Is variant asthma the same as asthma?

Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
Updated on February 28, 2025
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Cough variant asthma is a very common type of asthma. Typically, patients with this condition predominantly experience chronic coughing, generally lasting over two months. These patients may not exhibit other clinical symptoms such as wheezing or breathlessness. It is a specific type of asthma characterized by recurrent chronic coughing. Once diagnosed, these patients should promptly receive treatment to relieve bronchospasm and anti-allergic medications among other symptomatic treatments. The course of treatment generally requires about 4 to 8 weeks, after which some patients may gradually discontinue the medication. Some patients might need intermittent long-term treatment. Therefore, this particular type of asthma requires significant attention. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Liu Jing Jing
Pulmonology
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Can people with asthma swim?

Asthma sufferers can swim. In fact, swimming is a very beneficial form of exercise for respiratory diseases. It can enhance the respiratory tract's ability to resist diseases and increase lung function. Asthma is an allergic reaction triggered by exposure to allergens, causing bronchial smooth muscle contraction, and patients often exhibit symptoms like coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Swimming can help strengthen the body's resistance and thus reduce the occurrence of asthma attacks. However, some patients may be allergic to chlorine-based disinfectants. When swimming, it is important to be aware of whether the water contains an excessive amount of chlorine disinfectant and whether the water quality is clean, as this could also trigger an acute asthmatic attack.

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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 Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Can people with asthma smoke?

Asthma patients should certainly not smoke. Additionally, attention should be paid to dietary and hygiene habits, avoiding foods such as seafood that may trigger allergies. Smoking and alcohol should be abstained from, and water intake should be increased. Exposure to irritating chemical gases should also be avoided. Asthma is directly related to genetic factors and an individual's allergic constitution. It is necessary to strengthen exercise, boost immune capabilities, and prevent colds, especially in the spring when it is advisable to avoid going out to prevent contact with pollen that could trigger an asthma attack.

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Written by Xia Bao Jun
Pulmonology
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Can asthma be cured?

Patients with bronchial asthma, if treated properly, can be cured. Although the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma is not very clear at present, it is currently believed that bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways involving multiple cells. This chronic inflammation leads to increased airway reactivity, manifesting as reversible airflow limitation. It is different from chronic bronchitis, which involves irreversible airflow limitation. Therefore, through proper treatment, the condition can be improved, controlled, and cured. Patients should regularly and properly use their medications, including inhaled corticosteroids such as budesonide, taken twice daily. It should be used for more than three months before any reduction in dosage can be considered. The medication can be stopped only if no asthma occurs for a year.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
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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.