find such signs in children during adolescence, but they can also appear in adults. You should pay attention to this if there are no prerequisites for such symptoms. In cases where a person is lazy by nature, lack of tone is not always a symptom.

You should pay close attention to the symptoms of asthma in adults, because the disease can begin almost unnoticed, but during periods of exacerbation it becomes dangerous to health and life. In general, the signs strongly depend on the stage of the disease - the more severe it is, the more clearly the symptoms appear. To do this, you need to know how bronchial asthma begins in adults.

The first symptoms are often mistaken for a cold: chest congestion, coughing, sneezing. Therefore, the disease cannot always be recognized at an early stage. But in the absence of treatment, the patient’s condition begins to deteriorate, attacks of suffocation appear, and this is a reason for an emergency visit to the doctor. So, the first symptoms of asthma:

• Allergic reactions. They develop in a child before the disease itself appears.
• Frequent colds, observed not only in winter, but also in summer. This may mean that a cough variant of asthma is already developing.
• Weakened breathing, intermittent speech, pain in the chest.

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that causes hyperactivity of the bronchi. As a result, increased sensitivity of the bronchi to various environmental influences develops, manifested in the form of asthmatic spasm.

Due to excess mucus production, edema and spasm, the bronchial wall thickens and the lumen narrows. As a result of this narrowing, there is no sufficient gas exchange with the environment, which leads to repeated attacks of suffocation, wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing.

The attacks go away on their own or under the influence of medications for bronchial asthma.

A condition characterized by a risk of developing bronchial asthma is called pre-asthma. It is characterized by the development of allergies of various natures in combination with inflammation of the respiratory system or vasomotor disorders.

Suspicion of asthma may be caused by the presence of true allergic pathologies of the respiratory system (hay fever, rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, alveolitis), which are characterized by seasonal exacerbations. Their development is most often provoked by various allergens.

Other pathologies are added to the basic allergic component, which are the cause of asthma symptoms:

• increased activity of the smooth muscle muscles of the bronchial walls. Any irritating effect on the mucous membranes leads to the development of bronchospasm;
• under the influence of certain external factors, a massive release of substances involved in the development of an inflammatory and allergic reaction is possible. The usual symptoms characteristic of allergies are not observed in such a situation;
• the main sign of inflammation is swelling of the mucous membranes. Because of this feature, bronchial patency worsens in asthma;
• decreased mucus production. Against the background of an attack of suffocation during asthma, there is a lack of mucous secretion during cough syndrome or a minimal amount of it;
• There is a predominant lesion of the middle and small bronchi, which lack a cartilaginous frame.
• With the development of the disease, pathological transformation of lung tissue is observed due to impaired ventilation.

There are several degrees of severity of this pathology, the classification is based on the reversibility of bronchial obstruction and the frequency of asthma attacks. The more often the attacks occur and the longer they last, the more severe the severity.

When diagnosing the disease, asthma is distinguished:

• mild course (intermittent);
• moderate (persistent mild);
• severe (persistent moderate);
• extremely severe (persistent severe).

Based on the information given above, we can say that bronchial asthma is a chronic, sluggish inflammatory disease of the bronchi, the cause of exacerbations in which is a reaction to external stimuli, causing an attack of bronchial obstruction, accompanied by suffocation.

At an early stage of the development of the disease, attacks occur rarely and are relieved quickly. Over time, they appear more often and are less amenable to therapy.

How successful the treatment of this disease will be depends on the timely detection of the pathology.

