WHAT IS BRONCHITIS?

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes,which carry air to and from your lungs. Usually the cold or flu completes its course in few weeks and you are again healthy and without any symptoms but when the infection spreads to bronchial tubes it causes swelling and inflammation there producing more mucus and timid cough. Along with that it would also produce tightness in the chest with short breathing accompanied by sound while breathing (wheezing). Low grade fever can also be seen.

Types of bronchitis

a) Acute bronchitis and 

b) Chronic bronchitis

Acute bronchitis: commonly follows a cold or viral infection,such as the flu.It consist of cough with mucus,chest discomfort or soreness, fever and sometimes shortness of breath. Acute bronchitis usually lasts a few days or weeks.

Chronic bronchitis: is a serious,ongoing illness characterized by a persistent,mucus-producing cough that lasts longer than 3 months out of the year for more than 2 year.

If chronic bronchitis occurs with emphysema, it may become chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

How does it spread

  • By airborne respiratory droplets
  • By saliva(kissing or hugs)
  • By skin to skin contact
  • By touching a contaminated surface

RISK FACTORS

There are several things which can increase the risk of bronchitis:

  • Smoking: active or passive is going to increase the risk of bronchitis- acute or chronic.
  • Fumes: ladies cooking in villages with coal and wood are more at risk of developing bronchitis as they are exposed very frequently to fumes from burning coal and wood.
  • Exposure to irritants: irritants like chemicals, dyes, textile irritants, wood residues etc can also predispose to bronchitis.
  • Poor hygiene: would expose to recurrent infections and would predispose to bronchitis.
  • Heartburn: more acidity would induce more cough due to irritation in throat and food pipe.

COMPLICATIONS

The major complication of bronchitis are:

  • Respiratory failure
  • Pneumonia
  • Enlargement and weakness of right heart ventricle of the heart caused by lung disease
  • Pneumothorax (collection of air or gas in lungs causing lung collapse)
  • Polycythemia
  • COPD
  • Emphysema

SYMPTOMS & CAUSES

SYMPTOMS

  • Signs and symptoms of acute and chronic bronchitis are: 
  • Cough
  • Production of mucous(sputum), which can be clear, white, yellowish-gray or green in colour rarely, it may be streaked with blood
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Slight fever and chills
  • Chest discomfort
  • Wheezing
  • Sore throat
  • Headaches
  • Blocked nose and sinuses

CAUSES

a) Causes of acute bronchitis-acute bronchiti is normally caused by viruses,typically those that also cause colds and flu.

It can also be caused by bacterial infection and exposure to substance that irritate the lungs, such as tobacco smoke, dust, fumes, vapors and air pollution.

b) Causes of chronic bronchitis- chronic bronchitis is caused by repeated irritation and damage to the lungs. Smoking is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis.

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis of bronchitis is made by following points:

  • Person’s medical history
  • Physical examination
  • Chest X ray
  • Sputum examination
  • CBC
  • CT scan of chest
  • Pulmonary function test

A history of a daily productive cough that lasts at least 3 months,especially if has occurred two years in a row, make the clinical diagnosis of chronic bronchitis.

TREATMENT

  • Antibiotics
  • Steroids
  • Bronchodilators
  • Anti inflammatory drugs
  • Supplemental oxygen

These medicines have side effects and would only give temporary relief so homeopathy is a good way of treatment where symptoms can be treated completely and permanently.

Homeopathic medicines are very much effective in treatment of bronchitis.

MANAGEMENT

  • Do not start smoking; quit smoking if you already smoke
  • Avoid lung irritants such as smoke, dust, fumes, vapors and air pollution. 
  • Wash hands often to limit exposure to germs and bacteria
  • Wear mask so that you can avoid infections.

HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

Homoeopathic approach towards bronchitis are very good there are several medicines which improve your immunity and give power to fight with bronchitis.

Some medicines are:

  • Arsenic album
  • Antimonium tart
  • Bryonia
  • Dulcamara
  • Causticum
  • Hepar sulphuris
  • Kali bichromium

Take medicines only after consulting a good homeopathic medicines.

DO’S & DON’TS

Do’s

  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Do exercise daily
  • Take medicine on time
  • Keep hydrate yourself
  • Do breathing exercise
  • Always keep inhaler for emergency condition

Don’t

  • Don’t take cough medicine
  • Do not stop treatment
  • Don’t expose yourself to pollutants
  • Don’t panic