Treatment of allergic asthma and methods of preventing pathology

Allergic asthma is a common type of illness that occurs in patients suffering from allergies.

Specific substances, after entering the body, irritate the mucous membranes lining the respiratory tract. The immune system is activated, protective antibodies react even to harmless microorganisms.

Substances that trigger asthma enter the airways when you breathe. The reasons that aggravate the patient’s general condition include the negative influence of external factors (temperature changes, inhalation of a pungent odor, chemical compounds or smoke). The sooner the allergen is identified, the faster the recovery will occur.

In the absence of timely treatment, the intensity of the symptoms increases, creating favorable conditions for the development of complications. This type of asthma can appear in the history of children and adults.

This disease has no age restrictions. At risk are patients who are predisposed to allergies. A significant cause for concern is an allergic reaction that appeared earlier.

Asthma is often confused with diseases that affect the bronchi. This is due to the similarity of their symptoms. In any case, treatment begins only after undergoing a diagnostic examination.

Causes

An allergic reaction is indicated by the appearance of skin rashes and itching. Ignoring negative symptoms can lead to asthmatic attacks and anaphylactic shock. Allergens are classified into several categories, including:

Allergens

1. Allergens localized in the room. Their source can be pets, insects, and fungi.
2. Provocateurs located in open space. This list includes polluted air and pollen.
3. Food. Antigens can be found in eggs, honey, some vegetables and fruits, milk, strawberries, peanuts and seafood.

Less commonly recorded are allergic reactions provoked by food irritants. It is quite difficult to cope with illness at home, so when the first symptoms appear, you need to call a doctor. If acute respiratory failure occurs, the patient is urgently hospitalized.

Due to the body's hypersensitivity to the allergen, an attack develops very quickly. The disease progresses in the presence of the following factors:

Respiratory tract infections

• infectious pathologies of the respiratory system;
• bad habits;
• bad ecology;
• poor nutrition;
• antisocial lifestyle;
• long-term drug therapy.

Heredity also matters. Asthma is not passed from parents to children. Only the appearance of a predisposition to the development of the disease is possible.

Based on the modern classification, there are several degrees of severity of atopic asthma, including mild, moderate and severe. The disease can move from the acute phase to the chronic phase in the autumn-summer period.

Symptoms

If an allergen enters the body of a patient suffering from asthma, symptoms such as:

• cough;
• pain in the abdominal cavity;
• wheezing;
• chest discomfort;
• dyspnea;
• increased breathing;
• runny nose;
• bronchospasms;
• wheezing in the lungs.
  Dyspnea

The intensity of allergic asthma symptoms increases in the afternoon. The clinic varies depending on the type of illness. Intermittent asthma is quite rare. Persistent disease is activated much more often. This causes problems with sleep.

Atopic asthma of moderate severity provokes the appearance of general malaise. At this stage, the therapeutic regimen must include measures to prevent the development of serious complications. In severe forms, asthma attacks occur both during the day and at night.

The patient practically does not rest, which causes loss of ability to work. The most dangerous type is progressive allergic asthma.

In this case, the patient develops resistance to medications that are usually used to relieve an attack.

Diagnostics

A diagnostic examination for allergic asthma begins with a survey and external examination of the patient. At this stage, the doctor identifies the symptoms that have arisen. The next step is laboratory research. The patient is referred for the following procedures:

Allergy tests

• blood test for immunoglobulins;
• allergy tests;
• clinical study of urine;
• general and extended blood test;
• sputum microscopy;
• bac sowing

At the third stage of diagnosis, the patient is prescribed a chest x-ray and an ECG. Using the latter method, diseases of the cardiovascular system are excluded. If symptoms characteristic of atopic asthma appear, the patient should visit a general practitioner, allergist and pulmonologist. The child is examined by a pediatrician.

Treatment of the disease

Allergic asthma is strictly prohibited from being treated at home. The therapeutic regimen is prescribed by the attending physician. He makes a decision taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient and the type of allergen. One of the main methods is allergen-specific immunotherapy.

Hyposensitization

Asthma is treated as follows: a diluted allergen is injected under the patient’s skin. As a result of multiple injections, the risk of negative symptoms is reduced. This phenomenon is called specific hyposensitization. The doctor must make adjustments to the diet and drinking regime. Diet is an essential part of the therapeutic complex.

Status asthmaticus is the most severe form of the disease, in which medications do not have the desired effect. While in this state, the patient may suffocate. The disease leads to dizziness and loss of consciousness. The result of such an attack may be disability.

To cure asthma, a complex of therapeutic measures is used. It includes a course of medication, physiotherapeutic procedures, breathing exercises and alternative medicine methods.

At the first stage, the allergen is eliminated. On the second stage, manipulations are carried out, the purpose of which is to increase and strengthen the patient’s immune system.

Thanks to combination therapy, the body produces blocking antibodies.