At an early stage, patients with bronchial asthma have complaints of:

• shortness of breath or suffocation. These signs can appear with complete well-being and peace at night, as well as against the background of physical activity, or if polluted air, smoke, dust, or pollen enters the respiratory tract. In addition, the occurrence of such symptoms is possible due to changes in air temperature. The main symptom is their sudden, paroxysmal appearance;
• cough. A typical symptom of bronchial asthma is a dry cough. It appears simultaneously with shortness of breath and is characterized by annoyance. The man seems to be trying to clear his throat, but he can’t. Only towards the end of the attack does the cough become wet, and scanty transparent mucous sputum appears;
• frequent peripheral breathing with prolonged exhalation. During an asthma attack, adults or children complain not of difficulty breathing, but of the inability to fully exhale. The exhalation in this case is long; it requires great effort to carry it out;
• wheezing during breathing. As a rule, they are dry and whistling. Sometimes they can even be heard remotely. During auscultation they are heard better;
• the need to adopt a characteristic posture during an attack. Doctors gave this condition a name – orthopnea. In such a situation, the patient sits down with his legs down and rests his hands on a horizontal surface. In this position, additional muscles are activated, and it is easier for a person to inhale.

Types of asthma and level of disease control

In order to select the correct treatment and adjust it in time, it is necessary to take into account how the clinical picture of the disease changes in response to initial therapy. If the correct treatment is taken, the drugs are chosen correctly, even in patients with persistent moderate or severe asthma, the indicators of external respiratory function change for the better.

According to the level of control, asthma can be well controlled, partially controlled or uncontrolled. The characteristics and indicators of these species can be found in the figure below.

If the disease cannot be controlled, it is necessary to find out why this is happening. The doctor finds out whether there have been changes in the patient’s lifestyle: whether he follows medical recommendations, whether the allergen is isolated (if allergic asthma), whether exposure to triggers is limited (physical stress, smoking, polluted air, other exacerbation factors), whether cases of acute infectious diseases have become more frequent diseases of the respiratory tract, whether any chronic respiratory disease has worsened.

Causes

The reasons that trigger the formation of bronchial asthma are both external factors (living and working conditions) and internal, psychological reasons.

External conditions:

• Frequent inhalation of smoke;
• Allergic reaction to animal fur;
• Reaction to mold;
• Ticks at home;
• Reaction to plant pollen;
• Heavy and regular physical activity. O and “sedentary” lifestyles, which significantly reduce a person’s physical activity, can also act as factors provoking bronchial asthma;
• Acute stress and chronic stressful experiences, emotional overload, experiencing extreme situations.

What provokes bronchial asthma in adults
Predisposition factors to bronchial asthma:

• Heredity. If the parents suffered from bronchial asthma, then, with a high degree of probability, their child will also exhibit characteristic symptoms;
• The nature of pregnancy, characteristics of birth. Intrauterine infections or postpartum complications in the respiratory tract.

Psychological aspect

Psychologists and psychotherapists call bronchial asthma a standard psychosomatic disease.

A psychosomatic disease is a disorder in which both the body (internal organs) and the psyche are involved in the mechanism of its creation.

Often the provoking factor is stress, unexpressed acute emotions that are “somatized,” that is, manifested at the level of the body.

In asthma, this is expressed by breathing problems, although the person may not have respiratory tract pathology.

In this case, bronchial asthma in an adult begins in childhood. Bronchial asthma is understood as a protective mechanism; it is formed even before the child learns to speak.

The formation process is as follows:

• The child is anxious
• Fear,
• There is discomfort (elementarily due to the fact that he “went to the toilet”), but the mother does not react to this in any way.

Since the baby cannot speak yet, the only means of communication with the mother are crying and screaming.

But sometimes the mother does not respond to these “methods of communication.” In this case, the child will look for other ways to “scream” to the closest person who provides him with safety and comfort. He begins to cough loudly, wheeze and breathe heavily.

It is rare that a mother will not react to such “methods of communication”, because this is a direct threat to the child’s health.

As a result, the method of “reaching out” to the mother is consolidated:

• Cough;
• Wheezing;
• Dyspnea.

These symptoms become fixed and remain in the future. The more often in infancy a child is forced to use this mechanism, the higher the likelihood that in adulthood he will have real bronchial asthma in the chronic stage.

