Bronchial asthma or colloquially just asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways. Typical of asthma are mainly coughing fits, shortness of breath and overstimulation of the lungs or bronchi by environmental stimuli.
What is bronchial asthma?
Early recognition of bronchial asthma is very important. It is not uncommon for children to misinterpret initial asthma as poor fitness in physical education classes, for example. As a result, several years pass before the disease is treated properly. Asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory tract, 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 children is also usually limited. If asthma is left untreated, the duration of the disease increases, the airways retain permanent damage, and permanent symptoms may occur.
Complications
Symptoms of the disease may worsen suddenly. Very dangerous is an asthma attack, a so-called status asthmaticus, which can be life-threatening. In this case, an emergency doctor must be called. The status cannot be easily broken with medication and can last for 24 hours or longer. During an asthma attack, gas exchange in the lungs can fail, leaving the patient with inadequate oxygen. A severe asthma attack is associated with severe shortness of breath. The small airways become constricted and air becomes trapped in the lungs. Consequently, acute overinflation of the lungs may also occur. The hyperinflation may recur at frequent intervals over a period of years. Lung alveoli can be destroyed in the process. In bad cases, permanent lung overinflation, known as emphysema, can occur. Oxygen exchange in the lungs is impeded and the body is thus undersupplied with oxygen. The affected person suffers permanent shortness of breath and is dependent on an oxygen tank. Bronchial asthma can also lead to permanent heart damage. As remodeling processes take place in the lung tissue during bronchial asthma, the heart is stressed and chronic heart failure (right heart failure) can develop. In severe cases, asthma disease can also be fatal.
At what point should you see a doctor?
Bronchial asthma can usually be treated with emergency medications such as asthma spray. If this does not relieve the symptoms, emergency medical services must be alerted. Emergency medical help is especially needed if the respiratory emergency is accompanied by a pronounced fear of suffocation and other symptoms such as reduced responsiveness or severe exhaustion. Less severe attacks should also be treated medically. If breathing problems or severe coughing attacks recur, a visit to the family doctor is recommended. There may be an accompanying respiratory infection or a change to a different asthma medication. In general, asthma attacks that increase in intensity and length should be clarified by a doctor and treated if necessary. Infants and young children should be taken to a pediatrician immediately if they show signs of bronchial asthma. People with other respiratory conditions should discuss unusual symptoms with the appropriate physician. If respiratory distress occurs for the first time, an emergency physician must always be called. Then, a doctor must clarify bronchial asthma and prescribe appropriate emergency medication.
Treatment and therapy
The symptoms of bronchial asthma can be kept under control quite well by therapies or preventive measures. In the context of therapy, there are several approaches. In the case of an allergic reaction, the triggering substance must be avoided. This can eventually lead to a change of profession if one has to deal with the allergy-causing substances in one’s job. Continuous intake of the prescribed medication is just as important as carrying the asthma spray with you at all times. Smoking should also be avoided. Passive smoking is just as harmful as active smoking. Moderate physical exercise is also important. The goals of therapy consist of freedom from attacks, normalization of lung function, normal physical and psychological development in children, and avoidance of limitations in personal life. There are several therapeutic options for this purpose.Medications can alleviate asthma. Nevertheless, the disease is usually not completely cured for life. Drug therapies, for example, suppress inflammation and thus prevent bronchial hypersensitivity. Inhalation of certain medications is considered particularly helpful in this regard. A treatment plan is also usually drawn up in collaboration between the physician and the patient. Patients also need to be trained so that they know how to cope well with their chronic disease. Here, for example, training is also given in proper breathing techniques. Often, allergic asthma also requires that the entire home be sanitized to avoid contact with mold, pet hair, etc. If treatment strategies are followed closely, bronchial asthma is likely to be cured, especially in children.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis for bronchial asthma is based on three factors: the timing of detection of the disease, the severity of the condition, and the treatment. For example, established asthma in children is associated with a prognosis of resolving by puberty in up to 50 percent of cases. However, the disease may reappear in later years. It is true that the severity of childhood asthma directly correlates with possible recurrence or worsening of the disease with increasing age. Nevertheless, it should be noted that bronchial asthma is chronic in all cases and basically persists even with good treatment. Lung function is permanently impaired in adults who were asthmatics as children, which means that they must take appropriate care and often require treatment. Nevertheless, good treatment equates to a normal life expectancy. Other diseases in the lung area – above all infections – can lead to severe courses. If left untreated, this risks serious damage to the respiratory system. There is also still a mortality rate of a few inhabitants per 100,000 due to untreated asthma attacks, which mainly affect severe asthmatics. Often these are due to inadequate treatment. Consistent adherence to a treatment strategy prolongs attack-free periods for sufferers and improves quality of life. Good medical care is crucial.
Follow-up
Regular follow-up examinations are essential for asthma patients, as it is usually a chronic disease. Depending on the severity of symptoms, this will determine an individualized treatment plan to help reduce asthmatic symptoms over the long term. Continuous medication, for example, to combat inflammation of the bronchial tubes, is also of great importance in this case and must be taken regularly. Sport, in particular, is considered to be an effective remedy for respiratory problems, as the body becomes more resilient and the lung volume is exercised. A so-called DMP (Disease Management Program), which should be carried out 1 time per quarter in a doctor’s office, provides information about the condition of the lungs and bronchial tubes. Furthermore, it is possible to go to renewed asthma training sessions in order to be informed once again about everything worth knowing about asthma and the permanent management of this disease. If the patient has been symptom-free for years, he can slowly stop taking the medication to see how this affects the course of the disease. Under certain circumstances, he may even be able to do without them completely. Nevertheless, sufferers should always carry an emergency spray in case an attack does occur unexpectedly.
What you can do yourself
The disease bronchial asthma can significantly affect the quality of life of those affected. When asthma attacks come unexpectedly, sufferers can help themselves with a powder inhaler or metered-dose inhaler. With these aids, a better ability to breathe can be ensured within a short period of 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 self-help device is the respiratory therapy device, which can loosen and clear mucus in the bronchial tubes. Integrating light exercise into daily life can also help alleviate symptoms.Anyone who comes into contact with asthma patients should avoid smoking in their environment. The asthmatics themselves should stop smoking at all costs. Anyone who spends time in rooms with dry air irritates their bronchial tubes. Therefore, asthmatics should always make sure that there is sufficient humidity in the rooms – a humidity of 50 to 60 percent is best. Those who keep a diary of their asthma disease have a good overview of the course of the disease and can also pass on accurate information to doctors. Those affected can also visit an asthma self-help group to exchange information about the disease with like-minded people and get tips.
