Bronchial asthma (from the Greek astma – heavy breathing, suffocation) is a respiratory disease known since ancient times. Descriptions of asthma and its symptoms are found in the medical works of many ancient authors, such as Hippocrates. The classic description of bronchial asthma as a chronic disease was given by the renowned Russian scientist G.I. Sokolsky over 100 years ago.
Asthma affects people of all ages, but recently it has become increasingly common in children. Asthma is a chronic disease that can significantly disrupt vital functions, lead to disability, and, through complications, which can be very severe, even to premature death. The disease can manifest itself as isolated, episodic attacks or have a severe course that can lead to death.
Despite the rapid advancement of medical science and the emergence of new medications, asthma morbidity and mortality continue to rise. This trend is widespread in most developed countries. Undoubtedly, this is driven by both widespread environmental pollution and weakened immunity, particularly in children, which is observed in many countries and has become a national problem in Russia.
The level of development of modern medicine allows us to confidently diagnose and treat bronchial asthma using medications and physiotherapy procedures.
Modern medicine defines asthma as a chronic, persistent inflammation of the respiratory tract, primarily the bronchi, which occurs with the participation of a number of inflammatory cells.
The inflammatory nature of asthma is associated with the influence of specific and nonspecific factors, manifesting as inflammation of the bronchial mucosa, leading to narrowing of the bronchial lumen (causing bronchial obstruction). Increased sensitivity (hyperreactivity) of the bronchi plays a special role in this process. Due to this, external factors trigger bronchial spasms and swelling of the mucosa, leading to the formation of mucus plugs and subsequent changes in the bronchial wall. The inflammatory process causes attacks of the disease, which are reliably diagnosed and manifest as coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and difficulty breathing, chest heaviness and pain, especially at night or early in the morning. Attacks are classified as mild, moderate, severe, or life-threatening.
In most cases, bronchial asthma is an allergic disease characterized by shortness of breath caused by bronchospasm and swelling of the bronchial mucosa. This obstruction of the bronchial patency leads to characteristic difficulty inhaling, prolonged exhalation, and dry wheezing.
Atopy, an innate, hereditary tendency to allergic reactions, is believed to be the primary predisposing factor for asthma. We are constantly surrounded by allergens, which are risk factors (triggers) for the development and progression of asthma. These include house dust, various types of dust mites and insects, animal dander and waste products (especially long-haired animals kept indoors), plant pollen and the volatile emissions of phytoncidal plants, mold, and so on. Passive and active smoking is an active risk factor, especially for children. The development of asthma can be facilitated by a respiratory viral infection and an insufficient or poorly balanced diet. Other triggers include increased physical activity (running, climbing mountains or stairs, and various physical exercises), smoke from burning wood, rubber, and various chemicals, household aerosols, excessive emotional stress, sudden changes in weather, temperature, and humidity, food additives, and medications.
For someone with asthma, exposure to a single trigger or multiple triggers can be significant. Modern medicine, through specialized laboratory tests, can identify these triggers for each individual. Knowing their triggers allows sufferers to minimize or eliminate exposure to them, significantly reducing the risk of asthma attacks.
Modern medicine can not only treat but also predict the predisposition to the development and progression of asthma. It turns out that people predisposed to asthma exhibit alterations in chromosomes 4, 5, 6, and 11, which are responsible for bronchial hyperreactivity, or the bronchial response to contact with an allergen.
It's worth noting that asthma has a diverse origin. In modern medicine, it is usually classified as:
– allergic;
– non-allergic;
– mixed;
– unspecified, when the cause of the disease is not identified.
If you consult a doctor in a timely manner and strictly follow his instructions, effective treatment of bronchial asthma is possible, which will be discussed in the next article .