Reasons for development

Risk factors for developing the disease:

• Heredity. One of the most significant factors. In 1/3 of all patients the disease is hereditary.
• Professional risks. Every 5th person suffering from asthma is caused by harmful substances inhaled at work. This is dust of various origins, gases, vapors.
• Ecology. About 3-6% of cases are caused by air pollutants.
• Detergents , in liquid or aerosol form. They provoke 18% of the initiation of the disease in adults (according to the ECRHS study, conducted in 10 EU countries over ten years).
• Obesity. Children who are overweight have a 52% higher risk of developing the disease.
• Nutrition. Affects the course of the disease. It is easier for those who prefer plant foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Those who consume fat and animal proteins and refined carbohydrates experience more severe symptoms of the disease and more frequent exacerbations.

Asthma - what is it?

Bronchial asthma is a chronic respiratory disease. During the illness, the inner walls of the bronchial tree become inflamed. This process leads to swelling and redness, a lot of thick mucus begins to be released, which makes breathing difficult. The person begins to cough, but this only aggravates the situation, as it leads to gradual suffocation and severe wheezing.

Doctors recognize several types of asthma: mild, moderate and severe. In any case, the patient needs treatment. There are several types of the disease, they all differ in their severity, method of treatment and organs that were affected:

• aspirin;
• bronchial;
• cardiac;
• allergic.

Under the influence of negative factors, the disease worsens, so the person needs emergency help. During remission, the patient feels quite well, but he needs to take medications.

Diet

A diet for asthma is necessary to:

• Normalize or strengthen immunity.
• Reduce bronchospasm.
• Avoid foods that trigger attacks.
• Restore the functions of the bronchial mucosa.
• Reduce the permeability of the intestinal walls to allergens.
• Influence the functioning of inflammatory cells responsible for bronchospasms.

General nutritional principles for people suffering from asthma:

• Avoid fried foods. It is better to eat boiled, salted, stewed after preliminary boiling, or steamed.
• Some products are pre-treated: potatoes are soaked for half a day, vegetables and cereals - for 1-2 hours.
• The meat is boiled twice, the first broth is drained.
• It is worth limiting your salt intake, as it increases bronchial hyperactivity.
• Consume carbohydrates in moderation, especially fast ones.
• The water regime is established; it is usually recommended to drink a lot of high-quality water.
• Alcohol is contraindicated, but there is no strict restriction.

Allowed products for bronchial asthma

Below is a detailed list of foods recommended for asthma:

• Various vegetable oils.
• From animal oils - melted butter.
• Green vegetables: cabbage, peas, broccoli, green beans.
• Melons: zucchini, squash, light-colored pumpkin.
• Recommended fruits: plums, apples of any color except red, pears.
• Berries: light-colored cherries (white, light yellow, pink), any currant except black, gooseberries.
• Any fruit with vitamin C is recommended: lemons, oranges, kiwi.
• Vegetables with beta-carotene: tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers.
• Seasonings: dill, leafy greens.
• Cottage cheese.
• Yoghurts without flavorings or additives.
• Natural curd cheese, any hard but not sharp cheeses.
• Whole grain dishes.
• Cereals: any, except semolina. Brown rice is better.
• Pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, legumes.
• Meat - lean varieties of all types of meat, from beef to horse meat.
• Bread is wheat, but not made from premium flour.
• Lean grain breads or flakes.
• Long lasting cookies and drying.

Bright orange pumpkin contains a lot of carotene, which can cause an allergic reaction . The same applies to any brightly colored fruits or berries.

Prohibited foods

First of all, these are all products that have a stimulating effect on the central nervous system:

• Drinks with caffeine: very strong tea, coffee.
• Cocoa, chocolate.
• Fatty, saturated meat broths of the first broth.
• Marinades and canned food.
• Spices, too spicy dishes.

Products with a high content of oxalic acid are also contraindicated.

