Bronchial asthma in adults: symptoms, treatment, new data. Causes of bronchial asthma Bronchial asthma asthma attack symptoms

May 4 is International Asthma Day, which is proclaimed by the World Health Organization /WHO/ and is held annually on the first Tuesday of May at the initiative of the International Asthma Initiative project.

Asthma (from the Greek asthma - suffocation) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory system, which is expressed in recurrent attacks of suffocation of varying strength and duration. The onset of an attack is due to spasms of the small bronchi, swelling of their mucous membranes, and as a result, cough and shortness of breath.

Asthma causes inflammation of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs, and the inflammation causes them to temporarily narrow. This is due to the fact that the airways, overreacting to various stimuli, narrow in response to irritation and produce a large amount of mucus, which disrupts the normal flow of air during breathing.

In Russia, this disease is called "bronchial asthma", in Western countries it is known simply as asthma. Thus, asthma and bronchial asthma are one and the same disease. There is also the concept of "cardiac asthma", but it does not mean an independent disease, but asthma attacks on the background of heart failure.

The most terrible condition for an asthmatic is an attack in which it becomes difficult for a person to breathe. At this point, dangerous suffocation sets in. If prompt assistance is not provided, the patient may lose consciousness, fall into a coma, and even die. Every asthmatic should know how to relieve an asthma attack at home, without waiting for the help of doctors, because an ambulance does not always come to the call within a few minutes.

There are several effective ways to eliminate or temporarily stop a dangerous symptom on your own, before the doctors arrive. In this article, we will look at these options and give some recommendations to reduce the risk of complications.

Anti-asthma treatment:

To begin with, consider the method of the main treatment of the disease. Properly chosen course and compliance with preventive measures will minimize the risks of an attack of bronchial asthma. Each person suffering from this disease will be able to independently determine the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment according to the following scheme:

*asthma is controlled, there is no need for regular use of bronchodilators;

* the need for ambulance is practically absent;

* a person leads an active life, has no significant restrictions, easily performs physical activity;

* Gradually, the need for the use of anti-asthma drugs disappears.

With such a course of the disease, we can draw the appropriate conclusion - the treatment of an asthma attack is carried out correctly, which eliminates the risks of dangerous complications. If a person regularly has asthmatic attacks, there is a constant need for the use of bronchodilators and basic drugs, asthma treatment is not effective enough, therefore, in such cases, there is a real threat to the life and health of the patient.

How to eliminate an asthma attack at home?

As a rule, an asthmatic attack appears suddenly. A person experiences wild fear, therefore, he cannot always take effective measures in a timely manner to save his own life. People living with an asthmatic should monitor the patient's condition and, at the slightest deterioration in his state of health, take adequate measures!

To ease the difficulty breathing during an attack, you need to use the muscles of the body. Experts recommend sitting on a chair facing the back of a piece of furniture, and laying a small pillow under the chest. Naturally, during a dangerous symptom, it will be difficult for a person to orient himself and take the appropriate posture, therefore, close people are obliged to help the patient to alleviate his condition at this dangerous moment. Asthmatics need to mentally prepare for possible exacerbations. During an attack, you can not panic, which will increase the effect of suffocation. An adequate response to this condition will minimize the risks of complications.

Folk remedies for relieving an asthma attack:

Many healers who use medicinal herbs to treat various diseases strongly recommend taking certain herbal remedies during an attack.

Every adult who wants to take advantage of any suggestions to eliminate a dangerous symptom sometimes makes a serious mistake! You can not take herbs of medicinal origin during an asthma attack! Such a tool will not give positive results, but on the contrary, it can worsen the progressive process, bringing it to a critical state.

How to relieve an acute asthma attack - only an experienced doctor knows! Healing decoctions and tinctures help only when used for preventive purposes, however, in this case, you can take herbal teas only after the approval of the attending doctor.