Humidity in living quarters for asthmatics should be no more than 50%. For this purpose, special humidifiers are often used. In addition, to achieve recovery, at home you need to:

• remove thick curtains and carpets;
• keep windows and doors closed during the flowering period;
• use air conditioners with filters that can be replaced.

Taking medications

Allergic asthma is treated with the following medications:

Salbutamol

• Terbutaline, Salbutamol, Fenoterol - relieve suffocation;
• Tailed, Intal - stop the inflammatory process;
• Oxis, Pulmicort, Serevent - eliminate clinical symptoms.

The therapeutic regimen includes glucocorticoids and blockers that have a long-lasting effect. Antiallergic and hormonal agents are also used.

In the treatment of allergic asthma, the medicine enters the respiratory tract through inhalation. The drugs used for this procedure are highly effective and have a minimal number of adverse reactions.

Medicinal compositions are sold in the form of aerosols, sprays and tablets.

Traditional medicine

Unconventional methods for the treatment of bronchial asthma are selected by the doctor. The patient's condition is improved with the help of decoctions prepared from the following medicinal herbs:

Ledum decoction

• wild rosemary;
• nettle;
• coltsfoot;
• Jerusalem artichoke.

A mixture of components such as hydrogen peroxide (35 drops) and water (100 mg) is also used. The folk remedy is taken 30 minutes before breakfast.

Forecast

The prognosis depends on the diagnosis (type of sensitization, degree of obstruction, intensity of clinical manifestations) and the severity of the general condition. The sooner treatment is started, the faster the functioning of the respiratory system will be restored. If the disease is ignored, serious complications appear in the patient’s medical history.

Preventive measures

There is no specific prevention to prevent the development of asthma. To prevent illness caused by an allergic reaction, you should:

Ventilation of premises

• regularly clean and ventilate living spaces;
• avoid contact with allergens;
• take medications with antihistamine properties in a timely manner;
• lead a healthy lifestyle;
• exercise;
• Healthy food;
• promptly treat infectious pathologies;
• undergo a medical examination annually.

People suffering from bronchial asthma should carry an inhaler with them.

Possible complications

In the absence of an effective therapeutic regimen, a patient with a history of atopic asthma develops negative consequences.

The list of possible complications includes:

• alveolar rupture;
• hypertension;
• status asthmaticus;
• emphysema;
• pulmonary heart failure.
  Emphysema

Asthma is a disease that can lead to death. If you strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations, recovery occurs after completing the main therapeutic course. Treatment of allergic asthma should be carried out under medical supervision.

Source: https://pulmohealth.com/astma/allergicheskaya/

Bronchial asthma: prevention and treatment:

Bronchial asthma, the treatment and prevention of which requires only a serious and comprehensive approach, according to WHO, is diagnosed in 4-10% of the world's population.

This respiratory disease is chronic, characterized by periodic attacks. The main signs of an asthma attack are a severe cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing.

The causes of bronchial asthma development consist of external and internal provoking factors.

External provoking factors

External causes of bronchial asthma include:

• house dust;
• pollen;
• animal hair;
• tobacco smoke;
• household chemicals, cosmetics and personal care products;
• diseases of the respiratory system;
• professional activities (chemical production workers, construction materials workers, hairdressers and other beauty salon workers, office and warehouse workers are susceptible to asthma);
• some medications;
• frequent stress, prolonged fatigue;
• poor nutrition;
• unfavorable environmental conditions.

Most often, the development of attacks is facilitated by direct contact of the patient with the allergen. Exacerbations often occur in the warm season, especially in windy weather.

Internal causes of the disease

Due to internal causes, bronchial asthma also develops. Prevention and treatment, by the way, should be carried out taking into account the factors that provoked the disease.

Internal causes of the disease include primarily hereditary predisposition (in this case, a diagnosis of “atopic bronchial asthma” is made).

Internal causes also include concomitant diseases of the respiratory system.

Classification of bronchial asthma

There are several types of diseases such as bronchial asthma. Various medications and therapy methods are used to treat and prevent bronchial asthma (depending on the type and severity of the disease).

So, according to etiology we can distinguish:

• endogenous asthma, attacks of which are triggered by internal factors (physical exercise, concomitant infections);
• exogenous form of the disease, when exacerbations are caused by allergens (pollen, dust mites, animal hair, tobacco smoke, and so on);
• bronchial asthma of mixed type, in which attacks can be caused by exposure to both internal and external factors.

Depending on the severity of the disease, the following forms of the disease are distinguished:

• intermittent asthma, relatively mild and short attacks of which occur no more than once a week;
• mild persistent asthma is characterized by exacerbations at least once a week, but not more than once a day;
• persistent moderate asthma makes itself felt with attacks every day;
• Severe persistent asthma is the most complex form of the disease and is characterized by very frequent complications, limitation of physical activity and insomnia.

