Bronchitis Signs and Symptoms
Much like many other health problems, having an understanding of the significance of associated signs and symptoms, can greatly assist in quick and successful treatment. This article looks at the most common signs and symptoms associated with Bronchitis.
Colds and coughs are a common illness for many people, but if the condition lasts for more than a week it might be considered as bronchitis. When there is a respiratory illness where in the bronchial tubes of the lungs are irritated and swollen accompanied with pain it can be identified as bronchitis.
There are two types of bronchitis. The first one is usually caused by a viral infection and usually arises after a sore throat or cold and only lasts from one to two weeks. This is termed acute bronchitis.
There are common symptoms of acute bronchitis that you need to be aware of:
- Throbbing cough – a cough with a sudden contraction of the chest which makes a distinct sound.
- Runny nose – considered as one of the more common irritations of people with acute bronchitis.
- Wheezing – a sound that can be heard when a person with acute bronchitis is breathing.
- Sore throat – throat pain and itch.
- Repeated headache – a condition where the pain is commonly felt in the head, neck and back.
- Chills – this condition may be accompanied with quivering and paleness and in some cases it can arise with a sudden increase of temperature.
- Slight fever – in acute bronchitis there is an abnormal elevation of bodily temperature.
- Malaise – feeling of discomfort when there is acute bronchitis.
- Back and muscle pain – soreness of bones in the back and muscle.
To find out the most common signs and symptoms of Chronic Bronchitis be sure to visit part 2 of this article and Bronchitis Symptoms website.
Yours in Good Health
How to Prevent Bronchitis
It is often said, prevention is better than cure. So while it important to know how to diagnose and treat Bronchitis, knowing how to prevent this common problem is most important. This article looks at the best and easiest ways at preventing you from getting Bronchitis
In order to function normally and productively you should maintain a healthy body by preventing illness from becoming worse. There are millions of people suffering from different respiratory illnesses, from ordinary asthma to more serious respiratory disorders. It is important to know that the respiratory system is one of the most vital parts of your body that needs to be taken care of in order to live normally and productively.
However there are some people who are more prone to respiratory illness like tobacco smokers and those people living in areas where there is high level of air pollution. Bronchitis is a common respiratory illness that can affect these people. It is a condition where the bronchi of the bronchial tree in the lungs are inflamed. If you are one of those affected people, you should educate yourself on how to prevent bronchitis.
There are two types of bronchitis, acute and chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis lasts for 10 to 12 days. It is mainly caused by a virus or bacteria and in some cases it may come from fungus. People suffering from acute bronchitis have the following symptoms, constant coughing with mucus, excessive fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, low fever, vibration felt when breathing, and sometimes a cold feeling.
For more points on how to prevent Bronchitis, be sure to visit part 2 of this article at Bronchitis Cure website
Yours in Good Health
Bronchitis Medication
Medication is a common and generally successful way of helping fight the severity and symptoms with Bronchitis. This article looks several different medications, their effects and success in treating Bronchitis and other respiratory problems
Basically there are two types of bronchitis, acute and chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is a short term illness that becomes more common during cold weather. It is usually followed by viral infection and can be associated with bacterial infections. Acute bronchitis usually clears itself within 2 weeks, but the cough may continue. And in some cases of acute bronchitis it can develop into pneumonia.
Infants and very young children, with underdeveloped immune systems and elderly who have weaker immune systems because of ageing, are more susceptible to acute bronchitis. Smokers and those with pre-existing lung and heart problems are also at risk in having acute bronchitis. People who are exposed to too much pollution are also more prone to this condition.
Chronic bronchitis is a respiratory illness where in the respiratory tract is also inflamed but in this case, it is accompanied with over secretion of mucus and coughing. The signs and symptoms can also last for a longer period of time. Chronic bronchitis can be caused by airway irritants including cigarette smoking and air pollution. This condition develops slowly, that is why middle aged and elderly individuals are most commonly diagnosed as having chronic bronchitis.
