Are Different Treatment Options Available For Bronchitis And Asthma?

According to the World Health Organization, "Asthma is a common lung condition that causes sporadic breathing difficulties. It often starts in childhood, although it can also develop in adults, and can affect people of all ages. There is currently no cure, but treatment can help control the symptoms. Asthmatics can live full and rewarding lives with the right treatment and management. Asthmatics have swollen and sensitive airways that become clogged and narrow because of the excess mucus produced in the airways. The mucus production is a response to asthma triggers. As a result, enough air does not pass in and out of the lungs an makes it difficult for a person to breathe. Bronchitis, on the other hand, "is the inflammation (swelling) and irritation of the bronchial tubes. These tubes are the airways that carry air to and from the air sacs present in the lungs. The irritation of the tubes causes the mucus to build up. This mucus and the swelling of the tubes make it harder for the lungs of the individual to move oxygen in and carbon dioxide out of the body."

Both these conditions affect the respiratory systems of the individual and are often misdiagnosed and confused with each other. While most of the symptoms for these conditions overlap with each other, how these symptoms present themselves is the distinguishing factor between the two conditions.

Are There Different Treatments For Asthma and Bronchitis?

Depending on the intensity of the symptoms and the extent to which they overlap one another, the treatment methods used may have a few similarities.

There are two major treatment routes that an individual can take when it comes to managing his or her asthma symptoms:

1. Oral Medication: This includes various forms of medication that can be taken orally. These include tablets and syrups.

2. Inhalation Therapy: Inhalation therapy is an administrative route used for the delivery of drugs to treat asthma. Three different types of inhalers fall within inhalation therapy. They are as follows:

a. Metered Dose Inhalers: This type of inhaler makes use of an aerosol canister which is attached to a plastic mouthpiece. They are propellent-based inhalers that deliver specific amount of medication to the lungs. It releases reproducible doses every time on actuation. This means that the same amount of dose is released every time.

b. Dry Powder Inhalers: The medication used in these inhalers are present in the form of dry powder. These are breath-activated inhalers which require less coordination and are easy to use as compared to metered dose inhalers. Dry powder inhalers are available in single and multi-dose as well. A special inhaler is used for the delivery of the medication.

c. Nebulizers: A nebulizer is a machine that helps to breathe in medicine, in the form of a mist. A person can inhale medication easily with the help of a mask or a mouthpiece. A nebulizer uses ultrasonic power or compressed air to break up the liquid medicine and deliver it in a form of a mist. Nebulizers are used when a patient is not able to generate sufficient inspiratory effort or to make it easier for children to inhale medicine.

Bronchitis, on the other hand, is usually treated with the help of over the counter medication. If the individual experiences intense wheezing fits, the doctor may prescribe an inhaler for the individual.

To help asthmatics in India, we have created a Breathefree helpline - 9873 33 55 77. You can use this helpline to locate a nearby doctor or book an appointment.

Inhalation therapy is a treatment route that is more often opted for. To know more about inhalation therapy please read Here's Why You Should Always Pick Inhalers Over Oral Medication.