Question:

How do you tell if your having a asthma attack as opposed to having the start or progression of Bronchitis.

Response:

How do you tell if your having a asthma attack as opposed to having the start or progression of Bronchitis. Asthma is documented with a pulmonary function study and will show

improvemnrt with bronchodilator.Bronchitis is is an onflamation or infection of the large airways.Asthma involves the small airways and alveoli Colleen-Respiratory Therapist

Response:

: How do you tell if your having a asthma attack as opposed to having the : start or progression of Bronchitis. : : Asthma is documented with a pulmonary function study and will show : improvemnrt with bronchodilator.Bronchitis is is an onflamation or infection : of the large airways.Asthma involves the small airways and alveoli : Colleen-Respiratory Therapist I’ve heard of asthmatic bronchitis. What’s that? –Carly

Response:

Colleen, I was diagnosed as asthmatic despite a normal pulmonary function test and negative allergy test, and have been treated as asthmatic for 3 years by first a pulmonologist and then an asthma/allergy specialist.  They agreed with the same diagnosis and ran basically the same tests. So, what gives with the bronchitis?  My Sx. are COUGH and thick mucous (although not copious amounts).  The most frequent trigger is sinus infection, but irritants will cause coughing which will abate with a little time.  I’ve had two fun sinus surgeries (2nd reduced Sx considerably).  I take steriods in inhaled form and prednisone every other day as maintenance and would love to end this, but can’t seem to get off the pred for more than 6 days at a time without exacerbations. I’m eager to learn, so send any info you think pertinent!  My R.N. course didn’t teach me about adult onset cough variant asthma or bronchitis or how to differentiate and treat either one. Thanks for the posting. Jan

Response:

writes: : Asthma is documented with a pulmonary function study and will show : improvemnrt with bronchodilator.Bronchitis is is an onflamation or infection : of the large airways.Asthma involves the small airways and alveoli : Colleen-Respiratory Therapist I’ve heard of asthmatic bronchitis. What’s that? –Carly

For me, asthmatic bronchitis was relatively severe bronchitis with occaisional bouts of bronchospasm, during which my chest would tighten up and the airways would narrow – just plain un-fun, as everyone here well knows.  Bronchodialators worked well most of the time.  I had inhaled steroids once and couldn’t believe what a _marked_ improvement I felt after a couple of days.  If I ever get full blown asthma, I won’t be the least bit reluctant to take them – they are amazing.  My doc. has not diagnosed me with asthma, but a Lung Line advice nurse at National Jewish told me that there are lots of asthmatics with respiratory infections as their only trigger.  She said it was considered a relatively mild form of asthma. (debatable, I suppose)  I guess it’s kind of a gray area, especially since ordinary bronchitis can include wheezing, chest tightness, etc. Cheryl Cheryl

Response:

So, what gives with the bronchitis?  My Sx. are COUGH and thick mucous (although not copious amounts).  The most frequent trigger is sinus infection, but irritants will cause coughing which will abate with a little time. Dear Jan-Sinus infections are a leading cause of Bronchitis.When you take a

breath,and the vocal cords are open,the sinus drainage drips into the trachea and sets up an infection in the main stem bronchus.That is why when they do take time to culture both the sinus drainage and the sputum-they many times culture out the same.  I’ve had two fun sinus surgeries (2nd reduced Sx considerably).  I take steriods in inhaled form and prednisone every other day as maintenance and would love to end this, but can’t seem to get off the pred for more than 6 days at a time without exacerbations.

I have just had sinus surgery on 4-11-96.Antral sinus windows with turbinate resection.I am still doing sinus irrigations several times a day(the worst part).I hope It does the intended and improves my asthma condition.I had an incapsulated infection for almost a year and never improved with many rounds of both oral and IV antibiotics. I’m eager to learn, so send any info you think pertinent!  My R.N. course didn’t teach me about adult onset cough variant asthma or bronchitis or how to differentiate and treat either one. The reason most asthmatics have coughing fits is one of three reasons,and

are also the sx of asthma. 1. Bronchospasm-will relieve with bronchodilator 2. Sputum-either very thick or copious amounts 3.Airway swelling-The only thing that will treat this is steroids,either inhaled or systemic. Asthama can consist of any one of these or all of them.Any prople wonder why it is so difficult to come up with an efficient treatment regime.Go figure. It has taken me almost 6 years to figure out MY asthma sx,treatment,triggers, and warnings.I can only tell you what works for me or what I know works on my patients.I hope this helps-feel free to e-mail direct. Colleen respiratory therapist and fellow asthmatic – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for the posting. Jan

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