The Problem of Bronchitis

Bronchitis is generally understood as an inflammation or swelling of the bronchial tubes also known as (bronchi), the air passages between the mouth and nose and also the lungs. More specifically, the condition of bronchitis describes a condition where the lining of the bronchial tubes becomes inflamed. Individuals with the condition of bronchitis have a reduced ability to breathe air and also oxygen into their lungs; also, they cannot clear heavy mucus or phlegm from their airways. If you are suffering from this problem, then you are in the right place, herein under are some of the things that could help you tackle the problem a lot better.

Types

Bronchitis may be divided into the following two categories:

• acute or
• chronic

Acute bronchitis

The Acute bronchitis is a shorter illness that is commonly followed by a cold or viral infection, such as the flu itself. It consists of a cough with the mucus, chest discomfort or even soreness, fever, and, sometimes, shortness of breath. The Acute bronchitis usually lasts a few days or even for weeks.

Chronic bronchitis

The Chronic bronchitis is a serious, ongoing illness which is characterized by a persistent, mucus-producing cough that lasts usually longer than 3 months out of the year for more than 2 years. People with the chronic bronchitis have varying degrees of the breathing difficulties, and symptoms may get better and also worse during different parts of the year. If the chronic bronchitis occurs with the emphysema, it may become chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). So be careful and show a doctor before that if you have the slightest feeling that you might be suffering from bronchitis.

Causes of bronchitis

Bronchitis is caused by the following:

• inflammation of the bronchial tubes,
• by viruses,
• bacteria, or
• Other irritant particles.

Causes of the acute bronchitis

The Acute bronchitis is normally caused by the viruses, typically those that also cause colds and flu. It can also be caused by the bacterial infection and also exposure to substances that irritate the lungs, such as:

• tobacco smoke,
• dust,
• fumes,
• vapors and
• Air pollution.

Causes of chronic bronchitis

The Chronic bronchitis is caused by the repeated irritation and damage of the lung and airway tissue. Smoking is the most common causes of the chronic bronchitis, with other causes including the long-term exposure to air pollution, dust and even fumes from the environment, and repeated episodes of the acute bronchitis.

Symptoms of bronchitis

The signs and the symptoms of both acute and chronic bronchitis include:

• Persistent cough, which may also produce mucus
• Wheezing
• Low fever and the chills
• Chest tightening
• Soreness in throat
• Body aches
• Breathlessness
• Headaches
• Blocked nose and sinuses

Diagnosis of bronchitis

The doctor will ask about the symptoms and much in particular the cough. They may also ask about the patient's overall medical history, whether they have recently suffered from a cold or even by flu, whether they smoke, or whether they have actually recently been exposed to substances such as:

• dust,
• fumes,
• vapors or
• Air pollution.

A doctor will usually use a stethoscope to listen for any of the abnormal sounds in the lungs. They may also examine the mucus or test the oxygen levels in the blood, and may also recommend a chest X-ray, pulmonary lung function test, or even blood tests.

Treatments for bronchitis

People who are suffering from bronchitis are usually are instructed to do the following:

• rest,
• drink fluids,
• breath warm and moist air,
• take the over the counter cough suppressants,
• pain relievers to manage the symptoms and
• Ease the

Many cases of the acute bronchitis go away without any specific treatment, but there is no real cure for the chronic bronchitis. To keep the bronchitis symptoms under the control and relieve symptoms, doctors might prescribe:

• Cough medicine - although the coughing should not be completely suppressed as this is an important way to actually bring up mucus and also remove irritants from the lungs.
• Bronchodilators - these open the bronchial tubes and also clear out mucus.
• Mucolytic - these thin or the loosen mucus in the airways, making it actually easier to cough up sputum.
• Anti-inflammatory medicines and glucocorticoid steroids - these are for the more persistent symptoms to help to decrease the chronic inflammation that may cause the tissue to damage.
• Oxygen therapy - this helps to improve oxygen intake when breathing is quite difficult.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation program - this includes the work with a respiratory therapist to help to improve breathing.
• Antibiotics - these are effective for the bacterial infections, but not for the viral infections. They may also prevent the secondary infections.

Other behavioral remedies include the following:

• Removing the source of the irritation to the lungs - for example, by stopping or by quitting smoking
• Using a humidifier - this can actually loosen mucus and also relieve limited airflow and wheezing
• Exercise - this will strengthen the muscles involved in the breathing process
• Breathing exercises - for example, when pursed-lip breathing that helps to actually slow breathing down

Complications of bronchitis

The most common complication of the bronchitis is the pneumonia; this occurs when the infection spreads deeper into the lungs. This infection causes the air sacs within the lungs also called the (alveoli) to fill with fluid. An estimated of 5 percent of bronchitis cases lead to having pneumonia. Pneumonia is more likely to develop in the older adults, smokers, and the people with the diseases in other organs, and anyone with a reduced or weaker immune system.

Prevention

Although it is not always quite possible to prevent the acute or chronic bronchitis, there are several measures that can actually help reduce the risk:

• Do not start or initiate smoking; quit smoking if you already or are about to smoke.
• Avoid the lung irritants such as the smoke, dust, fumes, vapors, and even the air pollution. If avoiding exposure is not possible, then it is advisable to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth.
• Wash your hands often to limit the exposure to germs and also bacteria.
• Get a yearly flu vaccine, whenever possible.
• Get a pneumonia vaccine, if you can.

