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