How to check for bronchial asthma?

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on February 14, 2025
00:00
00:00

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease. Patients primarily exhibit symptoms of episodic wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which usually can be relieved with or without medication. Typically, during an attack, there is wheezing and audible stridor. A diagnosis can usually be made based on symptoms and medical history, as well as physical examination. However, for atypical patients, further tests may be necessary. Generally, the main tests for asthma patients are pulmonary function tests, which include provocation tests and relaxation tests, as well as the 24-hour peak expiratory flow variability. These tests are helpful for the definitive diagnosis of bronchial asthma.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
53sec home-news-image

Can people with bronchial asthma eat oranges?

People with bronchial asthma can eat oranges, as oranges contain a rich amount of vitamins which can help with some inflammations and have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. This can alleviate some symptoms of bronchial asthma and play a role in adjunctive therapy. However, patients with bronchial asthma need to follow the guidance of a doctor, take the corresponding anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications, and use medications to stabilize asthma. They should also rest adequately and avoid excessive fatigue. Furthermore, they can engage in moderate, soothing aerobic exercises and avoid excessive physical activity to prevent worsening their condition. It is also recommended to avoid staying up late to ensure sufficient sleep and improve resistance, helping the disease to recover more quickly.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hao Ze Rui
Pulmonology
51sec home-news-image

Symptoms of bronchial asthma

The most common symptoms of bronchial asthma are episodic difficulty in breathing, which can also manifest as episodic chest tightness and coughing. During an asthma attack, there will be accompanying wheezing sounds. If the patient is more severe, they may be forced to sit up to breathe during episodes of breathing difficulties, exhibiting orthopneic breathing. Some patients may experience a dry cough or cough up a large amount of white foamy sputum. In severe cases, symptoms of hypoxia such as cyanosis of the lips and nail discoloration can occur. Asthma attacks are generally acute, with symptoms appearing within minutes, but they can also begin more slowly, worsening over several hours or days. Asthma generally relieves itself, or even after relieving, it may recur, typically worsening during the night.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
56sec home-news-image

How to completely cure bronchial asthma?

How can bronchial asthma be cured? First, we need to recognize that once bronchial asthma is diagnosed, it is a lifelong disease and is recurrent throughout one's life. So far, it cannot be cured. Many people on television or in magazines claim that traditional Chinese medicine, ancient secret recipes, or other means can cure bronchial asthma, suggesting various treatments. However, these are false advertisements and should not be trusted. Bronchial asthma can be controlled, meaning that it is currently incurable and can only be managed with medication. There are now many treatment options for bronchial asthma. As long as patients seek standardized treatment at legitimate hospitals, the majority of those with bronchial asthma can receive proper treatment and management.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zeng Xiang Bo
Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
38sec home-news-image

What position should be adopted for bronchial asthma?

The postures of patients with bronchial asthma vary depending on the severity and extent of the attack. For patients with mild symptoms, they can assume any posture they prefer without any impact; they can sleep however they wish. However, during severe asthma attacks, patients are forced to adopt a semi-sitting or upright sitting position to breathe. This isn't a choice, but a necessity when the disease reaches a severe stage, where such positions might slightly ease breathing. Many asthmatic patients cannot lie down at all during serious attacks, as lying down would intensify their chest tightness and breathing difficulties.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
48sec home-news-image

Does bronchial asthma have wheezing sounds?

During an acute attack of bronchial asthma, patients often have wheezing sounds in their lungs, but it's important to note that some patients may not exhibit wheezing, such as those with chest tightness or cough variant asthma, who only show symptoms of chest tightness and typically do not have wheezing on auscultation. However, administering inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators can relieve their condition. Additionally, during a severe acute attack of bronchial asthma, severe airway spasms can occur, leading to a situation where the patient might not have any wheezing sounds, a condition referred to as "silent lung." In such cases, patients often experience difficulty breathing or even respiratory distress, which is usually quite serious and requires active intervention.