What allergen most often causes an asthma attack. Treatment of allergic bronchial asthma. Common outdoor allergens

Allergic asthma is an inflammatory process in upper paths breathing as a result of bronchial obstruction, manifested in the form of asthma attacks.

Allergic asthma causes asthma attacks

Description of the disease

The disease was detected in 6% of the population, of which a quarter of the diagnoses were confirmed in children. The danger of asthma lies in the fact that some forms are difficult to diagnose and treatment does not start on time. Often the symptoms are easily confused with chronic bronchitis.

Causes of the disease

The reasons for which allergic bronchial asthma may occur are as follows:

genetic predisposition. Medical scientists have proven that asthma itself cannot be inherited, a predisposition to development is transmitted. If one of the parents is sick, then the possibility of development childhood disease will be 45%. If both parents are sick, then in 70% of cases the child has an immediate hypersensitivity.
Frequent recurrences of diseases of the bronchial tree arising from infections. As a result of the inflammatory process, a hypersensitive environment develops in the bronchial cavity.

Repeatedly recurring diseases of the broncho-pulmonary system can provoke the development of allergic asthma

Long-term tobacco abuse. Even second hand smoke raises the risk of developing asthma. Smoking during pregnancy increases the likelihood of developing the disease by 68%.
Prolonged exposure to a room with fungus, mites, mold or dust.
Eating food with preservatives, dyes, GMOs.
Long-term use of drugs that irritate the immune function of the body.
Harmful working conditions.
Violated ecology in the place of residence.

Sometimes the causes that influenced the occurrence of pathology are complex.

Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of allergic asthma in a child

Forms of the disease

According to the principle of occurrence, allergic asthma is:

Household form of asthma. Occurs as a result of the formation of hypersensitivity to dust. Most often aggravated in winter, when there is not enough moisture in the air. The attack is long and disappears after a change in the home environment. Often, household asthma is accompanied by bronchitis, which arose from allergic reaction organism.
Fungal atopic form of asthma. Depending on the formation of the dispute can be both year-round and seasonal. The attack is aggravated at night, in rainy weather, when fungal spores grow. The body is sensitive to the seasonal formation of fungi, so the patient feels better in winter when it snows.
Pollen form of asthma. Exacerbates when flowering plants. First, the patient has a runny nose on the background of an allergy, then an asthma attack appears. Pollen asthma can occur when eating grains or seeds.

Allergic asthma may be the body's response to infectious agents

Infectious-allergic asthma. This form occurs if chronic foci of the inflammatory process develop in the respiratory system.
Epidermal-atopic form of asthma. Occurs if there is an irritant present in the skin, saliva or fur of animals.

According to the level of the course of the disease, they are divided into:

Slight intermittent degree. An asthma attack appears rarely, about a couple of times a month. There are no seizures at night.
Mild persistent degree. The attack manifests itself 4-6 times a month, night attacks are possible a couple of times a month.

In severe allergic asthma, asthma attacks disturb the patient at night

Average degree. The attack worries daily, nocturnal suffocation occurs at least 4 times a week. An attack interferes with physical activity.
Severe degree. The attack appears 4-5 times a day, the same number at night.

Symptoms of the disease

As contact with the allergen, the symptoms may appear as several at once, or one at a time. Allergic asthma has the following symptoms:

Difficulties in breathing. The attack blocks both inhalation and exhalation. Shortness of breath appears immediately after contact with the allergen.
Whistles and wheezing. It occurs because the airways are very narrowed, the air passes slowly. Whistles or wheezes are heard on far distance from the patient.

The main symptom of asthma is difficulty breathing.

Adoption of a certain posture when suffocating. When there is a lack of air, the patient rests against a wall or a horizontal surface with his hands, freeing additional groups muscles for the respiratory process.
Cough. It can manifest itself with other symptoms or on its own. Sometimes on paroxysmal cough are ignored, thinking that it is not associated with asthma symptoms.
Excretion of viscous sputum when coughing.

Diagnosis of the disease

Often when diagnosing bronchial asthma symptoms are confused with other diseases respiratory system. Therefore, diagnostic measures require a thorough examination of the body.

During the diagnosis of allergic bronchial asthma, a chest x-ray is performed

Diagnosis begins with taking an anamnesis: the pulmonologist finds out what symptoms and how often they appear, in what period the symptoms worsen, is there a connection between an asthma attack and contact with an allergen. Then the pulmonologist prescribes a number of diagnostic measures:

testing for allergens by an allergist to determine the type and form of allergens that provoke the disease;
a biochemical blood test to establish the level of immunoglobulins and in order to exclude the inflammatory process;
taking a chest x-ray to rule out other diseases of the respiratory system;
spirometry to determine the volume of air in the lungs and the speed of air exit;
electrocardiography to rule out cardiac asthma;
sputum analysis.

Spirometry measures the volume of air in the lungs

Treatment of the disease

The effectiveness of the treatment of allergic asthma is achieved in combination. The attending physician prescribes the following means to stop an asthma attack and other symptoms:

Aerosols. The tool does not perform treatment, but only relieves an attack. A popular drug is Terbutaline.
inhalation drugs. Perform treatment - relieve swelling, inflammation. A popular drug is Tayled.
Antihistamine. Take off mild attack forms of allergic asthma are helped by Zyrtec and other drugs.

Drug treatment aimed at treating allergic asthma includes the following:

Taking glucocorticoids. Taking medications for permanent basis manages to hold back the attack for a long time.

Allergic asthma is treated with inhaled drugs

Taking leukotriene modifiers. Drugs narrow the airways, fight phlegm production, and reduce other symptoms. A popular remedy in this group: Zileuton.
The use of adrenaline, oral glucocorticoids during an exacerbation.
antiallergic therapy. It consists in introducing an allergen under the skin, gradually increasing its amount. Thus, there is a decrease in hypersensitivity to the allergen.