For prophylactic use in bronchial asthma, the following types of medicinal plants can be used:

* a decoction of viburnum berries (thinns sputum, eliminates cough);

*liquorice root;

* yarrow (anti-allergic effect);

*shredded coltsfoot leaves;

* a decoction of garden turnips;

* elderberry flowers.

Before starting treatment with folk methods, be sure to consult with your doctor!

How to relieve an attack of bronchial asthma if there are no necessary medicines at hand?

This question worries people very much, because a dangerous symptom can happen at an unforeseen moment, in any situation. To prevent serious consequences, a person needs to take the following measures:

* try to calm down, eliminate panic and fear;

* take a comfortable posture;

*remove tight clothing that makes it difficult to breathe (ties, sweaters with large collars, etc.);

* if the attack happened indoors, it is urgent to open all windows and doors to create a draft;

*remove objects from the room that can cause an allergic reaction (including pets and plants).

If there is no inhaler at hand, you can prepare such a mixture to relieve an asthmatic attack: stir 2 tsp in a glass of hot water. soda and iodine (2-3 drops). Steam is generated from the hot solution, which you need to breathe. This method is effective only in the event of a mild asthma attack.

Another method for stopping a dangerous symptom: chop the onion on a grater, put the resulting mass in a plastic bag and apply a compress on the patient's back, in the area between the shoulder blades. A similar effect has a compress of garlic gruel with the addition of vegetable oil. This composition must be applied to the chest of the patient, wrapped in a warm scarf.

If the asthma attack progresses and is serious, unfortunately, it will not be possible to eliminate suffocation without medication. In such cases, it is urgent to call an ambulance team to provide qualified assistance with the use of effective drugs.

It is necessary to stop the symptoms of status asthmaticus in a hospital setting.

Before the arrival of the ambulance, the patient also needs help, but it must be provided with extreme caution, since it includes taking medications with a large number of contraindications.

First aid for an attack of bronchial asthma may include the introduction of the following medications:

Administration of Eufillin 10 ml of a 2.4% solution intravenously.
Taking an antihistamine at the beginning of an attack: Suprastin, Tavegil, Erius, Ketotifen.
Oral administration of Prednisolone - 1 tablet or 90-120 mg intravenously.
Introduction of 8-16 mg Dexamethasone intravenously or intramuscularly 1 ampoule.

It is necessary to use any drug with extreme caution, strictly observing the recommended doses that are prescribed in the instructions or were prescribed by the doctor before.

If there is no inhaler or it does not give the desired result, you can use hormonal drugs: Dexamethasone or Prednisolone, which will also help reduce the symptoms of bronchial asthma. Upon the arrival of the Ambulance, the doctor needs to be told in detail what measures were taken before their arrival.

With successful relief of an attack, its symptoms will disappear after 10-20 minutes. A person will have a wet cough with sputum discharge, breathing will stabilize, shortness of breath and other signs of the disease will disappear. In severe cases, the attack can last several hours, but in this case the patient must be hospitalized.

First aid for bronchial asthma is very important, because the further dynamics of the disease and the prognosis for recovery depend on its quality.

Prevention:

The frequency, as well as the intensity of asthma attacks, directly depends on the cause, contact with the provoking factor.

In order to reduce the frequency of attacks, you need to follow some rules of prevention:

* Eliminate contact with an allergen or factor that can cause an attack.

* Avoid hypothermia.

*Regularly perform breathing exercises.

* Proper and balanced nutrition.

*Rejection of bad habits.

* Timely treat all concomitant diseases.

* Periodically consult with an allergist and pulmonologist.

*Walks in the open air.

Compliance with all the rules will help significantly reduce the risk of developing an attack. Important in stopping this condition is the presence of a pocket inhaler with a bronchodilatory effect near the patient, which will help to relieve an asthma attack in time, exclude the development of status asthmaticus or anaphylactic shock.

