Asthma – when you run out of air

People of all ages can develop asthma, but it particularly affects children. Parents who hear this diagnosis from their child's doctor are often terrified. Fortunately, early detection of asthma can be effectively treated and its progression monitored to minimize symptoms and allow the patient to function normally. It's also reassuring to know that nearly half of children outgrow asthma. Among adults, approximately 5% of the population suffers from it.

The most common form of asthma in children is bronchial asthma. The first symptoms may appear during an upper respiratory tract infection. Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath may occur. Symptoms can be so severe that the patient requires immediate medical attention.

These symptoms result from narrowing of the airways and reduced airflow due to swelling of the bronchial walls, and the accumulation of thick mucus in the alveoli and bronchi, which can completely obstruct the bronchial canals.
The course of the disease alternates between attacks and periods of complete recovery. During its severity, the disease can be life-threatening.

Atopic and non-atopic asthma

Atopic asthma has an allergic origin. allergies are usually associated with exposure to pollen, in which case symptoms appear seasonally from early spring to late summer, or to dust mites, animal dander, chemicals, and mold spores, in which case symptoms occur year-round. Sufferers experience attacks of sneezing, coughing, profuse, watery runny nose, watery and burning eyes, and shortness of breath. If left untreated, allergies can lead to the development of bronchial asthma.

Fortunately, today it's possible to precisely determine the type of allergen and implement appropriate therapy. The basic screening method for allergy diagnosis is the well-known skin prick test. However, these tests can only be used in children over three years of age. A safe, non-invasive, and, above all, more accurate method is blood testing. These can even be performed on infants with suspected allergies.

Non-atopic asthma develops primarily as a result of frequent upper respiratory tract infections, including chronic or recurrent infections of the tonsils, sinuses, and urinary tract, as well as bacterial, viral, and fungal infections of the respiratory tract. The disease generally has a more severe course and is more difficult to treat. It can lead to structural changes in the lungs.

Regardless of the type of asthma, even during asymptomatic periods, the airways are inflamed. This inflammation can be described as persistent. The more severe the inflammation, the greater the bronchial hyperresponsiveness to various external stimuli (allergens, medications, cold air, even physical exertion or stress), resulting in more severe attacks.

Diagnosis and treatment of bronchial asthma

The basic test is spirometry, a functional respiratory test. It measures lung capacity and airflow in the bronchi and lungs. It should be performed in cases of shortness of breath, wheezing, chronic cough, or chronic airway inflammation.

The choice of asthma treatment depends on the severity of the disease and its type. Two groups of medications are typically used: those taken regularly to control the disease, and quick-acting medications for shortness of breath attacks. It's crucial for parents of a sick child to know how to avoid risk factors, take medications correctly, and when to seek medical attention. Children with severe bronchial asthma or multi-organ allergies require ongoing specialist care and treatment monitoring.