Asthma is a chronic illness that affects the bronchial tubes, air passages in the shape of a tree that move the outside air to the lungs, and that affects around 5% of adults and 10% of all children in Spain.
This illness causes an inflammation and obstruction of the bronchi, impeding the correct arrival of air to the lungs. This inflammation can be caused by different factors, such as the exposure to environmental substances that cause the bronchi to narrow or to get irritated.
The amount of severe cases is furthermore increasing gradually, which has to do with bad follow-up after the treatment.
Types of asthma
There are two different types of asthma: non-allergic or intrinsic asthma and allergic or extrinsic asthma. Each type has its own triggers.
Allergic or extrinsic asthma
Allergic asthma is the most common type of asthma. It usually starts during childhood or adolescence.
Certain environmental allergens can activate allergic asthma. Common allergens include:
- pollen
- Animal dander
- mold spores
- foods like milk, eggs and certain types of nuts
- dust mites, cockroaches and cockroach feces
- Irritants in the air, such as tobacco smoke, exhaust gasses and chemicals.
- strongly sensed products such as perfumes
In most cases, an existing genetic predisposition, in combination to the substances that cause the inflammation of the bronchi, triggers asthma.
Non allergic or intrinsic asthma
Non-allergic asthma doesn’t require an allergen to trigger an attack. It tends to appear during adulthood and affects more women than men.
Experts believe that non- allergic asthma develops due to genetic and environmental factors. For instance, symptoms can appear when a person is exposed to:
- cold
- humidity
- effort
- stress
- exercise
- contamination
- irritants in the air, such as smoke
- respiratory infections like a cold, the flu or a sinus infection
What are the main symptoms of asthma?
This illness can have several complications that may affect the lives of those suffering from it. The most common symptoms are:
- Sleep alterations.
- Lung hyperinflation
- Work and school interruptions because of asthma attacks.
- Secondary effects of medicine intake related to the disease.
Any of the two types of asthma eventually creates a bronchospasm of the smooth bronchial muscle, which implies a narrowing of the bronchi (obstruction of the airways) which at the same time triggers the following symptoms:
- Wheezes (whistling sound when exhaling)
- Dry cough
- Chest tightness
- Lack of breath
- Sputum (fibrotic, thick)
- Dyspnoea
- Due to the difficult breathing, many patients feel uncomfortable or anxious
- Increased respiratory frequency (tachypnea)
How can we treat asthma?
Asthma cannot be cured, but it is possible to control the disease with certain therapeutic measures. This way, patients can have a good life quality notwithstanding their illness.
In general, patients take medicines continuously as a base treatment: bronchodilators, glucocorticoids and expectorants. In case of an acute asthma attack, the doctor will intravenously administer glucocorticoids.
Several scientific studies show that physiotherapy can improve the symptoms and reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.
Thanks to physiotherapy, you will be able to train your breathing, strengthen your body and improve your respiratory capacity in general. Treatments are based on learning breathing techniques, removing secretion, cough stimulation, drainage and postural gymnastics.
With Capenergy’s second generation tecar therapy device C500 Respiratory, you will achieve bronchial pulmonary dilation naturally, through the application of a safe and harmless treatment, that’s well tolerated by the patient.
The beneficial effects of radiofrequency are generated thanks to the changes in the calcium signaling, which is fundamental for smooth-muscle contraction. This reduces the pulmonary restriction that generates broncho-constriction.
Tecar therapy furthermore generates immune changes that liberate broncho-constrictive substances.
Would you like to know more about Capenergy tecar therapy and how it can help you treat asthma? Request a free demo.