This:

• spinach,
• sorrel,
• swede,
• salad,
• chocolate,
• celery,
• parsley,
• rhubarb.

Patients with the aspirin form should avoid salicylates.

They contain large quantities:

• apricots,
• melons,
• oranges,
• cherry,
• blackberry,
• raspberries,
• cucumbers,
• tomatoes,
• potato.

Both lists of recommended and prohibited products are quite arbitrary.

Experts agree that if there is no intolerance to specific foods or concomitant diseases that require a diet, you should not turn prohibited and permitted foods into dogma.

Food should be varied and bring joy. In some cases, it is more important to follow a diet and avoid overeating, especially before bed.

Pathogenesis and etiology

The pathogenesis of the disease is the mechanism of its development, consisting of two stages. The disease manifests itself as an uncomfortable feeling in the chest, attacks with characteristic wheezing, shortness of breath and severe coughing. Pathogenesis is based on pathophysiological and immunological reactions.

In an immunological reaction, an attack of bronchial asthma manifests itself through an allergen, leading to bronchospasm. The pathophysiological reaction of their hyperactivity is due to inflammation in the bronchi. The narrowing of the bronchial lumen is accompanied by difficulty breathing. Two types of reaction are observed:

• Early – suffocation develops within a minute or two, reaching its peak after twenty minutes. The duration of exacerbations is two hours
• Late - the inflammatory process develops after six hours, the duration of exacerbation is twelve hours

Disturbances associated with the functioning of the central nervous system may appear. The pathological reflex provokes bronchial spasm passing through the vagus nerve. Treatment of bronchial asthma in adults should be comprehensive. Treatment of the disease affects several systems of the body.

If the cause of bronchial asthma is allergens, they bind to group E immunoglobulins, activating mast cells. Inflammatory mediators actively affect the mucous membrane. Chronic bronchial asthma occurs with swelling and suffocation.

The non-allergic form develops infection by activating lysosomal enzymes that affect the mucosa. Inflammatory cells are released. The inflammation is chronic, causing vascular vulnerability, swelling, and suffocation.

Factors that provoke chronic inflammation can be:

• Tobacco smoke
• Cold air
• Emotional and physical stress

Vascular permeability increases, swelling of the mucous membrane and hypersecretion appear, and suffocation occurs. Before you understand how to treat bronchial asthma, you need to understand why attacks occur. The etiology of the disease includes types of factors:

• Neuropsychic – bad mood, depression, depression, stress
• Infectious – fungi, bacteria, viruses
• Weather - the bronchi become sensitive to sudden temperature changes and changes in pressure levels
• Atopic: these include insects, animals, dust mites, plant pollen, down and feathers, medications, and so on
• Mechanical and chemical - when chemicals systematically affect the respiratory system

Classification by etiology

Asthma is classified according to what causes the attack. Highlight:

1. exogenous form of bronchial asthma. An allergen from the outside enters the body, causing a reaction of the respiratory system in the form of bronchospasm. Triggers for the onset of an attack may include pollen, pet hair, or dust. Atopic asthma, which differs from others due to the patient’s genetic predisposition to bronchial hypersensitivity, is considered separately;
2. endogenous - the cause lies inside the body. This may be due to physical activity, temperature changes, or stress. Separately, we can distinguish the infectious form of asthma - when attacks occur due to exposure to viruses or microorganisms;
3. mixed. An attack of suffocation appears as a result of the reaction of the bronchi to the influence of both external factors and internal stimuli.

What is the disease?

Bronchial asthma has an inflammatory immunoallergic origin. The progressive course of the disease makes it dangerous to health. The specificity of bronchial inflammation lies in the combination of an immune disorder and the overlay of an allergic component. This combination explains the occurrence of seizures.

