Is oxygen inhalation useful for bronchial asthma?

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on February 09, 2025
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Administering appropriate oxygen therapy can have certain benefits for patients with bronchial asthma.

The onset of bronchial asthma is mainly due to the edema of the bronchial mucosa and the constriction of the smooth muscles outside the bronchi leading to the narrowing of the lumen. This makes it difficult for gases to pass normally through the airway into the alveoli. Patients may experience symptoms such as coughing, chest congestion, breathlessness, or wheezing, which are primarily due to the pathophysiology of bronchial asthma.

Of course, providing patients with appropriate oxygen therapy during an asthma attack can be beneficial, temporarily solving the problem of hypoxia. However, it is important to understand that asthma patients are not primarily suffering from a lack of oxygen but from ventilation dysfunction, which leads to the inability to expel carbon dioxide, the waste gas, from the body. Therefore, the fundamental treatment should focus on improving airway spasms and narrowing to enhance ventilation.

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Can people with bronchial asthma eat persimmons?

Patients with bronchial asthma can generally eat persimmons, as bronchial asthma is not a contraindication to eating persimmons. However, it should also be noted that some patients with bronchial asthma may have a highly sensitive constitution and may be allergic to various foods and fruits. For instance, in rare cases, some patients with bronchial asthma may be allergic to persimmons, and eating them can lead to rashes, itchy skin, or even worsen symptoms such as chest tightness. If a patient with bronchial asthma has a confirmed allergy to persimmons, then they should avoid eating them. Additionally, patients with bronchial asthma need to be observant of their condition when eating certain foods, including persimmons. It is important to observe whether the patient develops rashes, itchy skin, chest tightness, or other related symptoms. If such symptoms occur, it suggests an allergic reaction to persimmons, and the patient should stop eating them.

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The cause of airflow limitation in bronchial asthma.

Bronchial asthma airflow limitation is a respiratory physiological feature of our bronchial asthma, and its limitation is mainly related to the pathophysiological mechanism of asthma. Asthma is a chronic airway inflammation involving multiple cells caused by various reasons. When inflammation occurs, the mucosa will become edematous, and the smooth muscle outside the airway will also spasm and contract. Therefore, the airflow cannot smoothly enter and exit the bronchi, leading to the manifestation of airflow limitation in the bronchi. Thus, in the treatment of asthma, we need to use some bronchodilator drugs, as well as some anti-inflammatory drugs, so as to comprehensively control the patient's symptoms.

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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.

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How to check for bronchial asthma?

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease. Patients primarily exhibit symptoms of episodic wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which usually can be relieved with or without medication. Typically, during an attack, there is wheezing and audible stridor. A diagnosis can usually be made based on symptoms and medical history, as well as physical examination. However, for atypical patients, further tests may be necessary. Generally, the main tests for asthma patients are pulmonary function tests, which include provocation tests and relaxation tests, as well as the 24-hour peak expiratory flow variability. These tests are helpful for the definitive diagnosis of bronchial asthma.

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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.