Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of lungs characterized by obstruction of the airways and causes wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness of the chest, and coughing. In severe cases of asthma, airway obstruction worsens and people experience persistent respiratory problems, limited physical activity, and asthma attacks (exacerbations). Severe asthma is responsible for a significant number of hospital admissions. It has previously been reported that overweight and obese people are more likely to develop asthma and have an exacerbation of asthma. Obesity and asthma have become increasingly common in recent years. They often impose a significant burden on the National Health Service. Asthma is more difficult to treat in obese people than people with normal body mass index (BMI) and is associated with resistance to traditional asthma treatments and increases use of health care resources.
Weight loss can help to improve asthma in the obese patients. The amount of weight loss that can be achieved through diet strategies is often only slightly successful in this group. But obesity surgery is increasingly being used to achieve significant weight loss in morbid obesity. Our studies show significant progress that obesity surgery can have on asthma symptoms and drug use in obese patients with very difficult asthma control. Obesity surgery reduces the severity of medications needed to control patients’ asthma symptoms. Obesity surgery improved small airway function, reduced systemic inflammation, and the number of mast cells in the airways. These effects may explain improved asthma control, quality of life, and lung function. Therefore, obesity surgery, in addition to other positive effects, also improves asthma in people with obesity. Continuous improvements in asthma control and small peripheral airway function were observed in patients with asthma 8 years after obesity surgery. Studies emphasize the importance of weight loss with obesity surgery in the treatment of obesity-related asthma. The research team concluded that the risk of severe exacerbation of asthma and subsequent medical visits or hospitalization of obese patients after obesity surgery was reduced by half. Findings show for the first time that significant weight loss can improve asthma symptoms.
The prevalence of asthma is increasing worldwide, but mortality is declining due to improved medical care. Although the incidence of severe intraoperative bronchospasm is relatively low in patients undergoing anesthesia, it can be life-threatening if it does occur. The keys to have an uncomplicated preoperative period are paying close attention to detail in the preoperative evaluation, and maintaining an anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator regimen in the preoperative period. Potential triggers should be identified and avoided. Many commonly used anesthetics have positive effects on airway contractions. However, acute bronchospasm can still occur, especially during induction of anesthesia, and must be managed promptly and appropriately.
Is asthma contraindicated for general anesthesia?
Patients with asthma who require general anesthesia and tracheal intubation are at higher risk for developing bronchospasm during anesthesia. Most asymptomatic people with asthma can safely perform general anesthesia with or without endotracheal intubation. Gaseous anesthetics are recommended for general anesthesia techniques.
What type of anesthetic is not recommended for patients with asthma?
All anesthetics that are in the form of gas – sevoflurane, isoflurane, desflurane, have direct bronchodilator properties. However, at higher concentrations, desflurane increases bronchial smooth muscle tone and airway resistance, and should be avoided in patients with asthma.
What medications are recommended for induction of anesthesia for patients with asthma?
Propofol and ketamine inhibit bronchoconstriction and reduce the risk of bronchospasm during anesthesia. Propofol dilates the central airway and is more reliable than atomidate or thiopental. Halothane, influran and isoflurane are potent bronchodilators and can be helpful even in asthma.
Do Muscle Relaxers Help Asthma?
Other long-term control drugs include long-term inhaled beta agonists. These drugs are bronchodilators or muscle relaxants and are not anti-inflammatory drugs. They are used to control moderate to severe asthma and prevent night symptoms.
How can the lungs be strengthened before surgery?
Deep breathing.
Breathe through your nose as much as possible.
Hold your breath for 5 to 10 seconds.
Let your breath out through your mouth slowly and completely.
Relax as you breathe with your lips pressed (like blowing out a candle) and then repeat these steps 10 times.
To help with a cough:
Keep a pillow on your stomach.
Take a slow, deep breath.
Breathe through your mouth and feel your chest sink in and out.
Take the second breath in the same way. Take a third breath. Repeat this exercise two more times.
What medications should be avoided in asthma?
Medications can trigger asthma. Aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or (Advil and naproxen Aleve) or (Naprosyn) beta-blockers that are commonly used for heart disease, hypertension and migraine.
Which vitamins are good for asthma?
Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may be beneficial for people with asthma. It has been suggested that vitamin C may reduce oxidative stress on respiratory tract tissues, which in turn may reduce their hypersensitivity to common asthma stimuli.
Does fat affect asthma?
Adipose tissue produces inflammatory substances that may affect the lungs, and a number of studies have shown that these substances affect asthma. What we do know is that obese patients often take more medication, have worse symptoms, and are less able to control their asthma than other patients in the healthy weight range. Patients with asthma with decreased lung function or people who develop asthma later in life, have a worse prognosis. A European study found that asthma in healthy populations, like the effects of smoking, shortened life expectancy by up to 3 years. Trust science and improve your quality of life based on the results of studies and research and the proven positive effect of bariatric surgery.