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

Bronchial asthma. Causes of Asthma
Bronchial asthma is an inflammatory process that occurs in a chronic form and is localized in the respiratory system. The disease causes incomplete and reversible blockage of the bronchi, attacks of suffocation and coughing, as well as increased bronchial reactivity.
This disease is very common in children. The factors that cause it are very diverse. In this case, the disease is severe and can lead to death. Moreover, almost any attack of suffocation can end in death. Therefore, if you suspect asthma, you should visit a therapist's consultation.
Next, the most common factors that cause asthma and the principles of its development will be outlined. Such information can be very important both for parents whose children are sick with asthma, and for the prevention of this disease in healthy babies and adults.

What kind of disease is bronchial asthma?

This is an inflammatory process that is localized in the respiratory tract and proceeds in a chronic form. The disease affects practically only the bronchi. If for such common ailments as bronchiolitis or bronchitis the main cause of development is a pathogenic infection that enters the respiratory system, then this cause is secondary in the occurrence of asthma. The main reason is an increase in bronchial reactivity, which is an allergic manifestation. The main mechanism of the disease is a decrease in the lumen of the bronchi during asthma attacks. The principles of the development of the disease, as well as its causes, will be outlined below.

How common is asthma?

In children, this disease is one of the most common. In the United States of America, among children, this disease affects from five to twelve percent. Interestingly, among the youngest, boys are more prone to asthma. Among adolescents, the percentage of girls and boys is equal.
At the same time, the disease is more often observed in residents of megacities - seven percent or more. But among rural residents, there are no more than five percent of patients.

Why and how does this disease occur?

The factors that provoke this disease are diverse, the processes occurring in the body with asthma are quite complicated. The main impetus for the development of the disease is an increase in bronchial reactivity, which begins against the background of allergic manifestations.

If we consider the disease, based on the factors that cause it, there are two forms of the disease: infectious-allergic and atopic. The primary processes in the body in these two forms of the disease are completely different. But then the phases of the disease are similar.

atopic variety- This is an ailment that has a purely allergic origin. As with other allergic manifestations, the reaction of the body to interaction with one or more allergens is of primary importance during the course of the disease. The response of the body and the development of asthma proceeds as follows: as soon as the allergen affects the body, the immune system detects the allergen and releases a certain amount of substances that subsequently interact with the allergen.

The presence of these substances in the body indicates sensitization. These substances are antibodies or specially targeted cells of the defense system. People constantly interact with a huge number of a wide variety of allergens, but not everyone starts the asthma mechanism. A very serious role in the formation of this type of asthma has a genetic predisposition or other physiological features of the structure. Thus, the body of persons suffering from bronchial asthma responds very powerfully to the effects of allergens, and allergic manifestations are very destructive and strong.

If the body interacts with the same allergen a second time, a response develops, resulting in a decrease in the inner diameter of the bronchi, as well as respiratory failure - these are symptoms of an approaching asthma attack. The allergic form of asthma is characterized by an instant worsening of the condition when interacting with the allergen. The rest of the time the patient does not experience any painful manifestations.

Most often, allergens are apartment dust, pollen from flowers, hair of cats and dogs, household chemicals, and some food. And by and large, almost any chemical can act in this capacity.
This form of asthma is quite common in children. It is usually combined with such allergic manifestations as eczema, urticaria, alimentary allergy. It should be noted that all these ailments are interconnected, as they represent a failure in the functioning of the immune system.

If the disease proceeds for many years, and is also not subjected to therapy, processes occur in the bronchi that disrupt their work and increase the risk of developing infections. In this case, the principles of development atopic form already beginning to resemble the principles of development infectious-allergic form. Therefore, with asthma, it is necessary from time to time to visit a consultation with a therapist or an allergist.

Infectious-allergic form at the first stages proceeds according to other laws. So, the first impetus in the process is the presence of a chronic infection in the respiratory system. In this regard, this form of asthma often develops in patients of mature age and rarely occurs in children. Under the influence of pathogenic microflora and the inflammatory process, the anatomy of the bronchi and their reactivity are disturbed: the amount of muscle tissue and connective tissue increases, the bronchi become very sensitive to irritating factors. The reaction to the interaction of stimuli is a decrease in the inner diameter of the bronchi, which causes respiratory failure. Later, allergic manifestations also come into play - this is the result of a change in local immunity, with asthma, this mechanism begins to work autonomously and is not regulated by the body.

