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