The first signs and symptoms of the disease

Asthmatic attacks are accompanied by the following symptoms:

• dry cough (if the condition improves, it produces sputum with dense white inclusions);
• increased breathing and heart rate;
• suffocation, severe shortness of breath;
• the chest swells with deep breaths;
• the veins in the neck become puffy;
• difficulty breathing, which can appear either gradually or suddenly;
• heavy sweating, cold sweat;
• weakness, drowsiness;
• fainting state;
• bluishness of the facial skin;
• body temperature rises to 37-37.5 degrees;
• feeling of tightness in the chest;
• anxiety, panic;
• Some patients have increased blood pressure;
• When exhaling, whistling and wheezing are heard.

The typical position that a patient with an asthma attack strives to take is a sitting position with a slight bend forward, while the person breathes heavily and rests his elbows on his knees. Small children do not always take this position; a baby, for example, can lie calmly on his back, behave actively and play even during an asthmatic attack.

First aid for asthmatic conditions

The global strategy for the treatment and prevention of bronchial asthma also involves taking measures to alleviate the patient’s condition during attacks.

So, it is necessary to calm the person down, give medications prescribed by the doctor (usually in an inhaler) and warm water, which should be drunk in small sips. It is necessary to convince the patient to wait calmly for the medications to take effect; panic will complicate the situation.

You should not force a person to lie down - asthma attacks are tolerated easier and faster in a sitting position.

If the measures taken do not alleviate the patient’s condition, you must immediately call an ambulance. Before doctors arrive, you should try to calm the patient down; special attention should be paid to a child with an asthmatic attack.

You should immediately call an ambulance if a person’s condition is critical: there is bluishness of the skin and puffiness of the veins in the neck, signs of confusion appear, the patient is choking, instinctively tries to expand his chest and take in air, he lifts his shoulders and chin.

If the attack continues and the condition becomes life-threatening, emergency hospitalization may be necessary. The asthmatic condition is controlled by intensive medication; some patients may need oxygen masks and special medical equipment to make breathing easier.

In the case when an asthma attack overtakes a patient when he is alone and there is no one to help, you should remember the rules for relieving a dangerous condition on your own:

1. If symptoms warning of an asthma attack appear (changes in breathing, wheezing, chest tightness), you must use an inhaler or take a medication prescribed by your doctor.
2. Next, you should try to calm down, sit down and take a comfortable position, close your eyes and breathe slowly. It is necessary to relax the muscles of the body one by one without holding your breath. You need to start with your face, then move on to your arms and legs, then try to relax your whole body.
3. You must try to stabilize your breathing: do not swallow air through your mouth, inhale through closed lips so that a whistle is heard when you exhale.
4. To relieve an attack, you should lean forward, resting your feet on the floor and your elbows on your knees, then take a deep breath and hold your breath for a couple of seconds, then cough into a tissue to get rid of phlegm.
5. If after the measures taken the condition does not improve, you must call an ambulance.

Drug therapy for asthma

Therapy of bronchial asthma with drugs involves taking basic and symptomatic complexes of drugs. The basic course is aimed at the mechanism of the disease, controls the course of the disease itself, while symptomatic therapy is the treatment and prevention of exacerbation of bronchial asthma.

Basic course drugs include:

1. Cromons.
2. Monochannel antibodies.
3. ASIT (allergen-specific immunotherapy).
4. Leukotriene receptor antagonists.
5. Glucocorticosteroids.

To prevent attacks of bronchial asthma, medications used for symptomatic therapy are used:

1. Short-acting beta-adrenergic agonists effectively relieve asthmatic attacks with fewer side effects.
2. Long-acting beta-agonists are medications that, in addition to relieving symptoms, also reduce the frequency of attacks.
3. Xanthines are used for emergency relief of the patient’s condition, as well as to enhance the effect of the above remedies.

Inhalers help minimize acute asthmatic attacks, with the help of which the medicine enters the body faster and begins to act.

Also, prevention of asthma attacks includes the use of additional medications, such as antibacterial agents and expectorants.

Non-drug therapy for the disease

Non-drug treatment involves eliminating the provoking factors of the disease, following a special diet, speleotherapy and halotherapy.

Speleotherapy is a treatment method that involves the presence of the patient in a room where the microclimate of karst caves is provided. Halotherapy is an analogue of speleotherapy, which involves treatment with “salty” air.

Sessions in salt caves can significantly extend the period of remission and generally have a positive effect on the respiratory system.

The diet for bronchial asthma recommends avoiding seafood, citrus fruits, smoked meats, fatty foods, raspberries, eggs, legumes, nuts, chocolate, fatty meats, caviar, yeast-based foods, currants, peaches, melons, strawberries, alcohol, honey, and sauces. tomato based. It is necessary to limit the consumption of baked goods, dairy products, sugar and salt.

