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Atopic asthma (allergic asthma) is the most common type of asthma. Shortness of breath, coughing, difficulty breathing - many of us know these symptoms. How to deal with them? Is there a way to cure atopic asthma completely?

Atopic asthmais otherwiseallergic asthmaorallergic bronchial asthma . Its main symptom is bronchial hyperreactivity (bronchospasm) as a defense reaction to contact with an allergen. It should be distinguished from non-atopic asthma.

This, in turn, can be caused by frequent bacterial and viral infections, but also e.g. aspirin (aspirin-induced asthma) or exercise.

However, as many as 80% of asthma in children and 50% in adults are allergic. The disease begins in the early years, and while it is not difficult to diagnose by itself, it may take a long time to find the causative agent.

For the first 5-6 years of life, a toddler should be carefully monitored and at some point, based on both symptoms - a child catches infections much more often than he althy peers - and a response to treatment, the doctor will be able to make a diagnosis.

What are the symptoms of atopic asthma?

Basic symptoms include:

  • wheezing cough
  • night cough
  • cough that appears periodically or, for example, at certain times of the year
  • coughing after exercise
  • prolonged cough after infection
  • shortness of breath that disappears only after taking the drug
  • feeling of tightness in the chest

In addition, allergic asthma is often accompanied by additional symptoms, such as:

  • allergic rhinitis
  • conjunctivitis
  • atopic dermatitis (AD)

An attack of atopic asthma can also occur as a result of strong emotions. At times of stress, the airways narrow, which leads to breathing difficulties or even brain hypoxia. It manifests itself as a bruise around the mouth and nose, and can even lead to loss of consciousness.

Atopic asthma: causes and research

In order to determine the type of allergy that affects a given patient, blood or skin allergy tests (much more reliable) are performed.

The skin test consists of putting drops of allergens on the forearms and two substances that check whether the patient's skin reacts properly. They are the so-called negative control, i.e. solvent for allergens, and positive control, i.e. histamine.

Then, slightly scratch the droplets (e.g. with a needle) and wait several minutes for the reaction to occur (or not).

One bubble always has to be formed - where there is histamine. The correct result of the negative control is no blister. Subsequent blisters or redness will indicate a reaction to a specific allergen.

The most popular allergens that can lead to the development of atopic asthma are:

  • house dust mite
  • molds and fungi
  • plant pollen
  • animal hair
  • food
  • chemicals
  • tobacco smoke

Additionally, a blood test should be performed. Patients with an allergic form of bronchial asthma have specific IgE antibodies against inhalation allergens.

Normal blood count is also helpful here. Attention should be paid to the level of eosinophils. Their increased percentage (by 5-7%) may also indicate an allergy (or a parasitic disease).

To make a diagnosis, a spirometry test is performed to measure the degree of bronchial constriction and to check the amount of air taken in and out.

Another important test is PEF, or peak expiratory flow, which is the maximum airflow velocity that we can achieve during exhalation.

It is worth adding that atopic asthma is very often genetically determined. If one of the parents has it, the child has a 30% risk of developing the disease. If both - the risk rises to 80%.

Thus, atopic asthma is dependent on both genes and the child's environment.

In addition, being overweight and obese increase the likelihood of developing atopic asthma.

Worth knowing

Women with allergies, expecting a child, should take care of their offspring's he alth already during pregnancy. They should avoid allergens, tobacco smoke (of course, smoking in front of a newborn baby - not only those at risk of asthma!), Allergenic foods.

The condition of a child is positively influenced by exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life. Then, you should carefully introduce new foods into the diet, carefully observing the toddler's reactions, preferably without interrupting the natural feeding until - ideally - 18 months of age.

How to treat atopic asthma?

Treatment of atopic asthma is symptomatic treatment.

Liesmainly on recognizing the allergen and avoiding contact with it.

During an attack of cough and shortness of breath, the patient is given medications prescribed by the doctor:

  • corticosteroids
  • antihistamines
  • anti-inflammatory drugs

which inhibit allergic reactions.

It is very important for the patient to remain calm as emotions aggravate the symptoms.

Asthmatics will also be helped by opening the window (access to fresh air) and freeing the neck area.

Atopic asthma: specific immunotherapy

Untreated or poorly treated atopic asthma can lead to emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis (this is shown by spirometric tests).

Chronic pulmonary heart syndrome may also develop, consisting of an overgrowth of the muscle of the right ventricle, manifested, in the initial stage, with faster fatigue, shortness of breath, and coughing.

Patients who are extremely resistant to symptomatic treatment and experience strong reactions have another treatment option at their disposal - specific immunotherapy, i.e. desensitization.

This is a therapy which consists in giving an allergic person gradually increasing and then maintenance doses of a vaccine containing an allergen or several allergens in order to induce tolerance.

The efficacy of these vaccines varies, however, with some patients unresponsive, others significantly reducing allergy symptoms. Moreover, the vaccine does not last the same for everyone who is ill.

Vaccination must be performed under strict medical supervision, because it carries a high risk of adverse reactions, and even exacerbation of allergies.

However, according to the WHO, specific immunotherapy is the only known form of treatment that can alter the natural course of an allergic disease and cure it.

Prevention of atopic asthma

Atopic asthma is a disease that most people affected by it must learn to live with. Full recovery from asthma is rare. However, you can master it to such an extent that it does not hinder everyday life. How to do it?

  • avoid contact with the allergen
  • prevent the development of inflammation in the respiratory tract (eliminate them in the ovule)
  • avoid contact with dust, moisture, smoke, mist
  • do not let the apartment get wet
  • exclude allergenic and "suspicious" foods from the diet, avoid irritating chemicals, quit smoking
  • remove potted flowers from the apartment, e.g. they smell strongly and may cause allergic reactions or breathlessness
  • keep the house clean, vacuum ita vacuum cleaner with a water filter, ventilate the rooms
  • lead a regular lifestyle, avoid stressful situations, get enough sleep
  • take care of your physical condition through daily walks, gymnastics, etc.

Completely controlled asthma is said to be:

  • no symptoms or less than twice a week, and there has been no flare-up in the last year
  • symptoms do not limit physical activity, e.g. they do not occur during light sports
  • no night awakenings due to cough
  • it is enough to administer short-acting drugs less than twice a week, the so-called B2-mimetics, which, incl. stimulate bronchodilation

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Category:

Allergies