Bronchial Asthma and Allergy

Bronchial Asthma and Allergy

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lower airways characterized by bronchial hyperresponsiveness and reversible airway obstruction. Allergic (atopic) asthma is the most common form of the disease.

Causes and Triggers

The main allergens that trigger asthma:

• house dust mites;
• tree, grass and weed pollen;
• epidermal allergens from pets (cats, dogs);
• molds;
• occupational allergens (for example, latex, flour and certain chemicals).

Symptoms of Bronchial Asthma

The main symptoms of bronchial asthma are:

• episodes of difficulty breathing;
• wheezing;
• shortness of breath;
• coughing fits, especially at night or early in the morning;
• chest tightness.

Diagnosing Bronchial Asthma

Symptoms may occur intermittently and worsen after contact with allergens or other triggers. Diagnosis of bronchial asthma includes:

• spirometry: pulmonary function testing with a bronchodilator test;
• peak flow measurement: monitoring of peak expiratory flow;
• measurement of total and specific IgE levels in the blood;
• skin prick tests with allergens;
• measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) as a marker of eosinophilic inflammation.

Treatment and Control

Treatment of bronchial asthma follows a stepwise approach: inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators and leukotriene receptor antagonists. For asthma of allergic origin, AIT is effective. Biologic therapy (omalizumab, mepolizumab) is prescribed for severe forms.

KombiMED supplies spirometers, allergy diagnostics systems and pulmonary function testing equipment from leading European manufacturers.