Characteristics of auscultation for bronchial asthma

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on January 29, 2025
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Bronchial asthma, commonly known as asthma, is mainly a chronic airway inflammatory disease involving various inflammatory cells and their components. This condition causes the bronchi to narrow and spasm, hindering the passage of air through the airways into the alveoli. Since bronchial asthma primarily affects the smaller bronchi, expiratory wheezes or stridor can often be heard upon auscultation of the trachea. In severe cases, no sounds may be heard from the patient's lungs, a condition referred to as "silent lung," which is an indication of a serious progression of the disease.

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Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
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Causes of Bronchial Asthma

The most common cause of bronchial asthma is inhalants, which are mainly found in daily life, such as dust mites, pollen, fungi, and some irritating and toxic gases, all of which may irritate the airways and cause asthma. Infections are closely related to the occurrence of asthma, and respiratory infections such as viruses, bacteria, and mycoplasma can all trigger asthma. Additionally, certain specific foods, such as fish, shrimp, crab, milk, and eggs, may cause asthma in certain groups of people. Factors such as the patient's mental state, changes in the climate, and intense exercise are also possible causes of bronchial asthma. These are the most common causes of bronchial asthma onset.

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Written by Zeng Xiang Bo
Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
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Treatment for mild bronchial asthma

For the treatment of mild bronchial asthma, the purpose of treatment is to prevent the repeated exacerbation of the condition and to prevent deterioration, as well as to control current symptoms. Regardless of whether the symptoms are present or absent, mild or severe, standardized treatment is needed for these asthma patients. The main treatments are inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting bronchodilators to control the progression of the disease and prevent acute asthma attacks. Of course, we will have an assessment of the condition, whether controlled or not, and based on the grading of the condition, different levels will require different medications for treatment.

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Written by Hao Ze Rui
Pulmonology
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Does a nebulizer work for bronchial asthma?

For patients with bronchial asthma, nebulization treatment is useful during an asthma attack. During an attack, symptoms such as wheezing and difficulty breathing tend to occur. Typically, nebulizing corticosteroids or bronchodilators can have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and asthma-relieving effects, thus improving symptoms like breathing difficulties in asthma patients. Moreover, the method of nebulized inhalation can take effect quickly, swiftly alleviating the patient's symptoms.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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Bronchial asthma X-ray manifestations

Bronchial asthma is primarily caused by inflammation in the airways due to various inflammatory cells, leading to the narrowing and spasm of the bronchi. This impedes the effective expulsion of gases from the lungs through the bronchi, resulting in a disease characterized by symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. In patients with bronchial asthma, because of a large amount of gas remaining in the lungs, X-ray manifestations primarily include sparse lung markings, increased translucency, as well as some signs of widened intercostal spaces and lowered diaphragm. Generally, these signs are not specific and cannot be solely relied upon to diagnose or exclude bronchial asthma. It is also necessary to consider the patient's medical history and lung function tests for a comprehensive assessment.

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Written by Hao Ze Rui
Pulmonology
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Is bronchial asthma dangerous?

Whether bronchial asthma is dangerous depends on the severity of the condition during an acute asthma attack. The most common symptoms of asthma are episodic breathing difficulties, chest tightness, or coughing. If the patient experiences only mild breathing difficulties during an acute attack, it may resolve on its own without posing a life-threatening risk. However, if it is a severe asthma attack, such as the patient being unable to speak, experiencing drowsiness, consciousness disorders, even showing paradoxical movement, weakened wheezing sounds, or even an absence of breathing sounds, then there may be a life-threatening risk if immediate and aggressive rescue measures are not taken.