It is advisable to steam cook food. The diet should include 4-5 warm meals per day. It is recommended to fill the menu with cereals, non-rich soups, vegetable and fruit salads. You can eat doctor's sausages, lean meats, rye and bran bread, oatmeal or biscuits.

To prevent bronchial asthma, sanatorium-resort treatment is also used. It is better for patients with respiratory diseases to relax in Crimea.

Treatment with folk remedies

There are also a sufficient number of traditional methods for treating bronchial asthma, but before using any of them you should definitely consult with a specialist - bronchial asthma is not such an easy disease to experiment with. Prevention and treatment using traditional methods may include the following:

1. Treatment according to the method of Dr. Batmanghelidj (with water). The essence of the method is to drink two glasses of water thirty minutes before meals and one glass 2.5 hours after the next meal. Water should be used melted or salted (half a teaspoon of sea salt per two liters of clean water) alternately.
2. Consuming ginger according to a specific pattern. Grate 4-5 cm of ginger root, add cold water and heat in a water bath. After boiling, you need to boil the product under a closed lid for 20 minutes. Take 100 ml of heated decoction before meals.
3. Inhaling salt air. For regular procedures, it is enough to purchase a salt lamp at a home improvement store and install it in the patient’s room.
4. Taking medicine based on oats. Half a kilo of oats needs to be poured with 2 liters of milk and 0.5 liters of water, and cooked for 2 hours over low heat. Then you need to add one teaspoon of honey and butter to the product. The decoction should be consumed hot, in the morning before breakfast. The product must be stored in the refrigerator. The course of therapy is one year.

Primary prevention of disease

Primary prevention of bronchial asthma involves the implementation of a set of measures aimed at preventing the disease. Everyone should be familiar with the principles of prevention, regardless of age, gender and social status. In addition, it is important not only to know, but also to observe measures to prevent the disease.

The principles of primary prevention are slightly different for adults and children. Thus, young patients more often suffer from atopic bronchial asthma, the main cause of which is unfavorable heredity. The main provoking factor in this case is allergens that enter the body with food.

It is recommended to continue breastfeeding such children for as long as possible, which will strengthen the baby’s immune system and maintain normal intestinal microflora.

Prevention of bronchial asthma in adult patients is aimed at preventing the negative influence of provoking factors of the disease: tobacco smoke, pollen, house dust, chemicals. So, firstly, it is necessary to eliminate possible causes of the disease from among the sources of infection, and only then begin treatment for existing pathologies of the respiratory system.

Bronchial asthma, the prevention of which should be comprehensive, most often affects the following groups of patients:

• people with a hereditary predisposition (those whose close relatives suffered directly from asthma, chronic diseases of the respiratory system, allergic reactions);
• heavy smokers;
• persons suffering from atopic dermatitis (inflammatory skin lesions of an allergic nature and genetically transmitted);
• persons with broncho-obstructive syndrome due to acute respiratory viral infections;
• people who work in special conditions (stuffy and dusty rooms) or with perfumes and chemicals.

It is these groups of people that are especially important to take care of. Prevention of bronchial asthma involves the following main measures:

• use of hypoallergenic cosmetics;
• quitting smoking (including passive smoking);
• creating a favorable environmental environment around you (if possible);
• keeping the house clean;
• eliminating contact with possible allergens;
• timely treatment of respiratory diseases, during epidemics - compliance with preventive measures, vaccination.

Secondary prevention of asthma

Special prevention rules also apply to those patients who already have asthma. Secondary prevention of bronchial asthma is aimed at preventing the development of complications and acute attacks of the disease. It is recommended to follow the rules of secondary prevention for those whose relatives suffer or have suffered from bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, allergies, or eczema.

The following measures involve secondary prevention of bronchial asthma:

• medications (antiallergic), especially those prescribed by a doctor, must be taken without fail in order to reduce or completely eliminate the body’s increased sensitivity;
• exclusion of highly allergenic foods from the daily diet;
• complete cessation of smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages;
• use of synthetic (anti-allergenic) pillows and blankets;
• limiting communication with pets, it is better to even give up keeping fish, because dry food often causes allergies;
• regular cleaning of the living space, ventilation;
• timely treatment of acute respiratory viral infections during the cold season;
• performing breathing exercises and other methods of therapy (acupuncture, herbal medicine);
• taking vitamin complexes prescribed by your doctor.

Patients with bronchial asthma need to take special care in the warm season, when it is more difficult to avoid contact with possible allergens.

Prevention of bronchial asthma in children involves the same measures.

Tertiary disease prevention

Tertiary prevention of asthma is aimed at overall relief of the disease and prevention of death during exacerbation of the disease. Prevention of bronchial asthma attacks at this stage involves adherence to an elimination regimen - this is the complete exclusion of the possibility of patient contact with an irritating factor that causes suffocation.

Fortunately, death from this disease is rather rare, so knowledge about tertiary prevention methods is necessary primarily for resuscitators.

