Asthma and bronchitis have similar symptoms but different causes. They can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.

In both asthma and bronchitis, your airways become inflamed. They swell up, making it harder for air to move into your lungs. As a result, less oxygen reaches your organs and tissues.

Viruses and environmental factors such as tobacco smoke and pollution can cause bronchitis. Gene changes and environmental triggers such as pollen and dust can contribute to asthma symptoms.

Read on to learn more about the symptoms and causes of asthma and bronchitis. This article also looks at how doctors diagnose each condition, the treatment options, and more.

Both asthma and bronchitis can cause these symptoms:

Bronchitis causes the production of mucus when you cough. The mucus can be clear, yellow, or green.

Acute bronchitis also causes these symptoms:

In acute bronchitis, the cough, chest tightness, and wheezing usually last for a few days to a few weeks, until the infection clears up. Chronic bronchitis symptoms continue long term.

Asthma symptoms come and go. Some people might have asthma that’s triggered by certain events, such as exercise, allergies, or pollutants. Mild symptoms may resolve within a few minutes, but more severe asthma flares may last for hours or days.

The causes of asthma and bronchitis are different.

Asthma causes

Doctors don’t know exactly what causes asthma. It may be due to a combination of genes and environmental factors. Genes you inherit from your parents may make your airways more sensitive to triggers such as smoke, pollen, and pet dander.

You’re more likely to get asthma if:

  • your parents have asthma or allergies
  • you had viral respiratory infections as a child
  • you have allergies or eczema
  • you’re regularly exposed to chemicals or dust at work
  • you smoke or often spend time around someone who smokes

Usually, something in the environment triggers asthma symptoms. Possible asthma triggers include:

  • dust
  • mold
  • pet dander
  • pollen
  • pollution
  • smoke
  • changes in the weather
  • cockroaches
  • chemical fumes or gases at work
  • exercise
  • stress
  • colds and other infections

Bronchitis causes

Bronchitis can be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is caused by a virus or bacteria. Chronic bronchitis is triggered by something in the environment, such as:

  • tobacco smoke
  • chemical fumes
  • air pollution
  • dust

These substances irritate and inflame your airways.

You’re more likely to get bronchitis if you:

If you’re coughing or wheezing and your symptoms don’t go away, consult your doctor for a diagnosis. You can also see a pulmonologist (a doctor who treats asthma and other conditions affecting the lungs).

Your doctor might ask about your family history of allergies and asthma. Then, they might listen to your lungs using a stethoscope.

You may have one or more tests, such as:

  • Spirometry: You blow into a device that shows how well your lungs are working.
  • Chest X-ray: This is a scan that uses small amounts of radiation to create a picture of your lungs. A doctor can use a chest X-ray can look for growths in your lungs that might be causing your symptoms.
  • Sputum tests: A doctor will take a sample of the mucus you cough up from your lungs and test it for bacteria to find out whether you have an infection.

Allergies are often the cause of asthma. You might need to see an allergist for blood and skin tests. These tests can help you find out which substances trigger your asthma, such as dust, mold, or pet dander.

If you have acute bronchitis, your doctor will recommend that you:

  • get plenty of rest
  • drink lots of fluids
  • take pain relievers to ease your symptoms.

If you have a bacterial infection that’s causing acute bronchitis, you may need antibiotics.

Chronic bronchitis and asthma have similar treatments. The goal of treatment for either condition is to open up your airways and help you breathe more easily.

Some medications, such as bronchodilators and corticosteroids, are suitable for treating both asthma and bronchitis. Allergy shots may also help.

Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators are a type of medication that relaxes the muscles around your airways to open them up and ease your breathing.

Short-acting bronchodilators start working quickly to relieve your cough and shortness of breath when these symptoms flare up. Long-acting bronchodilatorstake longer to start working, but their effects last longer.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation. Usually, you’ll breathe in steroids through an inhaler.

Allergy shots

If allergies trigger your asthma or bronchitis, you may need allergy shots. These medications help your immune system get used to the substance so you no longer have a reaction.

Your doctor can provide more information about the medications they recommend for your individual circumstances.

Both asthma and bronchitis can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. But the two conditions have different causes.

Asthma may result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Examples of triggers include mold, dust, pet dander, and smoke.

Acute bronchitis is caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Chronic bronchitis happens in response to environmental triggers that affect your airways, such as smoke or fumes.

Resting and drinking fluids can help reduce symptoms of acute bronchitis, and you might need to take antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection. Some medications, such as bronchodilators and corticosteroids, can treat both asthma and bronchitis.

Contact your doctor if you have symptoms of asthma or bronchitis. Your doctor may order various tests to confirm the diagnosis. They can then work with you to create a suitable treatment plan.