Ask a doctor on the topic of General medicine

Problems caused by bronchitis?

October 25, 2014 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Hello, I (38/m/70kg) had a bad cold (sore throat, runny nose, fever, cough). On the third day, the cough was accompanied by shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. I have allergic asthma but it is inactive. Now my question:

My cough is no longer productive. But I still have shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, narrowing airways, and dry coughing fits. My doctor mentioned COPD. Before the cold, I was symptom-free even during exertion. 50 mg Decortin brings slight improvement, Viani nothing .. however, 10 puffs of Atrovent inhaler keep me symptom-free for 6 to 10 hours, no shortness of breath, no cough .. nothing. This is only half the adult dose !!!

Is this typical of COPD? Is my lungs possibly just stressed from the severe infection? Shouldn't the cortisone or Viani have worked wonders for asthma? After listening to my lungs (99), the doctor said they are still not clear. But I am no longer coughing up any secretions! Despite percussion technique, nothing!

I do not want a diagnosis, just a possible interpretation of whether this triggers allergic asthma? Is COPD present and only a problem after acute bronchitis, or simply stressed airways due to the infection? Because only the children's dose of Atrovent keeps me symptom-free for a very long time and that is just a bronchodilator?

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Good evening,

The fact that Viani is not helping, but Atrovent is, suggests that COPD is the cause of your shortness of breath. It seems that the infection has led to an acute exacerbation. This is treated with cortisone in tablet form, as only this will sufficiently reduce swelling. The cortisone in Viani is not sufficient for this purpose.
The difference between COPD and asthma is that only with asthma, but not with COPD, is it possible to widen the bronchial tubes with medications such as Viani.
Therefore, I assume that in addition to asthma, you also have COPD. Mixed forms are not uncommon.
It is important to have a lung function test and possibly a blood test to see if antibiotics could help you, and to accurately distinguish between COPD and asthma.

All the best!

Best regards, Dr. Höllering