Bronchial asthma, the prevention and treatment of which requires serious attention, is characterized by a positive prognosis, but much depends on the stage of the disease at which the patient sought qualified medical help.

Source: https://www.syl.ru/article/309144/bronchialnaya-astma-profilaktika-i-lechenie

Allergic asthma: symptoms and treatment

Patients wonder whether allergies can progress to asthma. Until now, doctors do not have an exact answer why the body becomes sensitive to allergens. Among the main factors are poor environmental conditions and the consumption of harmful food with added chemicals. How allergies and asthma are related and the possibility of transition from one state to another will be discussed below.

Definition

Allergic bronchial asthma is a reaction of the bronchopulmonary system to allergens, which, upon entering the body, cause an inflammatory reaction. As a result, the bronchi narrow and swell. Attacks of coughing and suffocation appear, increasing as bronchial obstruction develops.

An exacerbation of the disease occurs during the development of an allergic reaction. After the patient comes into contact with the allergen, an attack of allergic asthma immediately begins, which develops into suffocation. When the inflammatory process enters a severe phase, complications arise. In this case, death can occur, so you need to act immediately when the attack just begins.

Infectious-allergic bronchial asthma - belongs to the category of mixed pathologies, occurs under the influence of internal and external factors. It manifests itself in most patients suffering from chronic pathological processes in the bronchi.

At risk are patients over thirty years of age. The impetus for development is a previous cold or ARVI. Allergic asthma begins under the influence of an infectious process. The manifestation of infectious bronchial asthma increases under the influence of external allergens.

Allergies that turn into asthma are a problem in large cities that manifest themselves regardless of the nature of the disease. Symptoms appear the same as with bronchial asthma.

Mechanism and causes of pathology development

The allergic form of asthma is associated with the effect of allergens on the body. They become a source of inflammation in the respiratory tract.

Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath occur, the reaction is caused by a disruption of the immune system. Allergens entering the respiratory organs provoke bronchial spasm and the onset of the inflammatory process.

A runny nose, cough, and severe shortness of breath occur.

Once in the body, the allergen activates individual blood cells, producing substances responsible for inflammatory processes.

Receptors of bronchial muscle cells respond to the effects of active substances. There is a contraction of bronchial smooth muscles, spasm reduces the lumen of the airways.

It becomes difficult for the patient to breathe, especially to exhale, shortness of breath and an attack occur.

Infectious-allergic asthma develops differently. Triggers are microbial allergens. They are not associated with plant pollen, indoor dust, or pets. The body's response is caused by mechanisms of a non-immunological nature.

The occurrence of this form of asthma against the background of allergies is a rare phenomenon, but such a possibility is present. The main clinical sign is infectious and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract.

Infectious asthma initially occurs seasonally, and then attacks occur throughout the year.

Is it possible to die from asthma: Causes of mortality

Among the causes of the development of atopic bronchial asthma are:

• Presence of chronic infectious diseases of the respiratory organs
• Long-term use of medications that affect the respiratory system
• Unfavorable environmental conditions in the patient’s area of ​​residence, with particles in the air that irritate the mucous membranes
• Work related to chemical production or contact with chemicals
• Poor diet, consumption of foods high in preservatives and food additives
• Hereditary predisposition, if asthma was present in adults, the child is at risk

Depending on the type of provoking allergen, separate forms of allergic asthma are distinguished:

• Household
• Pollen
• Fungal

Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Household

The patient's body shows sensitivity to particles present in house dust. Provocateurs can be: dust mites, particles of saliva and fur of pets, particles of hair and epithelium, bacteria.

Exacerbation occurs in winter and is characterized by prolonged attacks. The condition improves after eliminating the source of the allergic reaction. An allergy to dust causes the development of an allergic form of bronchitis.

To cope with this form of the disease, the apartments of asthmatics must be ventilated several times a day and kept clean.

Cleaning should be done every day and a minimum of cleaning products should be used - the chemicals in their composition can cause allergies.

Pollen

The aggravation occurs during the flowering period. How an attack begins can be understood by the resulting runny nose, and later suffocation appears. Allergens are present in the air, so it is impossible to avoid exacerbation.

Sometimes an allergic reaction occurs not only during the flowering period, but also when the patient is near the plants. In this case, it is recommended to remove them from the apartment so as not to provoke attacks.

Asthmatics suffering from this form of asthma should always have an inhaler on hand. It is important to use medications before a runny nose turns into suffocation.

Fungal

The body is hypersensitive to mold spores. Exacerbations occur all year round, symptoms are less pronounced in winter. Attacks bother patients at night and during rain.

This form is difficult to diagnose and the patient cannot understand for a long time what is causing the attacks. The provoking factor is mold.

To eliminate it, you need to thoroughly clean rooms in which there is high humidity.