Research shows that exposure to the passive smoking at work was associated with almost double the risk of the chronic bronchitis which is (an 89 percent increased risk), while the passive smoking at home was associated with more than around two-and-a-half times the risk of chronic bronchitis. Living close to a busy road almost quite doubles the risk, as does the heating the home with hot air conditioning rather than the electric heating. Living close to a diesel-burning power plant has also been associated with around a 62 percent increase in the risk of the chronic bronchitis.

Some Recommended Homeopathic Medications to treat Bronchitis

Before you start to have any of the under mentioned medications, always consult the physician. The reason for this is that not everything suits everyone and also to know the accurate dosage that would suit you best.

• Allen A65 Bronchitis Drops

  Bronchitis with Inflammation of Bronchial Tubes, Dry Raw Cough, Chest Pain

• REPL Dr. Advice No 21 (Bronchitis)

  Bronchitis, Cough with Mucus and Congestion, Wheezing

• Haslab DROX 4 (Branco Drops - Bronchitis)

  Bronchitis, Rattling of Mucus with Heaviness of Chest, Suffocative Cough

• New Life NL-18 (Bronchitis Drops)

  Bronchial Asthma with Cough and Wheezing, Difficult Breathing

• Adel Pekana Adel 83 (Bronchi-Pertu)

  For Whooping Cough, Bronchial and Other Respiratory Infections and Asthma

• Dabur Bronchorid Syrup

  Effective in treatment of Asthma Problems, Breathlessness, Wheezing and Cough

• Baidyanath Chitrak Haritaki

  For Treatment of Chronic Cold, Flu, Cough, Bronchitis, Asthma, Sinusitis

• Bhandari Cough Syrup

  For Whooping, Barking and Convulsive Cough, Bronchitis and Asthma

• Baksons B49 Astha Drops

  For Bronchial Asthma, Bronchitis, Cough and Wheezing

• Dabur Chitrak Haritki

  For Treatment of Chronic Cold, Flu, Cough, Bronchitis, Asthma, Sinusitis

• Himalaya Bresol Syrup

  For Allergic Rhinitis, Bronchitis, Cough, Asthma and Pollen Allergy

• B Jain Omeo Asthma Syrup

  For Asthma, Wheezing, Bronchitis, Breathlessness and Chest Congestion

• SBL Bio Combination 6

  Cough, Cold and Catarrh, Bronchitis, Rattling Cough, Painful Respiration

Ayurvedic Remedies for Bronchitis

• Bambusa Arudinacea (VANSHLOCHAN)

  This Ayurvedic herb acts as the suppressant of the cough and helps keep the respiratory system clean. It also helps in problems like dry cough and sore throat.

• Piper Longum (PIPPALI)
  1. Pippali is a very effective remedy in case of the mucus and cold conditions in the lungs.
  2. It enhances the vasodilatation and the blood circulation to the lungs.
  3. It has also decongestant, bronchodilator and the expectorant properties.
  4. It rejuvenates the lungs.
  5. People who are quite prone to the frequent colds can get some relief from the symptoms by using the Pippali.
• Curcuma Longa (CURCUMIN)
  1. Owing to its rich medicinal properties, the Curcumin is a widely used herb in the case of cancer.
  2. Many of the malignant cancers have found their management in the Curcumin.
  3. Anti-oxidants present in the herb reduce the free- radicals from the body thereby overall improving the health and immunity.
  4. The Curcumin herb has rich anti-diabetic properties that makes it a wonderful herb to use for the diabetic patients.
  5. It is a famous Chinese medicine to relieve the digestive and liver related diseases.
  6. Its anti- inflammatory properties makes it a strong herb for the various allergies, infections and the inflammations.
  7. The herb has the power to also fight against toxins and the infections owing to its rich anti-biotic properties.
  8. It is used in many of the cosmetics due to its beneficial actions on the skin.
• Elletteria Cardamomum (ELA)
  1. It is commonly known as the cardamom. Its seeds possess the warm and pungent properties. It has a sweet taste and it reduces the Vata and Kapha.
  2. This herb is effective in cases of the sore throat and hoarseness caused because of the influenza and cold.
  3. The sweet aromatic flavour of the seeds helps also as a breath freshener.
  4. These seeds are used for curing depression, impotency, oral disorders and even
  5. The oil extracted from the seeds is used in the pharmacy, perfumery and also for flavouring curries and the desserts.
• Cinnamomum Zeylancia (DALCHINI)
  1. It is also a common spice, which is used in the Indian cooking. It shows the properties which act against the pathogenic microbes present in the respiratory tract.
  2. The cough related problems can be eliminated quite effectively by using this herb.
  3. It helps in the expelling of the excess mucus from the lungs and respiratory tract.
  4. Breathing causes difficulties like the cough, cold and bronchitis which show positive results with this herb.
  5. The Cinnamon leaves can be boiled and the decoction can be used to actually relieve flatulence. It improves the memory and complexion.
  6. A pinch of the cinnamon powder should be mixed with the honey and consumed regularly for more better results. It also acts as a mouth freshener.
  7. A paste of the cinnamon powder can be mixed with a few drops of the lime juice and applied on acne and pimples.
  8. It forms an integral part of the Indian Ayurvedic system since several ages. It soothes the cough and further cold related symptoms.

Follow the above remedies , lead a healthier life, avoid consuming excessive amounts of smoke, stay fit, exercise, keep the body hydrated and maintain a healthy lifestyle and see the noticeable differences. Also stay away from dusts and fumes and if problems are too severe or causing extreme discomfort please show a doctor as soon as possible.