Bronchial Asthma

Bronchial Asthma is a clinical syndrome characterized by episodic reversible airway obstruction, increased bronchial reactivity and airway inflammation.

The common symptoms are:

Asthma can be divided into:

Extrinsic Asthma – occurs most frequently in atopic individuals who show positive skin tests to inhalant allergens. Positive skin tests to inhalant allergen are shown in 90% of children with asthma; where as, only 50% of adults show this phenomenon. Eczema is often seen in childhood.

Intrinsic Asthma – often starts in middle age. However this classification is of little value in clinical practice. Non – atopic individuals may develop asthma in middle age from extrinsic causes such as sensitization to occupational agents or aspirin intolerance.

Sex – in children, boys have been sown to be at greater risk for asthma than girls. In children, younger than fourteen years, the prevalence is twice as high in boys compared to girls.

Age – disease onset can occur in persons of any age, but children often present when younger than six years. Many children out grow asthma, especially boys who have no personal or family history of atopy.

Causes of asthma- Triggers of asthma

Lab studies

Management

1. Control of extrinsic factors : Measures must be taken to avoid causative allergens such as the house-dust mite,pets,moulds and certain food stuff.Pollen avoidance is impossible ,however contact may be diminished by wearing sunglasses. Avoiding walks in the countryside particularly in the late afternoon when the number of pollen grains is highest at ground level.Keeping the bedroom window shut at night also helps. Avoidance of the house-dust mite is now possible with effective and comfortable covers for bedding and changes to living acccomodation.Active and passive smoking should be avoided .

2. Drug Treatment :The mainstay of asthma therapy is the use of therapeutic agents delivered as aerosols or powders directly into the lungs. Following drugs are used in the management:

Management of acute, severe asthma

The Canadian medical center offers both acute and chronic management of asthma.All investigations including spirometry and skin allergic tests are done by specialized medical staff. Senior pulmonologist has clinic twice a week in the center to see the special cases .All the important medication including inhalaers are available in the pharmacy of the center.