| Chronic Bronchitis | | | | * In very extreme cases, lung reduction surgery to |
| Chronic bronchitis is a condition involving the | | | | remove damaged area of lung or a lung transplant |
| inflammation of the main airways (bronchial tubes) in | | | | may be recommended. |
| the lungs that continues for a long period or keeps | | | | Always seek professional medical advice about any |
| recurring. When the airways are irritated, thick mucus | | | | treatment or change in treatment plans. |
| (also called sputum) forms in them. The mucus plugs | | | | Preventive measures to avoid flare-ups: |
| up the airways and makes it hard to get air into the | | | | * Quit smoking |
| lungs, leading to shortness of breath and persistent | | | | * Healthy diet |
| cough. | | | | * Avoid substances that cause flare ups |
| In medical terms, a person is considered to have | | | | * Avoid dust |
| chronic bronchitis if cough and sputum are present | | | | * Physiotherapy, regular exercises as shown by a |
| (without any other disease that could account for | | | | practitioner to strengthen lung muscles. |
| these symptoms) on an average of 3 months for at | | | | * Chronic bronchitis increases the risk of lung infections, |
| least 2 successive years or for 6 months during a | | | | so be sure to get a flu shot every year. Also, get a |
| year. | | | | pneumococcal vaccination to protect against |
| Symptoms of chronic bronchitis: | | | | pneumonia. |
| * An early symptom is persistent winter cough that | | | | Do antibiotics help in treating chronic bronchitis? |
| disappears in the summer. | | | | In general, antibiotics don't help much in chronic |
| * In the early stages of chronic bronchitis, the cough | | | | bronchitis. |
| usually occurs in the morning. As the disease | | | | Antibiotics are usually prescribed if one gets a lung |
| advances, coughing persists throughout the day. This | | | | infection along with chronic bronchitis. This is because, if |
| chronic cough is termed as "smoker's cough." | | | | one has a lung infection, he may cough up more |
| * The cough produces mucus, and there is trouble | | | | mucus thereby aggravating the situation. One may also |
| breathing and a feeling of tightness in the chest. | | | | get down with fever and shortness of breath. |
| * Lips and skin may appear blue. | | | | What is oxygen therapy? |
| * Breathlessness even on slight exertion. | | | | Because of the damage to lungs due to chronic |
| * Abnormal lung signs. | | | | bronchitis, the lungs may not be able to get enough |
| * Mild fever accompanied by chest pain. | | | | oxygen into the body. Therefore, a doctor may |
| * Swelling of the feet | | | | prescribe oxygen supplementation if the chronic |
| * Heart failure in extreme cases | | | | bronchitis is severe and medicine doesn't help. |
| What causes chronic bronchitis? | | | | If prescribed oxygen therapy, one must use it day and |
| Cigarette smoking is the main cause of chronic | | | | night to get the most advantage. Oxygen can help |
| bronchitis . When tobacco smoke is inhaled into the | | | | breathe better, easier and therefore live longer. |
| lungs, it irritates the airways, thereby leading to | | | | A few other suggestions: |
| excessive production of mucus. | | | | * Exercising regularly so as to strengthen the muscles |
| If exposed for a long time to other substances that | | | | that help breathe. Start by exercising slowly and for |
| irritate the lungs, such as air pollution, chemical fumes, | | | | just a little while at a time. Then slowly increase the |
| dust and other noxious substances, one can get | | | | time you exercise each day and also how fast you |
| chronic bronchitis. | | | | exercise. |
| Treatment: | | | | * An exercise regime called pulmonary rehabilitation |
| There is no complete cure for chronic bronchitis. The | | | | may also help improve breathing. Pulmonary |
| main aim of treatment is to relieve symptoms and | | | | rehabilitation is usually given by a respiratory therapist. |
| prevent complications. | | | | * A breathing method called "pursed-lip breathing" also |
| Many patients with chronic bronchitis are susceptible to | | | | helps. To do this, take a deep breath and then breathe |
| recurring bacterial infections, so treatment becomes all | | | | out slowly through the mouth while holding the lips as if |
| the more tough. Excessive mucus production in the | | | | going to kiss someone. Pursed-lip breathing slows |
| lungs provides the perfect environment for infection to | | | | down the fast breathing and helps one feel better. |
| thrive, which also causes inflammation and swelling of | | | | * Drink a minimum of eight glasses of water or other |
| the bronchial tubes and a reduction in the amount of | | | | fluids every day. This will help to keep the mucus thin, |
| airflow in and out of the lungs. | | | | making it easier to cough up. Avoid sugar and dairy |
| * It is important to quit smoking, and thereby prevent | | | | products because they tend to weaken the immune |
| chronic bronchitis from getting worse. Any other | | | | system and stimulate excessive mucus production. |
| respiratory irritants should also be avoided. | | | | * Avoid taking cough suppressants, as it may cause |
| * Inhaled medications (bronchodilators) that widen the | | | | mucus buildup and can lead to serious complications, |
| airways and decrease inflammation help reduce | | | | such as pneumonia. |
| symptoms such as wheezing. | | | | * Avoid taking antihistamines or decongestants as |
| * Antibiotics are also prescribed for infections as | | | | these medications can worsen the situation by drying |
| required. | | | | the airways and causing the mucus to thicken. |
| * Corticosteroids are used during flare-ups of | | | | * Stay away from chemicals, dust, paints, insecticides |
| wheezing or by people with severe bronchitis who do | | | | and other respiratory irritants as these worsen the |
| not respond to other treatments. | | | | condition. |
| * Physical exercise programmes, breathing exercises | | | | Remember, if symptoms do not ease within 48 hours |
| are part of the overall treatment plan. | | | | or mucus colour changes, one must immediately call a |
| * Oxygen supplementation may be advised in severe | | | | doctor. |
| cases. | | | | |