Is bronchial asthma contagious?

Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 11, 2024
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Is bronchial asthma contagious? Bronchial asthma is not contagious; it is not an infectious disease. The exact causes of bronchial asthma are not very clear, primarily thought to be related to genetic and environmental factors. Bronchial asthma has a close relationship with genetics, meaning that if parents have asthma, their children and grandchildren might also develop bronchial asthma. The closer the familial relationship, the higher the chances of developing bronchial asthma compared to the general population. This genetic pattern can create the illusion to the general public that bronchial asthma is contagious, but it may be more closely related to genetics.

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Written by Han Shun Li
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What medicine is used for bronchial asthma?

Bronchial asthma, although common, currently has no specific treatment. The primary aim of medication is to control symptoms. There are two main types of medications used to treat asthma: one type is known as bronchodilators, commonly including receptor agonists, anticholinergics, and theophylline. The other type is anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly including corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, sodium cromoglycate, nedocromil sodium, and ketotifen. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor, according to specific circumstances.)

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Prevention and Treatment of Bronchial Asthma

The prevention and treatment of bronchial asthma mainly involve the following aspects: First, eliminating the causes and triggers of the disease; second, preventing diseases and pests such as allergic rhinitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease; third, immunomodulation; fourth, routinely checking if inhaled medications are used correctly; fifth, education and management of asthma patients, mainly allowing them through long-term, appropriate, and sufficient treatment to fully and effectively control asthma attacks. Additionally, understanding individual differences in asthma triggers to avoid occurrences, learning patient self-monitoring of disease progression, mastering the use of inhalers and peak flow meters, and educating patients on simple self-help methods are essential. It's important for patients and doctors to jointly develop a plan to prevent asthma attacks and maintain long-term stability. These are the basic elements of the prevention and treatment of bronchial asthma.

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Written by Zeng Xiang Bo
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What foods are good to eat for bronchial asthma?

What food bronchial asthma patients eat is a question with much consideration. Foods that bronchial asthma patients should avoid mainly fall into two categories: First is allergens. If a patient has previously had an allergy to certain foods, is suspected to be allergic, or has family members who are allergic to a particular food, then they should avoid eating it. Also, common allergens like small fish, shrimp, and seafood should be avoided, especially during asthma attacks. The second category is spicy and irritating foods, which should also be avoided. Therefore, the primary focus should be on eating light, easily digestible foods, and sticking to foods that are commonly eaten, avoiding those that have not been tried before. Moreover, if a food is known to potentially cause allergies after medication, it should not be consumed. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate.)

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Consequences of worsening bronchial asthma

The consequences of exacerbated bronchial asthma can cause the patient to feel short of breath even at rest, exhibit orthopnea, and be able to speak only in single words or syllables. The patient may experience anxiety or irritability, sometimes accompanied by profuse sweating, and an increased respiratory rate which, if severe, can exceed 30 breaths per minute. There may also be activity of the respiratory muscles and signs of tracheal tugging, an increased heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute, which in severe cases can surpass 120 beats. Additionally, there is a decrease in blood oxygen saturation, which can drop below 60%.

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Can bronchial asthma be cured?

Bronchial asthma, to this day, cannot be completely cured. Many places claim under the guise of traditional Chinese medicine or ancient secret recipes that bronchial asthma can be fully cured, but these are false advertisements. So far, bronchial asthma is a manageable disease. Being manageable means that it can be treated; standardized treatment can make its recurrence quite rare, but it still cannot be completely cured. This means that once someone has bronchial asthma, they must understand that it is a lifelong disease, potentially recurring throughout life, and they need to manage it long-term.