INTRODUCTION: Bronchitis is a respiratory disease in which the mucous membrane in the lungs bronchial airways becomes inflamed and usually happens in the setting of an upper respiratory illness and is seen more frequently in the winter time. It may be short-lived (acute) or chronic, meaning that it lasts for long periods of time and frequently recurs and can have causes other than an infection. Bronchitis can also happen when acids from your stomach continously back up into your food pipe, a condition known as GERD. Both adults and children can acquire it.
If you smoke and come down with the acute form, it will be very hard for you to recover. If you continue smoking, you are increasing your risks of developing the chronic form which is a serious long-term problem that often requires routine medical treatment. If you suffer from chronic bronchitis, you are at risk for developing cardiovascular problems as well as more serious lung diseases and infections, and you should be monitored by a MD.
SYMPTOMS: Signs lasting up to 90 days are often classified as acute; signs lasting longer, sometimes for months or years, are usually classified as chronic. Signs of Infectious bronchitis generally begins with the symptoms of an ordinary cold: runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, chills, and back and muscle aches.
The symptoms of either type of bronchitis include: Cough that creates mucus; if yellow-green in color, you are more likely to have a bacterial infection, Shortness of breath made worse by exertion or modest activity, Wheezing, Fatigue, Fever -- usually low and Chest discomfort. Additional symptoms include: Frequent respiratory infections (such as colds or influenza), Ankle, feet, and leg swelling, Blue-tinged lips caused by low levels of oxygen.
Most people can treat their symptoms at home. However, if you have severe or persistent symptoms or if you cough up blood,you should see your doctor. The doctor will recommend that you drink lots of fluids, get plenty of rest, and may suggest using an over-the-counter or prescription cough medicine to relieve your symptoms as you recover. If you do not improve, your doctor may prescribe an inhaler to open your airways. If symptoms are severe, the doctor may order a chest x-ray to exclude pneumonia.
RISK: With the passing of time, harmful substances in tobacco smoke can permanently damage the airways, increasing the risk for emphysema, cancer, and other serious lung diseases. Persons at risk for acute bronchitis include: The elderly, infants, and young children, Smokers, People with heart or lung disease. Passive smoke exposure is a risk factor for chronic bronchitis and adult asthma.
Smoking (even for a brief time) and being near tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, and other air pollutants for long periods of time increases a person risk for developing the disease. Overall, tobacco smoking accounts for as much as 90% of the risk. Secondhand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke raises the risk of respiratory infections, augments asthma signs, and causes a measurable decrease in pulmonary function. Malnutrition increases the chance of upper respiratory tract infections and subsequent acute bronchitis, especially in children and older people.
TREATMENTS: Treatment depending on the symptoms and cause, may include: Antibiotics to treat acute bronchitis that appears to be caused by a bacterial infection or for people who have other lung diseases that put them at a greater risk of lung infections, Bronchodilators, which open up the bronchi, may be used on a short-term basis to open airways and reduce wheezing, Cool-mist humidifiers or steam vaporizers can be helpful for wheezing or shortness of breath.
Early recognition and treatment, combined with smoking cessation, greatly improve the chance of a good outcome. With severe bronchitis, your fever can be as high as 101 to 102F and may last for 3 to 5 days even with antibiotic treatment. However, if the flu is the suspected cause, treatment with an antiviral medicine may be helpful.
CONCLUSION: Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways within the lungs and can be accompanied by signs of an upper respiratory infection, including: Soreness and a feeling of constriction or burning in your chest, Sore throat, Congestion, Breathlessness, Wheezing, Slight fever and chills, Overall malaise.
Cigarette smoke and infectious agents are major causes of chronic bronchitis and although found in all age categories, it is diagnosed most often in children younger than 5 years. In 1994, it was found in more than 11 of every 100 children younger than 5 years of age. Fewer than 5% of those with bronchitis go on to develop pneumonia. The Majority of cases clear up on their own in a few days, especially if you rest, drink plenty of liquids, and keep the air in your home warm and moist. If you have repeated bouts of bronchitis, see your MD.
