Allergic asthma. Diagnosis of allergic bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma is a very common disease that affects approximately 6% of people. It is characterized by a chronic course with periodic exacerbations, during which a pronounced narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi occurs and the corresponding clinical picture develops.

Allergic bronchial asthma– the most common form of this disease, which accounts for the vast majority clinical cases. Many children and adults are allergic to certain substances, which can cause the development of the disease. It is especially dangerous that mild forms of asthma are often not detected in a timely manner and remain outside the field of view of specialists for a long time.

Disease severity

Depending on the severity of symptoms, doctors distinguish 4 degrees of severity of the disease, on the basis of which treatment is planned.

Intermittent asthma (stage 1) – daytime attacks of the disease are extremely rare (no more than once a week), and at night the disease bothers the patient no more than 2 times a month. Exacerbations pass very quickly and have virtually no effect on the patient’s physical activity.
Mild persistent asthma (stage 2) – the disease occurs more often than once a week, but less than once a day, and night attacks occur at least 2 times a month. During an exacerbation, the patient's sleep may be disturbed and activity may be limited.
Persistent asthma of moderate severity (stage 3) - the disease worsens almost daily, and night attacks occur more than once a week. At the same time, the patient's sleep and physical activity are severely disturbed.
Severe persistent asthma (stage 4) - both daytime and nighttime attacks of the disease occur very often. Human physical activity is sharply reduced.

What happens in the body during allergic asthma?

The pathogenesis of bronchial asthma has not yet been fully studied. It has been established that many cells, structures and substances are involved in the development of a pathological response from the bronchi.

When an allergen enters the body, individual blood cells are activated and released biologically. active substances responsible for inflammatory reactions body.
The muscle cells in the walls of the bronchi of patients with asthma are initially predisposed to contraction, and the receptors on them are more sensitive to any influence of active substances.
As a result, a spasm of the smooth muscles of the bronchi occurs and the lumen is significantly reduced respiratory tract. The patient cannot breathe in in full and shortness of breath develops, which in the most severe cases can lead to death.

All reactions proceed quite quickly, which leads to sharp deterioration state of human health. The patient can feel an approaching attack within a few minutes after contact with the allergen.

Reasons for the development of the disease

Allergic asthma can develop for various reasons.

Compounded heredity - often patients have close relatives who also have allergies or suffer from asthma. It has been proven that if one of the parents has asthma, then the likelihood of the child developing it is about 20-30%. If the disease is diagnosed in both the father and mother, then the child will face asthma with a 70% probability. It is important to understand that the disease itself is not inherited, but the child only receives a tendency to develop it.
Frequent infectious diseases respiratory tract can provoke hypersensitivity of the bronchial wall.
Adverse environmental conditions and occupational hazards.
Smoking, including passive smoking. This suggests that smoking parents significantly increase the likelihood of their child developing allergic bronchial asthma.
Consumption of large amounts of preservatives, dyes and other additives in food.

A direct attack of suffocation develops when the sensitive bronchi come into contact with an allergen, which may be different for each patient. Most often, asthma attacks are provoked by:

plant pollen;
animal hair;
mold spores;
house dust;
food products are a rare cause that still should not be overlooked;
substances with strong odors(perfumes, products household chemicals etc.);
Smoke and cold air also act as irritants.

Clinical manifestations of the disease

The symptoms of allergic asthma are not particularly specific and practically do not differ from the manifestations of asthma of non-allergic origin.

Difficulty breathing - the patient feels that it is difficult for him to inhale and exhale (and exhalation is difficult). Most often, shortness of breath occurs literally a few minutes after the patient comes into contact with the allergen and during physical activity.
Wheezing wheezing that occurs as a result of air passing through severely narrowed airways. They can be so strong that they can be heard at a considerable distance from the patient.
The characteristic posture of a sick person during an attack of suffocation. Since due to the respiratory muscles it is not possible to satisfy all the body’s needs for air, the patient is forced to engage in the act of breathing additional groups muscles. To do this, he rests his hands on the windowsill, table, wall and any other convenient surface.
Paroxysmal cough that does not bring relief. There is a variant of the course of the disease in which the patient only has a cough. Often people do not pay attention to this symptom and think that the cough occurs for another reason. It is important to know that a normal reflex cough goes away after a few minutes, since during this time all mechanical irritants have time to leave the airway.
Discharge of a small amount of clear and viscous (glassy) sputum.
Status asthmaticus is a severe exacerbation of the disease, characterized by a prolonged attack of suffocation, during which the patient does not respond to traditional treatment. If timely assistance is not provided, then due to a lack of oxygen, a person may gradually lose consciousness and fall into a coma. In the most severe cases, death develops.

Because the we're talking about about allergic asthma, then all the above symptoms appear after the patient encounters the allergen. Depending on which allergen the patient develops an asthma attack in response to, there is a different frequency and duration of exacerbation. An example is an allergy to pollen: the patient practically cannot avoid contact with the allergen, which at this time is everywhere. The result is a characteristic seasonality of exacerbations.

Diagnosis of allergic bronchial asthma

To begin with, the doctor interviews the patient in detail, records all his complaints and collects anamnesis. If a patient is seen during an attack, the doctor may listen for wheezing and notice shortness of breath. Later, specialized methods are used to obtain information about the respiratory organs.

Spirometry is an examination method during which a special apparatus characterizes in numbers the main parameters of lung activity. Forced expiratory volume is very important for doctors, since it is the most difficult thing for a patient with asthma to exhale.
Study of sputum produced during coughing. In patients with bronchial asthma, eosinophils, Cushman spirals and Charcot-Leyden spirals can be found there - specific for of this disease particles.
Since we are talking about allergic bronchial asthma, it is always necessary to find out which substance provokes an exacerbation. To do this, a special allergy test is carried out - small scratches are applied to the skin, and then a small amount of solution with the suspected allergen is dripped onto them. The body reacts to the allergen by redness of the skin and the development of slight inflammation.

