Two respiratory diseases affecting large parts of the world population, estimated to be around 5-10%, regardless of age, culture and geographical location. Asthma is a disease that can be severe, causing great impact on quality of life of the individual and can result in time off from work and school. Although there is no cure, it can be controlled, allowing the person has an active and productive life.

The bronchitis refers to an inflammation of the airways, which can be acute or chronic, often associated with a respiratory infection widespread. There is characterized by crisis from worsening, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis while to have periods of worsening of symptoms. However, bronchitis, chronic asthma is different from the first because the obstruction to the airflow is irreversible, as part of the so-called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, a lung disease of smokers.

Asthma is a chronic disease, which manifests itself in the form of worsening crisis, which can be quite serious. Actually, what happens is that the inflammation of the airways means that they become swollen and produce much secretion (phlegm). With this, formed as an obstruction to air flow, hampering the passage of the same. This obstruction occurs mainly in expiration (when we remove the air from the lungs) and, hence, the air that the person inspired by getting arrested in the lungs, hindering his breathing. An important feature of asthma, which distinguishes it from other diseases with obstruction of airways, is that such obstruction is reversible, or is not obstructed at all times. However, in some cases, if the disease is not treated, chronic inflammation that leads to a breakdown of the airways, causing a permanent obstruction to airflow.

The asthma is usually begins in childhood, after two years of age, but can occur at any age. What happens in most cases is that the disease improves at the end of childhood, and the child will not make more crises. However, these individuals may, in future, re-submit the symptoms, because as I said the disease has no cure, only control.

Some factors identified put the person at greater risk of developing asthma. The predisposing factors include the genetic, which for reasons still unknown make such individuals more susceptible to the disease. It seems that asthma is more common in boys than in girls.

Among the causal factors, responsible for sensitize the airways, leading to the onset of the disease, highlighted certain allergens (substances that cause allergies) such as the house dust mite, animal hair, feathers, pollen, fungi, food and medicines (aspirin) . The home of dust mite is the most commonly associated with asthma. Up to 80% of patients with asthma have an allergy test positive for it. At home, focused primarily on bed linen and mattresses. Another situation is that asthma related to exposure to certain substances in the workplace, such as paints, wood dust, and cereal, pollens and synthetic dyes. Not all people exposed develop the disease, only those predisposed.

The contributing factors increase the likelihood of a person to develop asthma, when exposed to a causal factor. They are: respiratory infections, smoking (including passive smoking) and air pollution.
The symptoms of asthma vary considerably from person to person, some present crisis lightweight, almost asymptomatic, while others develop frameworks serious, requiring hospitalization up in a CTI. The main symptoms of asthma are shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), cough (usually without phlegm), the wheezing and tightness of the chest. Some kids just have to cough. These symptoms may occur at any time of day, but preferably occur at night and morning. In other cases, the individual has symptoms only during the practice of physical activity, called the effort by induced bronchospasm.

Often, the crisis may be accompanied by accelerated heartbeat (tachycardia), increased respiratory rate and sweating. In severe cases, the person can not even speak.

The diagnosis of asthma is suspected in the presence of symptoms described above, especially when there is a history of ill relatives. The examinations are usually performed chest X-ray, spirometry, and possibly some skin tests to detect allergies. Spirometry is a test that assesses the function of the lung, and is performed as follows: a person breathes into a device connected to a computer, which makes the measures. During the examination, the person is directed to breathe deeply, hold the air force and with fast, and other specific maneuvers.

The treatment of asthma is highly dependent on the patient and their responsibility. Understands the use of preventive measures related to changes of environment and the use of medications.

With regard to changes in the environment (especially the home), are recommended the following measures:

• The pets should be kept out of the house, especially the fourth of the child / adult with asthma.

• When visiting a house that has animals, take the medication for relief.

• Avoid household items containing feathers, such as pillows and padded.

• The mattresses, made of springs and pillows should be covered with a layer of plastic, being kept tightly.

• The bed linen must be changed and washed weekly.

• If possible remove all the carpets, curtains, cardboard boxes, worms, plush.

• In cases of individuals allergic to pollen, keep the windows closed during seasons with the greatest concentration of it. Avoid leaving at noon and evening, because in those times the concentration of pollen in the air, is greater.

• If you have asthma, do not smoke.

• Do not allow the smoke inside or near the home of individuals with asthma.

The drugs used to be classified into two groups:

• Medicines for relief: are those used during the crisis, to alleviate the symptoms. They basically the bronchodilators, which have the task of opening the airways obstructed.

• Medicines Control: they are also called preventive. They are used every day and act in the progression of the disease. They include the anti bronchodilators and the long period of action.

These medicines are usually given as inhalation, through the famous bombinhas, but also by inhalers, which are more expensive.

In all cases, is of extreme importance, the correct use of the device, to ensure that the drug actually reach the lungs. In children and individuals with more difficulty, it is recommended the use of spacers, which facilitate the application of medicine. 

We must emphasize once again that the purpose of treating asthma is not a cure, but the control of symptoms, prevention of exacerbations, the maintenance of pulmonary function tests as close as possible to normality, the practice of normal activities and preventing the development of obstruction and death from chronic asthma.

The bronchitis is a condition usually associated with the infection of the respiratory system. The acute bronchitis usually manifest as a framework of intense and prolonged cough that persists after the disappearance of other symptoms. You can make the air more sensitive to factors such as cooling, of cigarette smoke and pollution, causing the cough to get worse when the person is exposed to them.

The period of highest incidence includes the cold months of the year and is almost always caused by infection by viruses, generally the same as cause the common cold. However, some bacteria may also be involved. These infectious agents spread by the air and is acquired through breathing.

The main symptoms of acute bronchitis is a cough, which may last several weeks. When the cough is very long, you should differentiate the asthma and bronchitis to pneumonia. Earlier the cough usually dry (without phlegm), but with time comes a thick secretion and clear, which may eventually become green or yellow. Another symptom is chest pain, which may worsen when the person inspires. Fever may also be present.

The doctor usually makes the diagnosis only with a medical history. Sometimes, to exclude pneumonia, may be requested a chest X-ray. In some cases, it may take the examination of phlegm, which allows, at times, identify the causative agent. But this is not necessary, in the vast majority of cases.

Most cases resolve itself spontaneously, not requiring treatment. As the disease is usually caused by viruses, it is not necessary the use of antibiotics. To relieve cough, it is recommended the holding of mist, which helps soften the secretion and facilitating their elimination. The individual should stop smoking, as it accelerates the improvement, and prevent other lung diseases in the future.

The chronic bronchitis is a picture of prolonged inflammation of the airways and is associated with irreversible obstruction of them. Virtually all cases occur by the adverse effect of smoking on the lungs. Effects generally older individuals, who smoked for a long period of their lives. Along with pulmonary emphysema, chronic bronchitis composes the spectrum of COPD.

The symptoms are presented with phlegm to cough, difficulty breathing and wheezing in the chest (during the crises of worsening). The individual may also submit a blue color in the tips of the fingers, around the lips and the tip of the ear (cyanosis), in serious cases.

Usually the diagnosis is made in individuals with the symptoms described above, present for some time, and with reports of heavy smoking longstanding. The examinations are conducted by chest X-ray and spirometry.

The first step in treatment is to quit smoking. Without this, the drugs are useless. These include the same groups used to treat asthma. In the most serious cases may be necessary to the use of oxygen.