Asthma is a disease.

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on April 09, 2025
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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 Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
42sec home-news-image

What are the medications for asthma?

Asthma, also known as bronchial asthma, is a chronic inflammatory lung disease involving various types of granulocytes. The main symptoms exhibited by patients are wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. These symptoms typically occur in the early morning or at night. Currently, the medications used to treat asthma primarily include local inhalants and oral medications. The inhalants generally consist of a combination formulation of long-acting bronchodilators and corticosteroids. Additionally, oral medications may include leukotriene receptor antagonists and histamine receptor antagonists. (The use of these medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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Asthma: What to Avoid

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways involving various types of cells and cellular components, primarily eosinophils. This eosinophil-dominated inflammation is generally related to allergies. Substances that can trigger airway allergies include common allergens such as pet dander, pollen, dust mites, and mold. Therefore, it is generally recommended that individuals with asthma should avoid contact with these substances. Additionally, during the flu season, it is important to prevent colds by wearing masks to avoid viral infections.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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What department should I go to for asthma?

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 Guo Xiao Yun
Pulmonology
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What are the symptoms of asthma?

Asthma is a chronic airway disease that clinically manifests as noticeable chest tightness and shortness of breath during acute attacks, especially when exposed to allergens such as cold air, pollen, animal dander, or consuming foods that are likely to cause allergies, such as eggs, milk, and seafood. This leads to high reactivity of the airways, causing spasms, and thus a range of clinical symptoms. In some patients, typical wheezing sounds can also be heard in the lungs. Asthma is a chronic disease that cannot be completely cured. During acute attacks, it is recommended to quickly remove oneself from allergens and actively administer antispasmodic and asthma-relieving medications to significantly improve symptoms of chest tightness and shortness of breath.

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Written by Liu Jing Jing
Pulmonology
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Can people with asthma swim?

Asthma sufferers can swim. In fact, swimming is a very beneficial form of exercise for respiratory diseases. It can enhance the respiratory tract's ability to resist diseases and increase lung function. Asthma is an allergic reaction triggered by exposure to allergens, causing bronchial smooth muscle contraction, and patients often exhibit symptoms like coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Swimming can help strengthen the body's resistance and thus reduce the occurrence of asthma attacks. However, some patients may be allergic to chlorine-based disinfectants. When swimming, it is important to be aware of whether the water contains an excessive amount of chlorine disinfectant and whether the water quality is clean, as this could also trigger an acute asthmatic attack.