Bronchitis Management - 5 Facts And Tips To Control This Disorder

Bronchitis can easily be mistaken for a common cold. Dealing with bronchitis becomes easier once you learn to identify the various symptoms and signs of bronchitis.

There are two types of bronchitis--acute and chronic--and the symptoms of muscular aches, mild fever, chills, sore throat, insomnia, and breathlessness are common to both types of bronchitis; however, dyspnea is peculiar to chronic bronchitis.

1. Basics of Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a condition in which viral or bacterial infection leads to inflammation of the respiratory tract. However, bacteria and virus are not always responsible for this condition. Continuous exposure to highly polluted atmospheres or a lifestyle trait such as heavy smoking renders the immune system so weak that the body becomes an ideal place for bacterial or viral infection.

Bronchitis usually begins with an infected sinus or a common cold. At first, the victims of bronchitis experience an irritating sensation in the posterior part of their throat, which is followed by a persistent cough accompanied by phlegm.

2. Dealing with Cough

A common symptom of bronchitis is cough, which may be a dry cough or accompanied by phlegm. Cough accompanied by sputum generally indicates infection of the lower parts of the respiratory system.

In case of acute bronchitis, the patient may cough for a couple of weeks or more. Persistent cough causes a strain on the muscles of the abdomen and the thoracic cavity. If not treated properly and on time, persistent coughing might result in a damaged chest wall.

Since a cough might mean many things, a doctor will have to thoroughly examine the patient for any other medical condition that might be responsible for it. In case of severe, uncontrollable cough, the doctor might prescribe cough suppressants.

3. Dealing with Other Symptoms

Use a humidifier to deal with the uncomfortable feeling in the respiratory tract.

Taking plenty of liquids helps cool the body temperature.

In addition, liquid intake also helps liquefy the phlegm, and the body will find it easier to eliminate it via coughing. Expectorants such as quaifenesin also have the same effect.

4. Medication for Bronchitis

In most cases, virus are responsible for this condition. Virus-caused bronchitis does not require any major treatment. It is easy to control and treat it at home. A few medicines, however, are taken to gain relief from the various symptoms.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are prescribed in cases of bacteria-caused bronchitis. However, an over dose of antibiotics will only make the bacteria more resistant to the medication.

Don't take antibiotics if the bronchitis is caused by virus or lifestyle patterns such as smoking or polluted environments because the antibiotics are of no use in such cases.

Antibiotics may also be used in case of patients suffering from long-term pulmonary disorders because their immune systems are so weak that they are susceptible to all sorts of bacterial infections.

Pain Killers

Muscle pain is another symptom of this disorder. Pain killers such as aspirin and acetaminophen provide a lot of relief. However, an over dose of these drugs can cause gastric bleeding, and so, they should be taken on a full stomach.

Moreover, pregnant women and children are strictly not permitted to take these medicines. Aspirin is believed to cause Reye's syndrome in children. In pregnant women, it may result in severe bleeding.

5. Other Medications

Apart from the basic medication for bronchitis, doctors can prescribe medicines depending on the condition of individual patients.

Bronchodilators dilate the tissues of the respiratory tract to enable free flow of air. Consequently, they reduce wheezing. In extreme cases of chronic bronchitis, the patient might need additional oxygen to help him or her breathe.

In addition, patients are advised to take a flu vaccine along with a pneumococcal vaccine once in five or seven years. Mucolytic agents, alpha 1 antitrypsin therapy, and antitussive medications are also used in the treatment of bronchitis.

Herbal medicines that can be inhaled or taken in the form of a tea can also be used to alleviate the symptoms of bronchitis. However, it is crucial that you take herbal medication only after consulting your doctor.

Vielen Dank für diesen Artikel lesen: Bronchitis Management - 5 Facts And Tips To Control This Disorder