The allergic component is complemented by other factors:

1. Lesions affect small and medium bronchi.
2. Absence (or not a significant amount) of sputum when coughing.
3. Impaired bronchial patency due to swelling of the mucous membrane.
4. The absence of general manifestations of allergies under certain external influences, but manifestations of an allergic nature directly in the bronchi.
5. Bronchial spasm - as a result of a negative effect on the mucous membrane with high activity of the smooth muscles of the bronchial walls.
6. Impaired ventilation of the lungs due to changes in the lung tissue.

Late symptoms

Late symptoms include:

• Feeling weak and unwell during and after an asthma attack
• Oxygen deficiency, when attacks are prolonged and make the skin bluish
• Increased heart rate - heart rate reaches 130 beats per minute. Stopping an attack reduces the rate to 100 beats per minute
• Protruding nails and thickening of the far phalanges of the fingers
• The development of pulmonary emphysema - develops when the pathology has a protracted course. The percussion boundaries of the lungs and the volume of the chest expand, the supraclavicular areas protrude, and breathing becomes weaker
• The appearance of cor pulmonale – manifests itself when asthma is severe and pulmonary hypertension develops in the pulmonary circulation. There is an enlargement of the right heart chambers
• Eczema, atopic dermatitis and other allergic diseases develop

Forms of asthmatic disease

According to the ICD, bronchial asthma is divided into several forms. These include:

ALLERGIC. In this case, the provocateur of the disease is an allergen. In this case, an atopic form of asthma is distinguished with increased sensitivity to household chemicals.

NON-ALLERGIC. This group includes aspirin asthma, which manifests itself in intolerance to aspirin, NSAIDs and yellow medications.

MIXED. This group combines all the symptoms of bronchial disease.

In addition, persistent, moderate, mild and severe forms of the disease are distinguished. All these stages are characterized by common symptoms such as impaired breathing, attacks of suffocation and decreased performance.

Allergic (atopic) form

This type of disease is one of the most common, the basis of which is an acute reaction to various types of allergens. As a rule, allergens that often cause an asthmatic attack include:

dust mites present in house dust;

• animals (wool, saliva, excrement);
• stinging insect bite;
• pollen of flowering plants;
• Food;
• cosmetics, etc.

Treatment of this asthmatic form consists of stopping contact with the allergen and administering medication.

Aspirin-induced bronchial asthma

This type of disease belongs to the allergic variety, and this form received its name due to the fact that among all the anti-inflammatory drugs for its relief, aspirin most often provokes an acute negative reaction.

The classification of bronchial asthma in children is complicated by various complications, which requires mandatory drug treatment and restriction of the patient's access to the allergen. To expand the bronchial lumens and reduce the immune response to the irritant, adrenergic agonists and glucocorticosteroids are prescribed.

Persistent form of the disease

This asthmatic form varies in severity. Persistent asthma can be severe, moderate or mild. This type of disease is characterized by constant irritation of the bronchi, and the inflammatory process has characteristic symptoms and can last quite a long time (months and even years). The persistent form requires the use of complex therapeutic measures with the administration of glucocorticosteroids and beta-2 adrenergic agonists.

Bronchial asthma of intermittent nature

This type of disease is characterized by episodic development. Unlike persistent asthma, this form of asthma is much easier to treat and does not cause serious problems. Attacks of intermittent asthma are episodic, so treatment measures are aimed specifically at stopping their attack and achieving long-term remission, allowing the patient to lead a normal lifestyle. In addition, it is recommended to follow preventive measures aimed at preventing the development of stressful situations, adherence to a special hypoallergenic diet and sleep and rest regime. Quite often, these types of bronchial asthma require the prevention of all possible contacts with allergens so that the disease sharply reduces its activity.

Uncontrolled bronchial asthma

This type of disease is considered the most dangerous, since the patient, as a rule, is not able to assess the severity of the development of symptoms. However, he does not receive specially prescribed treatment. Uncontrolled asthma develops suddenly and is accompanied by a sharp increase in symptoms. If treatment is not carried out in a timely manner, the disease can develop into a more severe chronic form. To prevent the development of uncontrolled asthma, constant monitoring of the patient's condition and timely consultation with specialists is required.

