Treatment for Chronic Bronchitis
In medical terms, a person is considered to have chronic bronchitis if cough and sputum are present (without any other disease that could account for these symptoms) on an average of 3 months for at least 2 successive years or for 6 months during a year.
Treatment for Chronic Bronchitis:
There is no complete cure for chronic bronchitis. The main aim of treatment is to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.
Many patients with chronic bronchitis are susceptible to recurring bacterial infections, so treatment becomes all the more tough. Excessive mucus production in the lungs provides the perfect environment for infection to thrive, which also causes inflammation and swelling of the bronchial tubes and a reduction in the amount of airflow in and out of the lungs.
* It is important to quit smoking, and thereby prevent chronic bronchitis from getting worse. Any other respiratory irritants should also be avoided.
* Inhaled medications (bronchodilators) that widen the airways and decrease inflammation help reduce symptoms such as wheezing.
* Antibiotics are also prescribed for infections as required.
* Corticosteroids are used during flare-ups of wheezing or by people with severe bronchitis who do not respond to other treatments.
* Physical exercise programmes, breathing exercises are part of the overall treatment plan.
* Oxygen supplementation may be advised in severe cases.
* In very extreme cases, lung reduction surgery to remove damaged area of lung or a lung transplant may be recommended.
Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.
For part 2 of this article, and for other helpful information about bronchitis, be sure to visit the Help with Bronchitis website
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