This form of the disease takes a long time, and its exacerbations are usually combined with respiratory diseases. A similar course of asthma is often combined with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic bronchitis.

drug asthma

The medical form of the disease- This is a special form of bronchial asthma, which appears as a result of the use of certain medications. Sometimes this disease is exclusively of an allergic nature, then the drug acts as an allergen. Sometimes long-term use of any drugs changes some of the functions of the body, which leads to the development of asthma. This happens, for example, with long-term use of aspirin. Certain substances are collected in the tissues, provoking a powerful decrease in the lumen of the bronchi. The main thing with this form of the disease is to understand which drug provoked the disease. Therefore consultation of the allergist is necessary. As soon as the drug stops entering the body, the disease usually goes away on its own.

Is there a hereditary form of asthma?

A little earlier it was said that during the atopic form of the disease, genetic predisposition plays a role. This statement has already been proven by a sufficiently large number of clinical experiments. A similar form of asthma often develops in members of the same family, for example, in mothers and fathers who suffer from this disease, babies also often get sick with it. The development of asthma in a baby can be prevented by taking special preventive measures.

cardiac asthma

Name " cardiac asthma" is used to determine the attacks of suffocation that appear with heart failure. So, the cardiac form of the disease has nothing to do with atopic or other varieties of this disease. The change in breathing that occurs in the cardiac form of the disease develops due to a deterioration in the work of the heart, but not because the lumen of the bronchi has decreased, as happens with other forms of the disease.

It is a disease with a chronic course, which is based on allergic inflammation and high sensitivity of the bronchi in relation to pathogens from the environment. This disease has become more widespread in recent years.

According to WHO(World Health Organization) Asthma is considered one of the leading diseases that lead to mortality and chronic course. According to statistics around 300 million people on Earth suffer from bronchial asthma. In this regard, the issue of bronchial asthma has recently, in all countries, been a key one in the field of pulmonology.

Risk factors and mechanism of development of bronchial asthma

It is one of the most common nonspecific diseases of the lung tissue. Bronchial asthma often manifests itself at an early age due to the peculiarity of the anatomical structure of the bronchial tree in children. In this case, the symptoms will be similar as in other diseases, for example, acute bronchitis.

Hypersensitivity is the second link in the chain of development of bronchial asthma. It is caused by genes located on chromosome 5. The bronchi have an increased sensitivity to agents that enter from the environment, that is, in ordinary bronchi there are no changes when dust enters, for example, in healthy people, the bronchi do not react in the form of asthma. As a result, the reaction of the bronchi of small caliber (bronchioles) is manifested by a narrowing of the lumen (spasm) and asthma attacks. Characteristic shortness of breath during exhalation.

Bronchial asthma occurs in both men and women and there are no clear statistics. A lot depends on:

genetic predisposition. That is, the presence of bronchial asthma in close relatives increases the risk by 15-20%.

Influence of harmful toxic substances(cigarette smoke, smoke from a fire and others). Of course, these factors have a small percentage of involvement in the establishment of bronchial asthma, but they can aggravate the situation.
The disease in the early years is more common in boys, then gradually the percentage of men and women becomes equal. In total, about 6-8% of the population suffer from bronchial asthma.

The occurrence of bronchial asthma also depends on the climatic conditions of the country. Countries with higher humidity due to constant rains or ocean air flow (Great Britain, Italy). Recently, the role of ecology has increased. It has been proven that asthma is much more common in countries with high air pollution.

These data suggest how to properly take care of your microclimate in the house and what undesirable factors should be removed.

