What position should be taken for bronchial asthma?

Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
Updated on January 09, 2025
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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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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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Can people with bronchial asthma eat oranges?

People with bronchial asthma can eat oranges, as oranges contain a rich amount of vitamins which can help with some inflammations and have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. This can alleviate some symptoms of bronchial asthma and play a role in adjunctive therapy. However, patients with bronchial asthma need to follow the guidance of a doctor, take the corresponding anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications, and use medications to stabilize asthma. They should also rest adequately and avoid excessive fatigue. Furthermore, they can engage in moderate, soothing aerobic exercises and avoid excessive physical activity to prevent worsening their condition. It is also recommended to avoid staying up late to ensure sufficient sleep and improve resistance, helping the disease to recover more quickly.

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Written by Xia Bao Jun
Pulmonology
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Consequences of worsening bronchial asthma

The consequences of exacerbated bronchial asthma can cause the patient to feel short of breath even at rest, exhibit orthopnea, and be able to speak only in single words or syllables. The patient may experience anxiety or irritability, sometimes accompanied by profuse sweating, and an increased respiratory rate which, if severe, can exceed 30 breaths per minute. There may also be activity of the respiratory muscles and signs of tracheal tugging, an increased heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute, which in severe cases can surpass 120 beats. Additionally, there is a decrease in blood oxygen saturation, which can drop below 60%.

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Written by Zeng Xiang Bo
Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
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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.)

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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Is oxygen inhalation useful for bronchial asthma?

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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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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How to treat bronchial asthma?

After the onset of bronchial asthma, it is necessary to carry out active treatment. In clinical practice, the following categories of bronchodilator drugs are mainly used: The first is adrenergic receptor agonists, such as salbutamol and terbutaline; the second is anticholinergic drugs, mainly tiotropium bromide; the third category is xanthine drugs, which can include aminophylline or doxophylline. Additionally, glucocorticoids can be used for pharmacological treatment. If the patient still has recurrent attacks after systemic treatment, hospitalization is recommended for further management.