What department should I go to for asthma?

Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 26, 2024
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What department should you visit for asthma? First, we need to clarify the definition of asthma. The term "asthma" most commonly refers to bronchial asthma, but also to cardiac asthma. Starting with bronchial asthma, it is a respiratory system disease, and the most appropriate department to visit is the Department of Respiratory Medicine. Of course, in the case of an acute attack of bronchial asthma, if the condition of the patient is very severe, then they may choose to visit the emergency department. Additionally, in some areas where there is no Department of Respiratory Medicine available, such as in rural areas or community health centers, patients can only visit a general internal medicine department. As for cardiac asthma, it is a concept that is gradually being phased out. Cardiac asthma, as the name suggests, is associated with cardiovascular system diseases. Under these circumstances, the most fitting department to visit is the Department of Cardiology. Of course, if the patient's condition is critical, then the most suitable choice is still the emergency department, where emergency physicians will decide how to handle the patient's condition based on their specific medical needs.

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Written by Yuan Qing
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Asthma is a disease.

The full name of asthma is bronchial asthma. It is primarily caused by a variety of inflammatory cells and cellular components involved in chronic airway inflammation. This chronic inflammation can lead to symptoms of airway hyperresponsiveness. The main symptoms present in patients are sudden attacks or exposure to certain irritating factors, leading to wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. These symptoms can improve either through medication or spontaneously without medication. A disease with these characteristics is called asthma. Generally, the occurrence of asthma is mainly due to genetic factors and exposure to external allergens. The disease is caused by a combination of internal and external factors. It is generally controllable but not curable, which is important to understand.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
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How is asthma treated?

For the treatment of asthma, it is first necessary to determine the cause of the asthma. If it is due to some respiratory diseases, then in this case, it is necessary to take some anti-inflammatory and anti-infective drugs for treatment. Conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia, or lung abscess can all cause symptoms of asthma. It is recommended that everyone actively treats the symptoms; controlling the infection is key. Next is symptom management; if there is coughing or phlegm, it is necessary to take some cough suppressant and expectorant medications or combine with asthma-relieving medications to treat and alleviate symptoms. If it is caused by allergies, some anti-allergy medications should be taken, then combined with some cough and asthma-relieving medications for treatment. Drink more water to promote excretion, avoid spicy, greasy, cold, and stimulating foods, and also be sure to maintain a relaxed mood without too much stress. Follow the doctor's guidance actively, cooperate with the doctor in treatment, and refrain from smoking and drinking.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
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How is asthma treated?

Asthma generally requires long-term anti-inflammatory treatment, which primarily involves the use of corticosteroid medications to alleviate symptoms. Additionally, medications that dilate the bronchial tubes can be used to relieve symptoms. For allergic asthma, it is advisable for patients to identify and avoid allergens, while also taking anti-allergy medications to alleviate symptoms. Preventative medication to control attacks is also recommended. Attention should be paid to regulating indoor temperatures to prevent colds, ensuring warmth, and avoiding exposure to cold winds. Furthermore, indoor temperatures in winter should not be too high to avoid large temperature differences with the outside, which can lead to colds and decrease the chances of influenza infection. Additionally, if symptoms of coughing and asthma are severe, medications to stop coughing and relieve asthma should be taken to alleviate symptoms.

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Written by Xia Bao Jun
Pulmonology
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Can asthma be cured?

Patients with bronchial asthma, if treated properly, can be cured. Although the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma is not very clear at present, it is currently believed that bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways involving multiple cells. This chronic inflammation leads to increased airway reactivity, manifesting as reversible airflow limitation. It is different from chronic bronchitis, which involves irreversible airflow limitation. Therefore, through proper treatment, the condition can be improved, controlled, and cured. Patients should regularly and properly use their medications, including inhaled corticosteroids such as budesonide, taken twice daily. It should be used for more than three months before any reduction in dosage can be considered. The medication can be stopped only if no asthma occurs for a year.

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Is variant asthma allergic asthma?

Cough-variant asthma is not allergic asthma, although it is a type of allergic asthma. Generally speaking, there is a certain distinction between cough-variant asthma and allergic asthma. Clinically, cough-variant asthma is a special type of asthma, where the main symptom exhibited by patients is an irritative dry cough, typically quite severe, without other significant clinical discomforts. In contrast, patients with allergic asthma usually exhibit symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, and itchy nose before the onset, triggered by exposure to certain allergens. Cough-variant asthma does not have these preliminary signs, marking a clear difference from allergic asthma.