Treatment of the disease

Treatment of allergic asthma can be carried out with the same substances that are used to prevent and eliminate other forms of pathology. Of course, the allergic nature of the disease leaves its mark on the therapy process.

If the patient knows that he has an allergy, then it is very useful to take antihistamines in a timely manner, which are now available in a wide range in pharmacies. The substance blocks the receptors that histamine usually acts on, and the effect of its release into the blood is not observed or is less pronounced. If it is clear that contact with the allergen cannot be avoided, then it is advisable to take the medicine in advance and reduce the likelihood of an exacerbation.
There is also a technique according to which the allergen is introduced into the body in gradually increasing quantities under the supervision of a doctor. As a result, susceptibility to this allergen is reduced, and it is less likely to provoke attacks of the disease.
Inhaled glucocorticoids and β2-adrenergic receptor blockers long acting– most common drugs basic therapy, which allow you to control the disease over a long period of time.
Antibodies that are antagonists of immunoglobulin E allow long-term elimination of increased sensitivity bronchi and prevent exacerbations.
Cromones are a group of drugs that are actively used in the treatment of children, since they do not give the desired result in adults.
Methylxanthines.
In case of exacerbation of the disease, fast-acting adrenoreceptor blockers, adrenaline, and oral glucocorticoids are used.

Preference is always given to inhaled drugs, which, using a special device, enter directly into the patient’s respiratory tract and exert their effect there. therapeutic effect almost instantly. This allows you to get rid of side effects, which can develop when taking drugs orally.

Patients with allergic asthma should understand that their priority is prevention of exacerbation, that is, avoiding contact with the allergen. It is enough to follow these recommendations:

regularly carry out wet cleaning in residential premises;
If you are allergic to wool, avoid keeping pets;
avoid using perfumes with strong odors;
change your job to one where you don’t have to inhale a lot of dust and other harmful substances.

Allergic bronchial asthma is one of the most common forms of asthmatic syndrome, which is characterized by organ hypersensitivity respiratory system to some allergic agents.

When an allergen enters the respiratory system through the air, the body receives a signal about the pathogen, triggering an immune system reaction, which is accompanied by bronchial spasm.

Begins in the muscles of the respiratory system inflammatory process, which provokes the formation of thick and viscous sputum.

Despite the fact that the disease has vivid symptoms, a clear definition and great diagnostic capabilities, allergic asthma is often confused with various types bronchitis, which leads to ineffective and inadequate treatment with antibiotics and antitussives.

Causes of development of allergic bronchial asthma

The principle of development of bronchial asthma allergic nature is an immediate pathogenic hypersensitivity, which is characterized by the immediate onset of symptoms after exposure allergic factor into the respiratory system.

Depending on the etiology of the disease, there are two types of allergic asthma: atopic and infectious-allergic, which differ in symptoms in the initial stages.

Atopic bronchial asthma develops as a result of inhalation contact with irritants that enter the body when air is inhaled.

Activated cells of the immune system can react to plant pollen, animal hair, house and medicinal dust, perfumes, household chemicals, metals, tobacco smoke or food preservatives and additives

The reaction to the irritating component promotes the formation of histamine, resulting in inflammation of the bronchi.

In addition, the atopic form of bronchial asthma can develop as a result of prolonged contact with aggressive allergens, for example, in the case of prolonged stay in a building whose walls are contaminated with mold fungus.

Smoking can cause illness not only in smokers, but also in people who are forced to inhale tobacco smoke. For this reason, atopic asthma often occurs in children of smoking parents.

Factors such as:

unfavorable environment;
work in hazardous production;
systematic inhalation of industrial impurities, solvent fumes, air fresheners, exhaust gases,
long-term use of medications;
abuse of preservatives, food colorings and additives.

The infectious-allergic form of asthma often develops in adult patients, and its occurrence is caused by the presence of foci chronic infection respiratory tract.

Infectious effects are accompanied by thickening of the muscular layer of the bronchi and germination of the walls connective tissue, after which the bronchial lumen narrows and the process of air penetration into the lungs becomes difficult.

Atopic and infectious forms of bronchial asthma can be triggered by family history.

That is, the risk of illness for a person whose relatives suffer from allergies or asthma increases by 20-30%. If parents are diagnosed allergic asthma, the probability of a child’s illness reaches 70%.

At the same time, it is not the pathology itself that is inherited, but the tendency to develop allergic reaction.

Symptoms of the disease

The course of allergic asthma can be accompanied by various symptoms that may appear immediately after the allergen enters the body.

Main signs of the disease:

difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, suffocation;
wheezing and whistling during breathing, caused by a narrowing of the lumen in the bronchi;
rapid shallow breathing;
a paroxysmal form of cough, accompanied by the separation of small clots of mucus at the end of the attack. In some cases, a dry cough may be a single manifestation of asthmatic syndrome;
pain in the area chest.

The moderate and severe stages of the disease are characterized by the appearance of shortness of breath as a result of physical effort.

With an exacerbation of the disease, there is an increase in shortness of breath, as well as other symptoms, which may not even manifest themselves during periods of remission.

The following factors can cause asthma exacerbation:

long stay in a dusty room;
cleaning;
contact with animals or plants;
intense physical effort.

The main sign of an infectious form of asthma is the prolonged course of diseases of the respiratory system, often accompanied by exacerbations.

An exacerbation of the disease is characterized by an active inflammatory process, which leads to the fact that the patient reacts even to nonspecific pathogens: a pungent odor, temperature fluctuations, the smell of smoke.

