What position should be taken for bronchial asthma?

Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
Updated on January 09, 2025
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The choice of lying position for bronchial asthma depends on the specific condition of the disease. During the remission phase of asthma, a free lying position is suitable. If it is a mild attack phase, a flat lying position can be taken. If symptoms such as chest tightness become prominent during an attack, a semi-sitting position is advisable. For asthma patients experiencing significant chest tightness and breathing difficulties during an attack, or if they are in a persistent state of asthma, then a sitting position is often required. Patients may experience severe sweating, be unable to speak, and even suffer from hypoxia during such times, which can be extremely distressing.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Bronchial asthma auscultation characteristics

During a recurrence of bronchial asthma, symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing occur. During an attack, the patient's chest often appears hyperinflated. Upon auscultation, scattered or diffuse wheezing sounds can be heard, primarily during expiration, and the expiration phase is also prolonged. However, in some severe asthma cases, wheezing sounds may not be present, a condition referred to as "silent chest," which should be noted. If an asthma attack cannot be relieved, it is important to seek medical attention promptly for management by a doctor.

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
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Does bronchial asthma have wheezing sounds?

During an acute attack of bronchial asthma, patients often have wheezing sounds in their lungs, but it's important to note that some patients may not exhibit wheezing, such as those with chest tightness or cough variant asthma, who only show symptoms of chest tightness and typically do not have wheezing on auscultation. However, administering inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators can relieve their condition. Additionally, during a severe acute attack of bronchial asthma, severe airway spasms can occur, leading to a situation where the patient might not have any wheezing sounds, a condition referred to as "silent lung." In such cases, patients often experience difficulty breathing or even respiratory distress, which is usually quite serious and requires active intervention.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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Is bronchial asthma airflow limitation reversible?

The airflow limitation in bronchial asthma is completely reversible, which is related to the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the occurrence of bronchial asthma. Bronchial asthma is a chronic airway inflammation involving multiple inflammatory cells. When this airway inflammation occurs, there can be edema of the airway mucosa as well as spasm and contraction of the smooth muscles outside the bronchi. However, this inflammation and smooth muscle spasm are reversible through medication or spontaneous improvement. Thus, many patients with mild asthma can achieve symptom relief without medication. In the case of some severe patients, even though the airflow is restricted, it can be reversed with the use of medications, and generally, the recovery is very quick.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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How to check for bronchial asthma?

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease. Patients primarily exhibit symptoms of episodic wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which usually can be relieved with or without medication. Typically, during an attack, there is wheezing and audible stridor. A diagnosis can usually be made based on symptoms and medical history, as well as physical examination. However, for atypical patients, further tests may be necessary. Generally, the main tests for asthma patients are pulmonary function tests, which include provocation tests and relaxation tests, as well as the 24-hour peak expiratory flow variability. These tests are helpful for the definitive diagnosis of bronchial asthma.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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What to do about chest tightness in bronchial asthma?

Bronchial asthma is a disease characterized by breathlessness, chest tightness, rapid breathing, and coughing, caused by the infiltration of various inflammatory cells in the airways, resulting in the narrowing of the bronchial lumen and the production of a large amount of mucus. When patients with bronchial asthma experience chest tightness, we can treat them with some nebulized inhalation medications. These medications are usually short-acting bronchodilators that can take effect within 3-5 minutes, quickly alleviating the symptoms of chest tightness. Additionally, patients should avoid exposure to allergens that may trigger asthma attacks, such as animal fur, viruses, and dust, to prevent recurrence of the symptoms.