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Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammation of the lungs in which the person has difficulty breathing, shortness of breath and feeling of pressure or tightness in the chest, being more frequent in people who have a history of asthma in the family, had recurrent respiratory infections during childhood or who have many allergies.
Asthma has no cure, however the symptoms can be controlled and alleviated with the use of medications that must be indicated by the pulmonologist or immunoallergologist according to the symptoms presented and the severity of the disease. Asthma is not contagious, that is, it is not spread from person to person, however children of people with asthma are more likely to develop asthma at any stage of life.
Asthma symptoms
Asthma symptoms usually appear suddenly or after the person is exposed to some environmental factor that causes changes in the respiratory tract, either by an allergy to dust or pollen, or as a result of the practice of intense physical exercise, for example. Symptoms that are usually indicative of asthma are:
- Shortness of breathe;
- Difficulty filling the lungs;
- Cough especially at night;
- Feeling of pressure in the chest;
- Wheezing or characteristic noise when breathing.
In the case of babies, the asthma attack can be identified by other symptoms such as purple fingers and lips, faster breathing than normal, excessive tiredness, constant coughing and difficulty eating.
When the baby has these symptoms, parents can place their ears against the baby's chest or back to check for any noise, which may be similar to the breathing of cats, and then inform the pediatrician so that diagnosis and treatment can be made. appropriate is indicated. Learn how to recognize baby's asthma symptoms.
What to do in the crisis
When the person is in an asthma attack, it is recommended that the SOS medication, prescribed by the doctor, be used as soon as possible and that the person is seated with the body slightly tilted forward. When symptoms do not subside, it is recommended that you call an ambulance or go to the nearest hospital.
During an asthma attack, you must act quickly because it can be fatal. See in more detail what to do in an asthma attack.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of asthma is made by the doctor by observing the symptoms and can be confirmed by pulmonary auscultation and by carrying out complementary exams, such as spirometry and broncho-provocation tests, where the doctor tries to trigger an asthma attack and offers the asthma remedy, to check if the symptoms disappear after use.
Learn more about tests to diagnose asthma.
How the treatment is done
The treatment of asthma is done for life and consists of using inhaled remedies and avoiding contact with agents that can trigger an asthma attack, such as contact with animals, carpets, curtains, dust, very humid and moldy places , for example.
The asthma medicine should be used, in the dose recommended by the doctor and whenever necessary. It is common for the doctor to prescribe a medication to relieve inflammation in the respiratory tract and that should be used daily, as well as another one for emergency situations, such as during crises. Better understand how asthma treatment is done and how to control symptoms.
Regular physical exercise is also indicated for the treatment and control of asthma because it improves the individual's cardiac and respiratory capacity. Swimming is a good exercise for asthma because it strengthens the respiratory muscles, however, all sports are indicated and, therefore, asthmatics can choose the one they like best.
Also, see how food can help relieve asthma symptoms: