Pulmo Sleep Center Eliksir

Asthma is a chronic disease, an inflammatory condition, and process where the tubes and air sacs in the lungs narrow, swell, and produce excess mucus. Asthma manifests through episodic attacks of breathlessness, wheezing in the chest, which occur before, with, or immediately after coughing.

For some people, asthma may be a minor inconvenience, while for others it is a significant barrier to performing even the most basic daily tasks.

It is important to know that asthma symptoms can be successfully controlled, even if someone, for example, was born with it. It is necessary to work on finding the right trigger and then the appropriate therapy.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Asthma in children and elderly people has the most pronounced symptoms. Therefore, it is crucial to pay special attention to home care for affected individuals, as well as preventive work with families to reduce or at least eliminate potential situations where allergens dominate.

Asthma symptoms vary from person to person, but the most dominant one is related to difficult breathing, trouble getting air, and chest pain (especially during intense physical activities, such as training). Some of the most common symptoms are:

• Shallow breaths with inability to deepen them;
• Chest tightness or pain;
• Insomnia due to coughing, sneezing;
• Characteristic wheezing in the lungs during exhalation (especially common in asthma in children);
• Difficulty tolerating colds/flu – coughing and “wheezing” worsen;

Main risk factors for asthma development include sensitivity of the respiratory organs to certain allergens or substances from the external environment, such as: household dust, mites, pollen from various weeds, pollen from other plants, mold, tobacco smoke, pet dander, and feathers.

How is asthma diagnosed and what are the types of asthma?

When coughing becomes frequent and is accompanied by breathlessness and wheezing in the chest, it often indicates that we are dealing with a condition such as bronchial asthma. During the conversation with the patient, special attention is given to when the illness began.

Sometimes asthma symptoms appear in early childhood, so some people have a genetic predisposition for the development of bronchial asthma, while others are frequently exposed to infections.

After the conversation, a stethoscope examination is performed, an X-ray of the lungs is made, and spirometric testing is conducted to define the degree of narrowing of the airways. Often (in cases where an asthmatic attack or symptom is not pronounced), allergy tests are also conducted to assess whether hospitalization is needed.

Types of asthma – not all asthma is the same

When there is reasonable suspicion of the presence of bronchial asthma, and other findings are more or less normal, specific tests are conducted, i.e. peak flow measurement and bronchodilator tests. This helps to determine which type of asthma is present:

• Allergic asthma
• Infectious asthma (non-allergic)
• Aspirin asthma
• Occupational asthma (due to physical activity)

The difference between asthma and bronchitis

Asthma is a disease characterized by coughing attacks and difficult, audible breathing (“wheezing, creaking, whistling”) that pass spontaneously or after the use of appropriate airway dilators.

Asthma (bronchial asthma) belongs to the group known as chronic lung diseases, in which the basis is the tendency of bronchi and alveoli (lung air sacs) to react excessively to various stimuli (usually allergies (allergic asthma is the most common), fatigue, cold air, aspirin, etc.). They react by producing excess mucus and becoming obstructed or narrowed.

Bronchitis is not the same as lung obstruction

Although there are chronic and acute conditions that involve inflammation of the bronchi, bronchitis as a health condition does not necessarily cause a state of lung obstruction – with characteristic wheezing in the chest.

How to avoid an asthma attack? Prevention is half the battle

Since asthma is a condition that in most cases is not completely curable, the only way to keep the disease symptoms "under control" is to avoid situations that do not favor your health.

Besides avoiding allergens (staying outdoors during pollen season, avoiding prolonged stays in animal-infested areas, regular ventilation and dusting), quitting smoking is also advised, regular vaccination against the flu, timely therapy (taking antihistamines) against upper and lower respiratory infections, and of course, using inhalers for long-term disease control.

What to do in case of an asthma attack?

If an asthmatic attack occurs, asthmatics usually first use inhalations, specifically bronchodilators. Inhalations, depending on the severity and duration of the attack, are repeated every five minutes.

If there is no improvement, urgent medical attention is necessary, as it is not always possible to predict the further course of the disease. In the most extreme cases, bronchial asthma can lead to loss of consciousness and sudden worsening of the disease, so it is essential to seek medical help as soon as possible.

Additionally, there are some breathing exercises used to calm the breathing itself, so in addition to taking asthma medications that open the airways, it is also recommended to conserve energy and try to overcome panic attacks.

Conscious breathing helps control diaphragm movement. It is recommended to breathe with the stomach, with the body slightly leaning forward (or in a position that suits you best – a sitting position is also good).

Breathing exercises and muscle strengthening for easier handling of attacks

Breathing exercises and muscle strengthening are very important and an integral part of the life of every asthmatic, whether it is prevention or treatment of bronchial asthma.

Situations are particularly dangerous when injuries lead to worsening of the health condition and injuries to the airways that require frequent and thorough assistance from specially trained professionals – who train patients on how to perform exercises even at home if they cannot visit the clinic.

When someone guides you on how to better control panic attacks during an attack, which side to turn, lean, or which exercises to do to strengthen the chest and back muscles – it is much easier to achieve, sometimes the most important, sense of security and the feeling that someone is there to help you catch your breath.

Basic step – focus on the right breath ratio

In all phases and types of breathing (diaphragmatic, chest, or mixed) the length of inhalation and exhalation must be 2:1 – i.e. Exhalation should be twice as long as inhalation. Air is inhaled through the nose – to warm and clean it, and exhaled through partially open or pursed lips.

Asthmatics and sports – for or against?

One of the regular questions that asthmatics ask is – can I play sports? People with well-regulated asthma, that is, those who regularly use prescribed therapy and inhalers, can live normally and can participate in practically all sports.

Moreover, regular exercise is extremely beneficial for the overall health of an asthmatic, as long as the intensity of the exercises does not lead to an asthmatic attack.

In fact, it is very important to choose the right sport. For asthmatics, it is preferable to focus on sports that require sustained activity rather than short, intensive bursts of effort.

These include swimming, jogging, walking, and all other activities that do not involve sudden changes in effort and intensity.

Cycling is also good because it is a sport where you can adjust the effort to your personal condition.

Additionally, people with asthma should avoid practicing sports in the cold, as this can exacerbate symptoms.

Finally, consultation with a physician before starting any sport is essential. The physician can provide guidance on how to manage asthma symptoms during physical activity and ensure that the chosen sport is appropriate for the individual’s condition.