Asthma belongs to what department?

Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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When we talk about asthma, we generally refer to bronchial asthma, which is a respiratory system disease. Therefore, the primary department to consult is, of course, the Department of Respiratory Medicine.

If an asthma patient's condition is relatively stable, they can see a respiratory specialist through outpatient services. In hospitals without a Department of Respiratory Medicine, such as community health service centers or township health clinics, they can choose to see a general practitioner, also known as an internist.

If an asthma patient suffers an acute attack of bronchial asthma and the condition is critical, they must then visit the Department of Emergency Medicine. The emergency department will decide based on the patient’s condition whether they should be kept for observation in the emergency room, be admitted to the general respiratory department, or be sent to the ICU for further emergency treatment. Additionally, there is another type of asthma known as cardiac asthma, which is a cardiovascular disease. The first choice for these patients is to see a cardiologist, although in severe cases, they should visit the Department of Emergency Medicine.

Other Voices

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Principles for the Management of Childhood Asthma

Firstly, it is necessary to adhere to the principles of long-term, continuous, standardized, and individualized treatment. In the acute exacerbation phase, rapid relief of symptoms is required, primarily through anti-asthma treatment. During the remission phase, it is essential to maintain long-term control of symptoms, anti-inflammation, and reduce airway hyperresponsiveness, while also avoiding triggers and self-care. The treatment goal is to control and eliminate asthma symptoms as much as possible, reduce the number of asthma attacks, or even prevent them, maintain normal or near-normal lung function, allow participation in normal physical activities, including sports training, etc., minimize drug side effects, and prevent the development of irreversible airway obstruction.

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Asthma is not contagious.

It should be correctly recognized that asthma is an autoimmune disease associated with allergic constitution and genetic factors. It is not caused by a substantial pathogenic bacterial infection and generally is not contagious. Therefore, asthma is not contagious. We should have a correct understanding of this disease. During an acute exacerbation, one could choose corticosteroid drugs, as well as antiallergic medications. Symptomatic treatments that relieve asthma symptoms and using oxygen to alleviate hypoxia are also options.

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Written by Yuan Qing
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What should I do about asthma?

The full name of asthma is bronchial asthma, which is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs involving various inflammatory cells. The main symptoms of asthma include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which typically occur in the early morning and at night. These symptoms can subside on their own through medication treatment or even without medication. Thus, by diagnosing asthma, it is understood that asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. After contracting this disease, the main treatment involves inhaling medications for asthma to control its symptoms. Additionally, if the asthma is caused by an allergic condition, such as an allergy to certain foods or airborne allergens like pollen and dust mites, it is advisable to first avoid these allergens to ensure a clean air environment, and then control or eliminate the symptoms with medication treatment. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
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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.

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Is cough variant asthma considered asthma?

Cough variant asthma is asthma, and it can be definitively said that cough variant asthma is a type of asthma. Typical asthma generally involves episodic symptoms such as chest tightness, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. However, cough variant asthma is primarily characterized by coughing symptoms, often occurring at night. Therefore, cough variant asthma is also asthma, and the treatment is the same as typical asthma, where bronchodilator medications can be used for treatment.