What is the difference between bronchitis and asthmatic bronchitis

Both asthma and bronchitis flare-up at times. Dozens of other factors can trigger asthma as well. Treatment for acute bronchitis is very different from chronic bronchitis. There is some overlap in the medications used to treat chronic bronchitis and asthma. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus and gets better on its own.

Adults with acute bronchitis can take a cough suppressant. Children younger than six years old should not use cough and cold medications. Antibiotics and asthma medications are often prescribed for acute bronchitis, but are not usually effective or recommended.

The treatment for chronic bronchitis depends on how severe it is. The types of medications typically used for chronic bronchitis are: 6. Inhaled corticosteroids and beta-agonists are the mainstays of asthma treatment. Other medications, such as leukotriene modifiers, omalizumab , oral corticosteroids, and theophylline, are used as alternatives or add-on medications.

The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any anticholinergic medications to treat asthma. They are sometimes used to treat asthma anyway. Acute bronchitis usually clears up on its own. It is estimated that over half of all asthma cases in the US occur in areas with substandard air quality. Microbes, allergens, chemicals, and other commonly occurring indoor irritants play a role in the development of asthma and often trigger asthma attacks. Common irritants include:. Occupational and behavioral stimuli such as chemical irritants in the workplace, tobacco smoking, exercise, and certain medications can also be factors.

Alcohol can be a trigger for many people throughout the world, most commonly in those of Asian descent. Occupational hazards can be a key factor. Factory workers, painters, construction workers, and many other blue collar jobs report higher numbers of asthmatic sufferers.

The risk of asthma is greatly increased in settings with:. Bronchitis is usually classified as either acute or chronic bronchitis, depending on the duration of its symptoms.

Acute and chronic bronchitis differ in their risk factors and causes. Around 9 out of 10 cases of acute bronchitis are caused by viral infection.

As such, it is usually contagious, and can be spread via direct contact or aspirated water droplets. While viral infection is the main culprit, the odds of contracting acute bronchitis increase with exposure to environmental factors such as smoke, dust, pollen, and air pollution. A small percentage of acute bronchitis cases develop solely through bacterial infection or heavy air pollution. The vast majority of chronic bronchitis cases are onset by cigarette smoking. Besides smoking, hazardous occupations such as farming, mining, chemical processing, metallurgy, or any large-scale industrial work increases the odds of contracting chronic bronchitis.

These causes overlap with those of asthma, and are some of the primary reasons that the two diseases are misdiagnosed, especially when self-diagnosed. Asthma symptoms can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening acute attacks that require immediate professional attention. These symptoms include: wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Cough-variant asthma is a form of asthma in which the primary symptom is a dry, non-productive cough, usually accompanied by chest tightness and wheezing.

This is probably the form of asthma most easily confused with bronchitis. While some affected by asthma cough mucus, an asthma cough is usually nonproductive, which is the biggest indicator in diagnosing between the two. Along with the immediate symptoms, having asthma may lead to acid reflux disease and rhinosinusitis, an infection of the nasal-adjacent sinus cavities.

Asthma may also result in obstructive sleep apnea, which can lead to countless health issues. Those with asthma are more likely to have issues with anxiety and mood disorders, though it is still unclear to doctors which affects the other. Like with asthma, individuals with bronchitis may experience wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. Doctors do not know exactly why people develop asthma.

They do know that people with a family history of asthma or allergies are more likely to have the condition. People with bronchitis should drink plenty of fluids. A person should instead engage in actions and behaviors that will support their immune system and give it time to fight off the virus. A doctor may sometimes prescribe an inhaler with a medication designed to help the airways open more if a person is experiencing significant wheezing related to their bronchitis.

An example of this treatment is an albuterol inhaler. This is the same medication doctors also use to treat asthma. Doctors have several medications they can prescribe to reduce asthma symptoms and incidence, although they do not have a cure.

Examples include inhalers that are both quick and long acting to alleviate breathing problems. People can prevent bronchitis by being careful to avoid the ways that viruses spread.

The main way to achieve this is through hand-washing. A person should always wash their hands before and after eating and frequently throughout the day to prevent the spread of germs. People cannot prevent asthma, unfortunately. They can, however, avoid asthma triggers that are known to worsen their condition. Examples of triggers include cigarette smoke, pet dander, and seasonal allergies. Bronchitis is a temporary condition that should resolve itself with at-home care.

There are, however, some who are more likely to have complications. These include the elderly, young children, and those who are immunocompromised, such as people with cancer or diabetes.

Taking medications and avoiding asthma triggers can help people avoid more acute asthma attacks if they have the condition. People should not refrain from physical activity, even though exercise can trigger asthma attacks in some.

It may be from a combination of genes and the environment. Genes you inherit from your parents may make your airways more sensitive to allergic triggers like smoke, pollen, and pet dander. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is caused by a virus or bacteria. Chronic bronchitis is triggered by something in the environment, such as:.

You can also see a pulmonologist. A pulmonologist is a doctor who treats asthma and other diseases of the lungs. Your doctor will get clues from your symptoms about which condition you have. Learn more: What is a pulmonologist? Your doctor will then listen to your lungs through a stethoscope.

You may have one or more of these tests, which check for both asthma and bronchitis:. If your doctor suspects you have asthma, you might also have a methacholine challenge or bronchoprovocation test. You can also take a spirometry test after exercising or breathing in cold air. Allergies are often the cause of asthma. You may need to see an allergist for blood and skin tests.