The main purpose of treating acute and chronic bronchitis is to lessen the signs and symptoms. For acute bronchitis, treatment may only consist of taking a lot of fluids, getting enough rest, installing humidifiers in the house, and stopping smoking. Medications are prescribed only when there is fever and pain, the most common is aspirin or Tylenol. Aspirin is contraindicated with very young children because it may result in Reye’s syndrome and for pregnant women it may cause bleeding.
To find out more about medication for treating Bronchitis, visit part 2 of this article at Treatment for Bronchitis website
Yours in Good Health
First Aid Home Remedies for Bronchitis
There is certainly a growing acknowledgment and research that shows natural medicine and remedies to be as effective for certiain types of health problems.This article looks at home remedies as first aid for people suffering from Bronchitis.
Bronchitis is a respiratory illness where there is an inflammation in the bronchial tubes leading to the lungs. There are two types of bronchitis which are acute and chronic, in which acute is commonly caused by virus and a short term illness. While chronic bronchitis on the other hand is usually caused by smoking and other infectious agents and can last for several months to years.
There are some home remedies that can be helpful in the treatment of bronchitis which sometimes serves as first aid for this condition. These remedies are proven to help heal bronchitis infection and ease the symptoms like congestion and coughing, which causes patient irritability, uneasiness and to some extent pain.
Environment humidification
By using humidifiers it can moisten the air within the house and can help in bringing up the sputum and loosening the phlegm through coughing. These may include a hot bath with closed doors, slow boiling of water with added eucalyptus oil if available.
Taking plenty of liquids
Drinking of plenty of fluids is helpful in thinning out sputum and makes it easier to expel. Most common drinks are water, fresh fruit juices, soup and sometimes tea. It is more helpful as long it is warm because it can soothe the throat from too much coughing.
For more great and useful first aid home remedies visit part 2 of this article at Treatment of Bronchitis
Yours in Good Health
Examination and testing For Bronchitis
If your health professional feels that your acute bronchitis is caused by:
- A virus, then no more testing is needed in most cases.
- Bacteria, then more testing may be done and antibiotics may be prescribed.
More testing may be necessary for infants and people older than 65, or if:
- Acute bronchitis does not clear up in 2 to 3 weeks.
- Pneumonia, heart failure, or tuberculosis is suspected or has been recently diagnosed.
- Your immune system is not functioning well (impaired immune system). People with immune problems are more likely to develop complications, such as pneumonia.
- You have a chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- You do not get better with antibiotic therapy, or you require hospitalization.
- You have a heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute, a respiratory rate greater than 24 breaths per minute, and a fever greater than 100.4° F (38° C) .
- Whooping cough, a bacterial infection of the upper respiratory system, is suspected.
- Influenza (flu), a viral upper respiratory illness, is suspected.
For the rest of this article, including other testing procedures visit Test for Bronchitis website
Yours in Good Health
Oxygen Therapy for Bronchitis
What is oxygen therapy?
Because of the damage to lungs due to chronic bronchitis, the lungs may not be able to get enough oxygen into the body. Therefore, a doctor may prescribe oxygen supplementation if the chronic bronchitis is severe and medicine doesn’t help.
If prescribed oxygen therapy, one must use it day and night to get the most advantage. Oxygen can help breathe better, easier and therefore live longer.
A few other suggestions:
* Exercising regularly so as to strengthen the muscles that help breathe. Start by exercising slowly and for just a little while at a time. Then slowly increase the time you exercise each day and also how fast you exercise.
* An exercise regime called pulmonary rehabilitation may also help improve breathing. Pulmonary rehabilitation is usually given by a respiratory therapist.
* A breathing method called “pursed-lip breathing” also helps. To do this, take a deep breath and then breathe out slowly through the mouth while holding the lips as if going to kiss someone. Pursed-lip breathing slows down the fast breathing and helps one feel better.
* Drink a minimum of eight glasses of water or other fluids every day. This will help to keep the mucus thin, making it easier to cough up. Avoid sugar and dairy products because they tend to weaken the immune system and stimulate excessive mucus production.
