Asthma itself is not curable in most cases, but with advanced forms of treatment it is possible to limit the disease significantly. With the right treatment, almost 100% of performance is possible. In your consultation with one of our Avi Medical doctors, you will receive an individual consultation and together we can quickly find a remedy with the appropriate treatment, especially for asthma.
Throughout your asthma treatment, our doctorsare your constant companions and always there for you.
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs with recurrent attacks of breathlessness, coughing, wheezing or chest tightness. Sometimes it feels like the air is literally "staying away". The cause of asthma development is a combination of hereditary predisposition and environmental influences. We further distinguish between two forms of asthma: allergic and non-allergic asthma.
In asthma, the lower airways (bronchi) are in a state of constant inflammation and defence, which is additionally intensified by certain influences. The result is violent reactions to actually harmless stimuli, i.e. an asthma attack. This results in a spasmodic constriction of the bronchial tubes, the mucous membranes swell and in some cases produce excessive amounts of mucus.
Symptoms vary in frequency and severity depending on the severity of the disease. The symptoms can show seasonal variability depending on the cause of the asthma disease. Symptoms often occur at night and in the early hours of the morning.
Symptoms of asthma may include:
In principle, there are many different causes that can lead to asthma. Generally, a distinction is made between allergic and non-allergic asthma , but mixed forms can also occur. Genetic inheritance of allergies and asthma plays a major role, but occupational or environmental triggers are also involved in the development of asthma. For each form, there are different triggers that need to be identified in detail. We will be happy to advise you on this so that you can specifically avoid these stimuli.
Asthma is a combination of two components: the permanent inflammation of the bronchial tubes and an external influence that triggers the inflammation.
Allergic asthma is triggered by allergenic substances in the environment (e.g. pollen and animal hair). Genetic heredity (60-80% heritability) plays a major role, especially in allergies such as hay fever or to house dust. It often occurs from the second year of life onwards in combination with dermatitis, enteritis or rhinitis. Children are therefore more frequently affected by allergic asthma than adults.
The most common triggers are inhalant allergens, i.e. those that are inhaled with the air and thus reach the mucous membranes. If such an allergy is left untreated, it can lead to a so-called stage change, in which, for example, simple hay fever becomes allergic asthma.
Non-allergic asthma usually begins in adulthood and is triggered by non-specific stimuli. Possible triggers are viral or bacterial infections (infection-associated asthma) or various irritants such as smoke, air pollutants or cold air. Heavy laughter or psychological stress can also lead to asthma attacks.
Mixed forms of the two types of asthma are often present, so that juvenile allergic asthma changes into non-allergic asthma in adulthood.
Especially in recent decades, the number of people affected has risen sharply. One of the reasons for this is increasing hygiene. Since most diseases and pathogens are contained, the immune system is underchallenged. This leads to substances that are actually harmless being overestimated and then fought by the immune system. This leads to an allergic reaction which can also turn into asthma.
Together with your Avi Medical doctor, we can specifically determine the cause and thus the appropriate therapy for you.
Asthma itself is not curable in most cases, but with advanced forms of treatment it is possible to limit the disease significantly. With the right treatment, almost 100% functional capacity is possible.
The treatment of asthma is divided into non-drug and drug therapy and can complement each other well.
The goal of non-drug therapy is to control the disease and achieve freedom from symptoms through good patient education. Patients learn how to avoid allergens or other triggers through irritant shielding and what else can help prevent asthma attacks. Also part of the non-drug treatment are respiratory therapy, physiotherapy and, above all, regular endurance sports, which help to sensitise asthma. One form of treatment for allergic asthma is hyposensitisation, where the patient is given allergens at regular intervals over a period of time, with the aim of getting the body used to the allergens and no longer triggering an immune response.
Various inhaled forms (inhaler) are available for the treatment of asthma in drug therapy , whereby the active substances reach the site of action, the lower respiratory tract, more specifically and in higher concentration. Depending on the severity of the disease, there are basic and demand therapies, also called relievers and controllers.
Reliever is a spray that is only used for seizure-like symptoms. It is therefore mainly used as an emergency therapy for acute use and rapid relief of symptoms. Relievers are often administered via inhalers or sprays so that the active ingredient can act directly on the affected area - the lungs. This quickly relaxes the bronchial muscles and dilates the constricted bronchial tubes.
Controllers are used for permanent therapy for prophylaxis. Inhaled anti-inflammatory corticosteroids (cortisone) reduce the chronic inflammation of the airways in asthma or dilate the bronchi for several hours. For controllers to work properly, regular use of the medication is very important.
The goal of your asthma therapy at Avi Medical is:
It is our goal to make you the "manager" of your own disease, so that work, everyday life and leisure can continue to bring you carefree joy!
Arrange your asthma consultation at one of our Avi Medical GP practices or by video and together we will find the right therapy.
