What should you know about chronic bronchitis and asthma?

Chronic bronchitis and asthma can both cause cough, wheeze and chest tightness, but their triggers, patterns and treatment plans may differ. Asthma symptoms often vary with triggers and time, while chronic bronchitis describes long-term mucus-producing cough and may reflect ongoing airway irritation. Having similar symptoms does not prove that both conditions are present.

Asthma is a condition in which airway narrowing and inflammation can fluctuate, causing episodes of Wheezing, Cough or Chest Tightness. Smoke, dust, exercise, infections and Allergic Rhinitis may aggravate symptoms; House Dust Mite Allergy can be relevant for some people. Chronic bronchitis symptoms may be linked to repeated irritant exposure and persistent mucus. A clinician uses the history, examination and breathing tests to distinguish these patterns from Chronic Cough caused by another problem.

Track triggers, night waking, mucus, breathlessness and how quickly symptoms settle. Avoid tobacco smoke and vaping aerosols, improve ventilation and follow the inhaler plan prescribed for you. Do not borrow another person’s inhaler. A Nebuliser Treatment may be used in selected acute situations, but it is not a substitute for an individual long-term plan. Ask for an inhaler technique check if symptoms remain frequent.

Arrange review for a cough that persists, increasing mucus, repeated wheeze, reduced activity tolerance or symptoms that wake you. Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, inability to speak comfortably, confusion, fainting, or chest pain that is severe or new. If a prescribed reliever is not helping as directed, follow your action plan and obtain urgent medical advice.

Do my symptoms fit asthma, chronic bronchitis or another cause? Should I have breathing tests or an inhaler review? Which triggers should I avoid, and what is my plan if wheeze or breathlessness suddenly worsens?