A pathological condition in which a person begins to breathe heavily and even suffocate is called a bronchospasm. Symptoms, treatment, first aid - all these points will be described in the article. We also determine who should be contacted in case of an attack. We find out that it is strictly forbidden to take in relation to a patient suffering from bronchospasm. We also define preventive measures to prevent the development of this problem.
Bronchospasm: what is it?
This is a pathological condition in which the patency of the bronchi is impaired, as a result of which pulmonary ventilation is disorganized and the outflow of bronchial secretion is difficult. Such negative changes in the body lead to a lack of oxygen in organs and tissues, a sensation of suffocation.
Signs of an approaching attack
Bronchospasm in children can be felt in advance. If you catch the moment and provide operational assistance to the child before the attack begins, then its onset can be prevented. So, before bronchospasm occurs, the signs appear as follows:
- Anxiety.
- Constant sneezing.
- Cough.
- Nasal discharge.
Often an attack occurs at a later time, so another symptom of approaching bronchospasm is an unexpected awakening of the baby in the middle of the night.
If parents will monitor the condition of the child, then they can help him cope with this dangerous phenomenon.
Symptomatology
Signs of bronchospasm may be as follows:
- Lack of air, chest congestion.
- Abnormal breathing of the patient: prolonged exhalation and whistling, audible even from a distance.
- An agonizing dry cough. It’s hard for the patient to clear his throat; he turns red or even turns blue.
- The patient sits leaning on his hands. In this position, it is easier for him.
- Fright is clearly expressed on the face.
First Aid for Babies
Bronchospasm in children is dangerous because it can lead to death. It becomes difficult for the child to breathe, he may experience an attack of suffocation. To prevent this from happening, parents should know how to give the baby first aid:
- Plant the patient, unfasten his clothes.
- Ventilate the room if the cause of bronchospasm is not allergy. Otherwise, the child needs to be taken out of the dusty room, close all the windows in the house.
- Wash, rinse patient’s mouth, rinse nose.
- Give a medicine that will expand the bronchi (for example, the drug "Eufillin" or "Ephedrine").
- Drink warm tea, compote.
- Give expectorant medications.
- Call a doctor immediately.
Allergic bronchospasm: causes
This type of pathology is found in both children and adults. Allergic bronchospasm develops with increased sensitivity of the body to external and internal allergens.
The first type includes such pathogens:
- Dust.
- Pollen.
- Wool, dandruff, fluff, hair.
- Food allergens.
- Chemical agents: paint, powder, various detergents, preservatives.
- Medicines (anti-inflammatory, antibacterial drugs).
Allergic bronchospasm can develop in two forms:
- Atopic.
- Infectious and allergic.
The definition and elimination of the allergen will help get rid of this pathology.
Prohibited Tricks
Many parents are lost and do not understand what to do when a child has bronchospasm. What this is, far from everyone knows, so some make mistakes that can even cost a life. It is important to remember the following actions, which categorically can not be taken in relation to a person suffering from bronchospasm:
- Rub the patient with aromatic oils, creams, put mustard plasters, give honey or medicinal herbs. Reception of these funds will only aggravate the situation, worsen the patient's condition.
- Give drugs that suppress cough. For example, Codeine.
- Take antihistamines. For example, Suprastin and Diphenhydramine drugs can worsen sputum discharge.
- Give soothing medicines.
Absolutely all drugs should be prescribed by a doctor. Relatives, relatives can provide first aid, and the main treatment is prescribed by a specialist.
Causes of pathology in adults
Men and women at least children suffer from a phenomenon such as bronchospasm. The reasons for the appearance of this pathology can be as follows:
- Bronchial asthma.
- Chronic lung diseases.
Adult bronchospasm can be caused by:
- Smoking.
- Drinking alcohol.
- Increased allergic reactivity.
- Bad environmental conditions.
- Heredity.
- Negative emotions.