Almost any attack-blocking agent that treats allergic asthma is used in the form of nebulizers and sprays, because it quickly enters the respiratory tract and has an immediate effect.

Early treatment gives a favorable prognosis. Asthma medications and a bronchodilator should be taken on an ongoing basis.

High efficiency is also demonstrated by therapy, which involves the subcutaneous injection of an allergen.

Allergic bronchial asthma during pregnancy

Approximately 9% of pregnant women show signs of asthma. Asthma tends to be mild during pregnancy. The disease worsens at 6 months of pregnancy and lasts up to 8 months. After childbirth, asthma returns to its prenatal form. Treatment is limited to taking approved antihistamine medications.

Allergic asthma during pregnancy affects the fetus - development immune function baby slows down.

Disease prevention

To reduce the likelihood of allergic asthma will follow the following recommendations:

Take antihistamines twice a year.

To prevent the development of asthma with a tendency to allergic reactions, it is necessary to take antihistamines

Ventilate the room several times a day.
Stop smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages. Try to stick healthy lifestyle life.
Monitor vitamin D levels, take complex products containing different vitamins and minerals.
News active image life, sports.
Do breathing exercises daily.
In spring and summer, during the flowering period, additionally use allergy remedies, keep the windows closed.

It is important to keep up optimal level vitamin D in the body

Wash clothes in boiling water.
Wear clothing made from hypoallergenic natural materials.
Install a humidifier in the bedroom.
Get rid of carpets, down pillows, toys.

It must be remembered that preventive actions do not guarantee that an asthma attack will not start if there is a hereditary predisposition. However, with their help, the number of asthma attacks can be reduced. There is no cure for asthma.

Humidifier in the room will help to avoid attacks of suffocation

Complications of the disease

When instantly developing attack there is a risk of complications:

A person from a sudden stop breathing loses consciousness. Developing pulmonary insufficiency. If timely measures are not taken to stop the symptoms, then asthmatic status may lead to death.
The alveoli of the lungs are torn, urgent intubation is required.

If the symptoms of the disease are not controlled, then heart failure develops.

The following video will provide more information on the causes and treatments for allergic asthma:

Allergic asthma is the most common form allergic disease among children and adults.

The history of the development of this type of asthma is characterized by the spread of allergens, so in such patients it is important to identify an attack of the disease in a timely manner. Given the symptoms it is necessary to start early treatment.

In addition, the allergic form of asthma is sometimes associated with some infectious diseases which have very similar symptoms.

Classification of the severity of the disease

From what symptoms of the disease stand out, the allergist (immunologist, homeopathic doctor) can distinguish 4 stages of the disease, which determine the conduct of drug therapy.

1. Intermittent allergic asthma. In this form of the disease, asthmatic attacks are quite rare. During the day - no more than once every 7 days. During sleep - no more than twice a month. Attacks are very fast and do not affect physical state sick.

2. Light persistent. The disease worsens more than 1 time in 7 days (not more than 1 time during the day). At night, an attack can be observed no less than 2 times within 1 month. In this case, the patient experiences insomnia and increased fatigue.

3. Persistent asthma ( moderate). A daytime attack of the disease can be repeated every day, and at night - more than once a week. This is accompanied by a violation of the physical condition.

4. Persistent (severe). Night and daytime suffocation with allergies is repeated almost daily. The activity of the patient after the attacks of the disease is sharply reduced.

Etiology

Allergic bronchial asthma can develop as a result of many reasons.

As a rule, atopic asthma is expressed by severe allergic manifestations, as well as chronic inflammatory process upper respiratory tract. In the bronchi, an obstructive process is noted, accompanied by suffocation, in which it is recommended to use an inhaler. Most often, atopic asthma appears if unbalanced diet and the diet prescribed by the doctor is violated;

heredity is of great importance. However, it should be remembered that the history of the disease is expressed only by a predisposition to the appearance;
the history of the development of allergic asthma may be complicated by infectious diseases of the respiratory system, which increase the sensitivity of the bronchial walls;
an unfavorable environmental situation and activities associated with harmful substances. In addition, smoking in all its forms, including passive smoking, is not recommended. The history of medicine confirms the fact that smoking parents dramatically increase the risk of allergic asthma in the baby;
in some cases, the atopic form of bronchial asthma manifests negative symptoms that provokes malnutrition and presence a large number preservatives, aromatics and other additives. Therefore, if there is a predisposition to asthmatic manifestations, it is necessary special diet and careful handling of household chemicals.

An allergy attack with suffocation can increase when the bronchial system interacts with allergens, which are absolutely individual for each patient. Most often, atopic form of bronchial asthma can be triggered by household allergens. Often there are cases when atopic asthma occurs as a result of contact with fungal spores.

Symptoms

As a rule, the doctor at the first appointment finds out the causes of the disease and characteristics. He is also interested in the patient's medical history. The symptoms of allergic asthma are not specific. They may not differ from asthma with a non-allergic etiology.

primarily asthma with a predominance allergic component accompanied by paroxysmal cough, which does not contribute to relief. There remains the possibility that similar symptoms occur as a result of concomitant diseases;
when coughing, a minimum amount of vitreous (clear) sputum with increased viscosity is characteristic;
wheezing and choking with allergies. Allergic asthma with shortness of breath appears a few minutes after direct contact with allergens, as well as with strong physical exertion. These symptoms result from narrowing of the airways through which air passes;

asthma with a predominance of an allergic component forces the patient to take a specific posture during an attack so that it can be removed as quickly as possible. To do this, the patient rests against a wall, table or window sill with his hands;
As a rule, atopic asthma lasts with varying frequency and duration, depending on the type of allergen with which there is contact. For example, this allergen may be the pollen of flowering plants, which is typical for seasonal exacerbations.

