Which department should I go to for bronchial asthma?

Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 25, 2024
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In our common areas, we would visit the Department of Respiratory Medicine for conditions such as bronchial asthma, which is a respiratory system disease. The Department of Respiratory Medicine is the most specialized department for treating bronchial asthma. However, in some areas, such as those below the county level like town health centers or community clinics, a respiratory medicine department might not be available. In such cases, we can only visit the general internal medicine department, also known as the major internal medicine department. Generally, bronchial asthma is treated in the outpatient clinics of these departments. However, if an acute attack of bronchial asthma occurs, causing breathing difficulties and a sudden exacerbation of the condition, it then becomes necessary to visit the emergency medicine department. Emergency doctors will handle the situation and then decide whether the patient should continue treatment under observation in the emergency department or need hospitalization, etc.

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Can people with bronchial asthma eat beef?

Bronchial asthma is a very common disease in the respiratory system, caused by a multitude of triggering factors. It usually occurs in infants and young children due to their lower immune function, combined with some being of an allergic constitution. Additionally, such patients might also be affected due to exposure to harmful gases in the external environment, which can trigger an asthma attack at any time. Clinically, it is generally advised that patients with bronchial asthma avoid consuming spicy and stimulating foods, though beef can generally be consumed. Beef has high nutritional value, containing a significant amount of amino acids, high-quality proteins, as well as nutrients like calcium and iron, which are essential for the body. Therefore, it is suitable for patients with bronchial asthma to consume some beef appropriately.

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Bronchial asthma X-ray manifestations

Bronchial asthma is primarily caused by inflammation in the airways due to various inflammatory cells, leading to the narrowing and spasm of the bronchi. This impedes the effective expulsion of gases from the lungs through the bronchi, resulting in a disease characterized by symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. In patients with bronchial asthma, because of a large amount of gas remaining in the lungs, X-ray manifestations primarily include sparse lung markings, increased translucency, as well as some signs of widened intercostal spaces and lowered diaphragm. Generally, these signs are not specific and cannot be solely relied upon to diagnose or exclude bronchial asthma. It is also necessary to consider the patient's medical history and lung function tests for a comprehensive assessment.

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Can people with bronchial asthma eat crab?

Patients with bronchial asthma are not absolutely prohibited from eating crabs, but they should be cautious when doing so. Those with bronchial asthma might be allergic to certain foods, potentially triggering an acute asthma attack, or even severe asthma due to food allergies, which could be life-threatening. Seafood is one of the most common triggers for such allergies. Therefore, it is generally advised for patients with bronchial asthma to avoid seafood. Additionally, foods like fish, shrimp, and crabs can also cause allergies. Thus, patients with bronchial asthma need to be cautious when eating crabs, especially if they have never eaten them before. If they do eat crabs, it should be tried in small amounts. If symptoms such as rash, itchy skin, coughing or chest tightness occur during the consumption of crabs, they should immediately stop eating and, if necessary, appropriate medication should be administered.

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What will happen if bronchial asthma is not treated?

Bronchial asthma is a very common type of asthma in clinical settings, triggered by numerous and complex factors. Generally, patients with this condition often experience frequent recurrent attacks into asthmatic states. Since there is no specific cure for this type of asthma in clinical settings, symptom relief through medication is used to improve the quality of life of patients. Therefore, it is usual in clinical practice to provide symptomatic treatment promptly once bronchial asthma is diagnosed. If bronchial asthma is left untreated, it may pose significant health risks. During an asthma attack, patients may experience varying degrees of shortness of breath, chest tightness, or even difficulty breathing. If the respiratory distress caused by an asthma attack is not relieved in time, it could lead to complications such as hypoxemia or even respiratory failure in some cases.

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Characteristics of auscultation for bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma, commonly known as asthma, is mainly a chronic airway inflammatory disease involving various inflammatory cells and their components. This condition causes the bronchi to narrow and spasm, hindering the passage of air through the airways into the alveoli. Since bronchial asthma primarily affects the smaller bronchi, expiratory wheezes or stridor can often be heard upon auscultation of the trachea. In severe cases, no sounds may be heard from the patient's lungs, a condition referred to as "silent lung," which is an indication of a serious progression of the disease.