Asthmatic Bronchitis, also called bronchial asthma, is a condition in which a person’s air passageways, called bronchial tubes, become inflamed. Every time we breathe in, the air enters through our nose and goes through a series of airways branching and eventually terminating in our lungs. In the case of a person suffering from asthmatic bronchitis, these airways become narrowed and swollen because of the production of excessive mucus. This makes it difficult for the air to reach the lungs. With less air entering the lungs, sufferers often feel short of breath and wheeze or cough in an attempt to get more air flowing through the restricted pathways. Sufferers need to be rushed for immediate medical help ASAP.
It helps to understand the anatomy of our respiratory system in order to clearly grasp what this condition encompasses. After we inhale air through the nose, it passes down to the trachea via the upper airways. The trachea, or windpipe, branches into two large tubes called bronchi. Then, inside the lungs, bronchi branch into smaller air pipes called bronchioles. Finally, air from the bronchioles moves into tiny air sacks called alveoli where gas exchange takes place.
Asthma and bronchitis are two separate respiratory conditions with 
similar symptoms. Asthma is a respirational illness that prevents normal air flow from outside to the alveoli of the lungs. It is caused due to the contracting of smooth muscles around the airways and swelling that narrows the passage of air. Acute bronchitis, also called chest cold, is a temporary inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs. It is most commonly caused due to bacterial or viral infections. The same viruses that are responsible for common cold can cause acute bronchitis in susceptible individuals.
When acute bronchitis and asthma occur together, the condition is known as asthmatic bronchitis. The usual symptoms include tightness or congestion in the chest, wheezing, coughing, soreness of throat, and shortness of breath. The most common triggers for asthmatic bronchitis include:
•Tobacco smoke
•Pollution
•Viral or bacterial infections
•Excessive exercise
•Weather changes
•Allergens such as dust or pollen
•Chemicals
•Certain medications
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