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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Bronchitis or Asthma?
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
Bronchitis or Asthma?
by JJKVI, Dec 05, 2006 12:00AM
I have had a problem with catching colds for over a year and half now. I catch a cold (from my toddler son) aout every couple of months. I was told initially it was allergies & am under immunotherapy. However, I know these are colds not allergies (I have dealt with allergies all of my life).
My question is re: the cough that always accompanies these colds...which I am told is asthma. My pattern is like this: Day 1 start with sore throat & then stuffy nose. By day two a lot of thick yellow and/or green post nasal drip. Day 3 start with chest tightness and my chest hurts (a raw feeling) when I cough. Not much mucus when I cough...it is usually thick yellow sometimes a little green, worse in the am. Mucus in my nose & chest usually clears up in a couple of days but then I am left with a dry cough & chest tightness for about 2 weeks. During this time I usually go up on my Adviar (to 250, sometimes 500 for a day or two if really bad). I generally do not have wheezing nor do I have "attacks". It's just a constant dry cough with chest tightness & some pain when I cough that seems to linger for a couple of weeks. It happens everytime I get a cold...no matter how mild the nasal symptoms are it settles in my chest. My question is: does this sound like asthma or could it be bronchitis...how do you tell the difference as it seems some people I talk to are treated for bronchitis & it sounds similar to my problem.
Thank you
Thank you.
My question is re: the cough that always accompanies these colds...which I am told is asthma. My pattern is like this: Day 1 start with sore throat & then stuffy nose. By day two a lot of thick yellow and/or green post nasal drip. Day 3 start with chest tightness and my chest hurts (a raw feeling) when I cough. Not much mucus when I cough...it is usually thick yellow sometimes a little green, worse in the am. Mucus in my nose & chest usually clears up in a couple of days but then I am left with a dry cough & chest tightness for about 2 weeks. During this time I usually go up on my Adviar (to 250, sometimes 500 for a day or two if really bad). I generally do not have wheezing nor do I have "attacks". It's just a constant dry cough with chest tightness & some pain when I cough that seems to linger for a couple of weeks. It happens everytime I get a cold...no matter how mild the nasal symptoms are it settles in my chest. My question is: does this sound like asthma or could it be bronchitis...how do you tell the difference as it seems some people I talk to are treated for bronchitis & it sounds similar to my problem.
Thank you
Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Dec 06, 2006 12:00AM
, Dec 06, 2006 12:00AM
It is possible that you have a chronic sinus problem that gets activated each time you get a cold from your child. This proceeds to activate your asthma. This is a very common problem in asthmatics. I would suggest a CT scan of the sinuses. If there is inflammation/infection present appropriate therapy may help in avoiding the symptoms you are describing.
