Atopic bronchial asthma: causes, symptoms, treatment

Atopic bronchial asthma is a severe manifestation of allergic reactions. It is expressed by chronic inflammatory processes of the upper respiratory tract with a pronounced obstructive process.

As a rule, the course of the disease is characterized by suffocation. Often, atopic bronchial asthma develops at an early age and is much more severe than in adult patients.

Bronchospasm can occur not only when allergens are inhaled, but also through their entry into the bloodstream through Gastrointestinal tract, together with food or drugs, including immunotherapy (specific hyposensitization). The higher allergenicity of the substance provokes the danger that an allergic reaction will occur upon contact with it.

Therefore, it is necessary to observe elimination, especially with the development of status asthmaticus. Taking into account the varying degrees of dosage of allergens, several lines are possible to neutralize this disease.

Differences between atopic asthma and other types

The medical history of this form of the disease is characterized by an increased hereditary predisposition. As a rule, if close relatives suffer from allergic (atopic) diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, rhinitis, food allergies, etc. Non-atopic asthma has other prerequisites for development.

With a moderate severity of atopic asthma, the development of an attack is possible 5-10 minutes after the first contact with a provoking substance. Allergens can be household substances (food, dust mites, etc.), as well as epidermal (waste products of pets, medicines, fungal spores, etc.).

There are classic symptoms of choking, coughing and wheezing. In addition, before the onset of an allergic attack, there is increased lacrimation, frequent sneezing and tickling in the larynx.

A reaction to a food allergen can be accompanied by a pre-attack period when the whole body is covered with a rash and abdominal symptoms are present (loose stools, vomiting, nausea, etc.). Before starting treatment, it should be borne in mind that the allergic form of the disease can develop rapidly and requires mandatory drug treatment.

Grades of atopic bronchial asthma

1. A history of mild disease (intermittent) is characterized by rare attacks (during the day - no more than 1 time per week, at night - less than 2 times during the month). This stage of asthma has little or no effect on the patient.
2. The second degree (persistent development of the disease) is characterized by more frequent attacks accompanied by suffocation. In this case, symptomatic treatment is required.
3. Bronchial asthma of moderate severity, the degree of which is characterized by repeated daily attacks, disrupts sleep and the general condition of the patient. In addition, nocturnal attacks occur every week,

1. Symptoms of the most severe - the fourth degree force the patient to relieve attacks of suffocation several times a day and almost every night. It is important to consider that a patient whose medical history confirms a severe degree of atopic bronchial asthma, timely treatment is required, and this contributes to the fastest recovery.

The reasons for the development of the disease

Atopic bronchial asthma is a disease of the respiratory system with a particular allergic nature. The history of the development of the disease is characterized by hypersensitivity with an immediate type, which is combined with a genetic predisposition.

Severe development of asthma and a burdened history of the disease, when interacting with external manifestations, can reveal characteristic symptoms. For example, a patient with atopic bronchial asthma is able to instantly react to animal hair by severe suffocation. In addition to wool, irritation can be caused by:

• the presence of mold;
• pollen from flowering plants;
• dust of any kind (wood, construction, household, etc.);
• any aerosol products;
• feather fillers for mattress and pillows.

In addition, history shows that an unfavorable ecological status can provoke the disease. This is facilitated by atmospheric pollution by emissions from factory chimneys. It should be borne in mind that quite often the workers of these industries can constitute a key risk group, depending on the severity of the manifestations. Untimely treatment of asthma at an early stage of development can also contribute to this.

Symptoms of the disease

Atopic asthma has a specific course and its symptoms, as a rule, depend on the severity and on what asthmatic form is present in the patient.

The most common symptoms are:

• a mild course of bronchial asthma is accompanied by shortness of breath, which passes after the use of bronchodilators;
• hoarse breathing is usually observed;
• the course of the disease may be accompanied by an unproductive cough;
• sharply increasing rapid breathing;

• difficult exhalation;
• restless night sleep;
• frequent ARVI (atopic course lasts more than 2 weeks, non-atopic form - much less.).

The main difference between this type of disease is difficulty exhaling, not inhaling. Severe asthma is characterized by the symptoms causing more frequent attacks.

With an exacerbation of the middle stage, there may be a swelling of the lung. This flow is accompanied by a narrowing of the airway and the inability to exhale air. Therefore, in order to reduce the symptoms of the disease, the patient often takes a gentle posture, sitting with a slight bend forward and resting his hands on the knees. The patient exhales a minimum amount of air. After the end of the attack, clots of sputum accumulated in the bronchi are released.

The general course of bronchial asthma depends on the severity of the symptoms. A prolonged attack can provoke the development of status asthmaticus, in which there is a lack of oxygen and cyanosis.

The history of exacerbations in the disease varies in duration (from 5 minutes to 2-3 hours). Respiratory difficulties can occur during the interictal period of the disease. As a rule, specific treatment is prescribed.

Treatment activities

Atopic bronchial asthma involves the use of medications. The necessary treatment, the dose of drugs and the duration are determined by the attending physician based on the severity of the disease.

In addition, it is believed that the treatment of asthmatic disease should be adjusted every 3 months. If during the illness all the negative symptoms were neutralized, then the question of individual dosage and the appointment of another treatment is decided.

• The most important method with the participation of which the treatment is carried out is carrying out allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT). It is performed to determine the immunity to certain substances, as a result of which the inflammatory process develops. Such therapy is prescribed only by an allergist and is recommended to be carried out outside the degree of acute development. As a rule, it is recommended to do this in winter or autumn;

• treatment is carried out only in a comprehensive manner, combining elimination therapy, and if necessary, specific hyposensitization is performed;
• a non-specific desensitizing technique for getting rid of the disease depends on the severity of the process. With an exacerbation, anti-inflammatory drugs, bronchodilators (adrenomimetics, methylxanthines) and expectorants are prescribed;
• in an average degree of a fading process and subsequent remission, the use of specific hyposensitization is envisaged. For this, histaglobulins, Intal, a maintenance dose of bronchodilators (ephedrine), as well as immunocorrective drugs are used;
• a history of nutritional asthma, depending on the severity of symptoms, recommends the use of a hypoallergenic diet in the first place.

Allergic resistance of the body involves the implementation of physiotherapeutic measures, exercise therapy, hardening, etc. In addition, spa treatment has a good effect.

Prevention and possible complications

It is important to remember that preventive measures to combat atopic disease can only reduce the intensity of attacks, but cannot completely eliminate the disease.

1. The history of asthmatic manifestations indicates that smokers are most likely to develop this disease. Therefore, smoking (active and passive) should be abandoned.
2. It is recommended to change mattresses and pillows every 6 months.
3. It is necessary to use special covers that cover the upholstered furniture, which prevent the penetration of dust mites.
4. You should carry out daily wet cleaning of the room.
5. The course of asthma depends largely on eliminating the source of the mold.
6. It is necessary to refuse to keep pets where the patient is present.
7. It is recommended to engage in moderate physical activity, devote more time to walking, etc.

It should be borne in mind that this allergic form of the disease is often complicated by status asthmaticus, which threatens the patient's life. In addition, based on the severity of the symptoms, pulmonary emphysema may appear, as well as cardiac disorders, which leads to a person's disability.

In the event that asthma symptoms are rapidly increasing, emergency medical care is recommended, which depends on the severity of the condition. Timely prevention of bronchial asthma is important. Otherwise, various complications may appear.