what exactly is the difference between bronchitis and asthma?

Answer 1

Asthma is a condition where the bronchial tubes go into spasms. It can be exacerbated by certain things like dust, or colds, but it isn't caused by them. It's a condition that certain people have, and many are often born with. When this happens they constrict, the person has difficulty breathing, and wheezing can often by heard as air attempts to get through the narrowed bronchi. There is often no mucus.

Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi. The patient with bronchitis always has a cough, often with large amounts of thick sputum. It can be due to smoking, or any number of illnesses like colds, or flu, if they begin to infect the lungs. Bronchitis can, and often does progress into pneumonia.

Answer 2

Wow! Are you confused yet? Maybe this will help...
Bronchitis can be caused by a virus (cold) or can be a chronic (always there) condition. It is inflamation in the Bronchi (the larger of the "tree-like" parts that carry air to the tiniest parts which exchange oxygen w/ carbon dioxide and waste) Generally there is alot of mucous production, sometimes yellow or green, this is why it causes coughing and sometimes tight - chest feeling.
Smokers frequently have chronic bronchitis, it is always there, somedays it is worse than others. This is from damage to the airways, it is a form of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COLD or COPD) this is an ever worsening condition for most smokers and CAN become life threatening.
Asthma can be chronic or acute (sudden onset) it can be brought on by many things...allergies, cold air, illness, stress, excersize, etc. It also causes excess mucous production but also causes a narrowing of the airway- air will go in but the exhalation is prolonged and gas exchange is hampered. Over a couple days of a serious asthma attack with difficulty breathing an asthmatic can totally mess up what is known as the "acid / base balance". This messes up the balance that is normally maintained in the body. (Very bad thing) So...normally, the air enters the nose or mouth, goes through the oral / nasal pharynx (throat area) then down to the trachea (neck area) then branches into the bronchi (the big branches of the upside down tree structure) then into the bronchioles (little branches) then to the alveoli which are the "grape - like" bunches of airsacks - that is where air crosses the tiniest of vessels (capillaries) and enters the blood stream, while the carbon dioxide and waste is removed from the blood and exhaled into the air. Simple enough?
Asthma can come on very quickly or as mentioned before be slower and more of a constant problem. Most (but not all) asthmatics wheeze when something "triggers" their asthma. The faster an attack comes on - the more serious it is. Attacks kill alot of people annually, and hospitalize tons. A person may have "tightness" when they breathe after running, and have a dry hacky cough with it, that is generally "excersize induced asthma" which alot of people have and don't even know it.
Asthma causes a bunch of reactions to happen in the airway, bloodstream, and body overall. It isn't just about wheezing.

Answer 3

Despite the straightforward definitions, and the specific criteria listed above, the diagnosis of occupational asthma or bronchitis is often very difficult. First, there may be a several hour delay between inhaling the offending substance and onset of symptoms; delayed reactions are actually quite common. For example, the worker may be exposed to a substance while at work, but not start wheezing or feel breathless until later at home. As a result, connection between the workplace and symptoms may not be apparent, at least not right away.

Second, asthma is very common in the general population. A worker with pre-existing asthma may wheeze or have an asthma attack while at work, for a number of reasons: viral infection (including the common cold), heavy exertion, cold air or dust. An asthma attack, in a known asthmatic, from one of these stimuli would therefore not constitute occupational asthma. Instead, it would be non-occupational asthma that is made worse by something at work. Occupational asthma must be caused by the workplace. Often it is difficult to know if the worker has occupation-caused asthma, or non-occupation-related asthma that happens to flare up at the workplace.

Third, bronchitis is very common among cigarette smokers. Someone who smokes, and then later claims "bronchitis" from the workplace, will have a difficult time proving the cause is not from his own cigarettes.

Fourth, despite a physician's best efforts at making a correct diagnosis, the diagnosis of occupational lung disease will likely be questioned in some fashion: by the employer if deemed occupational, or by the patient if deemed non-occupational. In many cases the diagnosis will end up being argued by lawyers and doctors on both sides of the issue.

Answer 4

Asthma And Bronchitis

Answer 5

Bronchitis And Asthma

Answer 6

2

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory system in which the airway occasionally constricts, becomes inflamed, and is lined with excessive amounts of mucus, often in response to one or more triggers. These acute episodes may be triggered by such things as exposure to an environmental stimulant (or allergen), cold air, exercise or exertion, or emotional stress. In children, the most common triggers are viral illnesses such as those that cause the common cold.[1] This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which respond to bronchodilators. Between episodes, most patients feel fine.

The disorder is a chronic or recurring inflammatory condition in which the airway develops increased responsiveness to various stimuli, characterized by bronchial hyper-responsiveness, inflammation, increased mucus production, and intermittent airway obstruction. The symptoms of asthma, which can range from mild to life threatening, can usually be controlled with a combination of drugs and environmental changes
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Bronchitis is an obstructive pulmonary disorder characterized by inflammation of the bronchi of the lungs. Chronic bronchitis is often caused by smoking, and is a fatal disease. It is common in habitual tobacco smokers and residents of polluted cities. Like many disorders, bronchitis can be acute (short-term), or chronic (long-lasting). Chronic bronchitis is defined clinically as a persistent cough that produces sputum matter that is coughed up from the respiratory tract, for at least three months in two consecutive years.

Chronic bronchitis is predominantly caused by smoking, and has also been linked to pneumoconiosis, excessive alcohol consumption and exposure to cold and draught.[1]

Answer 9

Bronchitis - inflammation of bronchi (limbs of brochus tubes). Asthma- inflammation of bronchus tubes. Often can go hand in hand and brought upon by a cold viris or allergies or both. If you feel itchiness in your lungs , good chance its bronchitis. Asthma on the otherhand, can occur without any obvious chest symptoms and may yield smaller tidal volumes and hence, less oxygen to circulate body resulting in fatigue or lightheadedness.
....RRT

Answer 10

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