Characteristics of auscultation for bronchial asthma

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on January 29, 2025
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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.

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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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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.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Does bronchial asthma cause coughing?

Bronchial asthma is a common clinical disease, with main symptoms including paroxysmal wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing, etc. So, does bronchial asthma also present with coughing symptoms? Indeed, bronchial asthma can also manifest with coughing symptoms, especially the atypical cough variant asthma which is primarily characterized by chronic cough. Moreover, the symptoms of cough often occur at night or early morning, and the coughing can be quite significant, severely affecting the patient's sleep quality. If cough variant asthma is suspected, it is important to visit a hospital in a timely manner for relevant examinations and the treatment principles are the same as for typical asthma.

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Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
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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
Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
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How to use diet to supplement for bronchial asthma

Generally speaking, for bronchial asthma, especially milder cases or those with rare occurrences and short duration, there is no need to deliberately seek dietary supplements. Moreover, since bronchial asthma is a type of allergic disease, caution should be taken with dietary supplements to ensure there are no allergies to certain foods or herbal remedies. For chronic, recurrent asthma, traditional Chinese medicine often attributes it to kidney deficiency or a deficiency in both the lung and kidney qi, where the organs fail to properly grasp the qi. In such cases, dietary supplements that originate from both food and medicine can be helpful. Examples include cordyceps duck soup, walnut kernels, cordyceps, and mulberry seeds. These substances can support kidney function and help manage asthma to some extent. (Note: The use of these substances should be guided by a professional doctor.)