Bronchial respiratory diseases
Bronchial respiratory diseases affect the bronchi and their walls. The bronchi are airways that carry air to the lungs.
In adults, the most common bronchial diseases are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the small airways (bronchi). It causes tightening of the bronchial muscles, swelling, and mucus production. This leads to narrowing of the airways. Asthma is often associated with allergies.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
COPD is a chronic respiratory disease most often caused by smoking. It includes:
- Damage to the bronchi, leading to inflammation (different from asthma), excess mucus production, and tightening of the muscles around the airways. This results in a progressive obstruction of the airways and reduced breathing capacity.
- Damage to the lung tissue (parenchyma), leading to destruction of the alveoli.
Symptoms
There are several bronchial diseases, so symptoms can vary:
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic cough
- Wheezing in the chest
- Frequent bronchitis
Asthma treatment
Asthma treatment is prescribed by a doctor.
Elia Médical delivers the necessary equipment to patients’ homes to support treatment and provides ongoing assistance at any time.
COPD treatment
COPD management includes smoking cessation, vaccinations, physical activity advice, dietary guidance, and bronchodilators.
In some cases, COPD can lead to chronic respiratory failure requiring oxygen therapy (when there is low oxygen in the blood) or non-invasive ventilation (when there is an increased level of carbon dioxide in the blood).
Oxygen therapy
Oxygen therapy involves enriching the air you breathe with pure oxygen to improve the level of oxygen in the blood.
Non-invasive ventilation
Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) supports the patient’s breathing using a small device that delivers airflow. It helps renew the air in the lungs and reduce carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
Your medical follow-up
Choosing the treatment
Your doctor makes a diagnosis of a bronchial respiratory disease and prescribes the most suitable treatment for your condition.
They ensure that you are following the treatment correctly and may schedule regular follow-up visits to monitor its effectiveness and progress.
Elia Médical support
Elia Médical technicians deliver the equipment needed for your treatment. They are available to answer your questions and provide support.
They also maintain your equipment and assist you if you experience any issues.
