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Treatment of bronchial asthma and prevention of attacks.

Therapeutic treatment of bronchial asthma has two directions: basic and symptomatic.

According to these directions, a complex of drugs is selected based on the severity of the course of the disease. The dosage of drugs is calculated by the doctor individually for each case. The doctor must learn how to combine drugs in such a way as not to overload the patient's body with unnecessarily high doses, but to increase the doses and frequency of drug intake gradually, always controlling the advisability of increasing the dosages.

At the first stages of treatment, it is necessary to identify potential sources of allergy and stop the patient's contact with them. This is especially true of situations when a person suffering from bronchial asthma works in hazardous work in a dusty atmosphere, or an atmosphere saturated with vapors of harmful substances. It makes no sense to carry out treatment in a situation where the allergen is constantly present in the patient's life.

Next, symptomatic therapy is carried out. It is based on drugs, the action of which is aimed at stopping attacks of coughing and choking. They are designed to alleviate the condition of a person suffering from bronchial asthma by expanding the lumens of the bronchi and improving their patency. These drugs are called bronchodilators. There are three types of bronchodilators:

β- adrenergic agonists - long-acting bronchodilators, used to prevent the development of seizures (Formoterol and its synonyms; Salmeterol and its synonyms)
β2-adrenergic agonists - short-acting bronchodilators, help to relieve asthma attacks and take effect after a few minutes (Fenoterol and its synonyms; Salbutamol and its synonyms; Terbutaline)
Xanthines - a group of bronchodilators, they are used in case of immunity or ineffectiveness with β - or β2-adrenergic agonists (Euphyllin - short-acting; Theophylline - prolonged action)
Combined pharmaceuticals containing both a bronchodilator and a basic therapy drug are drugs in the form of inhalers (Symbicort, Seretide)
Drugs that promote better sputum discharge (Ambroxol, Gedelix, Ambrohexal, Lazolvan, Halixol)

Basic therapy drugs, as a rule, are prescribed for life, are taken regardless of the patient's health and are aimed at preventing exacerbations and improving the quality of life of a person suffering from bronchial asthma.

These include:

Cromones - Intal, Tayled (both drugs have their own advantages, disadvantages and contraindications)
Inhaled glucocorticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of inhalers, tablets, injections, but inhalers are better, which have fewer side effects that cause systemic disorders in the body (Budesonide; drugs with the active substance - beclomethasone dipropionate; Flixotide; Ingacort; Prednisolone or Methylphenol)
Leukotriene receptor antagonists - compete with inhaled corticosteroids and are often used as a fallback (tablet forms: zafirlukast (Akolat); montelukast (Singul))
Anticholinergic drugs have a slowly developing effect, are rarely used due to many side effects (the safest is the inhaled drug ipratropium bromide)

A very effective remedy for bronchial asthma is the intake of drugs in the form of inhalation. For these purposes, nebulizers are used, devices that convert drug solutions into aerosols. For nebulizers, only those solutions are used that are recommended for these purposes, since not all substances tend to act through the mucous membranes.

Sanatorium - spa treatment for bronchial asthma is not shown to everyone. A contraindication to it is a severe form of hormone-dependent bronchial asthma.

Speleotherapy and halotherapy are considered popular within the framework of spa therapy . During speleotherapy, that is, walking through specially selected caves, patients are in a microclimate that has a healing effect on their condition. Halotherapy immerses the patient in an artificially created microclimate similar to that of a cave. These procedures are believed to ease the course of bronchial asthma.

In addition, patients with bronchial asthma are advised to choose sanatoriums and other recreational areas located in coniferous forests and on the Black Sea coast, since the air formed by phytoncides (or sea air) has a beneficial effect on the condition of patients with asthma, improves the quality of breathing.