Bronchial asthma is a disease characterized by increased irritability of the bronchi to various stimuli, which predisposes a crisis of paroxysmal narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm).
The crisis may resolve spontaneously or after appropriate therapy.
The asthma attack shows a ‘sudden shortness of breath, especially exhaling, coughing and wheezing, which can last from several minutes to hours.
The abundant expectoration of thick mucus in the terminal stages of the attack gives a sensitive respiratory relief.
Bronchial asthma is generally divided into allergic bronchial asthma (or atopic or extrinsic)
The allergic bronchial asthma typically occurs in childhood, is often associated with other allergic diseases (rhinitis, eczema, and urticaria), and is correlated with a positive allergy test. The allergic bronchial asthma has a typical seasonal pattern in the case of allergens associated with flowering (pollen) in the case of allergens such as house dust (mites), hair or feathers of animals, the onset of the crisis is due to contact with sensitizing agents and may have a perennial nature.
It is important that prevention can be achieved primarily with the removal of the risk factor (environmental clean dust-proof, with removal of carpet and with the choice of bedding material that does not allow the proliferation of mites; removal of cats, dogs, hamsters and other animals responsible for allergies), with medication as a preventive or desensitization to the allergen-specific procedures, to be implemented at specialized centers.
* People with asthma often use non-conventional remedies.
The most commonly used methods are acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, breathing and relaxation techniques (yoga, for example), spinal manipulation, and reflexology. People who undergo these treatments often report some improvement in symptoms, or say they still satisfied with the relationship established with the therapist.
Despite the prevalence of these practices, however, few studies have been conducted to assess their effectiveness in people with asthma.