Both asthma and bronchitis are conditions that affect the airways and cause them to narrow. Understanding the differences between these 2 health conditions can help patients recognize their early signs, avoid triggers, and take necessary steps to prevent flare‑ups. Read on to know more about asthma vs bronchitis, their causes, symptoms, prevention tips, and how to prevent further damage.
Without any doubt, asthma vs bronchitis both affect the lung airways and can cause breathing issues. These conditions can cause a hurdle for entry and exit of air in the lungs. Swelling and inflammation are two aspects of the condition that may need caution. Viruses and environmental factors like tobacco smoke and pollutants can cause bronchitis. Genetic abnormalities and environmental stressors like dust and pollen can exacerbate asthma symptoms.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a persistent respiratory disorder that causes inflammation and constricting of the airways. It produces recurrent symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, especially at night, and chest tightness. Although drugs (for example, inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators) and avoiding triggers can effectively treat the condition, no cure exists for asthma.
What is Bronchitis?
Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes. The lungs are filled with mucus. The cough can be short duration or continue till 2 or more weeks. It can be acute or chronic. Symptoms include a persistent cough (with or without mucus), chest congestion, exhaustion, mild fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, and occasionally sore throat. Virus is the main cause of acute bronchitis. Smoke and exposing oneself to certain irritants can cause acute and chronic bronchitis.
Differences of Asthma VS Bronchitis
Let us analyze the differences between asthma and bronchitis conditions on the basis of:
Types: Asthma VS Bronchitis
It is classified into the following types based on the triggers, severity, and other factors.
Asthma:
- Exercise-Induced Asthma: It can develop as a result of physical activity
- Allergic Asthma: An exposure to an allergic element, like pollen can trigger this condition
- Non-Allergic Asthma: It is not triggered by allergens, may include infection, stress, hormone, etc.
- Occupational Asthma: While working in the workplace, dust, gas, fumes, etc, can trigger it
- Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS): It is a lung condition that causes the blockage of the airways. It shows the symptoms of both asthma and COPD.
Bronchitis:
- Acute bronchitis: Mostly caused by viral infection and subsides in a week of 10 days
- Chronic bronchitis: A cough that is full with mucus for a minimum of 90 days over a period of 365 days. And should persist for 2 years
Causes: Asthma and Bronchitis
Doctors are yet to find the exact cause. It may be due to hereditary conditions or environmental factors.
Asthma: You are more prone to asthma if:
- Your parents are allergic or have asthma
- When you were younger, viral respiratory infections affected you
- You have eczema or allergies
- You either smoke or are frequently around smokers
- Your workplace is often open to dusty particles and harmful chemicals
Bronchitis: A virus or bacteria is what causes acute bronchitis. A trigger can cause chronic bronchitis which can include:
- Dust or air pollution
- Chemical fumes
- Toxins in the air
- Smoking cigarettes or marijuana
Symptoms: Asthma VS Bronchitis
Asthma:
- Shortness of breath, breathing issues
- Chest tightness, pain
- Wheezing
- Cough, especially at night
Bronchitis:
A regular tussis for at least 1 to 3 weeks manifests this condition. When you cough, there may be mucus in the cough. When you exhale or inhale air there may be a rattling or wheezing sound. Other indications include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Tiredness
Diagnostic Tests for Asthma and Bronchitis
A pulmonologist will diagnose and monitor the effect of asthma by measuring lungs airflow. It is done by performing the following tests:
- Allergy test
- Blood test
- Peak flow
- Chest X-ray
- Spirometry, a lung function test to check the narrowing of bronchial tubes
- Sputum test
Treatment Options: Asthma & Bronchitis
Your healthcare provider might prescribe:
Asthma:
- A rescue inhaler
- A nebulizer
- Leukotriene modifiers
- Oral steroids
- Antihistamines
Bronchitis:
Depending on the type of condition, for acute bronchitis rest, plenty of water, and over-the-counter drugs can keep it away whereas chronic bronchitis due to tobacco smoking or carcinogenic exposure needs comprehensive management.
Your healthcare may suggest you the below for chronic bronchitis:
- Give up smoking
- Avoid exposure to harmful environment
- Medicines: Bronchodilators to open up clogged airways, steroids to decrease inflammation
- Mucolytics: A drug that helps to thin mucus and eases the cough
Prevention Tips: Asthma vs Bronchitis
There is no permanent cure for asthma. Avoiding any known triggers and adhering to an appropriate asthma treatment plan may help lessen the frequency or intensity of flare-ups.
Asthma
- Avoiding an unexpected asthma attack
- Avoid and recognize your own triggers: e. g. smoke, dust, pollen, and pets
- Maintain clean indoor air by using air purifiers
- Protect yourself from pneumonia and flu
- Wash your hands frequently to prevent infections
- Refrain from smoking, keep a healthy weight and think about breathing techniques
Bronchitis
- Try to avoid social contact especially with the sick people
- Reduce the risk of respiratory infections
- Avoid air pollutants and cigarette smoke
- Wear safety equipment in areas with a lot of dust or chemicals
- Have the influenza, COVID-19, and pneumococcal vaccines for the season
- To lessen transmission, practice good hygiene.
Triggers for Asthma & Bronchitis
Various conditions induce asthma and bronchitis. Both may have the same triggers and some of which are given below:
- Air pollution, dust, chemicals, etc.
- Family history
- Respiratory infections
- Allergens in the air
- Overweight
- Medicines
- Pets
- Stress
- Unhealthy lifestyle
- Smoking
- Infection due to bronchitis, cold, etc.
- Allergies to food, such as fish, peanuts, shrimp, etc.
Conclusion
In the above blog, Asthma vs Bronchitis, we have discussed different indications like coughing, breathing issues, prevention, and other aspects associated with the 2 conditions. The former is due to family genes and environmental factors. Acute bronchitis happens with a virus or bacterial infection. Chronic bronchitis develops in reaction to environmental factors that impact the airways, such as smoke or pollutants.
Resting and drinking fluids will help ease the symptoms of acute bronchitis, but you may need medications to cure a bacterial infection. Some drugs, including bronchodilators and corticosteroids, can treat both asthma and bronchitis.