If you have asthma and bronchitis, you may have asthmatic bronchitis. Asthmatic bronchitis can make respiratory symptoms worse and require treatment to support lung function.

Having asthma puts you at an increased risk of bronchitis. This is because asthma constricts the air vessels in your lungs.

Bronchitis refers to inflammation in the small airways in the lungs.

When the airways get inflamed, they produce mucus. Mucus helps the body flush out what it thinks is an infection, but it can also further block and damage the airways.

Anything that’s in the airways, including bacteria or viruses, can then get trapped in your airways during an asthma attack. Over time, residue in the lungs can damage the lung tissue. This may further increase your risk of developing bronchitis.

Keep reading to learn about asthmatic bronchitis, including the symptoms and causes and how to treat it.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes inflammation and narrowing of small airways in the lungs.

Bronchitis refers to inflammation in the bronchial tubes. It can be acute (short-term) and develop in response to an illness like a respiratory infection.

Bronchitis can also be chronic, or long lasting. Chronic bronchitis typically results from damage to the bronchial tubes and is considered a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Unlike acute bronchitis, it doesn’t fully resolve, though symptoms can improve with treatment.

It’s possible to have asthma with acute or chronic bronchitis, though they all have different causes and may cause some different symptoms. Treatment can also vary depending on whether bronchitis is acute or chronic.

The symptoms of asthma and bronchitis are generally very similar. But having both at the same time can make symptoms worse.

It can be difficult to tell the conditions apart without an official diagnosis. A diagnosis can also help inform which treatments may work best to improve symptoms.

Symptoms of asthma and bronchitis may include:

Bronchitis can also cause symptoms like:

You may not be able to tell if you have bronchitis or are having an asthma flare-up without specialized lung function tests from your doctor. You should seek medical treatment if:

  • your condition worsens
  • your condition doesn’t improve with the use of your asthma inhaler
  • you develop a fever of about 102°F (39°C) or higher

Your doctor can order specific testing to determine whether your symptoms are caused by asthma or bronchitis and recommend treatment.

The exact cause of asthmatic bronchitis isn’t known. Acute bronchitis can develop because of a virus or infection in the breathing tubes. Chronic bronchitis is more likely to result from exposure to cigarette smoke, pollution, or chemicals.

If you have asthma and also smoke, you’re more at risk for the condition. Exposure to secondhand smoke can also damage your airways. This can make you more prone to getting bronchitis.

Breathing polluted air, which can happen while doing woodwork or working with chemicals, can also increase your risk of bronchitis. With asthma, those triggers are even more likely to lead to bronchitis.

People who have a form of COPD like chronic bronchitis in addition to asthma may receive a diagnosis of asthma COPD overlap syndrome and require special considerations in symptom management and treatment.

Having bronchitis and asthma at the same time can make symptoms of both conditions worse.

Treatment goals for asthmatic bronchitis include:

  • reducing airway inflammation
  • keeping the airways open
  • getting rid of any mucus that’s clogging up your airways

If your bronchitis is due to a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection.

If acute bronchitis develops due to a viral infection, such as a cold, the flu, or COVID-19, a doctor may recommend antiviral medications to reduce the length of your illness. They may also recommend getting rest at home and staying hydrated to help the infection pass.

A doctor may prescribe inhaled or oral steroids to help reduce the inflammation in your lungs. If breathing is difficult, they may recommend you use use supplemental oxygen at home.

If you have chronic bronchitis, a doctor may recommend treatments you take daily and other treatments you take when experiencing symptoms. They may also recommend taking steps to reduce exposure to airway irritants like cigarette smoke.

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If you have asthma, a doctor may recommend taking steps to prevent both acute and chronic bronchitis. This can include:

  • avoiding contact with people who have an active respiratory infection
  • avoiding environmental pollutants, including chemicals, smoke, and pollution
  • using an air purifier or air filter at home
  • wearing a mask if your job involves airway pollution
  • quitting smoking, if you smoke
  • avoiding secondhand smoke
  • getting all recommended vaccines, such as for the flu and COVID-19

Asthmatic bronchitis occurs when you have asthma and bronchitis. Having both conditions can worsen respiratory symptoms and make it harder to breathe.

A doctor can diagnose asthmatic bronchitis and recommend treatments to support your lung function and reduce inflammation.