Bronchial Asthma: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Long-Term Control

Verified By Dr. Sudhir Kr. Gupta | 24-Dec-2025

Dr. Sudhir Kr. Gupta, Sr. Consultant (Chest Physician & Bronchoscopist) at Kailash Hospital, Noida, reviews a patient's lung function chart. "In Delhi NCR's environment, bronchial asthma is not just a diagnosis; it's a daily reality for many. It is a chronic, yet controllable disease of the airways. The key to living a normal, active life lies not in seeking a cure, but in achieving mastery—understanding its triggers, recognizing its signals, and adhering precisely to the modern therapy of bronchial asthma."

Bronchial asthma disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bronchial tubes (airways) that carry air to and from the lungs. In asthma, these airways become inflamed, swollen, and hyper-reactive, leading to repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. This guide, drawing on the extensive expertise of Dr. Sudhir Kr. Gupta and the advanced pulmonary team at Kailash Hospital, Noida, provides a comprehensive roadmap to understanding, managing, and thriving with this condition.

Table of Content

• What Is Bronchial Asthma?
• Bronchial Asthma vs Bronchitis
• Unmasking the Triggers: Common Causes of Bronchial Asthma
• Recognizing the Signals: Signs and Symptoms of Bronchial Asthma
• The Complex Interplay: Asthmatic Bronchitis
• Modern Management: The Stepwise Therapy of Bronchial Asthma
• The Role of Advanced Diagnostics at Kailash Hospital
• Conclusion

What Is Bronchial Asthma?

Bronchial asthma is a long-term condition that leads to swelling (inflammation) and narrowing of the airways in the lungs, making them overly sensitive to different triggers. This can make it hard to breathe, cause coughing, create a feeling of tightness in the chest, and lead to wheezing.

In asthma, the bronchial tubes react excessively to stimuli such as dust, smoke, pollen, cold air, or infections. This exaggerated response results in airway swelling, increased mucus production, and muscle tightening around the airways.
Dr. Gupta explains: “Bronchial asthma disease is characterized by reversible airway obstruction. With appropriate therapy of bronchial asthma, patients can lead a normal and active life.”

Bronchial Asthma vs Bronchitis

Many patients confuse asthmatic bronchitis with bronchial asthma. While symptoms may overlap, the two conditions are different.

• Bronchitis is usually caused by infection and is temporary.
• Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition with recurring episodes.

Asthma patients may experience bronchitis-like symptoms during an asthma flare, but the underlying mechanism is different and requires specialized different treatment protocols.

Also read: Unlocking Relief: How to Relieve Chest Tightness and Shortness of Breath

Unmasking the Triggers: Common Causes of Bronchial Asthma

Bronchial asthma causes are multifactorial, involving a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental exposures. Identifying personal triggers is a cornerstone of management. Common triggers include:

• Airborne Allergens: Dust mites, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, and cockroach waste.
• Respiratory Infections: When it comes to worsening symptoms, colds, flu, and sinus infections are some of the biggest culprits.
• Air Pollutants & Irritants: Tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, industrial fumes, and strong chemical odors.
• Physical Activity: Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, especially in cold, dry air.
• Weather Changes: Cold air, high humidity, or sudden temperature changes.
• Strong Emotions: Stress and intense laughter or crying or mood swings.
• Certain Medications: Such as aspirin, other NSAIDs, and beta-blockers.

"We see a significant impact from environmental triggers," notes Dr. Gupta. "The combination of seasonal pollen, high dust levels, and periodic spikes in air pollution creates a perfect storm for asthma exacerbations. A personalized management plan always includes a detailed trigger history."

Recognizing the Signals: Signs and Symptoms of Bronchial Asthma

The signs of bronchial asthma can vary from person to person and range from mild to severe. The classic bronchial asthma signs and symptoms include:

• Recurrent Wheezing: A high-pitched whistling or squeaking sound when breathing. It is often the most recognizable symptom.
• Shortness of Breath: A feeling of being unable to get enough air into the lungs or that your breath "won't go all the way in."
• Chest Tightness: Often described as a feeling of pressure, squeezing, or a heavy weight on the chest.
• Persistent Coughing: A chronic cough, which may be worse at night or early in the morning, during exercise, or when laughing. It may be dry or with mucus production.

