Shortness of breath, a debilitating cough, a pressing feeling in the chest are symptoms that, according to statistics, appear in 10% of the population nowadays. What is this: a common malaise or signs of an onset of an asthma attack? How dangerous is this condition in reality and can it be ignored?
What is asthma
Asthma is a serious chronic disease that causes spasm of the bronchi and swelling of their mucous membranes. With inadequate treatment, asthma attacks can lead to death. The insidiousness of this disease is that many asthmatics, especially in the early stages of the disease, do not take such symptoms as shortness of breath, prolonged cough and treat them as a usual malaise.
Past negative experiences of many patients show that this is fraught with very serious consequences. Therefore, it is important to diagnose the disease in time and study the algorithm of actions during seizures.
Symptoms of seizures
Regardless of the severity of the disease, the following manifestations are characteristic of all patients. Before the attack begins:
– nasal congestion;
– discomfort in the nasopharynx;
– feeling of tightness in the chest;
– discharge from the nose of a large amount of mucus;
– excruciating dry cough.
The following symptoms are characteristic of the attack:
– A strong cough that does not bring relief.
– Shortness of breath. Inhalation is free, exhalation is difficult.
– Breathing becomes whistling and noisy.
– The skin can acquire a bluish tint.
– The patient is sweating, trying to take a sitting position.
– The pulse is quickening.
Can seizures go away on their own
At the initial stage, with a mild course of bronchial asthma, attacks can pass by themselves. However, it is very dangerous to let the disease drift. Without appropriate treatment and prophylaxis, asthma attacks will begin to appear more often and become more difficult.
If an attack does occur, you must:
1. Eliminate contact with allergens.
The provoking factors include: dust, animal hair, tobacco smoke, emotional stress, etc.
2. Open a window or window, providing access to fresh air.
3. Relax tightening clothes.
4. Take a drug that has a bronchospasmolytic effect. For this purpose, usually use “Berodual”, “Berotek”, “Salbutamol”. They are administered using an aerosol inhaler or nebulizer. In the absence of these funds, you can take 1 tablet of aminophylline.
Preparations related to beta-blockers are strictly contraindicated – anaprilin, metoprolol, betaxolol, etc. They increase bronchospasm.
5. If the condition does not improve within 40 minutes, you must call an ambulance. It is very dangerous to expect that the attack will go away by itself, and at the same time not to take any action, as this can be a serious threat to the patient’s life.
Despite all the insidiousness of the disease, bronchial asthma with the right attitude to it, timely treatment and lifestyle correction allows you to live a long and fulfilling life.