Asthma touches the very symbol of life: breathing. This is the daily life that more than 4 million individuals in France and 339 million around the world. An increasing figure, due to the degradation of air quality and increased allergens. This chronic disease alters the quality of life and can even be fatal when it is poorly taken care of.
However, treatments exist. And they work. “new therapeutics offer a double action: a punctual use during the crisis and another long -term for limit inflammation of bronchi “Explains Dr. Maxime Hosotte, allergist at Polyclinique Elsan de Gentilly, in Île-de-France. An essential concept that is important to recall on this World day, Tuesday, May 6.
This respiratory disease is caused by inflammation of the bronchi. It manifests itself by crises caused by discomfort in effortshortness of breath, sometimes accompanied by cough and whistling expiration.
The diagnosis is partly carried out on the symptomatology. “There are symptoms that do not deceive. A large part of the criteria is assessed during the interrogation. However, this must be confirmed by an additional functional examination: the ‘Respiratory functional exploration (EFR) ”, specifies the allergist. “This examination shows that the flow rate of the lungs is reduced and if there is reversibility with the treatment,” he adds.
For several years, there has been an increase in the number of asthmatic people. “It’s a multifactorial disease,” says the specialist. The main cause: air pollution. “Fine particles have aggravating effects by accentuating the irritation of the bronchial mucous membranes. THE Seasonal factorslike pollens, also complicate the situation and increase the number of crises in people at risk, “he explains.
However, more sneaky pollution worries professionals: mold inside accommodation. “She has a direct impact. It secretes toxins that are irritating to the airways. Some people develop allergies, which can cause asthma attacks, ”alerts Dr. Maxime Hosotte. Situations amplified by bad habits, such as plug the ventilation grids of the windows. “” Interior environment adviserssent to the homes of people by regional health agencies, sometimes make catastrophic diagnoses. »»
-Efficient market treatments
Although this pathology is chronic, it has benefited for ten years from effective treatments. The first: the treatment of the crisis, the bronchodilator, a inhaleur better known as Ventoline. “This is associated with a background treatmentin the long term, based on corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation of the bronchi, ”explains the doctor.
However, a large part of asthmatics do not take their treatment properly or use it inadequately. “The main obstacle to its use is The tenacious fear of cortisone in the population. However, it is an inhaled form which does not pass into the blood, therefore which does not expose the same side effects as in the event of oral treatment, ”reassures the specialist.
Biotherapies for severe asthma attacks
Poor observance of the disease by patients can lead to severe asthma. “” It is essential that patients know their pathology In order to guarantee, as much as possible, a correct quality of life, ”says the allergist.
Although severe asthma concerns only a minority of people, research has looked into biotherapies. This treatment consists of Monoclonal antibody injections which target precise molecules of asthmatic inflammation. “The arrival, in recent years, of these treatments is revolutionizing this care and reduces the risk of hospitalization in resuscitation. Subject to strict criteria, this new therapeutic approach brings extremely positive results, ”says Dr. Hosotte.
Patient advice
The treatments are essential, but they will be ineffective without a Limitation of exposure to risk factors. Professionals advise not to smoke, to put anti-ACARIAN covers, to favor slats and to remove the carpet. “Regarding the ventilation of housing, the recommendations are 10 to 30 minutes, twice a day, and especially in winter,” warns the specialist doctor.
Regarding indoor plants, some, more toxic, such as the Ficus, are to be banned. They present a very allergic risk. But the idea is not all to part with it. “You just have to do Be careful that plants do not increase humidity too much of the room. And this is good news for mental health.
