How to cure respiratory diseases

First of all, it can be clearly stated that most acute respiratory tract infections can be completely cured, while chronic respiratory diseases (including asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, etc.) currently have no globally recognized cure. The existing treatment goals are mainly long-term control, reducing the risk of attacks, and maintaining normal quality of life.

For example, the 32-year-old programmer who was admitted to our community hospital last month suffered from bacterial pneumonia after staying up for two nights in the rain. His fever reached 39 degrees Celsius, and his chest hurt when he coughed. He took antibiotics and phlegm-reducing drugs for 10 days according to the course of treatment. Later, the chest X-ray showed that the inflammation was completely absorbed, and not even a shadow was left. He usually runs and climbs stairs without being affected at all. This is a real cure. This is also true for ordinary acute tonsillitis and acute bronchitis. As long as you follow the doctor's instructions and standardize the treatment, and don't stop or reduce the medication casually, there will basically be no sequelae.

But if you suffer from chronic respiratory diseases, the situation is different. Many old patients always say that "asthma and chronic bronchitis can't be cut off at the root." This is really not what the doctor is perfunctory about. The airways of these patients have often been irreversibly damaged, just like scars left after the skin is scratched. Even if it is not painful or itchy at ordinary times, it will still become red and itchy when touching irritating things, and it is impossible to completely return to the uninjured state. Of course, there have been many new research breakthroughs in recent years, such as targeted biologics for moderate to severe allergic asthma. Clinical data show that with continuous and standardized use for more than 2 years, nearly 30% of patients can gradually reduce or even stop taking the medication. After 3 to 5 years of follow-up, there are no acute attacks and some breathing problems. Medical experts believe that this state is close to a "functional radical cure", but some experts hold a conservative attitude and believe that as long as the patient's airway hyperresponsiveness is still there, there is still the possibility of an attack when encountering extreme triggers such as severe infection and large exposure to allergens, and it is not considered a radical cure in the strict sense.

But don’t look for folk remedies just because you can’t “completely eradicate” it. Last year, 62-year-old Chen was referred by the respiratory department and had suffered from COPD for 8 years. He heard from relatives in the countryside that there was an “ancestral medicinal powder” that could cure COPD. Within half a year of taking it, not only did his breathing get worse, but he also developed gastric ulcers. The gain outweighed the gain.

In fact, even if there is no cure, as long as it is managed properly, it is possible to live like a normal person. I met a 40-year-old asthmatic patient when I was providing medical support for a marathon event. He had been suffering from the disease since he was a child. He had an asthma attack in the spring. Later, he followed the doctor's advice and used inhaled corticosteroids regularly. He actively avoided triggers such as pollen and second-hand smoke. Now he participates in a half-marathon every year. His lung function test is no different from that of a healthy person. To put it bluntly, rather than trying to figure out whether it can be cured, smoking cessation, staying away from allergens, staying warm during the seasons, and taking medication according to the doctor's instructions are the most effective way to protect the respiratory tract.