Can asthma be cured?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease. This means that the lung tissue is attacked and damaged by many different immune cells and messenger substances. Unfortunately, this process is not completely reversible in the long term and asthma is therefore not curable.
Once asthma has been diagnosed, it is important to be aware that this disease can last a lifetime. However, nowadays asthma is also very well treatable and therefore a relatively normal life can be led despite everything. And in many cases the asthma subsides to such an extent that the affected person is considered to be free of symptoms.
This is particularly noticeable when the diagnosis is made in childhood and adolescence. The decisive factor is the time of diagnosis. If, for example, asthma occurs in children only under exertion, this is often misinterpreted as unsporting behaviour and the diagnosis is only made years later, when the disease has already progressed.
What is the asthma triad?
The asthma triad comprises the three elements that play a decisive role in the development of asthma. These include the so-called bronchospasm, i.e. the cramping of the airways (bronchi), and the mucous membrane oedema, i.e. the swelling of the mucous membranes due to the increasing inflammation. The third factor is hypersecretion, i.e. the increased secretion of mucus from the cells of the lungs, which is caused by the inflammatory infiltration of the lungs.
Asthma and sports – what do I have to consider?
Many people think that if you have asthma, you should exercise less. However, this is a big mistake, as it means that the lungs are less and less able to withstand the strain that asthma itself definitely places on the airways. The decisive factor in sport is the way in which it is practised.
First of all, the type and intensity of sport should be discussed with the doctor, as the latter in particular depends on how pronounced the asthma is and which medication is already being taken. Endurance sports such as running, swimming or even dancing are particularly suitable. It is always important to listen to your body and to slow down when you are in pain. In order to get the lungs used to the strain, it makes sense to start the sport with slow and continuous training and then gradually increase this and adapt it to the individual breathing problems. In some cities in Germany there are now also asthma sports groups or lung sports groups.
Which doctor treats bronchial asthma?
If you suspect that you suffer from asthma, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible to clarify the diagnosis and, if it is present, to initiate appropriate therapy. Responsible for this are lung specialists, so-called pneumologists. Some also have the additional title of pneumo-allergist. If the asthma is an allergic asthma, e.g. to house dust mites, an allergologist can also be consulted. The corresponding referral can be issued by the family doctor.
