INTRODUCTION: Bronchitis is a respiratory illness in which the mucous membrane in the lungs bronchial passages becomes inflamed and normally occurs in the setting of an upper respiratory problem and is observed more often in the winter months. It can be short-lived (acute) or chronic, meaning that it continues for a long time and often recurs and may have causes other than an infection. Bronchitis can also occur when acids from your stomach consistently back up into your food pipe, a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. Both adults and children can develop 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: Symptoms lasting up to 90 days are usually classified as acute; symptoms lasting longer, sometimes for months or years, are usually classified as chronic. Signs of Infectious bronchitis generally begins with the symptoms of a common 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: Over time, harmful substances in tobacco smoke can permanently damage the air passages, increasing the chance for emphysema, cancer, and other serious lung diseases. People at risk for acute bronchitis include: The elderly, infants, and young children, Smokers, and those with heart or lung disease. Passive smoke exposure is a risk factor for chronic bronchitis and asthma in adults.
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 awareness and treatment, combined with smoking cessation, significantly improve the odds of a good outcome. With severe bronchitis, your fever may be as high as 101 to 102F and can last for 3 to 5 days even with antibiotic treatment. However, if influenza is the suspected problem, treatment with an antiviral drug may be useful.
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.
Tobacco and infectious agents are major reasons for chronic bronchitis and although found in all age groups, it is found most frequently in children younger than 5 years of age. In 1994, it was diagnosed in more than 11 of every 100 children younger than 5 years old. Fewer than 5 percent of persons with bronchitis go on to develop pneumonia. Most cases clear up on their own in a few days, especially if you rest, consume plenty of fluids, and keep the air in your home warm and moist. If you have repeated bouts of bronchitis, see your Physician.
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: Symptoms lasting up to 90 days are usually classified as acute; symptoms lasting longer, sometimes for months or years, are usually classified as chronic. Signs of Infectious bronchitis generally begins with the symptoms of a common 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: Over time, harmful substances in tobacco smoke can permanently damage the air passages, increasing the chance for emphysema, cancer, and other serious lung diseases. People at risk for acute bronchitis include: The elderly, infants, and young children, Smokers, and those with heart or lung disease. Passive smoke exposure is a risk factor for chronic bronchitis and asthma in adults.
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 awareness and treatment, combined with smoking cessation, significantly improve the odds of a good outcome. With severe bronchitis, your fever may be as high as 101 to 102F and can last for 3 to 5 days even with antibiotic treatment. However, if influenza is the suspected problem, treatment with an antiviral drug may be useful.
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.
Tobacco and infectious agents are major reasons for chronic bronchitis and although found in all age groups, it is found most frequently in children younger than 5 years of age. In 1994, it was diagnosed in more than 11 of every 100 children younger than 5 years old. Fewer than 5 percent of persons with bronchitis go on to develop pneumonia. Most cases clear up on their own in a few days, especially if you rest, consume plenty of fluids, and keep the air in your home warm and moist. If you have repeated bouts of bronchitis, see your Physician.
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About The Author: Richard H. Ealom is the Author of this article and the creator of "Free Articles On Diseases: How To Prevent and Cure Them". Want more Facts Please visit 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 left unaltered.
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