The course of the disease may also depend on the type of specific allergen and the frequency of the patient’s contact with this irritant.

For example, an allergic reaction to pollen worsens only in a certain season - spring and summer, while the patient cannot avoid contact with the allergen.

One of the main characteristic symptoms allergic asthma - relief occurs after taking antihistamines and carrying out inhalations with bronchodilators.

The atopic form of asthma can manifest itself at different intervals depending on the stage and form of the disease:

Mild intermittent course of the disease. In this case, the disease can remind itself no more than twice a month.
Mild persistent course. Episodes of pathology occur several times a week, and no more than once a day, while nighttime relapses can occur more than twice a month.
Medium severity. Attacks occur almost daily, including during sleep.
Severe stage of asthma severity. The pathology manifests itself constantly, episodes occur more than three times a day, while once every two days the patient is bothered by night attacks.

The most severe manifestation of the disease is status asthmaticus, in which the patient experiences prolonged attacks of suffocation with the inability to exhale.

In this case, traditional drug therapy does not bring results, and if timely assistance is not provided, the patient loses consciousness and may fall into a coma, and in this case there is a high risk of death.

Development of the disease in children

The allergic form of asthma in children can develop at any age, but mainly after a year of life, while allergic etiology has the greatest risk of occurrence than other forms of asthmatic syndrome.

The course of atopic asthma in children has its own difficulties, since its symptoms can be hidden under signs of bronchial obstruction.

If bronchial obstruction in a child worsens more than 4 times during the year, this most likely indicates the development of atopic bronchial asthma.

Treatment of allergic asthma in children begins with identifying the allergic agent that triggered the reaction. The basis of therapy, as a rule, is inhalation, which not only eliminates the effects of the allergen, but also increases protective function immune system.

After five years, allergen-specific treatment can be prescribed, which at this age brings good results and often helps get rid of the disease.

Diagnosis of the disease

At allergic form bronchial asthma, a thorough pulmonary and allergological examination should be carried out, the task of which is to identify the causes of the disease, establish the mechanism of its development and determine possible concomitant pathologies.

Diagnosis of the disease begins with an examination and interview of the patient, recording all his complaints and forming an anamnesis, after which a comprehensive examination is carried out, helping to determine a clear clinical picture allergic asthma:

A study using a spirometer allows you to characterize indicators of lung function. One of the important parameters is forced sharp exhalation, since it is most difficult for asthmatics;
Analysis of sputum released during coughing shows the content of eosinophils and particles characteristic of bronchial asthma - the Cushman and Charcot-Leyden spiral;
An allergy test identifies the allergic agent that provokes an exacerbation. During this manipulation, a small scratch is applied to the skin, onto which a little solution containing the allergen is dripped. In case of an allergic response, redness and slight inflammation appear on the skin.

How should the disease be treated?

Treatment of allergic asthma must be structured in such a way that the course of the disease and the individual characteristics of the body are taken into account, therefore it is carried out exclusively under medical supervision.

Self-treatment may not only not lead to positive dynamics, but also aggravate the course of the disease with serious complications.

Antihistamines, taken in a timely manner, reduce symptoms and alleviate severe disease.

The effectiveness of antihistamines is due to blocking receptors and stopping the formation and release of histamine into the blood.

If the patient cannot avoid contact with the allergen, antihistamine must be taken in advance, which reduces the risk of an acute reaction in the body.

In addition, there is effective method combating allergic reactions with microdoses of the allergen, which consists of introducing the allergen into the blood, while the dosage is gradually increased to the maximum tolerated.

As a result of these measures, the body develops susceptibility to the pathogen, and the risk of an allergic reaction is reduced.

Relieving an attack of allergic asthma requires a whole range of measures that are aimed at promptly eliminating the symptoms of the disease.

First of all, the patient needs to relax and calm down, since anxiety and excitement only worsen his well-being.

To do this, you should immediately provide an influx of fresh air, free your chest from tight clothing, take horizontal position and make moderate breathing movements.

A patient diagnosed with allergic asthma should always have with him an inhaler with a drug that quickly relieves an attack of suffocation and restores the functioning of the smooth muscles of the respiratory system after a spasm.

The treatment of each case of the disease has its own characteristics, but the general basis is the following:

Glucocorticoids and long-acting beta-adrenergic blockers, which for a long time control the course of the disease.
Antibodies to immunoglobulin E, eliminating increased bronchial excitability and preventing the risk of exacerbation for a long time.
Cromones, which has an effect on inflammatory cells that are involved in allergic inflammation. This drug is used in the treatment of allergic asthma in children; when treating adults, it does not give the required effect.
Methylxanthines, used for atopic asthma, have the ability to quickly block adrenergic receptors.
Inhalations, which have virtually no side effects and act immediately due to the direct penetration of the drug into the respiratory system.
Expectorants that help clear the bronchi of mucus.
Immunostimulating drugs.

In order for treatment to bring positive dynamics, the patient must follow the following recommendations throughout the entire period of illness:

Minimize your stay on the street during the flowering period, keep windows closed if possible;
wash clothes in very hot water;
put hypoallergenic covers on mattresses and pillows:
get rid of carpets and soft toys that create favorable conditions for the appearance of dust mites;
control air humidity. If the humidity level exceeds 40%, there is a risk of mold and dust mites, in which case it is recommended to use air drying;
limit contact with animals;
maintain dryness in the bathroom and kitchen, install hoods that will reduce humidity levels;
install an air filter that will eliminate smoke, pollen, fine particles, which can serve as irritants;
carry out any work on a personal plot wearing a special mask that prevents the entry of allergens;
avoid using perfumes with a strong odor;
change your job if it involves systematic inhalation of harmful components or dust;
play sports or breathing exercises.