Severe symptoms require treatment emergency assistance. If the attack is not cured, then as a result of insufficient oxygen supply, the patient may fall into a coma.

The course of asthma in a child

Asthma with a predominance of an allergic component can develop at any age, but most often it occurs in children from one year old. This is due to the increased risk allergic manifestations among children.

Often, allergic bronchial asthma in a child resembles obstructive bronchitis. If young children have more than 4 asthma attacks per year, a highly qualified specialist should be consulted. An allergist, an immunologist and a homeopath, working in close contact, are able to choose the best tactics to treat the disease.

The brightest allergen is identified first. Often they have an unbalanced diet and a diet with substances harmful to the body.

Children are advised to administer medications using an inhaler. The whole process of treatment is controlled by specialists: an allergist and a homeopath. It is important to note that the inhaler allows you to treat acute attack asthma with maximum efficiency.

Therapeutic measures

Treatment of the disease can be performed similar means, which are used for preventive purposes and eliminate other pathological species diseases. A huge imprint on the conduct of therapeutic measures has a medical history, nutrition of the patient and an unbalanced diet. Therefore, nutrition and diet should be hypoallergenic, excluding increased allergic danger.

There is a special tactic, according to which the homeopathic doctor can administer drugs in increasing amounts so as not to provoke severe symptoms illness. However, despite the fact that the homeopathic doctor uses his own remedies, traditional methods of treatment should not be neglected;
most often, the treatment of allergic asthma involves antihistamines (Claritin, Erius, Zirtek, etc.) to relieve acute symptoms;

in recent times an inhaler with glucocorticoids and adrenoreceptors of prolonged exposure is actively used. These drugs are basic and allow you to keep the disease in adult patients and children under strict control. Choking with allergies is much more effectively removed by means taken through an inhaler. Oral medications require a higher dosage than those inhaled through an inhaler;
the allergist, homeopath and immunologist prefer to prescribe the drug using an inhaler. Most often, an inhaler-nebulizer is used for illness, the use of which is simplified as much as possible and allows you to cure an acute attack in initial stage development. This avoids some side effects that can appear if the drug is taken orally. Medicines taken through an inhaler are absorbed 20-25 times faster.

In addition, inhalation through an inhaler is recommended even for small children. Other types do not provide this.

Treatment with folk remedies

Some patients prefer to treat asthma with folk remedies, which is acceptable if the history of the disease suggests complex treatment. Therefore, for the period of the disease, the patient is prescribed special meals. The diet limits the intake of salt, dairy products, etc.

Fortifying agents can serve as herbs sold in pharmacy network, and self-prepared folk remedy. Breastfeeding can be used as a medicine. To do this, you need to make an infusion (1 tsp collection) with the addition a small amount honey. This folk remedy is infused for 2 hours, and then taken orally.

The initial signs of allergic asthma are often neutralized with lemon and garlic. To do this, it is recommended to chop 2 heads of garlic and mix with 5 lemons, passed through a meat grinder along with the peel. This folk remedy is poured with 1 liter of boiling water and infused for 5 days. Then the solution is taken in 1 tbsp. spoon 20 minutes before meals.

As a preventive measure, you can make an infusion of aloe leaves. This folk remedy in the first 2 days is taken 1 tbsp. spoon 3 times during the day, and then reduced to 1 teaspoon until such time folk treatment will not give positive results.

Homeopathy

Recently, a large number of patients suffering from allergic asthma are interested in folk remedies prescribed by a homeopathic doctor. It is quite clear that such drugs cannot completely cure the disease. However, these drugs may well become an alternative for chemical treatment.

In order to stop the symptoms of the disease, a homeopath can prescribe a remedy called Sambucus. This homeopathic form is available in solution and diluted in the third decimal proportion. In addition, this drug is able to cure an asthmatic attack, which most often begins at night and, in addition to suffocation, is manifested by fears, increased sweating and pain in the abdomen;
if the asthmatic history is observed in the elderly and in children, the homeopath recommends the drug Lobelia;

in the case when the attacks of the disease, in addition to shortness of breath, are accompanied by frequent dizziness, nausea and pallor skin The homeopath recommends using a remedy called Moskus. The history of the disease indicates that these remedies can be trusted.

It is important to remember that allergic bronchial asthma requires hypoallergenic diet and special nutrition excluding fatty, salty foods, as well as exotic fruits and vegetables. Such a diet is prescribed only by a highly qualified specialist.

Allergic (another name: atopic) bronchial asthma in one form or another occurs in about 5% of humanity. it inflammatory disease respiratory tract, due to which attacks of suffocation occur periodically without clear reason or after physical activity, in stressful situation. Sometimes, more often in children, allergic asthma can occur in an erased form, often it is mistaken for other diseases, such as chronic bronchitis.

Symptoms of atopic asthma

The main symptoms of bronchial asthma against the background of allergies are attacks of suffocation, difficulty breathing and sore throat. Sometimes, when inhaling, a whistle appears, increasing in direct proportion to the depth of breathing. Also a symptom is a dry paroxysmal cough, less often - with the release of a small amount of sputum.
If the patient is tormented only by a cough, then most likely he has a cough variant of infectious-allergic bronchial asthma.
The problem is that, often, all of the above symptoms manifest themselves only during an exacerbation. The rest of the time a person can feel quite well.
The patient may notice that the attacks begin in him only after any physical exertion or contact with something. For example, with cat hair.
According to the neglect of symptoms, conditionally 4 levels of severity of the disease are distinguished.

