According to WHO, more than two hundred million people in the world suffer from manifestations of bronchial asthma. The saddest thing is that this disease is diagnosed in every ninth child. The main reasons for the development of the disease and how not to miss its first symptoms will be discussed in this article.
Features of the development of bronchial asthma
The nature of bronchial asthma is nothing more than the natural (but overly pronounced) reaction of the human body to the penetration of alien microorganisms. From the moment they invade the airways in the bronchi, a large volume of mucus begins, the main function of which is the retention and expulsion of harmful agents.
First of all, they are trying to bring through the nose. When this is not enough, the secretion of mucus in the bronchi increases, resulting in disrupted air exchange. Appears cough – an effective form of protection against foreign microorganisms.
The organism remembers the method of exile, and at the slightest danger it triggers a familiar mechanism. This, in fact, is an attack of bronchial asthma, which is characterized by contraction and spasm of the respiratory tract, provoking an attack of suffocation – dangerous and terrible.
Allergic form of the disease
The reaction of the organism would be justified if all the foreign substances that receive such an answer were dangerous. But in the case of bronchial asthma, an alarm signal is triggered when confronted with substances neutral for more people – pollen of plants, particles of the epithelium of animals, mold spores. Isn’t it true that the symptoms of bronchial asthma resemble allergies? Indeed, it is the allergic form diseases is the most common. Such bronchial asthma is diagnosed in almost 90% of the sick children, and in the remaining 10% the hypersensitivity of the bronchi becomes a factor in the development of the disease. In this case, any infection provokes an increase in the secretion of bronchial cells with all the ensuing consequences.
Causes of bronchial asthma
The cause of the disease may be genetic predisposition. If it is diagnosed in at least one of the parents, in almost 30% of cases bronchial asthma symptoms also appear in the child. And if both parents are sick, the probability of developing the disease increases to almost 80%. However, the problem is not only in bad genetics. A few years ago, scientists at Boston University proved the link between the development of asthma and the harmful effects of the environment. Pollution of air, emissions from industrial enterprises, constant contact with household chemicals – all this has a negative effect on bronchial tissues, causing their hypersensitivity and provoking the development of a non-allergic form of the disease.
However, all these are only predisposing causes of development. For asthma to develop, you need a push. Currently, the most frequent provocateurs of the disease is considered to be dust mites that can settle even in a person’s bed – pillows, blankets and mattresses. These allergens can settle in clothes, upholstered furniture and carpets. However, pillows and blankets can cause symptoms of asthma without the help of ticks. It is known that fluff and feathers are also powerful allergens. In addition, an asthma attack can provoke saliva and particles of the skin of domestic animals, as well as colonies of mold, which grow well in rooms with high humidity. If bronchial asthma is more pronounced in spring and autumn, then it may be a reaction to the pollen of certain plants.
Bad habits and other disease provocateurs
Increase the risk of developing the disease and bad habits, in particular, passive smoking. Even the irregular communication of a child with people who smoke can cause a sharp reaction.
In addition, microorganisms that cause the development of bronchitis, viral and colds, as well as frequent stress, hypothermia, excessive physical and mental stress can be responsible for bronchial asthma. Why this happens, the medicine is not fully known. According to one theory, an increase in the production of certain hormones can cause bronchospasm in children who are predisposed to asthma. The same scheme of action is sometimes the case with some drugs, such as Aspirin. After taking it in the child’s body, special substances are produced that violate the normal functioning of the bronchi. The so-called aspirin asthma develops.
How not to miss the symptoms of bronchial asthma?
Bronchial asthma begins, as a rule, unnoticed. Its first sign may be atopic dermatitis, a runny nose, or frequent sneezing (especially after sleep). Later, there is a weak cough, which in most cases increases in the afternoon. After a while, the child is bothered by tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing. During sleep, breathing is whistling. Even later, a night cough begins, and then asthma attacks after physical exertion or contact with an allergen.
Treatment of bronchial asthma
If suspicious symptoms are found, the child will need advice from doctors such as an allergist, a therapist and a pulmonologist. And at-risk children will not be prevented by a visit to a nutritionist, an otolaryngologist and a physiotherapist.
Treatment of bronchial asthma is carried out with the use of drugs that control the inflammatory process in the airways and prevent bronchospasm. Treatment of bronchial asthma caused by contact with allergens can be carried out using the method of immunotherapy. Its essence lies in the introduction of minor doses of allergens into the child’s body, with the result that after some time it becomes addictive.
Sometimes, in mild cases, the phytotherapy method is used. However, it can be effective in combating asthma only in the case when a herbal preparation is prescribed by a doctor. In addition, they are allowed to drink only during remission.
Equally important for the treatment of asthma is climatotherapy, that is, a change in the climatic zone. The severity of symptoms decreases in the highlands, and not just at the sea.