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Bronchial asthma
What position should be adopted for bronchial asthma?
The postures of patients with bronchial asthma vary depending on the severity and extent of the attack. For patients with mild symptoms, they can assume any posture they prefer without any impact; they can sleep however they wish. However, during severe asthma attacks, patients are forced to adopt a semi-sitting or upright sitting position to breathe. This isn't a choice, but a necessity when the disease reaches a severe stage, where such positions might slightly ease breathing. Many asthmatic patients cannot lie down at all during serious attacks, as lying down would intensify their chest tightness and breathing difficulties.
Symptoms of bronchial asthma cough
Bronchial asthma, commonly referred to as asthma, often results in symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing in patients. However, these symptoms do not always appear simultaneously in an individual. It's possible for a single symptom to serve as the initial manifestation of bronchial asthma. For example, the condition may present solely as wheezing, chest tightness, or, notably, as coughing, where it is the only symptom. The characteristics of asthma-related coughing primarily include a certain rhythmic pattern, typically worsening during early morning or late night, and it can easily lead to coughing up blood. Additionally, the coughing may begin and end abruptly and can be triggered by exposure to cold air or strange smells, followed by spontaneous improvement after a period. These are distinctive features of bronchial asthma coughing.
Symptoms of bronchial asthma cough
Bronchial asthma can also manifest as a disease primarily characterized by coughing, which we call cough-variant asthma. It does not necessarily exhibit typical symptoms of bronchial asthma such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness; it manifests solely as coughing. This type of cough generally occurs more frequently in the early morning and at night, characterized primarily by a dry cough without mucus. If the coughing is severe, some chest tightness may occur, accompanied by symptoms such as an itchy nose, itchy throat, or the presence of hives, an allergic condition, which is different from ordinary coughs. Therefore, when these characteristics are present, attention should be paid to whether it is combined with bronchial asthma, rather than just a simple cold or bronchitis manifestation.
Bronchial Asthma Massage Method
In clinical situations of acute exacerbations of bronchial asthma, or even normally, we can alleviate clinical symptoms through certain massage techniques. These methods mainly involve massaging specific acupoints to relieve asthma attacks and reduce their frequency. We can massage points along the lung meridian, such as Chize, Taiyuan, and Kongzui. Additionally, we can massage an extra-meridian acupoint called Dingchuan, as well as Lung Shu, Zhongfu, Tiantu, and Danzhong. Beyond these basic points, we also need to select acupoints based on the patient's condition. For example, if the patient's bronchial asthma is caused by exposure to cold wind, we can massage Fengmen. If the patient has excessive heat phlegm causing asthma, we can add Quze and Taibai to clear heat and transform phlegm.
How to check for bronchial asthma?
If there is a suspicion of having bronchial asthma, a series of tests will be carried out at the hospital, mainly including: First, complete blood count, especially focusing on whether there is an increase in eosinophils, to determine the presence of eosinophilic allergic inflammation. Second, imaging of the lungs, including chest X-ray or CT to determine whether there are any specific lesions in the lungs. Third, pulmonary ventilation function and bronchodilation tests, or bronchial provocation tests. Pulmonary function is a gold standard for diagnosing bronchial asthma, often indicating the presence of obstructive ventilation dysfunction. A positive bronchodilation test or provocation test can help in confirming bronchial asthma.
What position should be taken for bronchial asthma?
The choice of lying position for bronchial asthma depends on the specific condition of the disease. During the remission phase of asthma, a free lying position is suitable. If it is a mild attack phase, a flat lying position can be taken. If symptoms such as chest tightness become prominent during an attack, a semi-sitting position is advisable. For asthma patients experiencing significant chest tightness and breathing difficulties during an attack, or if they are in a persistent state of asthma, then a sitting position is often required. Patients may experience severe sweating, be unable to speak, and even suffer from hypoxia during such times, which can be extremely distressing.
Can people with bronchial asthma eat mutton?
Patients with bronchial asthma can eat mutton if they are not allergic to it; however, they cannot eat mutton if they are allergic to it. Since patients with bronchial asthma show obvious allergic symptoms to certain foods or medications, such as some being allergic to eggs, shrimp, and other high-protein foods, it is important to monitor reactions to specific foods regularly. Foods that cause allergic reactions should be avoided to prevent acute episodes.
Bronchial asthma X-ray manifestations
Bronchial asthma is primarily caused by inflammation in the airways due to various inflammatory cells, leading to the narrowing and spasm of the bronchi. This impedes the effective expulsion of gases from the lungs through the bronchi, resulting in a disease characterized by symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. In patients with bronchial asthma, because of a large amount of gas remaining in the lungs, X-ray manifestations primarily include sparse lung markings, increased translucency, as well as some signs of widened intercostal spaces and lowered diaphragm. Generally, these signs are not specific and cannot be solely relied upon to diagnose or exclude bronchial asthma. It is also necessary to consider the patient's medical history and lung function tests for a comprehensive assessment.
How to use diet to supplement for bronchial asthma
Generally speaking, for bronchial asthma, especially milder cases or those with rare occurrences and short duration, there is no need to deliberately seek dietary supplements. Moreover, since bronchial asthma is a type of allergic disease, caution should be taken with dietary supplements to ensure there are no allergies to certain foods or herbal remedies. For chronic, recurrent asthma, traditional Chinese medicine often attributes it to kidney deficiency or a deficiency in both the lung and kidney qi, where the organs fail to properly grasp the qi. In such cases, dietary supplements that originate from both food and medicine can be helpful. Examples include cordyceps duck soup, walnut kernels, cordyceps, and mulberry seeds. These substances can support kidney function and help manage asthma to some extent. (Note: The use of these substances should be guided by a professional doctor.)
What department to see for bronchial asthma?
Bronchial asthma is a relatively common disease in clinical practice, and its causes are not very clear at present. It is generally believed to be related to genetic and environmental factors. Bronchial asthma often manifests as episodic wheezing, chest tightness, cough, and other symptoms. After developing bronchial asthma, one should visit the respiratory medicine department at a hospital. After the consultation, doctors will use asthma medication to control the symptoms and develop a suitable treatment plan to effectively control the symptoms and improve the quality of life.