Causes of bronchial asthma

There are several theories of the mechanisms of the occurrence of bronchial asthma. It should be noted that in some cases, the outbreak of this disease is directly related to the environment, namely pollution is an important factor.

hereditary factors are of key importance in the formation of an allergic and inflammatory reaction. Distinguish:

atopic appearance bronchial asthma. In this case, the incidence of the disease increases in persons whose parents suffered from bronchial asthma. Thus, the most common external pathogens are: dust, pollen, various insect bites, chemical fumes, paint odors and others. Atopy is caused by genes located on chromosome 11 and which are responsible for the synthesis of immunoglobulins E (IgE). IgE is an active antibody that reacts to the penetration of an agent and thereby develops a bronchial reaction.
Increased synthesis immunoglobulins E. This condition increases the risk of a bronchial reaction, which manifests itself in the form of spasm and obstruction of the bronchi.
Chronic inflammation of the bronchi (chronic bronchitis)

Each factor is of great importance, if you combine one or more factors together, the risk of the disease increases by 50-70 percent.
External factors(risk factors):

Professional hazards. In this case, we mean various exhaust gases, industrial dust, detergents and others.
Household allergens (dust)
food allergens
Various medicines, vaccines
Pets, namely wool, a specific smell can cause an allergic reaction of the bronchi
Household chemicals and others

Factors that contribute to the action of causative factors are also isolated, thereby increasing the risk of asthma attacks. These factors include:

Respiratory tract infections
Weight loss, malnutrition
Other allergic manifestations (skin rashes)
Active and passive smoking also affects the bronchial epithelium. In addition to tobacco, cigarettes contain caustic toxins for the respiratory tract. When smoking, the protective layer is erased. Long-term smokers are at greater risk of respiratory disease. Increased risk in bronchial asthma status asthmaticus. Asthmatic status is characterized by a sharp attack of suffocation, as a result of edema of the bronchioles. An asthma attack is difficult to stop and in some cases can lead to death.

As a result of the action of factors, some changes occur in the bronchi:

Spasm of the muscular layer of the bronchi (smooth muscles)
Swelling and redness are signs of inflammation.
Infiltration with cellular elements and filling the lumen of the bronchi with a secret, which eventually completely clogs the bronchus.

As a result of the fact that various factors can be the cause of bronchial asthma, there are also forms non-atopic bronchial asthma

Types of bronchial asthma

Aspirin bronchial asthma. Asphyxiation attacks occur after the use of an aspirin tablet, or other drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, paracetamol and others).

Bronchial asthma caused by exercise. As a result of sports loads, ten minutes later, bronchospasm occurs, which determines the general condition.

Bronchial asthma caused by gastroesophageal reflux. Gastroesophageal reflux is a process in which the contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus, irritating the mucosa due to their acidity. It occurs due to the failure of the connection of the stomach and esophagus, diaphragmatic hernia, trauma and other reasons can cause this condition. As a result of this process, the airways are irritated, and a cough may occur, which is not characteristic of bronchial asthma.

Bronchial asthma for no apparent reason. As a rule, this type is typical for adults. Occurs in full health, even in the absence of allergies.

Signs and symptoms of bronchial asthma

Attack of bronchial asthma. Before the onset of an attack, period of harbingers, which is manifested by irritability, anxiety, sometimes weakness, less often drowsiness and apathy. Lasting about two or three days.
External manifestations

redness of the face
tachycardia
pupil dilation
possible nausea, vomiting

An asthma attack differs from the period of precursors in that it occurs at night (not a strict rule), patients are very restless, excited. More muscle groups are involved in the act of breathing, including the abdominal muscles, pectoral muscles, and neck muscles. Characteristic is the expansion of the intercostal spaces, the retraction of the supraclavicular and subclavian spaces, which indicates difficulty in breathing. The temperature usually remains normal. Characteristic noisy breathing, namely, on exhalation, a sound resembling a quiet whistle (wheezing) is heard. An asthma attack lasts about 40 minutes, in rare cases up to several hours, even more rarely days. A condition in which an attack lasts for several days is called status asthmaticus(status asthmaticus).

