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Overview
The symptoms of asthmatic bronchitis can be very distressing as they affect your respiratory system. Problems like coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing can all bring on fear and even panic. Understanding how and why these symptoms are happening won't make them better, but it can help reduce a little of the fear.
Definition
Asthmatic bronchitis is the swelling and inflammation of an asthmatic person's bronchial mucous membranes. This respiratory condition causes the sufferer to have a hard time breathing because of coughing, constriction and bronchial secretions. Asthmatic bronchitis occurs when a person's asthma has become so severe that she struggles with chronic airflow obstruction even when she is receiving anti-asthmatic treatment.
Symptoms
The symptoms of asthmatic bronchitis are generally similar to asthma symptoms, since it is a related condition. The most common symptoms are wheezing, feeling breathless and feeling tightness in the chest. Often there is a "chesty" cough, which may or may not produce mucous. When the coughing occurs at night, it may interfere with a person's sleep and result in chronic fatigue. Asthmatic bronchitis sufferers may also have frequent and persistent infections. While these symptoms are very similar to those of asthma, they will be more frequent, persistent and severe in cases of asthmatic bronchitis.
Frequency
According to the American Lung Association, approximately 20 million people in the United States suffer from asthma. Many develop asthma during childhood; the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology says that 9 million children under age 18 have been diagnosed with the disease. Each of those people is at risk to potentially fall victim to asthmatic bronchitis. Asthmatic bronchitis can occur in both children and adults.
Causes
Not everyone who has asthma will end up developing asthmatic bronchitis. The exact causes for this condition are unknown. According to the National Institutes of Health database, smoking is a common risk factor for this disorder. Environmental toxins are also a suspected cause for increasing the risk of developing asthmatic bronchitis.
Treatment
Those who have asthmatic bronchitis are usually already being treated for asthma with appropriate drug and inhaler therapy. However, one characteristic of asthmatic bronchitis is that it tends to persist despite traditional asthma treatment. This means that it may lead to complications such as pneumonia, sinusitis, and chronic infections, all of which will need to be treated appropriately.
Prevention
Because the causes of asthmatic bronchitis are not definitively known, there is no foolproof way to prevent the development of this condition. People with asthma should never start smoking, or they should quit if they are currently smokers, because of the apparently strong link between this behavior and the problem. They should also avoid exposure to secondhand smoke and other environmental toxins. Asthmatics should work closely with their doctors to manage their condition and keep symptoms under control.