Levels of severity of allergic bronchial asthma

mild intermittent - I degree. it mild degree bronchial asthma. The disease manifests itself very rarely, approximately 1-3 times a month, but night attacks are practically absent.
mild persistent - II degree. The disease manifests itself a little more often: on average 4-6 times a month, night attacks may occur, up to two times a month. The disease disrupts daily life and sleep.
medium severity - III degree. Attacks bother much more often, almost every day, and night attacks - 3-4 times a week. A person has a noticeable decrease in well-being - unexpected attacks greatly interfere with physical activity.
severe asthma - IV degree. Allergic attacks 3-4 times daily and almost every night. The patient is completely out of rhythm Everyday life, due to which physical and motor activity is significantly reduced, and healthy sleep absent at all.

Most dangerous manifestation allergic bronchial asthma - asthmatic status, during which the patient develops resistance to the usual drugs, due to which an asthma attack is delayed for long time during which the patient cannot exhale.

Asthmatic status, if detected, requires immediate hospitalization, otherwise the patient may die.

Causes

hereditary factor. If one parent has an allergy to something, or asthma, then the chance that this will be transmitted to the child is approximately 25%. If both parents have asthma - 70%. But it is important to understand that the disease itself is not inherited. Only a predisposition is transmitted, which, under favorable conditions, will come to naught.
Postponed severe respiratory diseases.
Not favorable conditions life. For example, life in the city center and inhalation of engine gases. The metropolis itself is harmful for many other reasons, but it is this one that provokes atopic bronchial asthma.
Bad nutrition. Consumption with food a large number chemical additives, sweeteners, preservatives.
Smoking. Even if the person himself does not smoke, tobacco smoke can cause the development of the disease, this applies especially to parents who smoke and children who are forced to breathe smoke.

The attack itself occurs due to the contact of sensitive bronchi with an allergen. Allergens are completely different, but most often they are:

pollen,
cat and dog hair,
house dust,
flowers and plants with a pungent odor (orchids and others),
mushroom spores,
cold air.

Most often, the period of exacerbation of bronchial asthma occurs in the spring: after all, it is at this time that the air has the highest concentration of pollen - one of the strongest allergens.

Diagnosis of bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma is easily confused with other types of lung disease. Therefore, you need to visit a doctor as soon as possible - only he can make a correct diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment. As a rule, the first doctor to whom a patient with suspected asthma turns is a general practitioner or pediatrician. But if there are assumptions about the allergic nature of the disease, the patient can be referred to an allergist, who, after conducting a special examination, will determine which allergens can provoke asthmatic attacks.

The examination program for diagnosing allergic asthma also includes:

ECG to rule out cardiac asthma;
a complete blood count to exclude the cause in the form of an inflammatory nature of the respiratory disease;
urine and sputum analysis;
chest x-ray.

And other tests until the doctor can confidently name the diagnosis.

It is highly not recommended to be treated for this disease with home methods, since with improper treatment There is a chance lethal outcome, or the transition of the disease to chronic stage. Before choosing methods of treatment or prevention, consult with an experienced doctor.

SIT therapy

The method of allergen-specific immunotherapy consists in the subcutaneous administration to the patient of doses of the allergen, to which the patient has been found to be sensitive, repeatedly diluted according to a special formula. Gradually increase the dose.
This procedure should lead to specific hyposensitization- reduce the body's sensitivity to this irritant.

Folk remedies

A good acting expectorant for bronchial asthma with allergies is a decoction of rosemary herb. 1 st. l. crushed herbs are placed in a glass of boiled water and settled for ten minutes. The resulting broth is taken 4-6 times a day for a tablespoon.
Effective folk remedy is the nettle smoke. It instantly relieves an attack, and with regular use completely cures the disease.
The following herbal decoctions and folk methods can also help with an attack or even completely cure the patient:

Decoction of coltsfoot leaves

Pick 30-40 leaves of grass; pour 500 mg. vodka; stand in a cold and dark room for about 2 weeks. The resulting decoction is used as a compress. On the first night, it is placed on the chest, on the second night, on the back, and so on. A total of 20 compresses.

Jerusalem artichoke infusion

Take 2 tablespoons of grated (this is important!) Jerusalem artichoke fruit and put them in a glass of boiling water. Take ¼ cup 2-4 times a day.

"Grandfather Method"

Take half an hour before breakfast 35 drops of hydrogen peroxide, diluted in 100 mg. water (half a cup). This method will not only help get rid of bronchial asthma, but will also be a good sedative.

Infusion on pine cones

Place in a thermos 3-4 Pine cones, resin in a small amount and half a liter of hot milk; stir; leave the infusion for 5 hours to infuse; strain through a three-layer gauze cloth. The infusion is ready. Take it in a glass once or twice a day for a month

Drug treatment is effective against all types of asthma, including allergic. It consists either in the use of special preparations, or in the use of medical devices, for example, inhalers.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines suppress free histamine in the human body, thereby reducing the symptoms and severity of allergic asthma.
All this leads to blocking of receptors, thereby making the body immune to external irritants and allergens. Histamine simply ceases to be released into the blood, or is released in small, insignificant amounts.
Such drugs are best taken before contact with the allergen and the onset of atopic asthma. So, for example, people who are allergic to pollen should start taking a course a week and a half before the flowering season.
The two most famous antihistamines and which are suitable for both adults and children:

"Trexil" - fast acting active drug suitable for the treatment of allergic bronchial asthma in a child and in an adult. The advantage of this drug is that it has no serious contraindications, as well as side effects. It is recommended to apply from 6 years.
"Telfast" is a highly effective antihistamine drug that blocks the biological response of receptors to external stimuli. Does not slow down the reaction, but, in rare cases causes a headache. From 12 years old.