Adequate treatment of allergic asthma gives quite favorable prognoses.

Emphysema and cardiopulmonary failure may develop as complications.

To date, there are no universal preventive methods, which can completely eliminate the risk of developing allergic bronchial asthma.

The problem is solved when the disease appears, and therapy in this case is aimed at stabilizing the course of asthma and reducing the likelihood of possible complications.

Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma, which occurs in almost 85% of the child population and half of the adults who currently live in the country. Substances that enter the human body during inhalation and provoke the progression of allergies are called allergens. In medicine, allergic asthma is also called atopic asthma.

Etiology

The main reason for the progression of the disease is immediate hypersensitivity. It is characterized by the rapid development of the disease as soon as the unfavorable allergen penetrates the human body. This entire process usually only takes a few minutes.

Genetic predisposition also plays a significant role in the development of this type of asthma. By medical statistics, in 40% of cases, relatives of allergy sufferers have the same ailments.

The main factors contributing to the progression of atopic asthma:

diseases of an infectious nature that affect the upper respiratory tract of a person;
passive or active smoking;
direct contact of the individual with allergens;
taking certain medications for a long period of time.

In atopic asthma, the manifestation of symptoms occurs due to the fact that a person has been in contact for some time with allergens that entered the body during the act of breathing. Such specific substances can be divided into 4 groups:

household This includes feathers from pillows, dust, etc.;
epidermal. This group includes dandruff, bird feathers, wool;
pollen;
fungal.

Reasons for the progression of an attack of allergic (atopic) asthma:

dust;
smoke from fireworks, incense or tobacco;
flavored substances included in perfumes, air fresheners, etc.;
evaporation.

Symptoms

A person suffering from allergic (atopic) asthma is hypersensitive to certain specific allergens. If these substances penetrate the respiratory tract, they immediately cause a reaction from the immune system. The body “responds” to the allergen with bronchospasm - the muscle structures located near the respiratory tract contract sharply. Inflammation develops and a large number of mucus in the bronchi. Further appear specific symptoms allergic asthma:

breathing accompanied by whistling;
cough;
chest pain.

The above symptoms most often occur when the body is exposed to the following allergens:

mold spores;
plant pollen;
field tick excrement;
wool;
saliva particles.

Degrees

Atopic asthma has 4 degrees of severity:

intermittent. Symptoms of pathology progression appear no more often than once every 7 days. Attacks at night develop 2 times a month;
persistent. Symptoms of the disease appear more than once every 7 days. A person’s daily activity, as well as his sleep, are disrupted because of this;
average degree. It is characterized by daily manifestations of symptoms. Physical activity during the day and proper sleep are disrupted. At this stage, it is recommended to use salbutamol to prevent the disease from progressing to the next stage;
severe degree. Symptoms are observed constantly. Choking develops 4 times a day. Attacks also often occur at night. During this time, a person cannot move normally.

The most dangerous is the progression of status asthmaticus. The attacks become more frequent and longer lasting. Traditional treatment is ineffective. Due to the fact that it is not possible to take a full breath, the patient may even lose consciousness. If you do not urgently provide him with emergency assistance, then death is possible.

Diagnostics

If a person shows signs of this disease, he should immediately contact a medical professional. institution. Such people are supervised by an allergist-immunologist and pulmonologist. It is important to identify allergens that trigger an asthma attack as quickly as possible. For this purpose, the patient is prescribed tests to determine sensitivity to allergens. After identifying the aggressive agent, treatment is prescribed.

Treatment

Treatment of allergic asthma includes a number of measures that need to be reviewed every 3 months. The dosage of drugs and duration of administration are determined strictly by the attending physician. It is prohibited to take medications uncontrollably, as this can only worsen the condition.

If asthma is detected, SIT therapy is carried out. Its main goal is to create immunity to specific allergens that provoke the progression of inflammation and relapse of pathology. This therapy is most often carried out in the autumn-winter period, and also if the person does not experience an exacerbation. The essence of the therapy is that an allergen is introduced into the patient’s body over a period of time. His dose will increase. As a result, tolerance will develop. It is also worth noting that the earlier SIT therapy is carried out, the more favorable the prognosis will be.

Stages of treatment:

completely eliminate the patient’s contact with the allergen;
strengthen the immune system;
provoke the production of protective antibodies.

Drug therapy includes:

inhaled medications without therapeutic effect;
inhalation drugs with therapeutic and anti-inflammatory effects;
combination agents;
antihistamines;
inhaled bronchodilators;
inhaled glucocorticosteroid drugs.

Prevention

In order to prevent the development of the disease, you should follow some simple recommendations:

change synthetic underwear to natural ones;
carry out wet cleaning of the house daily;
do not have pets;
It is better to cover window openings with a frame with mesh or gauze to trap dust;
balanced diet. It is necessary to completely exclude fast food and semi-finished products from the diet. Food must be natural and contain required amount vitamins and minerals.

Is everything in the article correct from a medical point of view?

Answer only if you have proven medical knowledge

Diseases with similar symptoms:

Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by short-term attacks of breathlessness caused by spasms in the bronchi and swelling of the mucous membrane. This disease has no specific risk group or age restrictions. But, as medical practice shows, women suffer from asthma 2 times more often. According to official data, today there are more than 300 million people with asthma in the world. The first symptoms of the disease most often appear in childhood. Elderly people suffer from the disease much more difficult.

Pneumonia (officially pneumonia) is an inflammatory process in one or both respiratory organs, which usually has infectious nature and is caused by various viruses, bacteria and fungi. In ancient times, this disease was considered one of the most dangerous, and although modern means Treatments allow you to get rid of the infection quickly and without consequences; the disease has not lost its relevance. According to official data, in our country every year about a million people suffer from pneumonia in one form or another.

