It happens more often in winter, and many people mistake it for a cold? Most people don’t know...

Bronchial asthma (asthma) is a common chronic respiratory disease. In recent years, its prevalence has been increasing year by year worldwide. The prevalence of asthma in adults in Asia is 0.7%~11.9%. The prevalence of asthma in people aged 20 and above in China is 4.2%, and there should be 45.7 million asthma patients over the age of 20. Winter is the season for cough and asthma. Many people mistakenly think that it is a cold or a minor illness , and do not go to the hospital for systematic examination and treatment. In the end, the condition worsens and lingers.

What is asthma?

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways involving multiple cells and cell components. After exposure to allergens, cold air, physical and chemical stimulation, viral upper respiratory tract infection, exercise, etc., symptoms such as recurrent wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or cough may occur. It often occurs and worsens at night or in the early morning. Most patients can relieve themselves or after treatment . If the disease is not treated in time, it may cause irreversible airway narrowing and airway remodeling as the disease progresses.

Clinically, there is also atypical asthma with no wheezing symptoms or wheezing. Patients only show recurrent coughing, chest tightness or other respiratory symptoms.

What are the causes of bronchial asthma?

1. Genetic factors:

Asthma is related to polygenic inheritance . The prevalence of asthma in relatives of asthma patients is higher than the prevalence in the population, and the closer the relationship, the higher the prevalence.

2. Allergens:

Indoor and outdoor allergens: Dust mites, fungi, etc. are among the allergens present in indoor air, especially in dark, damp and poorly ventilated places. Pollen is the most common outdoor allergen that causes asthma attacks.

Occupational allergens: Common allergens include grain powder, flour, wood, feed, tea, coffee beans, silkworms, pigeons, mushrooms, antibiotics (penicillin, cephalosporin), rosin, reactive dyes and other chemical preparations. Drugs: Aspirin, propranolol, betaloc and some non-corticoid anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium, etc.) are the main allergens of drug-induced asthma.

3. Predisposing factors

Common triggering factors include air pollution, smoking, respiratory tract infection, pregnancy, strenuous exercise, climate change, inhalation of cold air, etc. In addition, mental and psychological factors can also trigger asthma.

What to do if you suspect you have asthma

If you experience recurring symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or coughing, or even hear sounds like a rooster crowing, a whistle, or bellows in your throat, you should go to a regular hospital immediately. While asking questions and listening to the stethoscope, the doctor will also perform chest X-rays, lung function tests, and other tests for diagnosis.

Is there any treatment for bronchial asthma?

1. Western medicine treatment : Commonly used drugs for asthma treatment include: β₂ receptor agonists, inhaled glucocorticoids, anticholinergic drugs, leukotriene receptor antagonists, etc. These drugs require doctors to determine whether the patient is in the acute attack stage, chronic persistent stage, or clinical control stage to select drugs in a graded manner. Most drugs need to be used for a long time, and patients should follow the doctor's advice and not add, subtract, or stop using them at will.

2. Treatment with Chinese medicine: Oral Chinese patent medicine or Chinese herbal decoction treatment, but the doctor needs to prescribe the treatment according to the specific dialectical classification. Do not take Chinese medicine on your own. If you take medicine that does not match your own dialectical classification, it may be counterproductive.

3. Acupuncture treatment.

4. Chinese medicine acupoint plaster treatment: The well-known "Sanfu Plaster" and "Sanjiu Plaster" belong to Chinese medicine acupoint plaster treatment, which can significantly reduce the number of asthma attacks, alleviate airway hyperreactivity, and enhance the body's resistance to disease. It is an economical and efficient treatment method with reduced side effects.

How should asthma patients take care of themselves in winter?

1. When exercising outdoors, choose a sunny day, avoid foggy, rainy or cloudy weather. Morning exercises should not be done too early, but one hour after the sun rises. Keep warm. You can do jogging, swimming, Tai Chi and other exercises, but avoid strenuous exercise.

2. Try to avoid contact with irritating substances such as dust, pollen, mites, perfume, and fumes, and ventilate your home frequently.

3. Eat less onion, ginger, garlic, chili, and foods that are too sour or sweet. Do not eat too cold foods in winter. Pay attention to balanced nutrition and try to quit smoking and drinking.

4. Consult a doctor when taking sleeping pills, psychiatric drugs, arrhythmia drugs, painkillers, etc.

5. You can massage and stimulate the Zusanli, Dazhui, Dingchuan and other acupoints and the muscles on both sides of the spine every day. Do not use too much force, and stop when you feel a slight warmth or slight redness on the skin.

Expert of this issue: Zhang Jinke, Tianjin Public Security Hospital

Source: Healthy Tianjin

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