What position should be adopted for bronchial asthma?

Written by Zeng Xiang Bo
Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Updated on January 24, 2025
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The postures of patients with bronchial asthma vary depending on the severity and extent of the attack. For patients with mild symptoms, they can assume any posture they prefer without any impact; they can sleep however they wish. However, during severe asthma attacks, patients are forced to adopt a semi-sitting or upright sitting position to breathe. This isn't a choice, but a necessity when the disease reaches a severe stage, where such positions might slightly ease breathing. Many asthmatic patients cannot lie down at all during serious attacks, as lying down would intensify their chest tightness and breathing difficulties.

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Can bronchial asthma cure itself?

Bronchial asthma generally cannot heal on its own. Bronchial asthma is a chronic, recurrent disease, which is usually incurable. Even with standard treatment, a complete cure is often unachievable. However, during an acute attack of bronchial asthma, spontaneous remission is possible. Some mild acute attacks of bronchial asthma may simply require removing the allergen and hazardous factors, which can lead to spontaneous alleviation of the asthma symptoms. For bronchial asthma, long-term standard treatment is usually required, such as the inhalation of corticosteroids and the use of bronchodilators. Additionally, it is important to avoid allergens and prevent respiratory infections.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
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Is bronchial asthma curable?

Bronchial asthma is treatable, although so far we have not found a cure for bronchial asthma, bronchial asthma can be well controlled in most patients if treated in a standard way at regular hospitals, preventing recurrent asthma attacks. However, if the treatment of bronchial asthma is unstandardized, or if one relies on folk remedies or traditional secret recipes and does not receive standardized treatment at a regular hospital, it may lead to recurrent asthma attacks and extremely poor prognosis.

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Written by Han Shun Li
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What medicine is used for bronchial asthma?

Bronchial asthma, although common, currently has no specific treatment. The primary aim of medication is to control symptoms. There are two main types of medications used to treat asthma: one type is known as bronchodilators, commonly including receptor agonists, anticholinergics, and theophylline. The other type is anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly including corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, sodium cromoglycate, nedocromil sodium, and ketotifen. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor, according to specific circumstances.)

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Written by Hao Ze Rui
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Symptoms of bronchial asthma

The most common symptoms of bronchial asthma are episodic difficulty in breathing, which can also manifest as episodic chest tightness and coughing. During an asthma attack, there will be accompanying wheezing sounds. If the patient is more severe, they may be forced to sit up to breathe during episodes of breathing difficulties, exhibiting orthopneic breathing. Some patients may experience a dry cough or cough up a large amount of white foamy sputum. In severe cases, symptoms of hypoxia such as cyanosis of the lips and nail discoloration can occur. Asthma attacks are generally acute, with symptoms appearing within minutes, but they can also begin more slowly, worsening over several hours or days. Asthma generally relieves itself, or even after relieving, it may recur, typically worsening during the night.

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Can people with bronchial asthma eat crab?

Patients with bronchial asthma are not absolutely prohibited from eating crabs, but they should be cautious when doing so. Those with bronchial asthma might be allergic to certain foods, potentially triggering an acute asthma attack, or even severe asthma due to food allergies, which could be life-threatening. Seafood is one of the most common triggers for such allergies. Therefore, it is generally advised for patients with bronchial asthma to avoid seafood. Additionally, foods like fish, shrimp, and crabs can also cause allergies. Thus, patients with bronchial asthma need to be cautious when eating crabs, especially if they have never eaten them before. If they do eat crabs, it should be tried in small amounts. If symptoms such as rash, itchy skin, coughing or chest tightness occur during the consumption of crabs, they should immediately stop eating and, if necessary, appropriate medication should be administered.