The main rule of a bronchial attack is the duration of an attack of about six hours and the absence of effect after 3 injections of adrenaline with an interval of 20 minutes.
There are the following stages of an asthmatic attack:

First stage characterized by a milder course, since the patient's condition is relatively compensated. The attack occurs gradually, some patients get used to the discomfort during breathing, as a result of which they do not go to the doctor. Breathing weak, noisy. During auscultation, the expected wheezing is not heard, which is characteristic of bronchial asthma.
Second stage appears in a severe condition . Respiratory failure can gradually lead to respiratory failure. The pulse is frequent, the pressure is reduced, the general condition is much worse than in the first stage. For this stage, it is possible to develop hypoxic coma. Coma is caused by obstruction of the lumen of small bronchi and bronchioles with a viscous secretion.
Third stage asthmatic attack is characterized by complete decompensation and a high risk of death. Characterized by progressive hypoxia (lack of oxygen), manifested by loss of consciousness, the disappearance of physiological reflexes, tachycardia, shortness of breath, both during exhalation and during inhalation. Auscultation: no rales are heard over the lungs, breathing is changed.

Post-attack period characterized by weakness, low blood pressure, breathing gradually normalizes. Normal breathing is established in the lungs. With forced exhalation, wheezing may be heard in the lungs, therefore, the airway is not completely restored.
In order to understand at what stage the process is, instrumental diagnostics and the implementation of spirography and forced expiration tests (Tiffno test), peak flow measurements and other standard studies are necessary.

Diagnosis of bronchial asthma

The diagnosis of bronchial asthma is made, taking into account the symptoms and manifestations of an attack of bronchial asthma and a paraclinical examination, which includes laboratory and instrumental studies.
Instrumental diagnosis of bronchial asthma
The main difficulty in making a diagnosis of bronchial asthma is the differential diagnosis between an allergic and an infectious form of respiratory disease. Since infection can be a trigger in the development of asthma, it can also be a separate form of bronchitis.

For the diagnosis, both symptoms and an objective examination are important, as well as studies of the function of external respiration (PFR). The forced expiratory volume per second and this volume are taken into account after taking bronchodilator drugs, which relax the muscular wall of the bronchi, helping to expand the lumen of the bronchi and improve breathing. For a good result and correct interpretation, the patient must take a deep breath, then exhale quickly into a special device. spirograph. For the diagnosis and confirmation of recovery, spirography is also carried out in remission.

Currently more commonly used peak flowmetry. peak flow meter very easy to use at home, measures peak expiratory flow (PEF).

Patients are assigned daily measurement of PEF and maintaining a schedule, so the doctor can assess the condition of the bronchi and how the schedule changes during the week and what changes depend on is discussed in the place with the patient. Thus, it is possible to understand what power allergens have, evaluate the effectiveness of treatment, and prevent the onset of status asthmaticus.
There is a parameter of daily bronchial lability (SLB) in terms of peak flowmetry.
SLB = PEF in the evening - PEF in the morning / 0.5 x (PEF in the evening + PEF in the morning) X 100%

If this indicator increases by more than 20-25%, then bronchial asthma is considered uncompensated.

Provocative tests are also carried out: with physical activity, with inhalations of hyper- and hypoosmatic solutions.
One of the main analyzes is the determination of immunological changes, namely the measurement of the total level of IgE and specific immunoglobulins E, an increase in which will indicate an allergic component of asthma
Specific diagnosis of allergens is performed using skin scarification or prick tests. The test is carried out with suspected allergens that can cause asthma in the patient. The test is considered positive when, when the allergen is applied, a reaction in the form of a blister occurs on the skin. This reaction is due to the interaction of the antigen with the fixed antibody.
For differential diagnosis with pathology of the lungs, chest radiography is performed. In the interictal period, changes are not detected. It is possible to expand the chest and increase the transparency of the lungs during an exacerbation of asthma.