* Avoid taking cough suppressants, as it may cause mucus buildup and can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia.
* Avoid taking antihistamines or decongestants as these medications can worsen the situation by drying the airways and causing the mucus to thicken.
* Stay away from chemicals, dust, paints, insecticides and other respiratory irritants as these worsen the condition.
Remember, if symptoms do not ease within 48 hours or mucus colour changes, one must immediately call a doctor.
For further information and continuation of this article, visit Treatment for Bronchitis website
Yours in Good Health
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
Symptoms of 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.
Symptoms of chronic bronchitis:
* An early symptom is persistent winter cough that disappears in the summer.
* In the early stages of chronic bronchitis, the cough usually occurs in the morning. As the disease advances, coughing persists throughout the day.
This chronic cough is termed as “smoker’s cough.”
* The cough produces mucus, and there is trouble breathing and a feeling of tightness in the chest.
* Lips and skin may appear blue.
* Breathlessness even on slight exertion.
* Abnormal lung signs.
* Mild fever accompanied by chest pain.
* Swelling of the feet
* Heart failure in extreme cases
For the rest of this article, and for more on Bronchitis, visit the bronchitis diagnosis website
Children and Bronchitis
This article takes a closer look at bronchitis and the impact it has on children. It explains common causes and symptoms of bronchitis, and then looks at the specifics with children and this common respiratory condition
Acute bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes (airways in the lungs) become infected or inflamed. Normally, air moves in and out of these airways easily. When a child has acute bronchitis, the tubes become narrowed, making it harder for air to flow in and out of the lungs. This causes shortness of breath and coughing or wheezing. Acute bronchitis usually goes away without treatment in a few days to a few weeks.
What Causes Acute Bronchitis?
* A cold or the flu
* A bacterial infection
* Exposure to irritants such as tobacco smoke, smog, and household cleaners
* Other respiratory problems, such as asthma
* What Are the Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis?
* Acute bronchitis usually comes on suddenly, often after a cold or flu.
Symptoms include:
* Noisy breathing or wheezing
* Mucus buildup in the airways and lungs
* Slight fever and chills
* Chest retractions (sucking in of the skin around the ribs when your child inhales, a sign of difficult breathing)
* Coughing up yellowish-gray or green mucus (may indicate a bacterial infection)
How Is Acute Bronchitis Diagnosed?
Your child’s health history, a physical exam, and certain tests can help your child’s doctor diagnose bronchitis. During the exam, the doctor will listen to your child’s chest and check his or her ears, nose, and throat. One or more of these tests may also be done:
* Sputum culture: Fluid from your child’s lungs may be checked for bacteria.
* Chest x-ray: Your child may have a chest x-ray to look for pneumonia (bacterial infection in the lungs).
* Other tests: Your child’s doctor may order other tests to check for underlying problems such as allergies or asthma. Your child may be referred to a specialist for these tests.
How Is Acute Bronchitis Treated?
The best treatment for acute bronchitis is to ease symptoms. To help your child feel more comfortable:
* Give your child plenty of fluids, such as water, juice, or warm soup. Fluids loosen mucus, helping your child breathe more easily. They also prevent dehydration.
* Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.
* Keep your house smoke-free.
* Use “children’s strength” medication for symptoms. Discuss all over-the-counter products with the doctor before using them, including cough syrup.
* Never give a child under age 18 aspirin to treat a fever unless your doctor says it’s okay. (It could cause a rare but serious condition called Reye’s syndrome.)
For part 2 of this article on Bronchitis and children, visit the bronchitis treatment website
Causes of Bronchitis
A number of bacteria are also known to cause bronchitis, such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which causes so-called walking pneumonia. Bronchitis also can occur when you inhale irritating fumes or dusts. Chemical solvents and smoke, including tobacco smoke, have been linked to acute bronchitis.
People at increased risk both of getting bronchitis and of having more severe symptoms include the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, smokers, and anyone with repeated exposure to lung irritants.
For further information about bronchitis and all related topics, including products and links, visit bronchitis treatment website