Bronchitis
is a very common health condition that affects the lungs. It is an inflammation of the lining of the
bronchial tubes, which are the ones responsible for carrying air to and from
your lungs in order for you to breathe adequately. If bronchitis is left untreated it could lead
to possible life-threatening complications.
Those who experience bronchitis often cough up mucus that is thick and
discolored at times. Bronchitis can
either be classified as acute or chronic depending on how long you have had
symptoms.
Acute
bronchitis develops secondary usually by a virus, such as after you come down
with a cold or another respiratory infection.
Acute bronchitis usually will improve within a few days without any
lingering effects, besides a cough that is likely to continue for many more
weeks. Chronic bronchitis is the more
serious of the two, and it occurs when there is a constant irritation or
inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes. Generally chronic bronchitis is found in those
who smoke, and those exposed to air pollution, dust, or toxic gases in the
environment or in the workplace. The
chronic form of bronchitis requires medical attention in order to maintain and
relieve the symptoms, while also working to prevent any further complications.
You
should be attentive to the following signs and symptoms which could be
indicative of either acute or chronic bronchitis. These include:
ü Productive cough.
ü Mucus that can either be
clear, yellowish-gray, white, or green…rarely it may also be streaked with
blood.
ü Fatigue.
ü Shortness of breath.
ü Slight fever and chills.
ü Chest discomfort.
You
should definitely seek medical attention if you notice the following
characteristics about your cough:
ü Lasts more than 3 weeks.
ü Interrupts, or completely
prevents you from sleeping.
ü Occurs along with a
fever higher than 100.4F.
ü Produces thick mucus
that is discolored.
ü Produces blood.
ü Causes you to wheeze or
become short of breath.
Keep
in mind that with acute bronchitis you may have a lingering cough that lasts
for several weeks even after the inflammation resolves. In order to be classified as chronic
bronchitis there has to be a productive cough that lasts at least three months
with recurring bouts of bronchitis symptoms that occur for at least two
consecutive years. As with most health
conditions there are also risks that increase your chance of coming down with
bronchitis. Risks to be aware of may
include the following:
ü Cigarette smoke.
v Whether you smoke
yourself, or live with someone who does…you will be at an increase risk to
develop either acute or chronic bronchitis.
ü Decreased immunity.
v If you have another
acute illness, such as a cold or a chronic condition that compromises your
immune system you will be more vulnerable to infection and development of
bronchitis. Older adults fall into this
vulnerable category.
ü Increased exposure.
v Your risk of developing
bronchitis increases if you work around certain materials that may become
irritants to your lungs, such as grains or textiles. Chemical fumes may also irritate your lungs.
ü Gastric reflux.
v Repeated occurrences of
severe heartburn can greatly irritate your throat and place you more at risk
for developing bronchitis.
Upon
presenting your symptoms to your provider, making a definitive diagnosis of
bronchitis can be done with completion of various tests, including:
o
Chest
X-ray.
·
This
can help rule out another condition, such as pneumonia, that may otherwise
explain your cough.
o
Sputum
tests.
·
Some
of your sputum can be collected and tested for infections and signs of
allergies. This will determine if you
could benefit from antibiotics to treat your condition.
o
Pulmonary
function test.
·
During
this test you will blow into a device called a spirometer. A spirometer measures how much air your lungs
can hold and how quickly you can get air out of your lungs. This test will check for any signs of asthma
or emphysema.
Treatment
will depend upon which type of bronchitis you are diagnosed with. As mentioned above, acute bronchitis will
typically resolve on its own within two weeks without medical treatment. In other circumstances such as with a more
chronic form of bronchitis you may be prescribed antibiotics, cough medicine,
an inhaler, or other medications that work to reduce inflammation in your lung
passages. In addition there are a few
lifestyle changes and home remedies you can also try to help prevent bronchitis
from developing including:
v Quit smoking and wear a
mask when you are exposed to irritants, whether it is at work or just cleaning
your house.
v Use a humidifier because
warm, moist air will help to relieve your cough and will break up the mucus in
your airways.
v Consider wearing a mask
or the appropriate clothing to cover your face if you go outside in air that is
cold because cold air can aggravate your cough and cause shortness of breath.
Total
Home Health understands how much of a disruption being diagnosed with
bronchitis can be in the way you go about your daily routine. The professionals who are assigned to your
case will bring you the most optimal care straight to the comforts of your own
home. We will work side by side with
you, always putting your wishes first and keeping your health and safety as our
top priorities. Our professionals will
never fail to be attentive to your condition, and will never hesitate to notify
your provider in order to stay on top of your treatment regimen and care we
provide. Enroll with us today and you’ll
see in no time!
No comments:
Post a Comment