Many antihistamines have a side effect - drowsiness and apathy. Less common: headache, nausea, etc. But the low cost allows drugs to stay on high lines in the popularity of treating allergic bronchial asthma.

Inhalants

The most popular and widely used way to combat allergic bronchial asthma is the use of inhaled drugs: glucocorticoids and blockers. They help control the course of the disease for a very long time: special antibodies reduce the sensitivity of the bronchi and prevent asthma exacerbation.
There are inhalers of various brands (Turbuhaler, Pulvinal, Diskus, Easyhaler, etc.) and with different active substances - about them we will talk Further. It should be remembered that two different inhalers may not contain the same substance. You have to be careful with this.

methylxanthines. They are used during an exacerbation of atopic asthma, as they act instantly and effectively by blocking adrenoreceptors. Related to this group active substances: theophylline, aminophylline.
sympathomimetics. Thanks to this drug, receptors in the bronchi are stimulated, due to which the gaps increase in those. AT modern world selective substances are used, since they are able to instantly neutralize an attack and just as quickly be eliminated from the body.
blockers of M-cholinergic receptors. Thanks to them, a quick, almost instantaneous relaxation of the bronchi is ensured. With this group, you should be more careful, because. with allergic bronchial asthma, only one type of blocker is suitable - ipratropium. And that is only in the form of inhalation.
glucocorticoids. Drugs that have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. It is achieved by enhancing the hormone adrenaline and removing the swelling of the bronchial mucosa.

Inhalation preparations are much more convenient and more profitable than other medications due to the instant therapeutic effect.

This is a unique breathing exercise of the same name, named after our compatriot who lived in the last century. It allows in short time self-heal from asthma. But before doing it, be sure to consult your doctor!
The whole exercise of this procedure is aimed at reducing the depth of breathing and, consequently, the content of carbon dioxide in the patient's blood. This is due to the fact that with asthma, no matter how deeply the patient breathes, there is still a lack of oxygen in the blood, and an excess of carbon dioxide. This is the cause of many symptoms of bronchial asthma.
The patient should prepare for breathing exercises by following these simple steps:

Sit right on hard surface(optionally on a chair, a couch, sofa or bed can do), straighten up and put your hands on your knees.
To relax.
Breathe quickly, often and shallowly, as if there is no way to make a full deep breath.
Weakly exhale air through the nose.

This procedure should be repeated for 10 minutes. The patient may feel a little dizzy and short of breath - this is normal, as it should be.
After the procedure, it is worth holding your breath for the longest possible time (gradually it will be possible to do this 1-2 longer than the last time). Now it is worth proceeding directly to the breathing exercises themselves.

Repeat 10: inhale 5 seconds, exhale 5 seconds and pause. Muscles should relax as much as possible. This exercise encourages upper divisions lungs
Repeat 10 times: inhale 7-8 seconds, exhale 7-8 seconds, pause about 5 seconds. This exercise stimulates all major parts of the lungs.
Repeat 1 time: complete breath holding. Massage of reflexogenic points of the nose.
Repeat 10 times: everything is the same as in exercise 2, but with the closure of one of the nostrils in turn.
Repeat 10 times: the same as exercise 2, but the stomach is pulled in as much as possible.
Repeat 12 times: inhale and exhale as deeply as possible. After, a long pause with a breath-hold.
Repeat 1 time: deep breath, maximum pause, deep exhalation, maximum delay.
The same as in exercise 7, but now some action is added. For example, walking or running. Repeat 2 to 5 times depending on individual physiological characteristics the patient's body.
Shallow breathing. Breathe deeply, gradually reducing the depth of inspiration. There should be a feeling of lack of air. Breathe like this for 2.5-10 minutes.

At first, the patient may feel shortness of breath, fear, etc. unpleasant symptoms. throwing exercises breathing exercises by no means is it possible. Gradually, these symptoms will disappear, and asthma attacks will become weaker and less frequent.

Video that illustrates the process of gymnastics:

Features of the treatment of bronchial asthma in children

Children of the younger age group have a number of features in the diagnosis and treatment of bronchial asthma. All of them are connected with the structure of an incompletely formed body.
In the treatment of allergic asthma, preference is given to inhaled drugs, as they are as harmless and fast-acting as possible.
Also well-known drugs that are often prescribed by doctors to children under the age of six are antileukotriene drugs. Their advantage is availability and price, as well as safety - they do not cause an allergic reaction.
But to clarify complete picture, the parent must without fail visit a specialist with the child. No self-treatment - mortality in childhood asthma is extremely high if you do not monitor the patient and take no action.

Prevention

Unfortunately, there are no 100% means of preventing this type of asthma, because. Allergy, as you know, can manifest itself at any time. But the following points will significantly reduce the risk of getting sick:

room ventilation,
pre-treatment with antihistamines,
healthy lifestyle (no cigarettes and drugs! Alcohol in moderation),
proper diet (containing a full complex of vitamins, especially vitamin D),
sports (any sport is useful, as it helps to train breathing).

Asthma is a serious disease, but with the proper attitude of the patient to treatment and prevention, it is quite possible to cure it. The main thing is not to despair, abandoning the treatment halfway. Once treatment has been started, it must be completed and positive effect will not keep you waiting!

Allergic bronchial asthma is one of the most common manifestations of the asthmatic syndrome, which is characterized by hypersensitivity of the respiratory system to certain allergic agents.

When an allergen enters the respiratory system through the air, the body receives a signal about the pathogen, triggering a reaction immune system accompanied by bronchial spasm.

In the muscles of the respiratory system, an inflammatory process begins, provoking the formation of thick and viscous sputum.