The work of the immune system is aimed, first of all, at protecting the human body from various pathogens. But sometimes malfunctions occur in it; it begins to perceive even harmless environmental factors as... Then there arises pathological condition– allergies.

Allergic bronchial asthma is one of the most severe diseases associated with immune reactions in the body. According to statistics, 6% of the world's population suffers from bronchial asthma, and 80% of all cases are of allergic origin.

Manifestation of the disease, severity

Allergic (or atopic) bronchial asthma is a chronic disease of the upper respiratory tract that occurs due to the action of allergens, which, in turn, cause an inflammatory process. The mechanism of development of this pathology is associated with the hyperreactivity of the body in relation to any environmental agent. These agents are, in fact, called “allergens”: they cause the production of immunoglobulins (antibodies), which leads to the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators from mast cells.

Determination of the degree of disease is based on symptoms, as well as the results of a study of respiratory function, namely peak expiratory flow (PEF). To do this, they conduct a study called peak flowmetry. Depending on the above data, there are 4 main degrees of severity:

Mild form (intermittent atopic asthma). Manifestations of the disease are recorded no more than once every 7 days, night attacks - no more than 2 times a month. PSV over 80-85% of normal indicator(the PEF rate depends on age). Fluctuations in morning and evening PSV are no more than 20-25%. The patient's general condition is usually not affected.
Mild persistent atopic form. Symptoms of the disease appear once every 2-6 days, night attacks - more than 2 times a month. PSV is more than 80%, fluctuations in PSV during the day do not exceed 25-30%. If the attacks are prolonged, they can disrupt physical activity and sleep.
Moderate form. Manifestations of the pathological condition are observed daily, night attacks – once a week or more often. PEF is within 65-80% of the norm, fluctuations in the indicator exceed 30%. Significant disturbances in a person’s daily activity are often noted, and the quality of sleep becomes significantly worse.
Severe form of the disease. At this stage, the disease worsens 3-5 times a day, night attacks occur 3 or more times a week. PSV is below 60-65%, daily fluctuations are more than 30-35%. The person is unable to carry out everyday activities, especially those related to physical activity, neurotic disorders and disorders of other organs and systems are also observed.

Consequence severe forms in the absence of treatment, status asthmaticus may develop - a condition that threatens fatal and requiring immediate medical attention. Status asthmaticus is characterized by persistent, severe and a long attack suffocation that is not relieved by pocket inhalers. To avoid this state, you need to contact medical institution when the first symptoms appear.

Concomitant pathologies

Often enough allergic rhinitis registered as a concomitant pathology. This is due, first of all, to the characteristics of the immune system, which are transmitted hereditarily. It has been proven that if one of the parents suffers from allergic diseases, then the likelihood of hypersensitivity in the child is about 50%.

If the allergy history is burdened on both the mother’s and the father’s sides, then the likelihood of hyperreactivity reactions increases up to 80%.

But you need to understand that it is not a specific disease that is genetically programmed, but only the excessive reactivity of the immune system. That is why not only cases of bronchial asthma are taken into account, but also other allergic diseases of family members (for example, hay fever, atopic dermatitis).

To date, it has been proven that there is a connection between 3 diseases: atopic dermatitis (often registered at 1 year of life), allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. It is in this sequence that these diseases often arise - doctors call this condition “atopic march”. Therefore, if atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis is detected, everything must be done necessary measures to avoid the manifestation of the disease.

Symptoms of the disease

Often this pathological condition does not manifest itself in any way outside of an attack, and it is the first paroxysm of the disease that forces a person to turn to a specialist. Patients with this disease most often present the following complaints:

dry, barking, nonproductive cough(sputum is released only at the end of the attack, it is transparent and very viscous, but there is little of it);
severe expiratory shortness of breath (a person cannot exhale);
wheezing and whistling sounds during breathing;
sensations of chest compression, sometimes pain;
increased respiratory rate.

Also, an attack of this disease is characterized by a forced position of the patient - orthopnea (a person sits with his hands resting on the edge of a bed or chair). It is in this position that it is easier for a person to inhale - the shoulder girdle rises, the chest expands.

What allergens most often provoke an attack in adults and children?

As mentioned above, a predisposition to this pathology may be due to family history, but an attack is provoked by a specific allergen. Scientists have identified several thousand agents that cause exacerbation of this disease. The most common causes of attacks in adults are the following allergens:

Biological agents(plant pollen, bird down and feathers, wool and biological fluids animals, dust mites, fungal spores).
Physical agents(cold or hot air).
Chemical agents(components of cosmetics, perfumes and household chemicals, car exhaust gases, tobacco smoke, medicines, food allergens).

In childhood, allergic disease can be provoked not only by these allergens, but also by food products. Allergy manifestations occur especially often when complementary foods are introduced incorrectly. But, according to statistics, the allergic type of asthma is registered in youth, young and mature age, and is caused by the allergens described above.

Typically, these agents enter the body in one of 3 ways: through the skin, through the upper respiratory tract, and through the mucous membrane gastrointestinal tract. The first 2 routes of entry are considered the most dangerous, since in these cases the allergen quickly enters the bloodstream and causes symptoms of the disease.

Diagnosis of the disease

Bronchial asthma - dangerous condition Therefore, under no circumstances should you take any medications on your own without consulting a specialist. Immunologists, allergists, therapists and pulmonologists are involved in making a diagnosis and prescribing treatment - only through joint efforts qualified specialists can be achieved good result and alleviate the course of the disease as much as possible.

