Diseases

Bronchial Asthma – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma , commonly known as asthma , is a chronic inflammation of the airways. Coughing attacks , shortness of breath and overstimulation of the lungs or bronchial tubes due to environmental stimuli are typical of asthma .

What is bronchial asthma?

The term bronchial asthma refers to a chronic disease of the airways. The mucous membrane of the bronchi reacts particularly sensitively to the various stimuli and swells up. The lungs also produce thick mucus . The airways are narrowed, the muscles of the smaller airways contract spasmodically.

Bronchial asthma is therefore characterized by recurrent attacks of shortness of breath , coughing and shortness of breath . Bronchial asthma can be considered as one of the most common chronic diseases. It occurs in all age groups. In childhood, boys in particular contract the disease.

causes

The exact causes of bronchial asthma are still unknown today. It is assumed that genetic factors as well as environmental influences can be the cause. Allergic symptoms also play a role. They are risk factors in the development of bronchial asthma. An example of this is hay fever in particular .

A variety of stimuli can trigger an asthma attack. Physical exertion, cold, perfume or air pollution, allergens such as pollen, dust and animal hair and inflammation of the respiratory tract can all trigger an acute attack. In bronchial asthma, a distinction is made between allergic and non-allergic asthma.

In allergic asthma, attempts are made to identify the triggers in order to avoid contact with them. This is done using blood samples and skin tests. In non-allergic asthma, for example, infections of the respiratory tract or drug intolerance lead to an attack. The use of room sprays or cleaning agents can also greatly increase the development of bronchial asthma.

Symptoms, Ailments & Signs

The so-called asthma triad is associated with three specific reactions. First, the mucous membranes of the bronchi produce large amounts of viscous mucus. In the next step, the airways narrow and the respiratory muscles also contract. This process makes it difficult to breathe and is associated with a number of side effects.

Typical signs of bronchial asthma are, for example, at the beginning of an attack, a chest tightness that can be felt with pain behind the breastbone. In addition, there are often breathing difficulties that make it particularly difficult to speak, as well as noise when exhaling or an increase in heart rate to over 100 beats per minute.

The typical symptoms also include paroxysmal shortness of breath, which often occurs at night and in the morning after getting up. Many patients also suffer from a dry, hacking cough and difficulty exhaling. It is not uncommon for there to be noticeable breathing noises, which sound like whistling or buzzing.

dry cough with heavy mucus formation is also characteristic of bronchial asthma. Severe asthma attacks are also associated with impaired consciousness and restlessness. The lack of oxygen can cause the lips and nail beds to turn blue.

In the early stages, the symptoms appear exclusively in the form of attacks; in the intervals between the attacks, the patients are symptom-free. As the disease progresses, however, many patients suffer from constant shortness of breath, even if the other symptoms only appear in flares.

Course

Early detection of bronchial asthma is very important. In children, for example, early childhood asthma is often misinterpreted as poor physical condition, for example in physical education.

It takes several years before the disease is properly treated. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease, except in children.

With early detection and good medical treatment, most are completely cured. However, asthma can recur in adulthood.

The lung function of adults who had asthma as a child is also usually impaired. If asthma is left untreated, the duration of the disease increases, the airways remain damaged and permanent symptoms can develop.

complications

The symptoms of the disease can suddenly worsen. An asthma attack, a so-called status asthmaticus, is very dangerous and can be life-threatening. In this case, an ambulance must be called. The status is not easily broken through with medication and can last for 24 hours or more.

During an asthma attack, the gas exchange in the lungs can fail and the patient can only be supplied with insufficient oxygen. A severe asthma attack is associated with severe shortness of breath. The small airways are constricted and the air remains trapped in the lungs. Consequently, acute overinflation of the lungs can also occur. The overbloating can be repeated at short intervals over the years.

Air sacs in the lungs can be destroyed. In severe cases, permanent overinflation of the lungs, a so-called pulmonary emphysema, can occur. The oxygen exchange in the lungs is made more difficult and the body is therefore undersupplied with oxygen. The person concerned suffers from constant shortness of breath and is dependent on an oxygen cylinder.

Bronchial asthma can also lead to permanent heart damage. Since remodeling processes take place in the lung tissue in bronchial asthma, the heart is put under strain and chronic cardiac insufficiency ( right-hand heart failure ) can develop. In severe cases, asthma can be fatal.

When should you go to the doctor?

Bronchial asthma can usually be treated with emergency medication such as asthma spray. If the symptoms do not subside, an emergency service must be alerted.

Emergency medical help is required above all when the respiratory emergency is accompanied by a pronounced fear of suffocation and other symptoms such as reduced responsiveness or severe exhaustion. Even less severe seizures should be treated medically. If breathing problems or severe coughing attacks occur again and again, a visit to the family doctor is recommended .

There may be an accompanying respiratory infection or a change to another asthma medication. In general, asthma attacks that are increasing in intensity and length should be clarified by a doctor and treated if necessary. Babies and small children should see the pediatrician immediately if there are signs of bronchial asthma .