It is critical to distinguish an asthma attack from bronchitis. While both involve coughing and wheezing, acute bronchitis is typically a temporary condition of the airways. An asthmatic bronchitis is a misnomer often used to describe an asthma exacerbation triggered by a respiratory infection, which is a very common scenario.

Also read: The Choking City: How Air Pollution is Fueling Delhi NCR's Asthma Epidemic

The Complex Interplay: Asthmatic Bronchitis

A particularly challenging scenario occurs when a patient suffers from what is colloquially known as asthmatic bronchitis. While Asthma is a long-term condition, bronchitis can be either a short-term or long-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes, typically triggered by a viral or bacterial infection. When these two conditions occur together, the resulting respiratory issues can become even more severe.

An asthmatic bronchitis episode involves the typical narrowing of the airways seen in asthma, coupled with the heavy mucus production and infection seen in bronchitis. This combination can be dangerous if not treated by a specialist. As a bronchoscopist, Dr. Gupta is uniquely equipped to handle such cases. "In these complex situations, we may need to perform a bronchoscopy to clear the airways of thick, obstructive mucus plugs and to ensure there isn't an underlying infection complicating the asthma management," he explains.

Modern Management: The Stepwise Therapy of Bronchial Asthma

Modern bronchial asthma treatment is highly effective and focuses on long-term control to prevent symptoms and attacks, rather than just relieving them when they occur. At Kailash Hospital, Noida, treatment follows a personalized, stepwise approach.

1. Long-Term Controller Medications (Preventers)

These are the foundation of therapy, taken daily to reduce airway inflammation and prevent symptoms.

• Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS): The most effective long-term control medication (e.g., Fluticasone, Budesonide).
• Combination Inhalers: ICS combined with a long-acting bronchodilator (LABA) for moderate to severe asthma (e.g., Salmeterol/Fluticasone, Formoterol/Budesonide).
• Leukotriene Modifiers: Oral medications that block inflammatory chemicals (e.g., Montelukast).

2. Quick-Relief Medications (Rescuers)

Used during an asthma attack to provide rapid relief by relaxing tightened airway muscles.

• Short-Acting Beta Agonists (SABA): Inhalers like Salbutamol (Albuterol). These are for immediate symptom relief.

3. Advanced Therapies

• Biologic Therapies: For severe, uncontrolled asthma, treatment with biological agents like Omalizumab, Mepolizumab can be a great help.
• Bronchial Thermoplasty: A specialized procedure for severe asthma, offered at advanced centers, which reduces the bulk of airway smooth muscle.

4. Peak Flow Monitoring: 

Using a simple device at home to objectively measure lung function and detect deterioration early.

• Spirometer: The gold standard to monitoring asthma and effect of treatment is a simple OPD test.

"The biggest leap in therapy of bronchial asthma has been the shift from reactive rescue to proactive control," emphasizes Dr. Sudhir Kr. Gupta. "We educate every patient at Kailash Hospital on the difference between their 'preventer' and 'reliever' inhalers. Using the preventer inhaler daily, even when feeling well, is what keeps the airway inflammation in check and prevents serious attacks."

Also read: Understanding Chest Heaviness after Eating: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions

The Role of Advanced Diagnostics at Kailash Hospital

Accurate diagnosis is paramount. The Department of Pulmonology at Kailash Hospital, a best hospital in Noida, utilizes state-of-the-art diagnostics:

• Spirometry/Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs): The gold standard for diagnosing and measuring how much and how fast you can exhale air.
• Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) Test: Measures inflammation in the airways.
• Allergy Testing: To identify specific allergic triggers.
• Bronchoscopy: In complex cases, Dr. Gupta, as a senior bronchoscopist, may use this procedure to visualize the airways directly and rule out other conditions which may mimic asthma.

Conclusion

Bronchial asthma is a lifelong condition, but it should not be a life-limiting one. With today's advanced treatments and a proactive management strategy, individuals with asthma can fully participate in sports, work, travel, and all aspects of life.

As Dr. Sudhir Kr. Gupta of Kailash Hospital, Noida concludes, "Control, not cure, is the goal to be achievable. If you are using your reliever inhaler more than twice a week, waking up at night with symptoms, or feeling your activities are limited, your asthma is not under control. Do not settle for less. Seek a comprehensive evaluation with a chest physician. Together, we can map a path to clear, easy breathing and a life defined by your aspirations, not your inhaler."