Bronchitis is common during or after an upper respiratory illness, or as a result of exposure to environmental pollutants (dust or smoke, for example). If caused by illness, it usually goes away after a few weeks of proper treatment. However, the chronic form, caused by smoking or lung damage from pollutants, can last indefinitely.
Because both acute and chronic forms involve inflammation of the airways, remedies that help relieve this inflammation are beneficial for both chronic and acute bronchitis.
Types
Bronchitis is classified as bacterial or viral and chronic or acute. Sometimes a virus, such as the common cold or influenza, leads to acute viral bronchitis. Bacterial bronchitis may also occur as a complication.
Chronic bronchitis is caused by smoking, allergens or environmental pollutants.
Features
Bronchitis is inflammation of the airways (bronchi) in the lungs. This can occur because of infection, such as influenza, or due to inhaled irritants. Symptoms include tight or heavy feelings in the chest, a dry or wet cough, wheezing and mild fever. These symptoms may be concurrent with nasal congestion or other symptoms, depending on what caused the bronchitis.
Remedies
Most cases of acute bronchitis are viral. Doctors will prescribe antibiotics for bacterial bronchitis, but antibiotics won't help in viral cases. In addition to antibiotics, doctors may prescribe expectorant cough syrup if the cough is too dry and not bringing up enough phlegm. Expectorants loosen chest congestion so the mucus is easier to cough up--this may seem to worsen the cough for a while, but it aids healing in the end by getting phlegm out, which in turn eases breathing. If the cough is incessant, however, cough suppressants may be prescribed instead.
In some cases, doctors will prescribe an inhaler to dilate the airways so that the bronchitis sufferer can breathe more easily.
Chronic bronchitis patients are often prescribed various forms of respiratory therapy in addition to inhalers and other medications.
Home remedies include a lot of rest (sitting up, not lying down), vaporizers to ease breathing and liquids to keep the body hydrated.
Prevention/Solution
The main way to prevent acute bronchitis is to treat colds and other respiratory illnesses immediately so that they don't worsen. You can prevent chronic bronchitis by avoiding smoking tobacco and reducing your exposure to dust and other airborne irritants.
When acute bronchitis does occur, quick treatment can prevent cases from worsening or becoming chronic.
Warning
Bronchitis can become serious and turn into pneumonia. The elderly, disabled and those who already have reduced lung function are most vulnerable to serious complications. See a doctor if you develop a chronic cough, or severe cough, especially if you have a fever.
Tags: acute bronchitis, caused smoking, chronic acute, environmental pollutants, inflammation airways