Treatment of bronchial asthma

Relief of acute asthma attacks:
B2 - adrenomimetics. This group includes the following drugs: Salbutamol, Terbutaline, Fenoterol (short-acting drugs) and Salmeterol, Formeterol (long-acting drugs). This group of drugs has several effects:

relax the smooth muscles of the bronchi
reduce vascular permeability, therefore, mucosal edema decreases
improve bronchial clearance
block the onset of bronchospasm
increase diaphragm contractility

One of the dosing regimens for these drugs:
Short acting drugs
Salbutamol 100 mgc 4 times a day
Terbutaline 250 mcg 4 times a day
Fenoterol 100 mcg 4 times a day
Long acting drugs
Salmeterol 100 mcg - daily dose
Formeterol (Foradil) 24 mcg - daily dose
For children with asthma, these drugs are used with nebulizers. The nebulizer creates an oxygen-air mixture flow of at least 4 g/l. This inhalation device is convenient in that it is not necessary to control breathing and inhalation.

Not all patients have the same causes of asthma. They are established as a result of the examination, and only after that therapy is prescribed.

Causes of bronchial asthma in children

The child's body is even more vulnerable to various external and internal factors, so asthma can develop for many reasons:

At the first suspicion of the development of the disease, it is necessary to show the child to the doctor.

The first harbingers of bronchial asthma

This insidious disease can torment a person for life. The success of therapy depends entirely on the timely detection of the disease. Therefore, it is very important to be able to distinguish the first bells, which may indicate an approaching pathology.

The appearance of shortness of breath or suffocation, which develop against the background of complete well-being, for example, at night or during rest. This condition can develop after exercise, inhalation of tobacco smoke or plant pollen. The most important thing is that the attack always develops suddenly.
The appearance of dry cough. It often accompanies shortness of breath and is unproductive. The person wants to clear his throat, but he can't.
in which it is impossible to make a full exhalation.
When breathing, wheezing appears, which is often heard even by a person standing nearby.

All these symptoms can appear for a very short time, and then disappear and not bother for a long time, and it does not matter at all what the causes of asthma in adults are.

Asthma symptoms

It has already been noted that this disease is characterized by its periodic attacks. If the diagnosis is already confirmed asthma, the causes of occurrence are identified, then each patient should be prepared for the periodic manifestation of the disease.

Despite the suddenness of the attack, you can always note some symptoms-harbingers:

There is some anxiety.
Irritability.
Weakness.
Drowsiness and apathy may occur.
Tachycardia.
Nausea and vomiting may occur.
Redness of the face.

All these signs can be observed 2-3 days before the attack itself.

If the harbingers of an attack occur at any time, then the attack itself often begins at night, although not always. Many muscle groups take part in the respiratory act, one can observe the retraction of the supraclavicular and subclavian spaces, which indicates difficulties with breathing.

Breathing is noisy and a quiet whistle is heard on exhalation, body temperature remains within normal limits. An attack can last up to several hours and has its own stages with characteristic symptoms:

The post-attack period also has its own characteristics:

General weakness.
Low blood pressure.
Gradual normalization of breathing.
When exhaling, wheezing can still be heard.

If the causes of asthma in adults are identified, then with the help of instrumental diagnostics it is necessary to establish the stage of the disease in order to select the appropriate treatment.

How to recognize asthma in children

Now doctors note an increase in the number of patients with this pathology, which worries me because there are a large number of children among them. Parents, with a careful attitude to the health of their baby, may suspect a disease at the very beginning of its development according to some characteristic signs:

Periodically, breathing becomes wheezing and labored.
There is a cough, especially at night.
Congestion in the chest after exercise or during colds.
After contact with allergens, a cough appears.

In order not to miss the development of a serious pathology at the first symptoms, it is necessary to visit a specialist.

Symptoms of asthma in a child

The causes of asthma in children are considered, but are there any differences in the manifestations? An attack of this disease in a child most often has the following symptoms:

If a baby is diagnosed with asthma, the causes no longer play a role, most importantly, parents should know how to help the child at this moment. If seizures develop frequently, then the brain may experience a lack of oxygen, and this is fraught with developmental delays.

