Clinicofunctional efficiency of a course interval normobaric hypoxytherapyin patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis and bronchial asthma

Aim. To study short- and long-term clinicofunctional effects of primary and secondary courses of interval normobaric hypoxia (INH) in patients wit chr onic obstructive bronchitis (COB) and bronchial asthma (BA). Materials and methods. The study group of 45 COB and BA patients were expos ed to INH. The control group of 20 COB and BA patients received conventiona l drugs. The INH patients were examined using the acute hypoxia test, retur n respiration test, peak-flowmetry, assessment of external respiration func tion (ERF), immune status, heart rate, blood pressure, Stange test. ERF and the disease course within the last 2-3 years were analyzed. Results. INH proved more beneficial for COB and BA patients than the standa rd drugs. Bronchial obstruction reduced by 10-15%, exercise tolerance, gene ral condition, ventilation, hemodynamic and immunological parameters improv ed, frequency of bronchopulmonary infection exacerbations dropped 2-fold. Conclusion. An INH course is effective in the majority of COB and BA patien ts. It is recommended for treatment and rehabilitation once or twice a year .