Diagnosis of bronchial asthma

Classification by severity

Symptoms of allergic asthma vary depending on the severity of the disease. There are four degrees:

1. Mild intermittent - attacks occur 1-2 times a month, without disturbing the patient at night;
2. Mild persistent - attacks occur four to six times per month, at night they occur 1-2 times per month;
3. Moderate persistent - attacks occur every day, including at night, at least four times a week, health deteriorates;
4. Severe degree - manifestation of attacks 4-5 times during the day and at night. The patient's physical activity is reduced to a minimum.

Symptoms

The symptoms of allergic asthma are the same as with the non-allergic form of the pathology. Symptoms in adults:

• Difficulty breathing, it is more difficult to exhale than to inhale
• After interaction with an irritating factor, severe shortness of breath occurs
• When breathing, whistling and wheezing are distinguished, this is due to the slow passage of air through the narrowed airways
• The cough appears in fits and starts and viscous sputum is produced.
• Adopting a specific pose with hands resting on a hard surface

Signs of the disease include:

• Cough that gets worse at night
• Insomnia
• Rapid breathing
• Feeling weak and tired after exercise
• Manifestation of runny nose, watery eyes and headaches

Diagnostics

Before treating allergic asthma, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis to exclude similar diseases. This can be done with:

• Spirometry - studies of respiratory functions
• Cytological examination of sputum
• Tests to determine the causative agent of an allergic reaction
• Chest X-ray
• Biochemical blood test

Treatment

Treatment of allergic asthma begins with limiting the patient's contact with the allergen. Seizures are minimized with medications. Allergic asthma is treated with:

• Bronchodilators, which relax the smooth muscles of the bronchi and dilate them. They temporarily reduce symptoms and improve well-being. Not suitable for long-term use, as this will reduce their effectiveness
• Anti-inflammatory drugs - the components of the drug act on substances that form inflammation, reducing the reaction to irritating factors
• Antihistamines, which eliminate allergy symptoms, reduce the reaction to histamine, which contributes to the development of symptoms of an allergic reaction
• Leukotriene modifiers - leukotrienes - substances produced in the body. Their effect narrows the lumen of the airways. Excess mucus is released, modifiers slow down the process, relieve bronchospasm

Inhalations

Inhaled medications are popular among adults and children. They control the symptoms of the disease and reduce bronchial hyperactivity. Inhalations are carried out:

• Glucocorticosteroids - the attending physician prescribes them when the disease has entered a severe phase; they are effective, but have side effects
• Sympathomimetics - increase the lumen of the bronchi, instantly stop an attack and are quickly eliminated from the body
• Methylxanthines – block adrenergic receptors, relieve spasm of smooth muscles, improve well-being

Allergic asthma and pregnancy

Approximately 9% of expectant mothers suffer from asthma during pregnancy. The disease manifests itself in a mild phase during periods from the sixth to the eighth month. After the baby is born, the pathology returns to its prenatal form. In this case, allergic asthma can be treated with approved antihistamines. The disease slows down the development of the child's immune system.

Pediatric allergic asthma

Allergic bronchial asthma in children occurs with peculiarities, because the child’s body is not fully formed. The symptoms are similar to those of chronic bronchitis. If the doctor notices signs of asthma, the child is observed during the period of exacerbations throughout the year.

The development of allergic asthma in a child occurs faster - the immune system is not strong enough to cope with the disease. Treatment in childhood differs from treatment of asthma in adults. The doctor decides how to treat a small patient, taking into account the characteristics of the child’s body and the impossibility of taking certain medications at a young age. Among the risk factors:

• Active and passive forms of smoking
• Inhalation of smoke from fireworks and candles
• Aromatic components of perfumes and cosmetics
• Severe emotional stress

Preventive measures

There are no uniform recommendations regarding the prevention of the disease, but there are general recommendations:

• Eliminate contact with the allergen
• Maintain optimal air humidity in the room
• Carry out regular wet cleaning
• Switch to proper nutrition, eliminating foods containing allergens from your diet
• Change bedding weekly
• Take vitamin and mineral complexes, monitor your vitamin D levels
• Play sports and do breathing exercises daily
• Give up cigarettes and alcohol
• In spring and summer, take additional antiallergic medications and do not open the windows wide
• Wash clothes in boiling water
• Avoid carpets, soft toys, and down pillows
• Place a humidifier next to your bed
• Choose clothes made from natural materials that do not cause allergies

Possible complications

When an attack develops immediately, the patient faces a number of complications:

• Loss of consciousness
• The development of pulmonary failure, turning into status asthmaticus, poses a risk of death
• Rupture of pulmonary alveoli

Patients with asthma need to remember that preventive measures only reduce symptoms, but do not cure the disease. An attack can occur at any time; it is important not to leave home without medications that can stop it.

Not every allergy turns into asthma. Whether it is transient or not depends on the individual characteristics of the body, heredity and how often the patient interacts with provoking factors. It is important not to neglect allergy treatment.