Asthma occupational

This type of bronchopulmonary disease accounts for 20% of all cases of bronchial asthma. As a rule, it develops against the background of unfavorable factors associated with a person’s professional activity (paint, varnishes, hazardous products, chemicals, etc.). The disease occurs only in adult patients of working age.

To obtain positive results in treatment, a mandatory change in professional activity is required to prevent the penetration of harmful substances into the patient’s respiratory system. In case of severe development of the disease, drug therapy is used in accordance with a special protocol.

The most understandable is the classification of bronchial asthma according to the severity of the condition (mild, moderate and severe). It must be taken into account that sometimes it is quite difficult to draw a conclusion about the severity of asthma, although it is necessary for making a decision on further therapy.

When determining the severity of the disease, all factors are taken into account (symptoms, duration of attacks, effectiveness of therapy, etc.). In addition, physical and instrumental diagnostics are carried out.

Classification

The entire history of the classification of bronchial asthma is associated with the identification of the causes that determine it. The difficulty in classifying this disease lies in the fact that every year new causes are identified that provoke the formation of this disease. The consequence of this is a large number of different classifications. Different countries, depending on the school of science, have their own classification.

A long time ago, back in the 8th century BC, a disease was described , attacks of which made breathing difficult. It is mentioned by the ancient Greek poet-storyteller Homer, in his recorded work “The Iliad”

The famous ancient physician Hippocrates (460-370 BC), who was called the “father of medicine,” described suffocating processes during breathing, which he called asthma. In his opinion, they arose due to dampness and cold.

At the border of the first and second centuries, the ancient Greek physician Aretaeus proposed a classification according to which asthma occurs due to cold and humid air. Another reason was excessively heavy physical labor or sports-military stress. The disease is severe in men and their mortality rate is high from this disease. But the disease is less common among them compared to women and children.

In the middle of the second century, the Roman physician Galen studied the mechanism of the disease, which causes suffocation during breathing.

Why is disease classification needed?

According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of bronchial asthma is becoming catastrophic:

1. In Russia – 7 million people or 2.2%. For every 100,000 population, mortality is 29 cases. 43 thousand people die every year.
2. In China, mortality is 37 cases per 100,000.
3. Canada – 1.6 cases per 100,000 people.
4. Scotland – 18%. The highest percentage of the disease.

Fact! Worldwide, 250 people die every year. More than 6 billion US dollars are spent on curing the disease.

The disease is characterized by an incredible variety of different symptoms; in each individual case they can vary widely. In order for doctors to understand each other and be able to coordinate their actions, a uniform classification is needed that covers various aspects:

1. severity of the disease before treatment;
2. severity of the course, taking into account the initiation of therapy;
3. degree of disease control - displaying the treatment process over a certain time period and certain medications. How the body reacts to injected drugs;
4. flow phases;
5. clinical variants of the course of the disease - a feature of the course of the disease from the causes of bronchial asthma;
6. presence of complications.

Rackemann classification

In the West, they use the classification proposed by the doctor Rackemann (F. Rackemann, 1918). According to his theory, the following forms can occur:

1. exogenous;
2. endogenous.

The first is caused by a non-infectious allergen (the presence of animal hair, dust, mold, poplar fluff). Observed:

• Inflammation of the larynx, tracheal mucosa and sinuses;
• Manifestation of allergic runny nose, secretion of tears.

The reason for the second form:

• chronic inflammation in the bronchi and pulmonary apparatus;
• the presence of foci of infection that do not affect the pulmonary apparatus;
• complicated forms of viral and bacterial infection of the body;
• entry of cold air into the bronchi.

Classification according to A.D.Ado and P.K. Bulatov

Doctors of the former Soviet Union, and now Russia, take as a basis the qualifications offered by Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences - Andrei Dmitrievich Ado (1909-1997) and Doctor of Medical Sciences, Honored Worker of Sciences of the RSFSR - Bulatov Panteleimon Konstantinovich (born 1902) .

