Which is more serious, bronchial asthma or asthma?

Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
Updated on February 14, 2025
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Bronchial asthma, commonly referred to as asthma, is generally considered non-comparable as both terms describe the same disease, just with different names. Clinically, asthma often occurs in young infants, and is typically linked to environmental factors and genetic predispositions. Patients with bronchial asthma may exhibit recurring symptoms such as rapid breathing, chest tightness, coughing, and shortness of breath during attacks. It is crucial for such patients to eliminate triggering factors and to receive timely treatment with anti-allergy medications, bronchodilators, and cough suppressants to manage the symptoms. With prompt and effective treatment, the symptoms caused by the disease can be effectively controlled.

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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 Guo Xiao Yun
Pulmonology
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What are the symptoms of asthma?

Asthma is a chronic airway disease that clinically manifests as noticeable chest tightness and shortness of breath during acute attacks, especially when exposed to allergens such as cold air, pollen, animal dander, or consuming foods that are likely to cause allergies, such as eggs, milk, and seafood. This leads to high reactivity of the airways, causing spasms, and thus a range of clinical symptoms. In some patients, typical wheezing sounds can also be heard in the lungs. Asthma is a chronic disease that cannot be completely cured. During acute attacks, it is recommended to quickly remove oneself from allergens and actively administer antispasmodic and asthma-relieving medications to significantly improve symptoms of chest tightness and shortness of breath.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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Asthma belongs to what department?

When we talk about asthma, we generally refer to bronchial asthma, which is a respiratory system disease. Therefore, the primary department to consult is, of course, the Department of Respiratory Medicine. If an asthma patient's condition is relatively stable, they can see a respiratory specialist through outpatient services. In hospitals without a Department of Respiratory Medicine, such as community health service centers or township health clinics, they can choose to see a general practitioner, also known as an internist. If an asthma patient suffers an acute attack of bronchial asthma and the condition is critical, they must then visit the Department of Emergency Medicine. The emergency department will decide based on the patient’s condition whether they should be kept for observation in the emergency room, be admitted to the general respiratory department, or be sent to the ICU for further emergency treatment. Additionally, there is another type of asthma known as cardiac asthma, which is a cardiovascular disease. The first choice for these patients is to see a cardiologist, although in severe cases, they should visit the Department of Emergency Medicine.

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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.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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Can people with asthma run?

Patients with asthma are advised not to run, whether it is cardiac asthma or bronchial asthma, as running is considered a vigorous exercise. Running consumes a significant amount of body heat, which could potentially lower the patient's resistance to illness, leading to other symptoms and worsening the condition. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid running and instead engage in gentler aerobic exercises, such as Tai Chi, Tai Chi sword, or yoga. These exercises can help enhance physical fitness and improve resistance, aiding in disease recovery. Additionally, it is important to maintain a light diet, avoiding spicy, greasy, cold, and irritating foods, drink plenty of water to promote excretion, and avoid exposure to cold air to prevent asthma symptoms from worsening.