Despite the fact that the disease has vivid symptoms, a clear definition and great diagnostic opportunities, allergic asthma is often confused with various types bronchitis, leading to ineffective and inadequate treatment with antibiotics and antitussives.

Reasons for the development of allergic bronchial asthma

The principle of the development of bronchial asthma allergic nature is an immediate pathogenic hypersensitivity, which is characterized by the immediate onset of symptoms after exposure allergic factor into the respiratory system.

Depending on the etiology of the disease, two types of allergic asthma are distinguished: atopic and infectious-allergic, which differ in symptoms in the initial stages.

Atopic bronchial asthma develops as a result of inhalation contact with irritants that enter the body when air is inhaled.

Activated immune system cells can react to plant pollen, animal dander, household and medicinal dust, perfumes, household chemicals, metals, tobacco smoke, or food preservatives and additives

Reaction to irritating component promotes the formation of histamine, resulting in inflammation of the bronchi.

In addition, the atopic form of bronchial asthma can develop as a result of prolonged contact with aggressive allergens, for example, in the case of a long stay in a building whose walls are infected with mold fungus.

Smoking can cause illness not only in smokers, but also in people who are forced to inhale tobacco smoke. For this reason, atopic asthma often occurs in children of smoking parents.

Also, the development of the disease can contribute to factors such as:

unfavorable ecology;
work in hazardous production;
systematic inhalation of industrial impurities, solvent fumes, air fresheners, exhaust gases,
long-term medication;
abuse of preservatives, food colorings and additives.

The infectious-allergic form of asthma often develops in adult patients, and the cause of its occurrence is the presence of foci chronic infection respiratory tract.

The infectious effect is accompanied by a thickening of the muscular layer of the bronchi and the germination of the walls connective tissue, after which the bronchial lumen narrows and the process of air penetration into the lungs becomes more difficult.

Atopic and infectious forms of bronchial asthma can be provoked by aggravated heredity.

That is, the risk of a person whose relatives suffer from allergies or asthma increases by 20-30%. If parents are diagnosed with allergic asthma, the probability of the child's illness reaches 70%.

At the same time, it is not the pathology itself that is inherited, but the tendency to develop an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of the disease

The course of allergic asthma may be accompanied by various symptoms, which can appear immediately after the penetration of the allergen into the body.

The main signs of the disease:

shortness of breath, shortness of breath, suffocation;
wheezing and whistling during breathing, due to narrowing of the lumen in the bronchi;
rapid shallow breathing;
paroxysmal form of cough, accompanied by the separation of small clots of mucus at the end of the attack. In some cases, a dry cough may be a single manifestation of an asthmatic syndrome;
pain in the chest region.

The middle and severe stages of the disease are characterized by the appearance of shortness of breath as a result of physical effort.

With an exacerbation of the disease, there is an increase in shortness of breath, as well as other symptoms that may not even manifest themselves during periods of remission.

Exacerbation of asthma can cause the following factors:

long stay in a dusty room;
cleaning;
contact with animals or plants;
intense physical effort.

main feature infectious form Asthma is considered a long course of diseases of the respiratory system, often accompanied by exacerbations.

The exacerbation of the disease is characterized by an active inflammatory process, which leads to the fact that the patient reacts even to non-specific pathogens: a pungent odor, temperature fluctuations, the smell of smoke.

The course of the disease may also depend on the type of specific allergen and on the frequency of contact of the patient with this irritant.

For example, an allergic reaction to pollen aggravates only in a certain season - in spring and summer, while the patient cannot avoid contact with the allergen.

One of the main characteristic symptoms allergic asthma - the onset of relief after taking antihistamines and inhalations with bronchodilators.

The atopic form of asthma can manifest itself at different intervals depending on the stage and form of the course of the disease:

Mild intermittent course of the disease. In this case, the disease can remind of itself no more than twice a month.
Mild persistent course. Episodes of pathology occur several times a week, and no more than once a day, while nocturnal relapses can occur more than twice a month.
Medium severity. Attacks occur almost daily, including during sleep.
Severe stage of asthma severity. Pathology manifests itself constantly, episodes occur more than three times a day, while once every two days the patient is disturbed by night attacks.

by the most severe manifestation disease is status asthmaticus, in which the patient has prolonged attacks of suffocation with the inability to exhale.

In this case, the traditional drug therapy does not bring results, and if timely assistance is not provided, the patient loses consciousness and may plunge into a coma, also in this case high risk of death.

The development of the disease in children

Allergic asthma in children can develop at any age, but mainly after a year of life, while allergic etiology has the highest risk of occurrence than other forms of asthmatic syndrome.

The course of atopic asthma in children has its own difficulties, since its symptoms can be hidden under the signs of bronchial obstruction.

If bronchial obstruction in a child worsens more than 4 times during the year, this most likely indicates the development of atopic bronchial asthma.

Treatment of allergic asthma in children begins with the identification of the allergic agent that triggered the reaction. The basis of therapy, as a rule, is inhalation, which not only eliminates the effect of the allergen, but also increases protective function immune system.

After five years, allergen-specific treatment can be prescribed, which at this age brings good result and often helps to get rid of the disease.

Diagnosis of the disease

At allergic form bronchial asthma, a thorough pulmonological and allergological examination should be carried out, the task of which is to identify the causes of the disease, establish the mechanism of its development and determine possible comorbidities.

Diagnosis of the disease begins with an examination and questioning of the patient, fixing all his complaints and forming an anamnesis, after which comprehensive examination to help define a clear clinical picture allergic asthma:

A study using a spirometer allows you to characterize the performance of the lungs. One of the important parameters is a forced sharp exhalation, since it is the most difficult for asthmatics;
Analysis of sputum released during coughing shows the content of eosinophils and particles characteristic of bronchial asthma - the Cushman and Charcot-Leiden spiral;
An allergy test identifies an allergic agent that provokes an exacerbation. During this manipulation, a small scratch is applied to the skin, onto which a little solution with an allergen is dripped. In case of an allergic response, redness and slight inflammation appear on the skin.

