Respiratory system pathologies are diagnosed by coughing, shortness of breath, sputum production. Exacerbation of asthma can be dangerous, as it entails serious attacks of suffocation in the patient, which can be relieved only by special inhalers. In order to avoid complications, you need to contact the clinic on time.    

Main reasons

Exacerbation of bronchial asthma poses a direct threat to the health and life of the patient. Asphyxiation leads to a critical lack of oxygen, if sprays from respiratory tract spasms are not applied in time .
Following the classification of exacerbations of bronchial asthma, the disease is divided into the following types:  

  • allergic;
  • non-allergic;
  • mixed;
  • unspecified.

The reasons are the following factors: 

  • contact with irritants: dust, chemical compounds, pollen and other substances;
  • respiratory viral infections that trigger bronchospasm ;
  • external factors: unfavorable urban air, changes in ambient temperature;
  • smoking: tobacco smoke becomes a common cause of respiratory tract diseases, even with passive inhalation, which is especially dangerous for a child; 
  • psycho-emotional stress: stress, anxiety, depression;
  • untimely or incorrect treatment of pathologies of the respiratory system.

In most cases, bronchial asthma is caused by infections and allergens that enter the respiratory system.

Infection

A patient who has already experienced an exacerbation may be exposed to this again, therefore, health must be taken care of. A respiratory infection causes the symptoms of the disease to intensify . The risk is particularly high during the time of epidemics of influenza and SARS. It is also dangerous to be near someone with a cold, bronchitis or pneumonia, as you can catch an infection from him.     

Pathogenic microorganisms cause inflammation of the bronchial mucosa . Subsequently, spasms cause severe suffocation, and it becomes difficult to do without special medications. 

Allergens

Bronchospasm in case of an allergic reaction is an expected immune response in humans. With increased sensitivity to stimuli, a person is at risk of developing asthma. Moreover, any change in the normal course of life can become a catalyst.

Symptoms

There are 3 stages in the development of the disease:  

  • Stage I: choking, paroxysmal dry cough, high blood pressure, rapid breathing.
  • Stage II : shallow breaths, rapid pulse, low blood pressure, dullness of the skin, shortness of breath, the patient is in serious condition – urgent help is needed .   
  • Stage III: coma resulting from excess carbon dioxide.

At the first signs of the disease, it is necessary to check in the clinic, because bronchial asthma can seriously affect health. At stages II and III, the patient needs to go to the hospital for round-the-clock monitoring.   

Diagnosis

The criteria for making a diagnosis are: 

  • initial inspection;
  • diagnostic procedures;
  • breathing research;
  • assessment of allergic risk.

Pulmonologist consultation

The tactics of treatment are determined by a pulmonologist after a series of examinations and a general examination by a therapist. The physician is important to set the category stage and degree of severity of the disease to find a suitable therapy.     

The complex of studies includes a general and biochemical blood test. Sputum culture is also done to determine the causative agent of asthma in case of infection.  

Spirometry is used when bronchial obstruction is suspected: with the help of it, the doctor assesses the severity and reversibility of the pathology. Peak flowmetry is needed to monitor the patient’s condition and trends during treatment.     

Allergotest is used to determine specific irritants in an allergic form of the disease. The manifestation of a skin reaction to the applied substance indicates the non-infectious nature of the disease.    

Therapies

Treatment is determined according to the diagnosis. In allergic asthma, the main principle is to guard against allergens and to take antihistamines. A special inhaler is the only pre-hospital care that a patient can provide to himself. If the disease is a consequence of an infection in the respiratory tract, it is necessary to drink a course of antibiotics. In this case, a suitable drug is determined during the diagnosis, since many pathogens quickly develop resistance to active substances.        

As symptomatic therapy, your doctor may prescribe antitussives, expectorants, or pain relievers . To strengthen the immune system, vitamin complexes and immunomodulating pharmaceuticals are suitable. Traditional medicine can be dangerous for bronchial asthma, since there is a risk of allergy to medicinal herbs in decoctions, infusions and compresses. Consult your doctor for home remedies. 

     

Forecast

If treatment is started at the first sign of asthma, the prognosis is good. There is a direct relationship between the severity and the form of the disease : for example, suffocation due to the ingress of pollen has less pronounced symptoms than when irritated by dust. In addition, older patients are more severely asthma than younger patients.   

When provided amplification of suffocation and ignoring the symptoms, the risk of deterioration of health increases. Tachypnea , cyanosis, hypoxia up to hypercapnic coma are diagnosed . However, the disease progresses very slowly, so it is not difficult to control the disease.      

Prophylaxis

Measures to prevent the disease have their own classification:  

  • Primary. The main goal is to prevent the development of the disease in the early stages.  
  • Secondary. The task is to prevent asthma attacks.
  • Tertiary. The goal is to relieve asthma symptoms and alleviate the patient’s condition.

To prevent asthma from exacerbating, you should lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right, observe the hygiene of the room, and avoid contact with irritants. In their recommendations, doctors advise limiting contact with people infected with a respiratory infection. To prevent asthma from appearing as a complication of any disease, you need to treat any respiratory diseases in time.     

Exacerbation of bronchial asthma brings many inconveniences to a person’s life, while the disease can lead to serious suffocation and deterioration of health. To stop the symptoms, you need to make an appointment with a doctor, and not treat yourself.