Asthma and bronchitis are two of the medical conditions which occur with a series of common symptoms. Both of them causes inflammation of the bronchial airways and a person who is suffering from either one of them experiences shortness of breath. However, there is a condition called asthmatic bronchitis, and people want to know what is asthmatic bronchitis and how it is different from the other two types of bronchitis.
In order to help out, we’ve prepared the below-mentioned guide and incorporated everything which is there to be known about acute, chronic, and asthmatic bronchitis.
An Overview of Bronchitis
Our body works in an uninterrupted way around the clock. Every time you breathe, air enters from the mouth and nose before flowing down towards the throat. It then passes through a number of different airways before entering into the lungs. These passageways are known as bronchial tubes, and it is their function to carry and distribute oxygen.
If a person is suffering from bronchitis, it causes the bronchial airways to become inflated. They get swollen which eventually makes it difficult for air to enter and leave the lungs from the other body parts. Such kind of condition makes it difficult for the affected person to breathe. He or she might start coughing in order to maintain a regular supply of air which is interrupted by the tightening of bronchial airways.
What is Asthmatic Bronchitis: A Closer Look
Bronchitis can attack everyone even without a prior history of asthma. This particular medical condition is generally categorized into two different types: acute and chronic. Viruses generally cause acute bronchitis and as compared to chronic bronchitis, it is a rather short-term medical condition.
Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is caused by prolonged exposure to such kind of external environmental elements which are harmful to your body. It includes tobacco smoke, hazardous chemicals, and other dangerous chemicals.
As compared to acute bronchitis, which tends to go away within two to three weeks, chronic bronchitis is a permanent disease. It is devoid of any kind of permanent cure and even the medicines, which are generally prescribed for it, can only lower the intensity of chronic bronchitis.
As per asthma, it forces the body muscles, around your lungs, to contract which eventually tightens the airways. If you’re suffering from asthma from quite a bit of time, and you are also a chain smoker, it increases your chances of developing bronchitis. So when both asthma and bronchitis are combined, this particular medical condition is known as asthmatic bronchitis.
Causes of Asthmatic Bronchitis
There is a wide range of things which can trigger asthmatic bronchitis in the human body. However, the most common causes include cigarette smoke, harmful pollutants, dangerous chemicals and abrupt changes in weather. In some cases, asthmatic bronchitis can also happen due to certain medicines which, for the non-asthmatic people, are perfectly fine.
If you’re suffering from asthma, and live or work in an environment which is polluted, there is a big chance that asthmatic bronchitis can attack you sooner or later.
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Symptoms of Asthmatic Bronchitis
When it comes to asthmatic bronchitis, it shares many of the common symptoms with both asthma and bronchitis. Hence, for a non-medical person, it is quite difficult to differentiate this two medical conditions.
The common symptoms of asthmatic bronchitis include shortening of breath, chest pain, and wheezing. You might also develop body fever, but unlike that of acute bronchitis, it will be of a lower intensity.
Difference Between Bronchitis and Asthma
This isn’t easy, especially if you don’t have a medical background. As already mentioned, there is no clear distinction in terms of the symptoms of either of these medical conditions. Furthermore, both of them are serious lung disorders which tighten the bronchial airways.
Nevertheless, when it comes to differentiating bronchitis and asthma, one has to go down to the cellular level. Starting with bronchitis, it affects all those cells, inside your body, wherein their main purpose is to fight infection. Asthma, on the other hand, infects all those cells which are associated with swelling.
Similarly, if you’re suffering from acute bronchitis, there is no need to consume any kind of medications. Just like any other viral infections, it needs to be monitored while consuming a lot of fluids. It will go away, automatically, after some time.
However, medicines are certainly necessary in the case of asthma. It can be an inhaler, or your doctor might also prescribe you a couple of pills.
Treatment for Asthmatic Bronchitis
Since this medical condition is a combination of asthma and bronchitis, asthmatic bronchitis is generally treated in the same way as that of any of the aforementioned diseases. The main purpose of medicines which are prescribed to patients is to open the bronchial tubes while removing any kind of mucus.
Standard treatments for asthmatic bronchitis include certain medications, such as albuterol, which acts wonderfully as a short-term bronchial constriction and congestion reliever. Its main purpose is to clean the bronchial tubes, but one should never consume this medicine without consulting a doctor.
Furthermore, your doctor can also prescribe the regular use of inhalers or if you’re finding it extremely difficult to breathe regularly, you have to maintain a constant supply of oxygen at your living place. Herbal natural remedies are also a good alternative to treat asthma.
Prevention of Asthmatic Bronchitis
Now that you know what is asthmatic bronchitis, you can already prevent the occurrence of which. Since asthma is its primary cause, there is no better way to avoid it from happening than to control asthma. Basing on where you live, you can use face masks, or if you work in a polluted environment, it might be beneficial to work with filters.
Similarly, you can improve the air quality inside your homes with the help of furnace filters which are commonly available in today’s market. If you’ve pets at your home, and you’re suffering from asthma, it is recommended to keep your distance away from the furry objects.
Lastly, you can also get a yearly flu vaccine which is generally termed as a precautionary measure. This is due to the reason that when bronchitis happens typically due to respiratory infections, a vaccination will prevent the infections from happening in the first place. Also, keep a nebulizer/atomizer handy at home, instilling normal saline, albuterol respules or Asthmaferin inhalation helps to relieve breathlessness and to moisten mucus membranes by bronchodilation.
Asthmatic bronchitis generally affects people who are already suffering from asthma. If you or someone around you is suffering from asthma, it is recommended to observe specific safety measures. It includes safety masks and working in a healthy environment. In this way, you’ll protect yourself and your loved ones from the medical condition known.