Asthma and bronchitis are two inflammatory airway conditions that have very similar symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, and fatigue. For this reason, it is relatively common for the two to get confused, especially when there is no medical diagnosis yet.
However, there are also several differences between these conditions, the most important of which is their cause. While in bronchitis inflammation is caused by a virus or bacteria, in asthma there is still no specific cause and it is suspected that it may be caused by genetic susceptibility.
- Therefore.
- It is very important to consult a pneumologist.
- Or even a gpated doctor.
- In the face of suspected respiratory problems.
- To make the correct diagnosis and start the most appropriate treatment for each case.
- Which varies according to the cause.
To try to understand whether it is a case of asthma or bronchitis, certain differences must be taken into account, including:
Although both have coughing and breathing difficulties as common symptoms, bronchitis and asthma also have more specific symptoms that can help distinguish the two conditions:
Common asthma symptoms
See a more complete list of asthma symptoms.
Common symptoms of bronchitis
In addition, asthma symptoms often worsen or appear after contact with an aggravating factor, while symptoms of bronchitis may have been present for a long time and it is even difficult to remember the cause.
See a more complete list of symptoms of bronchitis
In addition to the difference in some symptoms, asthma and bronchitis are also different in terms of duration of these symptoms. In the case of asthma, it is common for the seizure to last from a few minutes to a few hours, improving with the use of a pump.
For bronchitis, it is common for a person to develop symptoms for several days or even months, without getting better shortly after using the medication prescribed by the doctor.
Finally, the factors that lead to an asthma attack are also different from those that lead to the onset of bronchitis. For example, in asthma, asthma attacks are safer upon contact with aggravating factors such as cigarette smoke, hair or animal dust, while bronchitis usually occurs as a result of other infections or inflammations of the respiratory system, such as sinusitis. amygdalitis or prolonged exposure to chemicals.
When a respiratory problem, whether asthma or bronchitis, is suspected, it is recommended to consult a pneumologist for diagnostic tests, such as a chest x-ray or spirometry, to identify the problem and initiate appropriate treatment.
In these cases, it is common for your doctor, in addition to performing a physical assessment, to also order diagnostic tests, such as x-rays, blood tests, and even spirometry. Discover the most commonly used tests in asthma diagnosis.