Asthma vs Reactive Airway Disease: Difference and Comparison

Asthma is a medical disorder in which the body’s airways become inflamed. Asthma is a non-acute condition. Once this occurs, it becomes a chronic condition with a long-term effect and predominance on the individual.

This medical problem is not easily cured.

Reactive airway disease is a term used to describe a condition in which the body’s air passages and bronchial tubes are irritated. Reactive airway illness is a one-time event.

As a result, it is seen as a sort of acute condition that is not taken as seriously as Asthma.

Key Takeaways

  1. Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, resulting in difficulty breathing.
  2. Reactive airway disease is a term used to describe wheezing and breathing difficulties that are triggered by a specific irritant, infection, or allergy.
  3. Asthma is diagnosed based on a person’s symptoms and lung function tests, while reactive airway disease is diagnosed by observing symptoms in response to a known trigger.

Asthma vs Reactive Airway Disease

The difference between Asthma and Reactive Airway Disease is that Corticosteroids, inhalers, and bronchodilators can be used to treat the condition of Asthma regularly. Whereas, Inhalers can be used to treat and regulate the general condition of Reactive airway disease. However, one of the most important treatments is the removal of irritants from the airways and bronchial tubes.

Asthma vs Reactive Airway Disease

Asthma is diagnosed using a series of tests. Blood tests, lung challenge tests, and spirometry are used to monitor eosinophil concentrations. Asthma is a difficult disease to deal with.

When a patient does not reach the age of five or under five, a precise diagnosis of the disease cannot be made. Individuals with Asthma can treat their ailment at home after receiving confirmation from their respective doctors.

It also has no long-term influence on an individual’s health. The condition of reactive airway disease is normally diagnosed without the use of any tests but rather by the patient’s existing clinical symptoms.

The diagnosis of a child under the age of five who exhibits signs of the medical ailment reactive airway disease is simple to cure. It does not, however, rely on the person’s age.

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonAsthmaReactive Airway Disease
DurationLong termOccurs only once
SeriousnessChronicAcute
Perfect diagnosis ageAfter the age of 5.After or before the age of 5.
TreatmentCorticosteroids, inhalers and bronchodilators.Avoiding irritants, use of Inhalers
DiagnosisBlood tests, lung challenge tests and spirometry.By existing physical symptoms.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a medical disorder in which the airways inside the body become inflamed. Asthma is a condition that isn’t life-threatening. Once this occurs, it becomes a chronic condition with a long-term impact and prevalence on the individual.

This medical problem isn’t going away anytime soon.

The condition of asthma is diagnosed using a series of tests. This includes using blood testing, lung challenge tests, and spirometry to monitor eosinophil concentrations. Asthma is a difficult disease to diagnose and treat.

When a patient does not reach the age of five or under five, a precise diagnosis of the condition cannot be made.

After receiving confirmation from their separate doctors, the individual can treat their Asthma condition at home. Corticosteroids, inhalers, and bronchodilators can be used regularly to treat the condition.

asthma

What is Reactive Airway Disease?

Reactive airway disease is a term used to describe a disorder in which the air passages and bronchial tubes inside the body become irritated. Reactive airway disease is a condition that only occurs once in a lifetime.

As a result, it is commonly seen as a sort of acute condition that is not taken as seriously as Asthma.

Furthermore, it has no long-term influence on an individual’s health. The condition of reactive airway disease is normally identified without the need for any testing; rather, it can be recognised solely by the patient’s existing clinical symptoms.

The diagnosis of a child under the age of five who exhibits the signs of a medical illness known as reactive airway disease is simple to cure.

It does not, however, rely on the person’s age. With the use of inhalers, the general condition of Reactive airway disease can be healed and kept under control.

The process of removing irritants from the airways and bronchial tubes is, nevertheless, a key treatment.

reactive airway disease

Main Differences Between Asthma and Reactive Airway Disease

  1. Asthma is a type of medical condition where the airways inside the body show some inflammatory response. On the other hand, to describe the condition where the air passages and the bronchial tubes inside the body are irritated, this general situation is referred to as Reactive airway disease.
  2. Asthma is a type of condition which is not at all acute. Once this happens, it becomes a chronic disorder and simultaneously has a long-lasting effect and prevalence on the individual. This medical condition can not be gotten rid of that easily. On the other hand, the condition of reactive airway disease happens only once. Therefore it is regarded as a type of acute condition and is not taken as seriously as the condition of Asthma. Moreover, it does not have a long-lasting effect on an individual’s health.
  3. The diagnosis of the condition of asthma is made through the process of some tests. This includes observing the concentration of eosinophils with the help of blood tests, lung challenge tests and spirometry. Whereas the diagnosis is, the condition of reactive airway disease is not done with the help of any tests. Rather it can be diagnosed simply by the existing physical symptoms that the patient possesses.
  4. The condition of Asthma is a bit challenging. When a patient does not attain the minimum age of five or is below 5 years old, then the diagnosis of the disease can not be made accurately. On the other hand, the diagnosis of an individual below the age of five, having the symptoms of the general medical condition of reactive airway disease, can be treated easily. However, it does not depend on the age of the person specifically.
  5. The condition of Asthma can be treated at home by the individual after confirmation from their respective doctors. The treatment can be done frequently with the help of corticosteroids, inhalers and bronchodilators. On the other hand, the treatment of the general condition of Reactive airway disease can be cured and kept under control with the help of inhalers. However, major treatment includes eliminating irritants in the air passages and the bronchial tubes.
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References
  1. https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJM198911303212206
  2. https://www.nature.com/articles/ni.3049?foxtrotcall

Last Updated : 11 June, 2023

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8 thoughts on “Asthma vs Reactive Airway Disease: Difference and Comparison”

  1. The insights provided about the diagnosis and management of both asthma and reactive airway disease are crucial for fostering an in-depth understanding of these respiratory disorders.

    Reply
  2. The detailed comparison table clearly outlines the differences between asthma and reactive airway disease, which is essential for healthcare providers to accurately identify and treat these conditions.

    Reply
  3. The detailed overview of asthma and reactive airway disease illuminates the distinctive features of each condition, providing a comprehensive understanding of their clinical characteristics and management.

    Reply
  4. The in-depth analysis of asthma and reactive airway disease offers valuable knowledge about these respiratory conditions, aiding in the enhancement of clinical practices and patient care.

    Reply
  5. The information presented in the article emphasizes the significance of distinguishing between asthma and reactive airway disease, particularly in terms of diagnosis, treatment, and patient education.

    Reply
  6. The comparison between asthma and reactive airway disease provides valuable insight into the distinctions between these conditions. It’s essential to clarify these differences for proper management and care.

    Reply
  7. The article effectively covers the key aspects of asthma and reactive airway disease, enabling readers to comprehend the specific characteristics and implications of these respiratory conditions.

    Reply
  8. The information presented in this article is very detailed and helpful in understanding the differences between asthma and reactive airway disease. It is important to distinguish between both conditions for a correct diagnosis and treatment.

    Reply

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