If you smoke and come down with the acute form, it will be very hard for you to recover. If you continue smoking, you are increasing your risks of developing the chronic form which is a serious long-term problem that often requires routine medical treatment. If you suffer from chronic bronchitis, you are at risk for developing cardiovascular problems as well as more serious lung diseases and infections, and you should be monitored by a MD.
SYMPTOMS: Signs lasting up to 90 days are often classified as acute; signs lasting longer, sometimes for months or years, are usually classified as chronic. Signs of Infectious bronchitis generally begins with the symptoms of an ordinary cold: runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, chills, and back and muscle aches.
The symptoms of either type of bronchitis include: Cough that creates mucus; if yellow-green in color, you are more likely to have a bacterial infection, Shortness of breath made worse by exertion or modest activity, Wheezing, Fatigue, Fever -- usually low and Chest discomfort. Additional symptoms include: Frequent respiratory infections (such as colds or influenza), Ankle, feet, and leg swelling, Blue-tinged lips caused by low levels of oxygen.
Most people can treat their symptoms at home. However, if you have severe or persistent symptoms or if you cough up blood,you should see your doctor. The doctor will recommend that you drink lots of fluids, get plenty of rest, and may suggest using an over-the-counter or prescription cough medicine to relieve your symptoms as you recover. If you do not improve, your doctor may prescribe an inhaler to open your airways. If symptoms are severe, the doctor may order a chest x-ray to exclude pneumonia.
RISK: With the passing of time, harmful substances in tobacco smoke can permanently damage the airways, increasing the risk for emphysema, cancer, and other serious lung diseases. Persons at risk for acute bronchitis include: The elderly, infants, and young children, Smokers, People with heart or lung disease. Passive smoke exposure is a risk factor for chronic bronchitis and adult asthma.
Smoking (even for a brief time) and being near tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, and other air pollutants for long periods of time increases a person risk for developing the disease. Overall, tobacco smoking accounts for as much as 90% of the risk. Secondhand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke raises the risk of respiratory infections, augments asthma signs, and causes a measurable decrease in pulmonary function. Malnutrition increases the chance of upper respiratory tract infections and subsequent acute bronchitis, especially in children and older people.
TREATMENTS: Treatment depending on the symptoms and cause, may include: Antibiotics to treat acute bronchitis that appears to be caused by a bacterial infection or for people who have other lung diseases that put them at a greater risk of lung infections, Bronchodilators, which open up the bronchi, may be used on a short-term basis to open airways and reduce wheezing, Cool-mist humidifiers or steam vaporizers can be helpful for wheezing or shortness of breath.
Early recognition and treatment, combined with smoking cessation, greatly improve the chance of a good outcome. With severe bronchitis, your fever can be as high as 101 to 102F and may last for 3 to 5 days even with antibiotic treatment. However, if the flu is the suspected cause, treatment with an antiviral medicine may be helpful.
CONCLUSION: Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways within the lungs and can be accompanied by signs of an upper respiratory infection, including: Soreness and a feeling of constriction or burning in your chest, Sore throat, Congestion, Breathlessness, Wheezing, Slight fever and chills, Overall malaise.
Cigarette smoke and infectious agents are major causes of chronic bronchitis and although found in all age categories, it is diagnosed most often in children younger than 5 years. In 1994, it was found in more than 11 of every 100 children younger than 5 years of age. Fewer than 5% of those with bronchitis go on to develop pneumonia. The Majority of cases clear up on their own in a few days, especially if you rest, drink plenty of liquids, and keep the air in your home warm and moist. If you have repeated bouts of bronchitis, see your MD.
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About The Author: Richard H. Ealom is the Author of this article and the creator of "Free Articles On Sickness and Diseases: How To Prevent and Cure Them". Want more information Please go to us at our websites@Diabetes & Cancer Secrets OR Go To Heart Disease & Obesity Secrets. You are allowed to reprint this article provided this box is kept unchanged.
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