Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease with predominantly bronchial involvement, which is manifested by attacks of suffocation, shortness of breath (in most cases with difficulty in exhaling) and coughing. Bronchial asthma is a very common disease that affects approximately 300 million people worldwide.
The disease is based on thickening, swelling and spasm of the bronchial walls, as well as excessive secretion of viscous bronchial secretion, which makes it difficult for air to pass through the airways. During a bronchial asthma attack, less air enters the lungs, and it is more difficult to pass through during exhalation, resulting in a choking attack.
Causes
The exact causes of bronchial asthma have not been established, but there is a whole list of factors that can cause bronchospasm. Patients with a predisposition to bronchial asthma should be aware of the factors that can cause bronchospasm. These may include:
- Animal hair, bird feathers. Do not keep pets or birds at home.
- Cigarette smoke. Do not smoke or allow smoking in your presence.
- Strong and pungent odors. Do not use hygiene products that have a strong perfumed odor.
- Occupational factors such as contact with aerosols, chemicals, varnishes and paints.
- Household dust. There should be no carpets in your premises. Since dust accumulates in blankets and sheets, they should be washed frequently in very hot water. It is advisable to put special dustproof covers on pillows and mattresses. A gauze mask should be used during cleaning.
- Certain medications, e.g. acetylsalicylic acid, beta-adrenoblockers.
- Certain foods and food additives: sodium glutamate, preservatives, seafood, nuts.
- Infectious diseases, especially acute respiratory viral infections. Annual flu vaccination – only after consulting with your doctor.
- Heavy physical exertion, especially in cold weather.
- Emotional overload.
Memo on how to use your inhaler
Remember that to use the inhaler effectively, the following rules should be followed:
- Remove the cap of the inhaler and shake the inhaler vigorously for 2-3 seconds. During inhalation, the bottom of the canister should be directed toward the top.
- Stand up. Tilt your head back slightly. Open your mouth.
- Slowly take a deep breath.
- Put your lips around the mouthpiece. Start inhaling at the same time with a sharp pressure on the top of the inhaler. Continue inhaling for 5-7 seconds.
- Close your mouth, hold your breath for 10 seconds. After that, carefully exhale the air through the nose. If you need another inhalation, do it after 1 minute.
- If possible, use a spacer. This is a special reservoir that makes it easier to use the inhaler (the aerosol is first fed into the spacer and then inhaled through the mouthpiece or face mask).
For better control of your bronchial asthma, use a paclofloumeter and keep a special diary to record your paclofloumeter readings. A picflow meter is a special device that measures airflow during exhalation. Picflowmetry allows you to choose an individualized treatment regimen, monitor your condition and the effectiveness of treatment. Be sure to show your doctor the results of picflowmetry during a routine visit or in case of hospitalization.
Self-help for a bronchial asthma attack
- Stop physical activity, sit down.
- If possible, stop contact with the factor that triggered the attack, open a window to provide access to fresh air.
- Use an inhaler with a drug that dilates the bronchi. It is wise to discuss the maximum number of inhalations and the possibility of taking prednisolone tablets on their own during an attack with your doctor.
- Remain at rest for 1 hour.
Seek medical attention immediately if:
- Persistence or worsening of choking after two inhalations of a drug that dilates the bronchi.
- Increased shortness of breath, coughing, and stiffness in the chest.
- Speech difficulties (the ability to utter some words rather than sentences).
- Sleepiness or confusion.
- Blueing of the fingernails or lips.
- A very fast heart rate (more than 100 beats per minute).
- Retraction of the skin in the intercostal spaces and near the neck during inhalation.
Always carry an inhaler with a medicine that dilates the bronchi and make sure it is full!
Recommendations for preventing exacerbations of bronchial asthma
- Walking in the fresh air for at least 2 hours a day;
- avoiding contact with allergens (e.g. pets, tobacco smoke, strong odors);
- prohibition of the use of perfumes, deodorants, perfumes, fresheners, etc.
- prevention of chronic upper respiratory tract infections (hardening, influenza vaccination (in the absence of allergy to the drugs), timely treatment of foci of infection;
- consumption of hypoallergenic foods, abundant drinking;
- mandatory smoking cessation, exclusion of passive smoking;
- therapeutic exercise;
- rational regimen, including alternation of work and rest, limitation of physical and psycho-emotional load;
- sports activities with a dosed physical load that does not provoke attacks of the disease;
- employment, providing for the exclusion of occupational hazards;
- change of place of residence, if the patient lives in an old damp house, on the first floor.
Prevention of bronchial asthma in a residential setting
- Frequent wet cleaning (at least 2 times a week), regular airing of the premises;
- No upholstered furniture, carpets, or plants;
- Washing bed linen at least once a week at 60º with laundry soap;
- Use of special dustproof covers for mattresses, blankets, and pillows;
- Use of synthetic materials as fillers for pillows and blankets; banning products made of feathers, down, or wool;
- Avoiding keeping pets in the living space to prevent triggers of bronchial asthma;
- Control of domestic insects (cockroaches, etc.) and rodents to reduce bronchial asthma risks.
