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 Hao Ze Rui
Pulmonology
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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.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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Is it okay to take Chinese medicine for bronchial asthma?

Bronchial asthma can be treated with traditional Chinese medicine, but it is definitely not feasible to treat bronchial asthma only with Chinese medicine without Western medicine. Modern medicine still primarily uses Western medicine, which is the mainstream. Traditional Chinese medicine serves as an auxiliary treatment. Bronchial asthma is a recurrent disease that needs standardized treatment to be controlled. Currently, many unscrupulous businesses are exploiting the banner of traditional Chinese medicine or some ancestral secret formulas to provide non-standard treatments to patients with bronchial asthma, which may contain corticosteroids. Long-term oral intake of their herbal medicines might control bronchial asthma in the short term, but such long-term treatments are definitely non-standard and will lead to future difficulties in controlling the asthma. Therefore, patients with bronchial asthma must receive standardized Western medical treatment and can use traditional Chinese medicine as an auxiliary treatment, but it must be provided by a formal hospital.

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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 Hu Bai Yu
Pulmonology
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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.

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Prevention and Treatment of Bronchial Asthma

The prevention and treatment of bronchial asthma mainly involve the following aspects: First, eliminating the causes and triggers of the disease; second, preventing diseases and pests such as allergic rhinitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease; third, immunomodulation; fourth, routinely checking if inhaled medications are used correctly; fifth, education and management of asthma patients, mainly allowing them through long-term, appropriate, and sufficient treatment to fully and effectively control asthma attacks. Additionally, understanding individual differences in asthma triggers to avoid occurrences, learning patient self-monitoring of disease progression, mastering the use of inhalers and peak flow meters, and educating patients on simple self-help methods are essential. It's important for patients and doctors to jointly develop a plan to prevent asthma attacks and maintain long-term stability. These are the basic elements of the prevention and treatment of bronchial asthma.