According to this theory, two forms or groups are distinguished:

Allergic – based on infectious diseases

At the same time, bacterial allergens are sent from the source of chronic infection, concentrated in the human respiratory system

Consists of 3 stages:

1) Preasthma; 2) The first stage is characterized by:

• light flow;
• course of moderate severity;
• severe course.

3) Second stage.

Allergic (atopic) – based on non-communicable diseases

Consists of 3 stages:

1) Preasthma; 2) Stage N 1

• light flow;
• course of moderate severity;
• severe course.

3) Stage N 2

Allergens of the second stage

Inhalation

are determined:

• dust in the home and at work;
• pollen;
• disputes;
• epidermis of animals, humans;
• elements used in chemical production;
• insects and their parts.

Enteral

• Food;
• medications.

Parenteral

• serum;
• vaccine;
• medicine.

Reference! The introduction of the term “atopy” dates back to 1992. Defines an allergic disease in which hereditary factors played a major role in its development, and the body has increased sensitivity to allergens.

International classification

Reviewed every year by members of the World Health Organization, established in 1946. One of the goals of this organization is to coordinate the activities of doctors.

The 2007 edition of the classification identifies diseases and determines their causes:

• Predominantly allergic asthma. The reason is the allergic process and when an external allergen is detected.
• Non-allergic asthma. The reason is not an allergic process.
• Asthma mixed. When allergic and non-allergic forms are combined.
• Unrefined asthma. The cause of this form is unknown.

When the form is established, they begin to determine the severity of the disease in a person before treatment begins.

Preventing asthma

A disease such as bronchial asthma is characterized by an alternation of increasing and decreasing manifestations. If pathology is detected in time, it is possible to achieve stable and long-term remission.

The further well-being of an asthmatic mainly depends on how the patient monitors his health and whether he adheres to medical recommendations.

Preventive measures play an important role. They involve sanitizing foci of chronic infection, quitting smoking, and minimizing exposure to irritating factors.

This is especially true for those who are at risk or have a hereditary predisposition to this disease.

Symptoms of the disease

Under the influence of pathogenic and allergenic factors, bronchial hyperreactivity occurs - increased irritability of the lining of the bronchial walls, a key link in the development of asthma of any type.

With an increase in bronchial reactivity, characteristic symptoms of asthma are observed:

• shortness of breath, heavy breathing, suffocation. Occur as a result of contact with an irritating factor;
• attacks of dry cough, more often at night or in the morning. In rare cases, it is accompanied by a slight release of clear mucous sputum;
• dry wheezing - whistling or creaking sounds that accompany breathing;
• difficulty in exhaling against the background of a full inhalation. To exhale, patients have to take an orthopneic position - sitting on the bed, firmly grasping the edge of the bed with their hands, while resting their feet on the floor. The fixed position of the patient facilitates the process of exhalation;
• respiratory failure causes general weakness, inability to perform physical work and is accompanied by cyanosis of the skin;
• headaches and dizziness;
• cardiac dysfunction - increased heart rate, even bradycardia. The ECG shows overload of the right heart;
• loss of consciousness, convulsions.

Early signs of asthma development are short-term nighttime manifestations of increased bronchial reactivity. If you consult a doctor during this period and undergo a course of treatment, your health prognosis will be as favorable as possible.

How to treat asthma

Treatment of asthma is a complex, step-by-step process, at each stage the doctor adjusts the treatment plan.

Important! The main drugs for the treatment of asthma cause various severe adverse reactions; only with the right combination of drugs can negative manifestations be reduced to a minimum.

Injections and tablets for the treatment of asthma:

• glucocorticosteroids - Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, are used to relieve symptoms of mild and moderate asthma;
• leukotriene receptor antagonists - Singulair, Acolat, have an anti-inflammatory effect, are effective, but are expensive;
• Xolair – used as an injection for allergic bronchial asthma;
• xanthines – Theopheline, Teopek, promote relaxation of smooth muscles.