At the initial visit to a medical institution, the doctor conducts a survey of the patient, which includes collecting complaints, anamnesis of the disease and life, as well as family and allergy history. After this, the specialist conducts an inspection of the systems, Special attention devotes attention to the respiratory organs. At this stage, we can talk about making a preliminary diagnosis, but this is not enough to prescribe therapy - it is also necessary to conduct other studies that will confirm the doctor’s assumptions and help determine the stage of the pathological process.

In instrumental and laboratory research includes:

Complete blood count (eosinophil levels are increased, indicating an allergic reaction).
Biochemical blood test (increased concentration of seromucoids, sialic acid and gamma globulins).
Sputum analysis (increased eosinophil content, Charcot-Leyden crystals are detected, Kurshman spirals may also be present).
ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) for the content of class E immunoglobulins (increased several times).
Scarification tests, skin prick test. During these studies, possible allergens that provoked an attack are applied to the skin (with positive test– redness, swelling).
Chest X-ray (as a rule, no changes, but it is necessary to do it to exclude other lung diseases).
Spirometry (decrease in vital capacity of the lungs, increase in functional residual capacity, expiratory reserve volume and average volumetric flow rate also decrease).
Peak flowmetry (decreased PEF, increased difference between morning and evening PEF).
ECG (increased heart rate, carried out to exclude heart pathologies that cause shortness of breath).

A number of these studies make it possible to accurately determine not only the presence of the disease, but also the severity of the disease.

Remember that treatment should be prescribed only after.

Treatment process: pharmacological drugs used for the disease

To date, many medications have been developed that can stop an attack of this disease. There are also a number of medications used as complementary therapy(during periods without attacks):

M-anticholinergics. Used to relieve seizures pocket inhalers with M-anticholinergics (Atrovent, Spiriva) - they are safe and can be used by the patient independently. For severe paroxysms of the disease, injectable drugs from this group are used: atropine sulfate and ammonium. However, they have a large number of side effects, so they are used only in emergency cases.
Cromony. Drugs from this group reduce the production of mast cells, which helps reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks. The advantage of cromones is that they can be used to treat allergic disease in childhood. The most commonly used are medications, like Nedocromil, Intal, Kromglicate, Cromolyn.
Antileukotriene drugs. Reduce the production of leukotrienes, which are formed during an allergic reaction. Drugs in this group, mainly tablets, are prescribed outside of an exacerbation of the disease. Formoterol, Montelukast, Salmeterol are used.
Systemic glucocorticoids. Appointed only if severe course diseases, as well as in relieving status asthmaticus. Anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effect these drugs are very pronounced, they are extremely effective, because significantly reduce the body's reactivity to various allergens. IN clinical practice the most commonly used are Metypred, Prednisolone, Hydrocortisone, Dexamethasone, as well as inhaled drugs: Aldecin, Pulmicort.
β 2 -adrenergic agonists. The mechanism of action of drugs from this pharmacological group is based on increasing the sensitivity of receptors to adrenaline. This leads to a narrowing of blood vessels, a decrease in swelling and mucus secretion, as well as an expansion of the lumen of the bronchi. They are produced mainly in the form of inhalations; drugs such as Ventolin, Salbutamol, Seretide are most often used.
Methylxanthines. These drugs, through sequential chemical reactions inhibit the interaction between actin and myosin proteins muscle tissue, which leads to relaxation of bronchial smooth muscles, also sharply reduces the destruction of mast cells, which leads to less release of inflammatory mediators. Used for severe attacks and status asthmaticus. Drugs from the methylxanthine group: Euphylline, Theophylline, Theotard.
Expectorants. During an attack, a large amount of viscous mucus accumulates in the bronchi, which clogs the airways, aggravating general state patient. In order for sputum to clear better, the following drugs are prescribed: Lazolvan, ACC, Bromhexine, Solvil.
Antihistamines. They attach to cell receptors, making them less sensitive to histamine, the main mediator of the allergic reaction. As a result, they decrease clinical manifestations diseases. These drugs are used systematically, especially if contact with the allergen cannot be avoided. Today, Zodak, Cetrin, Eden, Loratadine are most often used.

Remember, in order for treatment to be effective, it must, first of all, be comprehensive, and it must be prescribed by a highly qualified specialist.

Do I need to follow a diet?

Since any factor can be an allergen, then food product may provoke an exacerbation of the disease. Therefore, doctors recommend that patients with this pathology limit highly allergenic foods. These include:

nuts;
seafood;
chocolate;
citrus;
mushrooms;
raspberries and strawberries.

It is also necessary to give up alcohol, spices, coffee, fatty and fried foods. In addition to all of the above, it is better to limit your salt intake - nutritionists recommend adding no more than 6 g of salt per day to your food.

Lifestyle during illness

Like everyone else allergic diseases, this type of asthma may become more severe when in the wrong way life. In order to, doctors recommend establishing a sleep-wake schedule, engaging in regular physical activity(for example, do breathing exercises and specialized exercises from the exercise therapy complex).

It is also necessary to ensure that contact with the allergen is limited as much as possible, and it is recommended to visit the fresh air, undergo regular examinations with a doctor, and also refuse bad habits. It will be beneficial sanitary resort treatment, hardening.

In addition, it is necessary to eliminate or minimize stressful situations in Everyday life, because it is this factor that most often provokes exacerbations. If you follow these recommendations in combination with the prescribed treatment, you can achieve excellent results and put the disease into remission.

Possible complications of the disease

Long-term course of bronchial asthma with an allergic component can lead to complications such as status asthmaticus, emphysema, cardiac and respiratory failure, closed pneumothorax, atelectasis, pneumomediastinum.

Most of these conditions can become a threat to human life and health, some of them lead to disability of the patient. That is why experts insist on timely application population to medical institutions.