Source: https://medic-z.ru/allergicheskaja-astma

Prevention of allergic bronchial asthma: changes in everyday life

In order for an allergy to develop, the sensitized organism must come into contact with a potentially dangerous substance—an allergen. If measures are taken to eliminate (eliminate) a dangerous compound, this will be the safest prevention of not only atopic bronchial asthma, but also all other types of allergic manifestations. To do this, you need to critically reconsider your diet and living conditions, not take certain medications, and create rules of life that are as comfortable as possible for yourself.

Bronchial asthma can be of allergic (atopic) and non-allergic origin. The main method of combating bronchial asthma, which is based on atopic reactions, as well as all other types of allergies, is to prevent contact with allergens.

This is achieved through elimination - permanent and complete cessation of contact with a dangerous substance that causes attacks and exacerbations.

Such measures make it possible to reduce doses or refuse to use medications that, in one way or another, load the excretory organs and can cause side effects and complications during treatment.

First of all, prevention begins with a full examination and finding out the cause of the allergy - which allergen provokes asthma attacks, skin rashes, digestive disorders or other symptoms. This will help the patient understand where and how, when and for how long he comes into contact with the allergen, and avoid repeated contacts in the future.

In the early stages, it is precisely these preventive measures that make it possible to almost completely get rid of allergic manifestations. In addition, any therapeutic measures will be ineffective and even useless if the allergen is constantly present in the patient’s life.

If contact with hazardous substances is minimized, this will make attacks of atopic bronchial asthma rare and not so severe.

This situation is one of the most difficult, since house dust is one way or another in almost every home. But it is quite possible to reduce the concentration of allergens in it, and this will lead to a decrease in the manifestations of allergies.

You need to start by eliminating all dust collectors from the house, being especially critical of the bedroom and those rooms where the patient spends most of his time.

Allergy to dust is a specific phenomenon, since possible irritants can be various particles and dust mixtures, unique to each home.

It is worth giving up fluffy upholstered furniture, carpets and soft toys, feather beds and cotton mattresses, indoor flowers in pots and hangings, curtains made of heavy dense fabrics.

If there are cabinets with books, you need to close them tightly and not keep them in the bedroom or living room, and constantly wipe the dust.

If a patient with atopic bronchial asthma has children who have a lot of soft toys, they should be stored in a separate room, washed frequently at 40-60℃.

Cleaning the house should be entrusted to relatives, and if this is not possible, thoroughly ventilate before cleaning and use personal protective equipment for the mouth and nose.

Today, for people diagnosed with bronchial asthma of allergic origin, special masks are produced that protect against inhalation of the allergen.

Daily wet cleaning is necessary; if there are carpets, they are also vacuumed daily, but only with the use of special equipment (washing vacuum cleaners or with a wet cleaning function) that have HEPA filters that trap dust and allergens.

If atopic bronchial asthma is diagnosed, special bedding is needed that does not accumulate dust, as well as cotton covers that can be washed frequently.

Identifying reactions to pets implies parting with the pet, and it is prohibited to own birds or animals in the future. If there are reactions, for example, to sheep's wool, items of clothing with this wool (socks, scarves, hats) will also be dangerous.

If a food allergy is identified, the first thing that is required is to determine the spectrum of allergens and completely exclude them from the diet. In addition, it is important not to forget about combination dishes, which may contain a dangerous allergen in small quantities. It is important when purchasing food products to carefully read the labels.

For many types of non-food allergies, during the period of exacerbation, the formation of cross-reactions is possible. This is an allergy to molecules of similar antigenic composition contained in food products. This is especially true for hay fever (allergy to pollen).

If an allergy to cereals is detected, beer, kvass, flour dishes (wheat, rye) and some other products should be excluded from the diet.

During periods of exacerbation of any type of reaction, the doctor prescribes a hypoallergenic diet; it helps reduce the antigenic load on the immune system.

If atopic bronchial asthma or other manifestations of allergies are provoked by the use of certain medications, you should immediately inform your doctor about this and exclude the medications.

In the future, during any visits to clinics, it is important to indicate which medications can provoke allergic reactions and in what form (asthmatic attack, skin rash, shock). The most common agents that initiate such reactions are antibiotics, radiocontrast agents, serums, and vaccines.

Allergy sufferers should be wary of any medications taken for the first time or repeatedly.

It is important to read the instructions in detail and, upon first use, strictly monitor the body’s reactions to the medications.

The appearance of a rash, itchy skin, worsening cough or asthma attack is a reason to immediately stop taking the medicine and consult a doctor. In the future, these medications are no longer used in the treatment of allergies.

