Bronchitis

Bronchitis

Bronchitis generally refers to an acute inflammation of the air passages within your lungs. It occurs when your trachea (windpipe) and the large and small bronchi (airways) in your lungs become inflamed because of infection or other causes.

• The thin mucous lining of these airways can become irritated and swollen.
• The cells that make up this lining may leak fluids in response to the inflammation.
• Coughing is a reflex that works to clear secretions from your lungs. Often the discomfort of a severe cough leads you to seek medical treatment.
• Both adults and children can get bronchitis. Symptoms are similar for both.
• Infants usually get bronchiolitis, which involves the smaller airways and causes symptoms similar to asthma.
  

Bronchitis Causes

Bronchitis occurs most often during the cold and flu season, usually coupled with an upper respiratory infection.

• Several viruses cause bronchitis, including influenza A and B, which we commonly call "the flu."
• A number of bacteria are known to cause bronchitis, such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which causes so–called walking pneumonia.
  
• Bronchitis also can occur when you inhale irritating fumes or dusts. Chemical solvents and smoke, including tobacco smoke, have been linked to acute bronchitis.
• People at increased risk both of getting bronchitis and of having more severe symptoms include the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, smokers, and anyone with repeated exposure to lung irritants.
  

Bronchitis Symptoms

Acute bronchitis most commonly occurs after an upper respiratory infection such as the common cold or a sinus infection. Therefore, you may see symptoms such as fever with chills, muscle aches, nasal congestion, and sore throat.

• Cough is a common symptom of bronchitis. The cough may be dry or may produce phlegm. Significant phlegm production suggests that your lower respiratory tract and the lung itself may be infected and you may have pneumonia.
• The cough may last for more than two weeks. Continued forceful coughing may make your chest and abdominal muscles sore. Cough can be severe enough at times to injure the chest wall or even cause you to pass out.
  
• Wheezing may occur because of the inflammation of your airways. This may leave you short of breath.

When to consult your physician

Although most cases of bronchitis clear up on their own, some people may have complications that their doctor can ease.

• Severe coughing that interferes with rest can be reduced with prescription cough medications.
• Wheezing may respond to an inhaler (which has brochodilatordrugs) which dilates your airways.
• If fever continues beyond four to five days, see your doctor for a physical examination to rule out pneumonia.
  
• See a doctor if you have coughing up blood, rust–colored sputum, or an increased amount of green phlegm.
• If you experience difficulty breathing with or without wheezing ,go to a hospital's emergency department for evaluation and treatment.
  

Exams and Tests

Doctors diagnose bronchitis generally on the basis of your symptoms and a physical examination.

• Usually you will need no blood tests.
• If the doctor suspects you have pneumonia, you may have a chest x–ray.
  
• It may need to measure oxygen saturation (how well oxygen is reaching blood cells) using a sensor placed on a finger.
• Sometimes it needs to examine of phlegm cough up to look for bacteria.
  

Bronchitis Treatment

Self–Care at Home

• By far the majority of bronchitis cases stem from viral infections. This means that most cases of bronchitis are short–term and require nothing more than treatment of symptoms to relieve discomfort.
• Antibiotics will not cure a viral illness.

A.Experts in infectious diseases have been warning for years that overuse of antibiotics is allowing many bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotics available.
B.Doctors often prescribe antibiotics because they feel pressured by people's expectations to receive them. This expectation has been fueled by both misinformation in the media and marketing by drug companies. Don't expect to receive a prescription for an antibiotic if your infection is caused by a virus.

• Acetaminophen ,aspirin or ibuprofen will help with fever and muscle aches.
• Drinking fluids is very important because fever causes the body to lose fluid faster. Lung secretions will be thinner and thus easier to clear when you are well hydrated.
• A cool mist vaporizer or humidifier can help decrease bronchial irritation.
• An over–the–counter cough suppressant may be helpful to ease symptoms.
  

Medical Treatment

Treatment of bronchitis can differ depending on the suspected cause.

A. Medications to help suppress the cough or loosen and clear secretions may be helpful. If you have severe coughing spells that you cannot control, you need prescription for cough suppressants. In some cases only the stronger cough suppressants can stop a vicious cycle of coughing leading to more irritation of the bronchial tubes, which in turn causes more coughing.
B. Bronchodilator inhalers will help open airways and decrease wheezing.
C.Though antibiotics play a limited role in treating bronchitis, they become necessary in some situations if suspicion of a bacterial infection or in people with chronic lung problems.

Homeopathic Treatment

Homeopathy has very effective treatment of Bronchitis. There are more then 150 medicines for Bronchitis. In cases of children and Acute cases of Bronchitis homeopathy cure immediately. Old cases take a long time to cure. Homeopathic medicines are prescribed on basis of Individuality of a patients,his symptom complex, triggering factors, personality traits, modalities of weather and temperature changes, family history,person's mental make up and reaction pattern.

Prevention

A. Stop smoking.
B. Avoid exposure to irritants.Exposure at workplace must be prevented.
C. The dangers of passive smoke are well known. Children should be prevented from passive smoke.
D.Avoiding long exposure to air pollution from heavy traffic may help prevent bronchitis.