People with other respiratory conditions should discuss any unusual symptoms with their healthcare provider. If a breathing emergency occurs for the first time, an ambulance must be called in any case . A doctor must then clarify the bronchial asthma and prescribe appropriate emergency medication.

Treatment & Therapy

The symptoms of bronchial asthma can be kept under control with therapies or preventive measures.

There are different approaches to therapy. In the event of an allergic reaction, the triggering substance should be avoided. This can ultimately lead to a change of occupation if one has to deal with allergy-causing substances at work. A continuous intake of the prescribed medication is just as important as the constant carrying of the asthma spray.

You should also refrain from smoking . Passive smoking is just as harmful as active smoking. Moderate physical activity is also important.

The goals of therapy are freedom from seizures, normalization of lung function, normal physical and psychological development in children and the avoidance of restrictions in personal life. There are several therapeutic options for this.

Drug therapies ensure, for example, suppression of inflammation and thus avoidance of bronchial hypersensitivity. The inhalation of certain medications is to be regarded as particularly helpful. Also, a treatment plan is usually drawn up in collaboration between the doctor and the patient. Patients must also be trained so that they know how to deal well with their chronic illness.

The correct breathing technique is also trained here, for example. In the case of allergic asthma, it is often also necessary for the entire apartment to be sanitized so that contact with mould, animal hair, etc. can be avoided. If the treatment strategies are followed precisely, healing of bronchial asthma is likely, especially in children.

A well-known drug that can be administered for asthma and chronic bronchitis is salbutamol . Salbutamol is a bronchospasmolytic that is administered by inhalation and induces a rapid and “long-acting” (duration of action approx. 3 – 4 h) relaxation of the bronchi.

Outlook & Forecast

The prognosis for bronchial asthma depends on three factors: the time the disease was detected, the severity of the condition and the treatment.

In up to 50 percent of cases, diagnosed asthma in children is associated with the prognosis that it will disappear again during puberty . However, the disease can reappear in later years. It is true that the severity of childhood asthma is directly correlated with a possible recurrence or worsening of the disease with increasing age. Nevertheless, it should be noted that bronchial asthma is always chronic and basically persists even with good treatment.

Lung function is permanently compromised in adults who were asthmatics as children, meaning they need to rest and often require treatment. Nevertheless, good treatment is equivalent to a normal life expectancy.

Other diseases in the lung area – above all infections – can lead to severe courses. If left untreated, there is a risk of serious damage to the respiratory system. There is also still a mortality rate of a few people per 100,000 from untreated asthma attacks, which mostly affects severe asthmatics. These are often due to inadequate treatment.

Consistently following a treatment strategy prolongs seizure-free periods for those affected and improves quality of life. Good medical care is crucial.

aftercare

Regular follow-up examinations are essential for asthma patients as it is usually a chronic condition. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, an individual treatment plan is determined, which should help to reduce asthmatic symptoms in the long term. Long-term medication, which acts against the inflammation of the bronchi, for example, is also of great importance here and must be taken regularly.

Sport in particular is considered an effective remedy for breathing problems, as the body is more resilient and the lung volume is trained. A so-called DMP (disease management program), which should be carried out once a quarter in a doctor’s office, provides information about the condition of the lungs and bronchi. Furthermore, it is possible to go to asthma training courses again to find out everything you need to know about asthma and how to deal with this disease over the long term.

If the patient has been symptom-free for years, the medication can be slowly discontinued to see how this affects the course of the disease. Under certain circumstances, he can even do without them completely. Nevertheless, those affected should always carry an emergency spray with them in case an unexpected seizure occurs.

You can do that yourself

Bronchial asthma can have a significant impact on the quality of life of those affected. If the asthma attacks come unexpectedly, those affected can help themselves with a powder inhaler or metered dose inhaler. With the aids, better breathing ability can be guaranteed within a short time.

Since stress and inner tension also have an influence on asthma symptoms, mindfulness and relaxation exercises can provide relief. Some forms of yoga also promote more even breathing. A helpful device for self-help is the respiratory therapy device, which can loosen and remove the mucus in the bronchi. Integrating light exercise into everyday life can also alleviate the symptoms.

Anyone who comes into contact with asthma patients should avoid smoking around them. The asthmatics themselves should definitely stop smoking. If you stay in rooms with dry air, you irritate your bronchi. Therefore, asthmatics should always ensure that there is sufficient humidity in the rooms – a humidity of 50 to 60 percent is best.

If you keep a diary about your asthma, you have a good overview of the course of the disease and can also pass on precise information to doctors. Affected people can also join an asthma support group to talk to like-minded people about the disease and get tips.

Lisa Newlon
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Hello! I am Lisa Newlon, and I am a medical writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry. I have a Master’s degree in Medicine, and my deep understanding of medical terminology, practices, and procedures has made me a trusted source of information in the medical world.