How should the disease be treated?

Treatment of allergic asthma should be structured in such a way that the course of the disease is taken into account and individual characteristics organism, therefore it is carried out exclusively under medical supervision.

Self-treatment can not only not lead to positive dynamics, but also aggravate the course of the disease with serious complications.

Antihistamines, taken in a timely manner, reduce symptoms and relieve severe course illness.

The effectiveness of antihistamines is due to the blocking of receptors and stopping the formation and release of histamine into the blood.

If the patient cannot avoid contact with the allergen, an antihistamine should be taken in advance, which reduces the risk acute reaction organism.

In addition, there is effective method combating allergic reactions with microdoses of the allergen, which consists in introducing the allergen into the blood, while the dosage is gradually increased to the maximum tolerated.

As a result of these activities, the body develops susceptibility to the pathogen, and the risk of an allergic reaction is reduced.

Stopping an attack of allergic asthma requires a whole range of measures that are aimed at operational elimination symptoms of the disease.

First of all, the patient needs to relax and calm down, as anxiety and excitement only aggravate his well-being.

To do this, it is necessary to immediately ensure the flow fresh air, release chest from tight-fitting clothing, take a horizontal position and make moderate breathing movements.

A patient diagnosed with allergic asthma should always carry an inhaler with him. drug, which quickly stops an asthma attack and restores the functioning of the smooth muscles of the respiratory system after a spasm.

The treatment of each case of the disease has its own characteristics, but common ground are the following means:

Glucocorticoids and beta-adrenergic blockers long acting, which for a long time control the course of the disease.
Antitelac immunoglobulin E, eliminating the increased excitability of the bronchi and preventing the risk of exacerbation for a long time.
Cromones, influencing inflammatory cells that are involved in allergic inflammation. This remedy is used in the treatment of allergic asthma in children; in the treatment of adults, it does not give the desired effect.
Methylxanthines, used in atopic asthma, have the ability to quickly block adrenoreceptors.
Inhalations that have practically no side effects and act immediately due to the direct penetration of the drug into the respiratory system.
Expectorant drugs that help cleanse the bronchi of sputum.
Immunostimulating drugs.

In order for the treatment to bring positive dynamics, during the entire period of the disease, the patient must follow the following recommendations:

Minimize your stay outside during the flowering period of plants, if possible, keep the windows closed;
wash clothes in very hot water;
put hypoallergenic covers on mattresses and pillows:
get rid of carpets and soft toys, which create favorable conditions for the appearance of dust mites;
control air humidity. If the humidity index exceeds 40%, there is a risk of mold and dust mites, in this case it is recommended to use air drying;
limit contact with animals;
maintain dryness in the bathroom and in the kitchen, install hoods that will reduce humidity;
install an air filter that will eliminate smoke, pollen, small particles that can serve as irritants;
perform any work on the plot in a special mask that prevents the ingress of allergens;
avoid the use of perfumes with a pungent odor;
change work if it is associated with the systematic inhalation of harmful components or dust;
do sports or breathing exercises.

Adequate treatment of allergic asthma gives a fairly favorable prognosis.

Emphysema and cardiopulmonary failure can develop as complications.

To date, there are no universal preventive methods, which can completely eliminate the risk of developing allergic bronchial asthma.

The problem is solved already when the disease appears, and therapy in this case is aimed at stabilizing the course of asthma and reducing the likelihood of possible complications.

Bronchial asthma is a very common disease that occurs in about 6% of people. It is characterized chronic course with periodic exacerbations, during which a pronounced narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi occurs and the corresponding clinical picture develops.

Allergic bronchial asthma is the most common form of this disease, which accounts for the vast majority clinical cases. Many children and adults are allergic to any substances that can cause the development of the disease. It is especially dangerous that mild forms of asthma are often not detected in a timely manner and are out of the field of view of specialists for a long time.

The severity of the disease

Depending on the severity of the symptoms, doctors distinguish 4 degrees of severity of the course of the disease, on the basis of which the treatment is planned.

Intermittent asthma (stage 1) - daytime attacks of the disease are extremely rare (no more than 1 time per week), and at night the disease bothers the patient no more than 2 times a month. Exacerbations pass very quickly and practically do not affect the physical activity of the patient.
Mild persistent asthma (stage 2) - the disease comes on more than once a week, but less than once a day, and nocturnal attacks occur at least 2 times a month. During an exacerbation, the patient may be disturbed by sleep, activity may be limited.
Moderately persistent asthma (stage 3) - the disease worsens almost daily, and nocturnal attacks occur more than once a week. At the same time, the patient's sleep and physical activity are severely disturbed.
Severe persistent asthma (Stage 4) - both daytime and nighttime asthma attacks are very common. Physical activity human is drastically reduced.

What happens in the body with allergic asthma?

The pathogenesis of bronchial asthma has not yet been fully studied. It has been established that many cells, structures and substances are involved in the development of a pathological response from the bronchi.

When an allergen enters the body, individual blood cells are activated, which release biologically active substances responsible for inflammatory reactions organism.
Muscle cells in the bronchial walls of asthma patients are initially predisposed to contraction, and their receptors are more sensitive to any effect of active substances.
The result is a spasm. smooth muscle bronchi and significantly reduced airway clearance. The patient cannot breathe fully and develops shortness of breath, which in the most severe case can lead to death.

All reactions proceed quickly enough, which leads to a sharp deterioration in human health. The patient may feel an approaching attack within a few minutes after contact with the allergen.

