How is differential diagnosis of bronchial asthma?

Differential diagnosis of bronchial asthma is now carried out using the most modern equipment. Bronchial asthma is a disease that is very common worldwide, and it affects both adults and children. On average, the Earth from 2% to 18% of people have some form of this disease.

Three stages of development of bronchial asthma

The first stage is similar in all characteristics to the usual asthma attack but taking drugs to alleviate the reverse effect: ceases to stand out phlegm, dyspnea becomes stronger. Such attacks can last from several tens of minutes to 12-15 hours.

The second stage manifests itself as an exacerbation of all symptoms, typical for the first stage. Bronchial channel clogged with excessive secretion of mucus, which by its consistency much denser than usual and therefore cannot be deleted itself. Due to the small clearance and the lack of air the lower part of the lungs not filled with air.

The doctor will easily detect such while listening to your breathing, you will have "silent light", which are absent breath sounds in the lower part. In addition, in the body there are other changes due to a lack of oxygen. First to change is the oxygen of the blood, which leads to the fact that human skin is a bluish tint, and the behavior becomes oppressed, the reaction slows.

Last, the third stage is rather a continuation or delaying the treatment of the second stage. At this stage, due to the lack of oxygen in the body for a long time, the brain begins to starve, the Central nervous system is inhibited, and all this leads to a coma, and eventually death.

As you can see, asthma is a very serious disease that must be identified and start treatment as early as possible. It should be remembered that the symptoms of this disease can resemble many characteristics of other diseases. Not to worry in vain, you need to consult a specialist who will guide the differential diagnosis.

Bronchial asthma in the early stages is often confused with mild colds, chronic bronchitis, or diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

The main symptoms of bronchitis

• suffocation;
• shortness of breath;
• cough;
• a feeling of tightness in the chest;
• occasional wheezing;
• inflammation of the respiratoryways.

In case of such symptoms you need to go to the hospital, as the disease can quickly progress, even death from suffocation. Bronchial asthma develops in waves and has a number of serious complications:

• status asthmaticus;
• pulmonary heart;
• spontaneous pneumothorax;
• emphysema.

Consider asthma status in more detail. Status asthmaticus is the most dangerous syndrome, which often leads to respiratory failure. It is a quite extended in time an asthma attack, which closes the air passage partially or completely, depending on the stage. But the most dangerous thing with this syndrome is that it can reduce or stop any medications until he does not start to take place.

Patients in the last stage of this disease is often inserted in the throat of artificial ventilation.

The main symptoms of cardiac asthma

Most often necessary to differentiate asthma from cardiac asthma pathological, because most of the symptoms they have are similar.

The attacks of cardiac asthma are more typical for elderly people who have chronic disorders of the heart or blood vessels. Now, however, is the process of “rejuvenation” of diseases: those diseases that were previously found in people aged 60-80 years, is now increasingly diagnosed in patients 40 years and younger.

Symptoms of this disease:

• with an increase in blood pressure, as well as after physical exertion;
• after psychological stress;
• with overeating;
• on the background of alcoholism.

Signs of this disease is:

1. Blueing of the lips, tip of nose, fingers.
2. The sputum, which may be mixed with blood.
3. Heart expanded.
4. Crackles in the lungs.
5. Swelling of the extremities.
6. An enlarged liver.

If you have these symptoms, the doctor will consider them in the differential diagnosis for determination of bronchial and cardiac asthma.

Signs of other diseases similar to bronchial asthma

Following the illness exclude with this diagnosis and which has similar signs of lung tumor.

Lung tumor is accompanied by:

• choking;
• strong fits of coughing that are caused by the body to cough up the tumor;
• the cough is of a continuing nature;
• wheezing when breathing.

This tumor may identify the doctor by listening to the lungs or x-raying themthe x-ray.

Also the differential diagnosis of bronchial asthma should exclude tracheobronchial dyskinesia.

Signs of this disease:

1. Coughing or choking, following physical exercise or prolonged laughter.
2. Positive tests for allergens.
3. Significantly less wheezing.
4. Sagging of the posterior wall of the trachea and bronchi.

Hence, bronchial asthma is a serious pathology, which develops rapidly, in waves, has a very serious complications that can lead to death.

This disease can affect anyone and for a long time can proceed without any special signs.

Differential diagnosis of bronchial asthma is the primary method for diagnosis, which includes x-ray, CT, listening to the lungs, as blood and bronchial mucus.

This method is used in connection with the fact that bronchial asthma is similar to other diseases symptoms: dyspnea, prolonged cough, feeling of chest tightness. Therefore, without going through the proper diagnosis can be treated for the wrong disease and it can aggravate the patient's condition or lead to relapse.

You need to remember the main rule: you should not self-treat using alternative therapies, be sure to trust the professionals. They, having taken cognizance of the complaint and the results of the analyses, reviewing medical records and analyzing the lifestyle of the patient, make a diagnosis, prescribe treatment, give advice regarding restrictions in food products to avoid allergic reactions, and in terms of physical and emotional stress. Take care of yourself and be healthy!