Bronchitis
BronchitisBronchitis 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 ©© the reasons are unclear. Of course smokers are
50 times more likely to get chronic bronchitis than non©smokers.
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 ©©
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 ©© diagram 1) and they begin to expand
and swell up. As they expand, they squeeze the trachea (see pg 5
©© 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.
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.Ô 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.