Pocket inhalers and nebulizers are the most effective form of medication for treating asthma. They are prescribed depending on the form and degree of the disease. Intal, Tailed help only at the initial stage of the disease. Atrovent and Spiriva help to quickly relieve the symptoms of the disease.

In modern medicine, combination drugs are often used that help quickly relieve the main manifestations of asthma - Berodual, Seretide, Symbicort.

Important! Coffee improves the functioning of the respiratory system and dilates the bronchi. The therapeutic effect lasts 3–4 hours. But you can’t abuse strong drink - you can drink no more than 2 cups per day.

Urgent Care

During an attack of bronchial asthma, a person must urgently provide first aid, especially if it occurs in a child. Against the backdrop of a lack of air, people begin to panic, which further aggravates the person’s serious condition.

The main first aid remedy is inhalers that contain beta antagonists. The drug promotes the rapid expansion of the bronchi, increases the capacity of the respiratory tract - breathing is normalized. The most effective fast-acting drugs are Salbutamol, Fenoterol - but the effect of use lasts no more than 6 hours. Salmeterol acts more slowly, but its effect lasts about 12 hours.

If beta antagonists are contraindicated, you can use anticholinergics - Atrovent, they act slowly, the effect occurs after about 45 minutes.

Important! All quick-acting medications do not cure asthma, but only help restore normal breathing.

Treatment with folk remedies

Many doctors recommend supplementing drug therapy when treating asthma with folk remedies. Preparations based on natural ingredients help strengthen the body’s protective functions, normalize the functioning of the respiratory system, and prevent attacks.

Aloe

Aloe-based remedy is one of the most effective folk remedies for the treatment of asthma.

How to cook:

1. Place the cut leaves of the plant in a dark room for 14 days.
2. Grind 100 g of leaves, pour 300 ml of warm water, squeeze out the juice after 2 hours.
3. Mix 100 ml of juice with 300 ml of liquid honey and 500 g of chopped walnuts.

Take the medicine 15 g half an hour before each meal.

Ginger

Ginger dilates blood vessels, making breathing easier. Grate 400 g of peeled root, place in a glass container, pour in an equal amount of vodka. Place the mixture in a warm or sunny place for 2 weeks - it should turn yellow. Take 5 ml strained after meals, wash down with plenty of warm water.

Forecast

Mortality from asthma is low and is usually associated with inadequate medical care. Of the 10 million patients, 5 thousand people die per year. For 50-80% of patients the prognosis is positive, especially with mild disease.

It is unusual for the disease to progress with age or without treatment. Irreversible changes in the lungs are usually observed in those who have been exposed to additional negative factors (smoking).

Of the sick children, 46% suffer from symptoms for a long time (from 7 to 10 years), but 6-19% of patients become seriously ill during this time. Among those who become ill as adults, 20% recover on their own, and another 40% experience relief of symptoms - attacks become less frequent and less severe.

Thus, bronchial asthma, despite the negative symptoms, raises more hopes for a complete recovery than, for example, chronic bronchitis - in which the condition of patients worsens with age. Proper treatment and prevention will allow asthma patients to lead a full life.

Article design: Mila Friedan

Symptoms of severe disease

In severe form, the following symptoms are observed:

• Severe shortness of breath. It is difficult for a person to voice a sentence or phrase; he becomes exhausted.
• Barely audible inhalations and exhalations.
• Blue lips, tongue, fingers and toes.
• Confusion.
• Coma.

However, the concept of severe asthma is collective. This term describes not one condition, but six, from unstable form (brittle asthma) to fatal (fatal asthma). All of them are life-threatening and require immediate action. Anti-epilepsy drugs (Valproate, Carbamazepine) are helpful, as they affect the mechanisms of the nervous system responsible for the asthmatic reaction.