Asthma is a disease of the respiratory tract, manifested in coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing. Symptoms occur more often at night and in the early morning, respectively, as well as a reaction to certain irritants.
The disease is characterized by chronic inflammation and increased sensitivity of the bronchi. The exact cause of the disease is unclear, but there are factors contributing to its occurrence: heredity, allergies, viral infections.
Asthma usually begins in childhood or puberty, but can also occur in an adult. Symptoms may be similar, but some important points in the course of the disease are different in children and adults. Significantly and correctly framed personal medical history can help significantly speed up the diagnosis.
Bronchial asthma, the more correct name for the standard form of asthma
The term "Bronchial asthma" is used to differentiate it from cardiac asthma, a separate species caused by heart failure. Although the two types of asthma are characterized by similar symptoms, including stridor (wheezing) and shortness of breath, they have very different causes.
Signs of illness in one person are different from symptoms in another. They can occur sporadically or persistently. Bronchospasm can be so strong that there is a threat to life. With an asthma attack, first of all, exhalation is difficult, accompanied by wheezing. Partial coughing fits occur. In children, cough, as a rule, is a key symptom, so the diagnosis of bronchial asthma can sometimes be made late.
Shortness of breath, lack of air can also lead to problems of a psychological nature - nausea, difficulty with speech, feelings of fear, anxiety.
The protection against the risks of developing asthma complications is considered to be the main principle of documentation - a case history of asthma, based on the patient’s memories and observations.
Physical examination (or personal examination)
The main studies are the diagnosis of pulmonary function, tests for allergic reactions, procedures to exclude other diseases.
In addition, it is necessary to determine the severity of asthma, which does not have to coincide with the subjective perception of the patient.
A physical examination is a physical examination, including listening (auscultation) and percussion of the lungs. All moments of the patient examination are entered into the history of the disease to further monitor the progress of the disease. The necessary information is contained in the patient's medical record, which is also called the "medical history".
Bronchial asthma usually begins in childhood and is the most common chronic disease. Women suffer from asthma more often than men.
Anamnesis of life and anamnesis of the disease (memory or personal history of the disease)
Bronchial asthma, like other diseases, can be identified by information received by the doctor from the patient. The medical history should not be confused with a medical history or medical record drawn up by a doctor.
From a medical point of view, the complaints that the patient recalls are mentioned in the patient's card as symptoms, in contrast to the clinical signs established after a medical examination.
It makes great sense to pass on to the healthcare provider all information about their observations. In a conversation with a specialist, first of all, we need answers to the following questions:
- What diseases are there in the family (especially the respiratory tract)?
- Are there any allergies or similar diseases (for example, hay runny nose or rhinitis)?
- Are there any symptoms in contact with animals, plants?
- Allergies to food, medicine?
- When did the symptoms characteristic of bronchial asthma first appear?
- What methods of treatment does the patient use?
- What is the degree of physical activity and how do they affect your health?
- Are there complaints about the deterioration of well-being in certain places (at the workplace, in connection with a change of place or on vacation)?
- Do complaints depend on the seasons?
- How does tobacco smoke affect health?
From the information thus obtained, together with the clinical examination, a diagnosis is formed: bronchial asthma. The medical history is of great importance for the doctor, as it is an important key to the concept of the development of the disease and, accordingly, the choice of appropriate methods in further therapeutic actions.
With this pathology, allergic reactions are quite acceptable, which is also the reason for the specific history of the disease. Bronchial asthma is considered an incurable disease, but medications, if necessary targeted therapy, help to cope with it relatively successfully.
In the world, the leaders in the incidence of bronchial asthma are Scots (18.4 percent of the total population). In general, this pathology is often called the "British disease."