Bronchitis

Defenition of bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the air passages between the nose and the lungs, including the
windpipe or trachea and the larger air tubes of the lung that bring air in from the trachea
(bronchi). Bronchitis can either be of brief duration (acute) or have a long course (chronic).
Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection, but can also be caused by a bacterial
infection and can heal without complications. Chronic bronchitis is a sign of serious lung disease
that may be slowed but cannot be cured.

Causes of bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses, typically the same viruses that cause colds and flu
(influenza). Antibiotics don't kill viruses, so this type of medication isn't useful in most cases of
bronchitis.

The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. Air pollution and dust or
toxic gases in the environment or workplace also can contribute to the condition.

symptom of bronchitis

For either acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis, signs and symptoms may include:

1. Cough

2. Production of mucus (sputum), which can be clear, white, yellowish-gray or green in

3. Fatigue

4. Shortness of breath

5. Slight fever and chills

6. Chest discomfort

If you have acute bronchitis, you might have cold symptoms, such as a mild headache or body
aches. While these symptoms usually improve in about a week, you may have a nagging cough
that lingers for several weeks.

Chronic bronchitis is defined as a productive cough that lasts at least three months, with
recurring bouts occurring for at least two consecutive years.
If you have chronic bronchitis, you're likely to have periods when your cough or other symptoms
worsen. At those times, you may have an acute infection on top of chronic bronchitis.

Treatment

Acute bronchitis

When no secondary infection is present, acute bronchitis is treated in the same way as the
common cold. Home care includes drinking plenty of fluids, resting, not smoking, increasing
moisture in the air with a cool mist humidifier, and taking acetaminophen (Datril, Tylenol,
Panadol) for fever and pain. Aspirin should not be given to children because of its association
with the serious illness, Reye's syndrome.

Expectorant cough medicines, unlike cough suppressants, do not stop the cough. Instead they
are used to thin the mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough up. This type of cough
medicine may be helpful to individuals suffering from bronchitis. People who are unsure about
what type of medications are in over-the-counter cough syrups should ask their pharmacist for
an explanation.

If a secondary bacterial infection is present, the infection is treated with an antibiotic. Patients
need to take the entire amount of antibiotic prescribed. Stopping the antibiotic early can lead to
a return of the infection. Tetracycline or ampicillin are often used to treat adults. Other
possibilities include trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim or Septra) and the newer
erythromycin-like drugs, such as azithromycin (Zithromax) and clarithromycin (Biaxin). Children
under age eight are usually given amoxicillin (Amoxil, Pentamox, Sumox, Trimox), because
tetracycline discolors permanent teeth that have not yet come in.

Chronic bronchitis

The treatment of chronic bronchitis is complex and depends on the stage of chronic bronchitis
and whether other health problems are present. Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and
avoiding secondhand smoke or polluted air, are an important first step. Controlled exercise
performed on a regular basis is also important.

Drug therapy begins with bronchodilators. These drugs relax the muscles of the bronchial tubes
and allow increased air flow. They can be taken by mouth or inhaled using a nebulizer. A
nebulizer is a device that delivers a regulated flow of medication into the airways. Common
bronchodilators include albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil, Apo-Salvent) and metaproterenol
(Alupent, Orciprenaline, Metaprel, Dey-Dose).
Anti-inflammatory medications are added to reduce swelling of the airway tissue.
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, can be taken orally or intravenously. Other steroids are
inhaled. Long-term steroid use can have serious side effects. Other drugs, such as ipratropium
(Atrovent), are given to reduce the quantity of mucus produced.

As the disease progresses, the patient may need supplemental oxygen. Complications of COPD
are many and often require hospitalization in the latter stages of the disease.

Alternative treatment

Alternative practitioners focus on prevention by eating a healthy diet that strengthens the
immune system and practicing stress management. Bronchitis can become serious if it
progresses to pneumonia, therefore, antibiotics may be required. In addition, however, there
are a multitude of botanical and herbal medicines that can be formulated to treat bronchitis.
Some examples include inhaling eucalyptus or other essential oils in warm steam. Herbalists
recommend a tea made of mullein (Verbascum thapsus), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), and anise
seed (Pimpinella anisum). Homeopathic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine may also be
very useful for bronchitis, and hydrotherapy can contribute to cleaning the chest and
stimulating immune response.

Prevention Action

The best way to prevent bronchitis is not to begin smoking or to stop smoking. Smokers are ten
times more likely to die of COPD than non-smokers. Smokers who stop show improvement in
lung function. Other preventative steps include avoiding chemical and environmental irritants,
such as air pollution, and maintaining good overall health. Immunizations against certain types
of pneumonia (as well as influenza) are an important preventative measure for anyone with
lung or immune system diseases.