Traditional methods of treatment

There are several folk remedies that are effective for treatment:

You need to take 800g of chopped garlic, put it in a jar and fill it with water, leave for 1 month in a dark place. Take 1 tsp. 20-30 minutes before meals, for 6-8 months.
Dry ginger (400-500g) needs to be crushed using a coffee grinder, pour in 1 liter of alcohol, and leave for 7-10 days. Then it is recommended to strain the resulting tincture and drink 1 tsp. 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is 90 days.
Mix propolis and alcohol in a ratio of 1:5 and leave for 5-7 days. You need to drink this remedy with milk, 25 drops 2-3 times a day (before meals).

Despite the fact that there are many methods of herbal treatment, doctors say that herbal medicine is contraindicated for patients, as it can aggravate the person’s condition.

Remember that not a single folk remedy should be used without consulting a doctor.

Conclusion

The disease is considered a chronic, severe pathology not only of the respiratory system, but of the entire body. However, this diagnosis is not a death sentence! All the efforts of the doctor and the patient should be aimed at achieving maximum effect in treating the disease. If you contact a specialist in time, he will carry out necessary examinations and will appoint effective treatment, which will make attacks of the disease less frequent and intense.

Allergic asthma is the most common type of allergy. It affects most children and almost half of the adult population. It is caused by allergens - particles that a person inhales along with the air. The medical term for this disease is atopic. What is allergic asthma? And how to deal with such a disease?

Characteristics of the pathology

Allergic and the treatment of which requires detailed study, is characterized by inflammation of the respiratory system. This condition is provoked by the presence of allergens in the air and food. These respiratory irritants do not harm most people. But the immune system individual organisms reacts abnormally to them.

The disease usually occurs in childhood. From time to time it makes itself felt throughout the entire period of growing up. Sometimes adults are also susceptible to allergic asthma. It is worth noting that the number of people suffering from this disease in Lately is steadily increasing.

The development of pathology occurs as follows:

Allergens enter the body with inhaled air or food.
They irritate the smooth muscle mucosa of the respiratory tract. The last one, in in good condition, usually relaxed. It allows air flow easily.
When an irritant appears, the immune system reacts to it as if it were a virus. Antibodies begin to be produced to protect the body, which provoke inflammation.

Causes of the disease

Provocateurs that are the source of the disease are divided into the following categories:

Indoor allergens. The culprits for their appearance may be: pets (wool, feathers); cockroaches (scales and excrement); mycelium (fungus and mold); (their droppings that float in the air with dust).
Allergens of open space. Such provocateurs are caused by pollen from trees and grasses. Accordingly, the disease develops during flowering. This is usually spring and early summer.
Food allergens. Most often they are found in products containing antigens similar to plant pollen. These can be eggs, milk, peanuts, shellfish, strawberries, and some types of fruit.

The rarest type of allergic asthma is a reaction to food irritants. But at the same time, this form of the disease is accompanied by very strong manifestations, which can be dealt with in outpatient setting impossible. Therefore, to eliminate the patient, they are hospitalized. Sometimes allergic asthma triggered by food can be life-threatening.

The causes of pathology in individual individuals have not been established. It is believed that this influence genetic predisposition organism and ecology.

Predisposing factors

Typically, an attack develops very quickly in a pathology such as allergic asthma. Symptoms appear literally within a few minutes after the provocateur enters the body. This is due to the hypersensitivity of the immune system to this type allergen.

Heredity is also a cause of the development of the disease. According to statistics, if there is an allergy sufferer in the family, there is a 40% chance that his relatives will experience similar reactions.

The progression of the disease is due to the following reasons:

respiratory system infections;
smoking (passive also);
close contact with allergens;
long-term medication use.

Symptoms of an attack

How does allergic asthma manifest? Symptoms are usually prodromal. Most often they appear in the evening hours.

Signs of the threshold of an attack are:

dry cough;
runny nose;
painful sensations in the abdominal area.

This is the first stage of manifestation of the disease. Then allergic asthma begins to progress.

Symptoms in adults are as follows:

difficulty breathing;
dyspnea;
noisy wheezing when breathing;
pain and tightness in the chest area;
dry cough with the release of a small amount of sputum, which intensifies when a person lies down.

Atopic asthma can also occur against the background of existing respiratory tract diseases, such as rhinitis or bronchitis.

Degrees of the disease

There are four forms of development of atopic asthma:

Intermittent. The disease appears approximately once a week. At night, attacks occur no more than twice a month.
Persistent. Manifestations of the disease bother a person more often than once every 7 days. Because of this, he cannot get enough sleep. Accordingly, his active activity decreases.
Average. Symptoms of the disease occur every day. This has an even more disruptive effect on sleep and physical state body. At this stage, it is recommended to take the drug "Salbutamol" to prevent further development diseases.
Heavy. The constant manifestation of allergic asthma, frequent suffocation, daytime and night attacks make normal human existence impossible.

The most dangerous is considered to be in a progressive form. This is a severe form of the disease, known as allergic; this condition consists of a constant increase in attacks and an increase in their duration. In this case, emergency medical attention is necessary, since the person may faint or even die due to severe difficulty breathing.

Complications

Allergic asthma is usually easily controlled. Treatment prescribed by a doctor can stop the development of negative symptoms.

But sometimes it happens that an attack develops rapidly. As a result, quite severe consequences can be observed:

There is a sudden stop in breathing or this process is extremely difficult. The man loses consciousness. This condition can even lead to death.
Interruption of the breathing process due to obstruction is the cause of respiratory failure. This disease is treated in a hospital using emergency intubation and forced ventilation. Without such measures, death is possible.
In the future, rupture of the alveoli of the lungs may occur. But this happens very rarely. With this complication, intubation is required to remove the air that prevents the expansion of the lungs from the pleura.

