Can asthma be cured completely?

Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 13, 2024
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We often refer to asthma as bronchial asthma, which, whether it is cough variant asthma, allergic asthma, or caused by other factors, has not yet a cure found to date. It is now generally believed that bronchial asthma can be controlled, which means that as long as patients with bronchial asthma receive standardized treatment in reputable hospitals, most can be controlled and will not suffer from recurrent attacks. So far, there is no cure found, and all advertisements using Traditional Chinese Medicine or ancient secret remedies or any other means claiming that asthma can be cured are false. These are not to be trusted, and many asthma patients often suffer because they take some medications containing oral corticosteroids under these false beliefs. While these might control asthma in the short term, they are detrimental to the long-term management of asthma, and prolonged use of such non-standard corticosteroid treatments can lead to many adverse reactions, such as drug-induced Cushing's syndrome and medication-induced diabetes, among others.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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Do people with asthma cough?

The asthma commonly referred to is bronchial asthma, which is primarily characterized by recurrent episodes of breathing difficulty. This difficulty in breathing is mainly manifested as chest tightness and shortness of breath. Additionally, asthma is often triggered by upper respiratory tract infections. Therefore, most asthma patients experience coughing and expectoration during acute attacks. There is also a special type of asthma known as cough variant asthma, which, as the name suggests, is primarily characterized by coughing. This type of cough is generally dry with little to no sputum, or it involves a small amount of mucous sputum. The coughing can occur during the day but is generally more pronounced at night.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Principles for the Management of Childhood Asthma

Firstly, it is necessary to adhere to the principles of long-term, continuous, standardized, and individualized treatment. In the acute exacerbation phase, rapid relief of symptoms is required, primarily through anti-asthma treatment. During the remission phase, it is essential to maintain long-term control of symptoms, anti-inflammation, and reduce airway hyperresponsiveness, while also avoiding triggers and self-care. The treatment goal is to control and eliminate asthma symptoms as much as possible, reduce the number of asthma attacks, or even prevent them, maintain normal or near-normal lung function, allow participation in normal physical activities, including sports training, etc., minimize drug side effects, and prevent the development of irreversible airway obstruction.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Is variant asthma allergic asthma?

Cough-variant asthma is not allergic asthma, although it is a type of allergic asthma. Generally speaking, there is a certain distinction between cough-variant asthma and allergic asthma. Clinically, cough-variant asthma is a special type of asthma, where the main symptom exhibited by patients is an irritative dry cough, typically quite severe, without other significant clinical discomforts. In contrast, patients with allergic asthma usually exhibit symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, and itchy nose before the onset, triggered by exposure to certain allergens. Cough-variant asthma does not have these preliminary signs, marking a clear difference from allergic asthma.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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How is asthma treated?

For the treatment of asthma, it is first necessary to determine the cause of the asthma. If it is due to some respiratory diseases, then in this case, it is necessary to take some anti-inflammatory and anti-infective drugs for treatment. Conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia, or lung abscess can all cause symptoms of asthma. It is recommended that everyone actively treats the symptoms; controlling the infection is key. Next is symptom management; if there is coughing or phlegm, it is necessary to take some cough suppressant and expectorant medications or combine with asthma-relieving medications to treat and alleviate symptoms. If it is caused by allergies, some anti-allergy medications should be taken, then combined with some cough and asthma-relieving medications for treatment. Drink more water to promote excretion, avoid spicy, greasy, cold, and stimulating foods, and also be sure to maintain a relaxed mood without too much stress. Follow the doctor's guidance actively, cooperate with the doctor in treatment, and refrain from smoking and drinking.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Asthma is not contagious.

It should be correctly recognized that asthma is an autoimmune disease associated with allergic constitution and genetic factors. It is not caused by a substantial pathogenic bacterial infection and generally is not contagious. Therefore, asthma is not contagious. We should have a correct understanding of this disease. During an acute exacerbation, one could choose corticosteroid drugs, as well as antiallergic medications. Symptomatic treatments that relieve asthma symptoms and using oxygen to alleviate hypoxia are also options.