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Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi. It may develop suddenly,
following a head cold (acute bronchitis), or it may persist or return regularly
for many years, causing progressive degeneration of the bronchi and lungs
(chronic bronchitis). Certain people are more susceptible than others; Men are
more of a target to bronchitis than women, out numbering them 10 to 1 cc the
reasons are unclear. Of course smokers are 50 times more likely to get chronic
bronchitis than noncsmokers. Acute bronchitis is a bacteria or virus infection,
often following a cold smoking. People who have acute bronchitis usually have a
mild fever, soreness under breast bone, irritated by coughing. First they have a
dry cough then the cough later brings up green and yellow mucus. The cough may
persist to 4 to 6 weeks. Chronic bronchitis is produced by other chronic
problem: sinusitis, smoking, TB, etc.
The Bronchi becomes thick, inelastic, and
accumulate mucus and pus in lower part of lungs instead of bringing discharges
up and out. The result is chronic cough, shortness of breath, sometimes spasm,
and frequent infection. In acute bronchitis, the basic symptoms are a head cold,
fever and chills, running nose, aching muscles and possibly back pains. This is
soon followed by the obvious persistent cough. At first the cough is dry and
racking and eventually becomes phlegmy. The persistent cough is worse at night
than during the day, and when the person breathes in smoke and fumes. The main
symptoms most recognized in chronic bronchitis is, again, a cough, with sputum,
often occurring in paroxysms. Other symptoms in chronic bronchitis are dependant
on how much, or how little, emphysema is present. This disorder causes the lungs
to become overstretched, making the breathing process difficult.
The chronic bronchitic with no emphysema tends to be overweight and often has a bluish tinge
to his or her lips due to lack of oxygen. Shortness of breath only occurs during
exercise and other strenuous activity. The bronchitic with a great deal of
emphysema, who has lost a lot of his or her oxygen cc exchanging ability, due to
the condition, is short of breath at all times. The bronchitic with emphysema
very often are underweight and, as the disease comes worse, develops a barrel
chest. The Chronic bronchitic also wheezes because of the obstruction. NOTE:
Emphysema is a state of overdistention of the tiny air-containing sacs of the
lung. The cause of bronchitis are from viral or bacterial infections which
spreads to the chest. The body uses defence mechanisms to try to prevent the
viruses and bacterias from spreading the infections. Examples of defence
mechanisms are sneezing, coughing, etc.
There are also white blood cells to help
us the fight off the bacterias and viruses. However if new viruses and bacterias
enters our body then the white blood cells will have to take some time to
recognize the new viruses and bacterias. Fortunately, a different kind of white
blood cells try to fight off the bacterias and viruses as much as they can but
unfortunately as they are doing that, they are releasing other chemicals. The
chemicals enter the tissue that surrounds the trachea (see page 5 cc diagram 1)
and they begin to expand and swell up. As they expand, they squeeze the trachea
(see pg 5 cc diagram 2). As a result, less air can pass through the trachea
causing a short of breath. Generally, bronchitis occurs with greater frequency
in winter, in damp, cold climates, and in heavy polluted environments. The best
treatment for acute bronchitis is bed rest in a warm room. Cough medicines will
relieve the cough and aspirin will reduce the fever.
Acute bronchitis that is
viral usually runs it's course without medication. A proper diet and avoidance
of additional irritants such as smoking are recommended. Steam inhalations is
helpful in eliminating congestive mucus. Antibiotics may be needed if the cause
is bacteria. Treatment of chronic bronchitis is more difficult. The patients
lungs are already damaged and the destruction of the airways are not easily
renewed. Bronchial dilator drugs may be given to the patient to relieve any such
obstruction, while physiotherapy will help the patient get rid of any sputum.
Yoga and breathing exercises may help shortness of breath. In severe cases,
urgent hospital treatment may be required. Oxygen may have to be given through
the course of the illness.
Postal drainage can also be tried. This is when the
patient lies on a bed, a large cushion raising the groin, and smaller pillows
supporting the chest. Tapping the chest in this position causes the patient to
cough up sputum. The patient should stop smoking immediately, although this will
not reverse the chronic bronchitis, it will arrest it. Chronic bronchitis should
try to avoid environments where there are irritants that can bring on attacks.
Bronchitis is prevented by keeping good health habits and by giving instant
treatment to milder respiratory infections. Living in a clean environment and
not smoking or not inhaling cigarette smoke is strongly recommended.
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