Propaedeutics of internal diseases / Mukhin N.A., Moiseev V.S. - 2008

National program “Bronchial asthma in children. Treatment strategy and prevention” / Balabolkin I.I., Gavalov S.M., Geppe N.A., Zhakov Ya.I., Kaganov S.Yu., Korostovtsev D.S., Lukina O.F., Makarova I. .V., Neretina A.F., Ogorodova L.M., Revyakina V.A., Reznik I.B., Tyurin N.A., Yakushenko M.N. // Rmzh. - 1998. - T. 6 No. S2. - With. 3-48

Source: https://MedAboutMe.ru/zdorove/publikacii/stati/sovety_vracha/profilaktika_allergicheskoy_bronkhialnoy_astmy_chto_vazhno/

Preventing asthma

    Causes of bronchial asthma

  The causes of the development of bronchial asthma may be risk factors, one of which is a hereditary factor. Most cases of the disease are registered in families with vertical inheritance of predisposition to bronchial asthma.

•   The next risk factor that can provoke bronchial asthma is a compromised immune system of the patient.
•   External risk factors include all household chemicals that are sprayed or form a fine suspension of dust in the air.
•   The next most aggressive external factor is particles of animal skin and hair, household dust with mites, waste products of cockroaches, mold and its spores.

  Often, attacks of bronchial asthma are caused by perfumes, varnishes, paints, cigarette smoke, pollen, and food allergens. Food allergens include animal fat, fish and seafood, honey, citrus fruits, chocolate, preservatives, and aspirin medications.

  Attacks can even be caused by excessive physical activity, another disease that weakens the immune system, increased body temperature and fever, overheating and hypothermia of the body, and air humidity.

    Symptoms of bronchial asthma

  The symptoms of bronchial asthma are very pronounced: the patient develops shortness of breath, then bronchospasm appears. At night, the patient may experience severe coughing attacks and insomnia.

As the disease progresses, bronchospasm can be constant, with noisy breathing, shortness of breath, coughing, agitation and anxiety of the patient.

1.   Bronchial asthma is distinguished between mild, moderate, severe, and with the threat of respiratory arrest.
2.     Bronchial asthma - treatment, prevention
3.   The main goal of treating bronchial asthma is to help the patient relieve severe asthma attacks and improve his quality of life.
4.   Treatment of bronchial asthma is carried out in a stepwise approach, in which the intensity of treatment depends on the severity of the patient's bronchial asthma disease.

  During the period of remission, the patient receives maintenance treatment, which consists of a minimum set of drugs to help avoid exacerbation. During the period of exacerbation of the disease, the patient receives an intensive course of therapy.

•   The main medications for the treatment of bronchial asthma are available in tablet form or in aerosols.
•   Aerosols act faster during attacks of bronchial asthma, and are preferable as a dosage form for this disease.
•   To treat this serious disease, long-acting and short-acting beta2-agonists are used together with anti-inflammatory drugs.

  To provide emergency assistance, short-acting drugs are used - such as fenoterol hydrobromide, salbutamol. The drug, introduced into the respiratory tract, acts within a few minutes, and its effect lasts up to six hours.

  Treatment with short-acting drugs is designed to stop exacerbations of bronchial asthma attacks at the very beginning, or to stop an attack after severe physical exertion.

  The next stage of treatment for bronchial asthma includes both short-acting and long-acting drugs - fumarate, salmeterol, formoterol, for use during remission, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs.

  Inhalers used as anti-inflammatory drugs are betamethasone valerate, flunisolide, beclomethasone dipropionate, budesonide, fluticasone propionate, triamsinolone acetonide. Corticosteroids – prednisolone – are added to treatment.

  Treatment is carried out only as prescribed and under the full supervision of a doctor, who, if necessary, adjusts it by adding or eliminating medications, replacing medications with more effective ones, working out the most effective treatment regimen.

  Anti-inflammatory therapy, which is prescribed on time, reduces the possibility of exacerbation of the disease, reduces the sensitivity of the patient’s bronchial mucosa to provoking environmental and internal factors. When breathing control and seizure correction are fully achieved, therapy can be carried out in accordance with the severity of the disease at a higher level.

  Prevention of bronchial asthma includes a special antiallergic regimen, which the patient must strictly follow. This will significantly weaken the severity of the disease and avoid severe attacks of suffocation.

1.   It is advisable to buy a household vacuum cleaner that has a filter at the outlet of the air stream, or water purification of dust from the air.
2.   It is necessary to wash bed linen once every 1-2 weeks, regularly treat the mattress and pillow with a hot iron.
3.   A household air conditioner must have a humidity regulator.
4.   In the kitchen, you need to use a hood to remove steam and smoke.

  Careful adherence to the conditions for the prevention of bronchial asthma allows you to avoid exacerbation of the disease and extend the remission stage to 10 years. Properly prescribed treatment and complete control of breathing, a healthy lifestyle and diet can make this disease inactive and not affect the patient’s life expectancy.

  The disease bronchial asthma, treatment and prevention requires full medical supervision.

Source: https://allergiya5.ru/zabolevaniya/astma/profilaktika-astmy.html