Bronchial asthma is a chronic allergic disease characterized by attacks of shortness of breath or suffocation. The disease occurs in both children and adults. Every year the number of people suffering from this pathology is growing. Many countries, realizing the seriousness of the problem, annually allocate impressive amounts for the treatment and rehabilitation of such patients. The fourth of May is the day of the fight against bronchial asthma around the world.
How does the disease develop?
Bronchial asthma in adults and children is one of the manifestations of so-called atopy. This means that the patient’s body inadequately responds to irritants familiar to other people. Where a healthy person does not even notice an allergen, an asthmatic suffocates from a sudden attack. Experts still have not been able to find out the exact cause of the development of pathology. It is believed that atopic diseases are inherited (more precisely, a tendency to one or another type of allergy). The negative effect of harmful environmental factors on the development of bronchial asthma was also noted.
Classification
Depending on the cause of the disease, bronchial asthma is divided into allergic and non-allergic. In the first case, the source of the problem may be plant pollen, pet hair, unfamiliar food, or certain medications. Exacerbation of bronchial asthma in this case is clearly tied to contact with an allergen, and, as a rule, it is possible to fairly accurately determine the cause of the attack.
Non-allergic asthma usually develops against the background of other chronic bronchopulmonary diseases. In this case, asthma attacks develop during an acute infection, with stress, or any other causes not related to the action of the allergen. Emergency care for asthma in both cases includes the use of drugs that relieve bronchospasm and restore the patient's ability to breathe fully.
Features of the course of the disease
Regardless of the cause of the development of the disease, 4 degrees of severity of bronchial asthma are distinguished. Knowing this classification allows you to choose the right treatment and in time to prevent the development of seizures.
1 degree - intermittent. At the first stage, attacks of the disease develop no more than 1 time a week during the day and 2 times a month at night. Exacerbations are short, the functions of the bronchopulmonary system are disturbed slightly.
2 degree - light persistent. Attacks occur more than once a week. Exacerbations of the disease are longer, with a violation of the general condition, physical activity and sleep.
Grade 3 - persistent moderate. Exacerbations of asthma occur daily, leading to a significant deterioration in the quality of life. Night attacks are repeated weekly. Each situation requires the mandatory use of drugs that expand the bronchi.
Grade 4 - severe persistent. Frequent seizures - several times a day, not stopped by conventional non-hormonal drugs. Physical activity is significantly reduced, night sleep is disturbed.
How does an attack develop?
Upon contact with an allergen or other irritating factor, shortness of breath first appears. It becomes difficult for the patient to breathe, it is impossible to inhale the right amount of air. Choking, heaviness in the chest caused by bronchospasm joins. After some time, loud wheezing appears, audible from a distance. There is a cough, first dry, then wet, with viscous sputum. Joining the last symptom indicates the resolution of the attack and the patient's exit from this condition.
Strong anxiety, fear, and thoughts of death haunt the patient. If emergency care for asthma is not provided on time, complications develop that are dangerous to human health and life. That is why it is so important for every patient to always have medications that stop the attack. Timely exposure to the bronchi allows you to avoid deterioration and do without serious interventions.
Asthmatic status - what is it?
This condition is one of the most frequent complications of bronchial asthma. Persistent spasms of the bronchi, which are not stopped by drugs, cause asthma attacks. The cough becomes unproductive, sputum does not separate. The patient occupies a forced position - sitting or standing with the body inclined forward. This position allows you to slightly ease your breathing and wait for the ambulance crew to arrive. If untreated, the patient loses consciousness. In severe cases, asthmatic status may result in respiratory failure and death.
Other complications of bronchial asthma
In the case when the treatment was not carried out on time or turned out to be ineffective, the development of the following conditions is possible:
- acute heart failure;
- acute respiratory failure;
- pneumothorax
Emergency care for asthma
The first step is to remove the allergen that caused the attack. If the source of the problem is unknown, you should remove from the patient everything that can cause the development of an attack. There should not be many people around asthmatics. If the condition allows, the patient should be moved to a quiet, calm room where he can wait for the attack or wait for the ambulance to arrive.
Before the arrival of specialists, you should use drugs that cause bronchodilation. As a rule, every asthmatic carries inhalers with him, allowing you to quickly and effectively relieve an asthma attack. If the necessary medicines were not at hand, the patient should be seated in the most comfortable position for him (with the body tilted forward and resting on the arms)
If the cause of the attack is food containing allergens, activated carbon or other sorbents will come to the rescue. Antihistamines, as well as various sedatives, will not interfere. A warm foot bath will help to relieve the condition.
Medicines used during an attack
Preparations for bronchial asthma are very diverse. At the stage of providing first aid , salbutamol-based inhalers are most often used. This simple mimetic of b-adrenal receptors helps relieve spasm and expand the bronchi, helping to remove viscous sputum from the body. It is this remedy that should be at hand for every asthmatic who knows about the possible development of an attack. At the first sign of suffocation, 1-2 breaths are taken. If necessary, after 5 minutes, inhalation can be repeated.
Glucocorticosteroid drugs give an excellent effect. They are issued in the form of inhalations and are prescribed to patients whose attack is not stopped by b-blockers. Medications for bronchial asthma are widely represented in the pharmacological market, and each asthmatic can choose a suitable remedy after consulting a specialist. It is noted that in patients using inhaled glucocorticosteroids within two years from the onset of the disease, the quality of life improves significantly and the frequency of suffocation attacks decreases.
Emergency care for bronchial asthma also includes the use of "Eufillin" - a drug that dilates the bronchi. As a rule, it is used by the ambulance team to stop the attack in the case when the patient did not have inhaled drugs with him. "Eufillin" is administered intravenously, usually combined with "Prednisolone" or other hormonal agents. In combination, these drugs relieve swelling, narrow the bronchi and facilitate the release of sputum. In most cases, the patient's condition improves significantly after using "Eufillina".
When asthmatic status appears, the doses of drugs increase, plus Heparin injections are added. In the case of coma, treatment is performed in a resuscitation setting. To prevent hypoxia, moistened oxygen is used through a mask in the form of inhalation.
Complications of bronchial asthma, as a rule, require hospitalization in the therapeutic department. With the development of cardiopulmonary insufficiency, it may be necessary to carry the patient on a stretcher with the connection of an artificial lung ventilation apparatus. Hospitalization is also necessary for the development of an attack that cannot be relieved by inhalation of Salbutamol or glucocorticosteroids, as well as in case of asthmatic status.
Forecast
Unfortunately, in many cases, the disease progresses, leading to various complications. Chronic bronchial asthma is not uncommon among adults. Developing in early childhood, it is accompanied by frequent seizures that significantly impair the patient's quality of life. Over time, emphysema forms , characterized by the expansion of the distal sections of the bronchi. The lung tissue is stretched, it is not able to provide the body with enough oxygen. Hypoxia affects all organs, especially the heart and brain. Progressive respiratory failure requires the use of increasingly serious groups of drugs.
Unfortunately, even with all preventive measures, it is impossible to guarantee a complete absence of seizures. Patients suffering from bronchial asthma should always keep salbutamol preparations with them. Timely assistance will help not only get rid of unpleasant symptoms, but also prevent the development of various complications.