Reasons for the development of the disease

Allergic asthma can develop for various reasons.

Burdened heredity - often in patients, close relatives also have any allergies or suffer from asthma. It has been proven that if one of the parents has asthma, then the probability of developing it in a child is about 20-30%. If the disease is diagnosed in both the father and the mother, then the child will encounter asthma with a 70% probability. It is important to understand that the disease itself is not inherited, and the child only gets a tendency to develop it.
Frequent infectious diseases respiratory tract can provoke hypersensitivity of the bronchial wall.
Unfavorable environmental conditions and occupational hazards.
Smoking, including passive smoking. This suggests that smoking parents significantly increase the likelihood of developing allergic bronchial asthma in your child.
Eating a large amount of preservatives, dyes and other additives with food.

Directly an asthma attack develops when the sensitive bronchi come into contact with an allergen, which may be different for each patient. The most common triggers for asthma attacks are:

plant pollen;
animal hair;
mold spores;
house dust;
food products are a rare cause that still cannot be overlooked;
substances with pungent odors (perfumes, household chemicals, etc.);
smoke, cold air also act as irritants.

Clinical manifestations of the disease

The symptoms of allergic asthma are not particularly specific and practically do not differ from the manifestation of asthma of non-allergic origin.

Difficulty breathing - the patient feels that it is difficult for him to inhale and exhale (and exhalation is given with great difficulty). Most often, shortness of breath occurs literally a few minutes after the patient has come into contact with the allergen and during physical activity.
Wheezing wheezing that occurs as a result of the passage of air through a severely narrowed airway. They can be so strong that they can be heard at a considerable distance from the patient.
The characteristic posture of a sick person during an asthma attack. Since it is not possible to satisfy all the body's needs for air due to the respiratory muscles, the patient is forced to involve additional muscle groups in the act of breathing. To do this, he rests his hands on the windowsill, table, wall and any other convenient surface.
Paroxysmal cough that does not bring relief. There is such a variant of the course of the disease, in which the patient has only a cough. Often people do not pay attention to this symptom and think that the cough comes from another cause. It is important to know that the usual reflex cough disappears after a few minutes, since during this time all mechanical stimuli have time to leave the airway.
Isolation of a small amount of clear and viscous (glassy) sputum.
status asthmaticus - severe exacerbation a disease characterized by a prolonged attack of suffocation during which the patient does not respond to traditional treatment. If it doesn't appear timely help, then against the background of a lack of oxygen, a person can gradually lose consciousness and fall into a coma. In the most severe case, a lethal outcome develops.

Since we are talking about allergic asthma, all of the above symptoms appear after the patient is exposed to the allergen. Depending on the allergen in response to which the patient develops an asthma attack, there is a different frequency and duration of exacerbation. An example is an allergy to plant pollen: the patient can hardly avoid contact with the allergen, which at this time is everywhere. The result is a characteristic seasonality of exacerbations.

Diagnosis of allergic bronchial asthma

To begin with, the doctor interviews the patient in detail, records all his complaints and collects an anamnesis. If the patient is seen during an attack, the doctor may hear wheezing and notice shortness of breath. Later used specialized methods providing information about the respiratory system.

Spirometry is a method of examination during which a special device characterizes in numbers the main parameters of lung activity. Forced expiratory volume is very important for doctors, since it is the most difficult to exhale for a patient with asthma.
The study of sputum secreted during coughing. In patients with bronchial asthma, eosinophils, Cushman spirals and Charcot-Leiden spirals can be found there - specific for this disease particles.
Since we are talking about allergic bronchial asthma, it is always necessary to find out which substance is the exacerbation provocateur. For this, a special allergic test- small scratches are applied to the skin, and then a small amount of a solution with the alleged allergen is dripped onto them. The body reacts to the allergen with reddening of the skin and the development of a small inflammation.

Treatment of the disease

Allergic asthma can be treated with the same substances that are used to prevent and eliminate other forms of pathology. Of course, the allergic nature of the disease leaves its mark on the process of therapy.

If the patient knows that he has an allergy, then it is very useful to take antihistamines in a timely manner, which today are presented in a large assortment in pharmacies. The substance blocks receptors, which are usually affected by histamine, and the effect of its release into the blood is not observed or is less pronounced. If it is clear that contact with the allergen cannot be avoided, then it is advisable to take the medicine in advance and reduce the likelihood of exacerbation.
There is also a technique according to which the allergen, under the supervision of a doctor, is introduced into the body in gradually increasing quantities. As a result, the susceptibility to this allergen is reduced, and it is less likely to provoke attacks of the disease.
Inhaled glucocorticoids and β2-adrenergic blockers long-acting- the most commonly used drugs basic therapy that allow you to control the disease for a long time.
Antibodies, which are an antagonist of immunoglobulin E, allow for a long time to eliminate the increased sensitivity of the bronchi and prevent exacerbations.
Cromones are a group of drugs that are actively used in the treatment of children, since they do not give the desired result in adults.
Methylxanthines.
With an exacerbation of the disease, fast-acting adrenergic blockers, adrenaline, oral glucocorticoids are used.

Preference is always given to inhaled drugs, which, with the help of a special device, enter directly into the patient's respiratory tract and exert their therapeutic effect there almost instantly. This allows you to get rid of the side effects that can develop when taking drugs orally.

Patients with allergic asthma should understand that their priority is the prevention of exacerbation, that is, avoiding contact with the allergen. It is enough to follow the following recommendations:

regularly carry out wet cleaning in the living room;
if you are allergic to wool - refuse to keep pets;
avoid using perfumes with strong odors;
change jobs to one where you do not have to inhale a lot of dust and other harmful substances.