Once, having experienced such a state, the child begins to experience fear of the threat of a new attack.

Children become vulnerable, emotionally labile, a neurosis is formed, disinhibition appears.

Differential diagnosis of asthma

Sometimes, even the most experienced professionals have difficulty distinguishing bronchitis from asthma. But the correctness of therapy depends on this. Bronchitis and bronchial asthma have characteristic differences, which are presented in the table.

signs	Chronical bronchitis
Course of the disease	The disease proceeds sluggishly with periodic exacerbations.	The course is characterized by the appearance of sudden attacks, in which the patient's condition deteriorates sharply.
Provoking factors	Viruses and bacteria, hypothermia, cough can be triggered by physical activity.	The ingress of allergens into the body, a sudden attack may develop after exercise.
	It only happens in severe cases.	Each attack is characterized by shortness of breath.
	It is a constant symptom, even during the period of remission of the disease. Alternating dry and wet cough.	The cough is always dry and always accompanies an attack.
Temperature	May increase periodically.	Remains within the normal range.

Usually, only in the first stages of the development of bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis, there are fundamental differences. If pathologies occur for a long time, then they are combined under the general name

Therapy of bronchial asthma

We examined what asthma is, the symptoms, the causes of the disease have also been studied, but the main question arises, is it possible to completely recover from this disease? The answer to it will depend on the severity of the disease.

The disease must be treated in stages, and therapy involves:

Medical treatment.
Changing the diet.
Use of traditional medicine recipes.

All therapy should be prescribed only by a doctor.

Treatment with drugs

Drug therapy involves the use of tablets and injections, which, with regular use, restore the normal functioning of the organs of the respiratory system. The list of drugs usually includes:

Glucocorticosteroids, for example "Acolat".
Xanthines, among which you can often see "Teopek" and "Neophyllin" on the table of asthmatics.
Monoclonal antibodies: "Klosar".

Pills and injections are not suitable for emergency assistance, which is simply necessary during an attack. For these purposes, inhalers are used. They help to ease the attack of suffocation and should be kept with you at all times.

"Berotek".
"Berodual".
"Atroven".
Symbicort.
"Intal" and others.

These funds are suitable not only for emergency care, but also for regular use.

Diet for bronchial asthma

If there are chronic pathologies, which include asthma, then it is necessary not only to use medications, but also to reconsider the lifestyle and diet.

For patients who have asthma, the causes of asthma are no longer so important. The main thing is to reduce the likelihood of an attack. In this regard, you need to adhere to the following recommendations in nutrition:

Reduce sugar and salt intake.
Reduce the amount of pastries and sweet confectionery.
Consume only one-day dairy products.
From the first courses, vegetable soups, beef broth are recommended.
Kashi, better cooked with water.
Vegetables and fruits that are not capable of provoking an allergic reaction.
White bread, but not rich.
Boiled potatoes.

Folk recipes for asthma

Completely get rid of such a pathology as bronchial asthma, alternative treatment will not be able to, but it is quite possible for him to weaken the attacks and their frequency. You can use the following recipes at home:

Use rye pollen, which must be collected during flowering. It is necessary to prepare an infusion from a glass of pollen and 0.5 liters of alcohol, insist 3 weeks in a dark place and take a teaspoon before meals.
Ginger powder has proven itself well. It is necessary to insist 400 grams on 1 liter of alcohol for 2 weeks, strain and take 1 tsp twice a day.
Gives its effect and the use of propolis. It is necessary to take 20 grams of raw materials and pour 80 ml of alcohol, leave for 7 days and strain. Take 20 drops 30 minutes before meals, after diluting them with water or milk.

It must be understood that the use of alternative methods of treatment should be only after consulting a doctor. Do not self-medicate, it is fraught with complications and aggravation of the condition.

Bronchial asthma, the causes of which can be any, is a serious pathology that should not be taken lightly. If you visit a doctor when the first harbingers of the disease appear, then it is much easier to cope with the disease.