The difference between bronchial asthma and pulmonary emphysema.

Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
Updated on November 11, 2024
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Bronchial asthma and emphysema are two different diseases. Bronchial asthma typically manifests as episodic coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing. Patients often develop this condition in childhood and adolescence, and it is relatively rare in the elderly. Emphysema, on the other hand, is often related to long-term smoking and is usually seen in middle-aged and older patients. Early stages of emphysema may only be evident on a chest CT and may not show significant symptoms of chest tightness. However, as the disease progresses, patients often experience noticeable chest tightness and difficulty breathing, and the condition tends to progressively worsen. Patients typically eventually develop complications such as chronic respiratory failure and chronic pulmonary heart disease. Therefore, the characteristics of bronchial asthma and emphysema are different. However, it is important to note that in patients with bronchial asthma, if the condition is not controlled and continues to progress, it might also lead to the development of emphysema, chronic respiratory failure, pulmonary heart disease, and other related conditions.

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
1min 12sec home-news-image

The difference between bronchial asthma and pulmonary emphysema.

Bronchial asthma and emphysema are two different diseases. Bronchial asthma typically manifests as episodic coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing. Patients often develop this condition in childhood and adolescence, and it is relatively rare in the elderly. Emphysema, on the other hand, is often related to long-term smoking and is usually seen in middle-aged and older patients. Early stages of emphysema may only be evident on a chest CT and may not show significant symptoms of chest tightness. However, as the disease progresses, patients often experience noticeable chest tightness and difficulty breathing, and the condition tends to progressively worsen. Patients typically eventually develop complications such as chronic respiratory failure and chronic pulmonary heart disease. Therefore, the characteristics of bronchial asthma and emphysema are different. However, it is important to note that in patients with bronchial asthma, if the condition is not controlled and continues to progress, it might also lead to the development of emphysema, chronic respiratory failure, pulmonary heart disease, and other related conditions.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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Can bronchial asthma be cured?

Bronchial asthma, to this day, cannot be completely cured. Many places claim under the guise of traditional Chinese medicine or ancient secret recipes that bronchial asthma can be fully cured, but these are false advertisements. So far, bronchial asthma is a manageable disease. Being manageable means that it can be treated; standardized treatment can make its recurrence quite rare, but it still cannot be completely cured. This means that once someone has bronchial asthma, they must understand that it is a lifelong disease, potentially recurring throughout life, and they need to manage it long-term.

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Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Bronchial Asthma Massage Method

In clinical situations of acute exacerbations of bronchial asthma, or even normally, we can alleviate clinical symptoms through certain massage techniques. These methods mainly involve massaging specific acupoints to relieve asthma attacks and reduce their frequency. We can massage points along the lung meridian, such as Chize, Taiyuan, and Kongzui. Additionally, we can massage an extra-meridian acupoint called Dingchuan, as well as Lung Shu, Zhongfu, Tiantu, and Danzhong. Beyond these basic points, we also need to select acupoints based on the patient's condition. For example, if the patient's bronchial asthma is caused by exposure to cold wind, we can massage Fengmen. If the patient has excessive heat phlegm causing asthma, we can add Quze and Taibai to clear heat and transform phlegm.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Can people with bronchial asthma eat beef?

Bronchial asthma is a very common disease in the respiratory system, caused by a multitude of triggering factors. It usually occurs in infants and young children due to their lower immune function, combined with some being of an allergic constitution. Additionally, such patients might also be affected due to exposure to harmful gases in the external environment, which can trigger an asthma attack at any time. Clinically, it is generally advised that patients with bronchial asthma avoid consuming spicy and stimulating foods, though beef can generally be consumed. Beef has high nutritional value, containing a significant amount of amino acids, high-quality proteins, as well as nutrients like calcium and iron, which are essential for the body. Therefore, it is suitable for patients with bronchial asthma to consume some beef appropriately.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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What medicine is used for bronchial asthma?

Bronchial asthma, although common, currently has no specific treatment. The primary aim of medication is to control symptoms. There are two main types of medications used to treat asthma: one type is known as bronchodilators, commonly including receptor agonists, anticholinergics, and theophylline. The other type is anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly including corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, sodium cromoglycate, nedocromil sodium, and ketotifen. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor, according to specific circumstances.)