Diagnosis of the disease

Allergic asthma is determined in three steps:

The doctor finds out everything about the patient’s lifestyle. Studying the symptoms of the disease.
A blood test for immunoglobulins allows you to determine the presence of the disease.
Conducting allergy tests to identify a specific provocateur that caused an unpleasant reaction in the body.

How to cure the disease

Every person is interested, if he has been diagnosed with allergic asthma, how to treat such an ailment.

To successfully fight the disease or at least reduce the number of attacks, it is necessary, if possible, to eliminate from the environment all objects that are provocateurs.

The following measures are usually taken:

All things in which dust can accumulate are removed - carpets, thick curtains.
Frequent, thorough house cleanings are simply necessary.
Using a dust-proof coating for mattresses and pillows.
Windows are kept closed to prevent dust from entering the house from outside.
Air conditioners are used with replaceable filters.
The humidity in the house should be no more than 50%. When this indicator is exceeded, a comfortable environment for the development of ticks is created.

If the measures taken do not help to completely get rid of the symptoms of the disease, then use medicines. But it is important to remember that allergic asthma cannot be treated on its own. Treatment medications should only be recommended by a doctor.

Drug therapy

What medications are used to treat allergic asthma?

Drugs to combat the disease are divided into:

Inhalation, non-producing therapeutic effect, but simply relieving suffocation. The patient may be recommended medications such as Terbutaline, Fenoterol, Berrotek, and Salbutamol.
Inhalation agents that provide treatment and have an anti-inflammatory effect. Effective medications are “Intal”, “Tailed”.
Inhalation medicinal. Excellent results will be provided by the drugs “Pulmicort”, “Serevent”, “Oxis”.
Combined. The patient's therapy includes the drugs "Seretide", "Symbicort".
Antihistamines. If it leaks in mild form allergic asthma, treatment may include the use of the drug Zyrtec.

Breathing exercises

The above methods are not the only methods fight such a serious illness. What other treatment is effective for a diagnosis of allergic asthma?

Renders good therapeutic effect in the fight against the symptoms of the disease. Special exercises help alleviate attacks. In addition, such gymnastics is a successful preventative measure to prevent the development of further complications.

Should be done systematically. Otherwise, their effectiveness will not be complete. Many people, wondering (if they are faced with a diagnosis of “allergic asthma”) how to treat this disease at home, resort to breathing exercises. After all, such a complex allows you to restore health. According to reviews from people and doctors, it is quite effective in the fight against serious illness.

An approximate set of exercises for respiratory organs in the treatment of allergic asthma:

In the morning, without getting out of bed, lie on your back. Pull your knees towards your chest. When performing, exhale measuredly through your mouth.
Take a standing position. Feet - shoulder width apart. Do deep breath, while simultaneously spreading your arms to the sides at shoulder level. Then exhale sharply through your mouth, lower your arms along your body, slapping them on your thighs.
Take slow steps in place. When taking the first step, raise your arms to the sides. Inhale slowly. When taking the second step, exhale noisily, lowering your hands.
Starting position - sitting on the floor. Stretch your legs forward. Inhaling through your mouth, raise your arms to the sides. Then return the upper limbs to their original position. At the same time, slowly exhale through your mouth and pronounce the sound “F” with slightly parted lips.
Stand with your hands on your belt. Inhale slowly. At the same time stick out your stomach. Then exhale sharply. The stomach should be pulled in with force. When performing this exercise, a person must breathe through the nose.
Inhale air through the straw. Then lower it into a container of water and exhale. Do the exercise throughout the day, the duration of one session is 10 minutes.
Position - standing. Stand on your toes. Move your arms raised up a little back. Interlace your fingers. Then sharply lower your entire foot, leaning forward. At the same time, lower your clasped hands as if you were chopping wood. Be sure to take a deep breath.
Take a standing position. Feet - shoulder width apart. Raise your arms, moving them back a little. Open your palms, as if trying to push something away. Then suddenly move your arms, hugging yourself and clapping your shoulder blades. At this stage, take a deep breath and tighten your chest.
The “Skier” exercise is performed standing. You need to spread your legs a little. Stand on your toes, leaning forward and stretching out your hands, clenched into fists. The pose resembles a skier going down the mountain. Then stand on your full foot and, exhaling, squat. The arms are alternately lowered and pulled back. It is necessary to imitate the movements of ski poles. When returning to the starting position, take a deep breath.
Lying on your back, place your hands under your buttocks. Exhaling slowly and deeply, draw in your stomach. Then inhale forcefully. Stick out your belly.
Standing on your toes, raise your arms to the sides. Move them up and arch back. Then stand on your feet, leaning forward and rounding your back. Take a deep breath. At this time, you should hug yourself with your arms.
Inhale intermittently through your nose. Exhale through your mouth, clenching your teeth. At the same time pronounce “Z” or “F”.
I. p. - standing, hands at your sides. Raise your shoulders slowly, counting to four. Then exhale strongly, lowering them just as slowly.
While standing, bend your arms slightly. Take a deep breath, spreading your upper limbs to the sides. Then you need to bring your hands together, while pulling in your stomach. Exhale while making the sound “SH”.
Exercise "Balls". Light enough. You need to inflate the balloons until they burst. Repeat the procedure throughout the day. It is recommended to inflate up to three balloons per day.

Allergic asthma is a fairly severe and serious illness. However, even with such a pathology you can learn to cope. To do this, you should strictly follow the recommendations of doctors, eliminate allergens from your life and do breathing exercises. It should not be forgotten that only regular methods of struggle will bring the long-awaited result.