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Together, respiratory disease, asthma and bronchitis all cause airway irritation, inflammation, and coughing, which is why the two are often confused. However, this confusion is very dangerous, because the treatment methods of these two diseases are very different.
1. Distinguish symptoms of asthma and bronchitis
Asthma and bronchitis both cause cough as the most common symptom. Therefore, the physician must examine the specific signs and symptoms of each disease to confirm the initial diagnosis.
1.1. Symptoms of bronchitis Chills, body discomfort, Headache, Cough with white, yellow, or green sputum Shortness of breath Pain or tightness in the chest Sometimes, people with symptoms of cough, wheezing, shortness of breath think they have it. bronchitis, when in fact they have asthma. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish asthma, which causes the airways to become inflamed and narrower than usual, the symptoms of shortness of breath that the patient has is caused by asthma causing narrowing of the airways.
1.2. Other common symptoms of asthma Cough Shortness of breath Wheezing Symptoms are often worse at night or early in the morning. Symptoms are also especially severe after the patient has had irritants such as smoke, exercise or pollen.
Bệnh nhân hen suyễn thường khó thở về đêm hoặc sáng sớm
2. Is it possible to have asthma and bronchitis at the same time?
Patients with asthma may have acute bronchitis. As a result, asthma symptoms can be worse, including:
Shortness of breath Wheezing Pain and discomfort when breathing Many patients have to go to the emergency room due to severe bronchitis and asthma causing sputum obstruction airway obstruction in the lungs.
3. Methods of diagnosing asthma and bronchitis
First, the doctor needs very clear and accurate information about the medical history, symptoms, such as when symptoms get worse or better.
Breathing tests are also indicated in the case of patients at risk of asthma, commonly a pulmonary function test, in which the patient blows into a sensor to measure the rapid and difficult exhalation as how.
Physicians also consider prescribing asthma over bronchiolitis if the patient's cough clears up but then coughs again, but with the exception of the patient's chronic bronchitis, often caused by smoking. Cough medicines also don't usually work for asthma. Accordingly, the diagnosis of bronchitis will be based on medical history, symptoms and auscultation. The patient may also be ordered to have a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia. Patients may have to repeat asthma testing in 1-2 weeks if symptoms do not improve.
Bệnh nhân chụp X-quang để kiểm tra nguy cơ mắc bệnh viêm phổi
4. Causes of Asthma and Bronchitis
One of the causes of bronchitis is a virus, for example viruses that cause common colds. These viruses are spread from person to person through close contact when an infected person coughs or a healthy person touches the hands of an infected person. People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can also develop acute bronchitis when gastric juices back up into the airways.
The exact cause of asthma is unknown, but people with a family history or allergies have a higher risk of developing asthma. Exposure to viruses that cause respiratory infections in childhood also contributes to asthma.
5. Treatments for Asthma and Bronchitis
Currently there is no cure for viral bronchitis, the patient is advised to follow the instructions to help strengthen the immune system and let the body fight to fight the virus, including:
Drink a lot Water Rest There are a number of medications that can be prescribed to reduce the symptoms and frequency of asthma attacks, although there is no cure for asthma, including both quick-acting and long-acting inhalers to help prevent asthma attacks. relieve breathing problems. Patients are advised to avoid asthma triggers, such as smoke, allergens, or other irritants.
Bệnh nhân tự điều trị viêm phế quản bằng cách bổ sung nhiều nước
6. How to prevent asthma and bronchitis
We can prevent bronchitis by carefully avoiding the transmission routes of the virus, most importantly washing our hands properly before and after eating, as well as continuously throughout the day to prevent the virus from spreading. Patients should avoid triggers that make asthma worse, such as cigarette smoke, animal dander, and seasonal allergies.
Bronchitis is an acute disease, but can cause complications for some people such as the elderly, young children, people with weak immune systems such as cancer or diabetes.
In addition, patients need to take their medications as directed and avoid triggers that can help avoid asthma attacks. People should not avoid physical activity, although exercise can trigger an asthma attack in some cases, so always carry a quick-acting inhaler to prevent an asthma attack, or use a 30-minute inhaler. minutes before exercising as recommended by your doctor.
Asthma and bronchitis are both dangerous respiratory diseases and leave many dangerous complications for patients. In particular, this is a disease that does not have a radical treatment method, all methods only work to reduce the symptoms of the disease. Therefore, regular examination or when dangerous symptoms appear is necessary.
Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for examination, treatment and prevention of respiratory diseases. With facilities, modern machinery system, a team of qualified doctors will bring optimal treatment results to customers.
To register for examination and treatment at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact Vinmec Health System nationwide, or register online HERE.
References: medicalnewstoday.com, webmd.com