Hidden pathology
Sometimes even doctors find it difficult to understand the causes of such a dangerous condition as bronchospasm. Symptoms in adults and children may not be observed, but the problem will exist. In this case, we are talking about a hidden pathology caused by the presence of such diseases as:
- Rhinitis.
- Laryngitis.
- Pollinosis.
- Adenoiditis.
Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, thoroughly examining the patient.
Latent bronchospasm is dangerous because it is not at all felt at the physical level. But when exposed to, for example, cold air or an allergen, it immediately violates respiratory function. The patient develops shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing attacks. Computer bronchophonography, which is often prescribed by pulmonologists or allergists to confirm the diagnosis, helps to quickly identify the problem.
Paradoxical bronchospasm
This pathology develops as a side effect of the use of bronchodilators (Ventolin, Atimos, Salbutamol sprays). The whole paradox is that during treatment with these medications the spasm is further aggravated.
Adequate therapy
Bronchospasm, the treatment of which should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor, is best eliminated in an inpatient setting. Usually, the doctor prescribes such medications:
- Glucocorticoids . They have an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Adrenomimetics . These drugs are able to expand the smooth muscles of the bronchi.
- The medicine "Eufillin."
- Mucolytic, expectorant drugs.
- M-anticholinergics, the action of which is aimed at the expansion of the bronchi. You can, for example, use the Atrovent spray.
Prevention
Various measures aimed at eliminating the risk factors for the occurrence of such a problem as bronchospasm will help prevent the appearance of pathology. What is it and how does the disease manifest itself, we found out. Now you need to know about preventive measures:
- Cure the underlying ailment.
- If a person smokes, then you need to abandon this addiction.
- Try to walk outside more often.
- Take vitamins.
- Avoid contact with allergens.
If bronchospasm occurs, then you need to make an appointment with a pulmonologist, an allergist, because only a qualified specialist can help.
Getting rid of cramps caused by obstructive bronchitis
There are effective folk remedies, through which you can improve the patient's condition:
- Inhalation . Thanks to them, warm and moist air entering the bronchi will dilute sputum and facilitate its natural exit. At the same time, the person will cough even harder, but this is good, because then bronchospasm will not be repeated. How to remove this pathological condition, what devices to use? Adults can inhale using a regular kettle, pouring drugs into it. But for this purpose it is better for children to purchase a special device - a nebulizer.
- Warming up . This is the next step after inhalation. True, to warm a sore spot is possible only if the patient does not have a temperature. Boiled potatoes in a peel, special cans, woolen clothes - everyone chooses a heating method individually.
- Massage and breathing exercises. This must be done if bronchospasm is observed in children. The fact is that babies do not know how to clear their throat, so adults should help them quickly remove sputum. The position of the child during the massage - lying on his stomach or standing on all fours. Mom or dad tapping from top to bottom, from the lower back to the neck. Then the trajectory of movements changes.
Diagnostic Methods
Sometimes the doctor does not have enough of the complaints voiced by the patient to make an accurate diagnosis and identify the cause of such a dangerous phenomenon as bronchospasm. Symptoms in adults and children can be different, therefore, to properly assess the condition, such studies are prescribed:
- Clinical and biochemical blood tests.
- Sputum tests.
- Capnography. This analysis allows the specialist to estimate the depth of respiration based on the amount of carbon dioxide contained in the air inhaled by the patient.
- Bronchophonography. It is carried out using computer equipment. Allows you to explore the breathing function even in infants. This method is used mainly in relation to children.
- Pulse oximetry - allows you to determine the amount of oxygen in the blood, as well as the pulse rate, a change which is observed with bronchospasm.
It is impossible to refuse the above diagnostic methods only so the doctor will be able to understand the cause of the attack and do everything possible so that it no longer repeats.
Conclusion
The narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi is called "bronchospasm." What it is, how this problem manifests itself, we found out. They also understood in what cases an attack can occur. We realized that it is absolutely impossible to do during bronchospasm, as well as what measures must be observed to alleviate the condition. A trip to the therapist, pediatrician, pulmonologist, allergist should be mandatory. Only a specialist will help you choose the right treatment.