Bronchitis, an Overview

In 1808, Charles Bedham described and named bronchitis. For many years this
condition affected many people. But because of newer developments in the field
of medicine, people now have more alternatives to treating the said condition.

Pulmonary disorders are quite common especially in children. But this doesn't
mean that adults can't have the disorder. In fact, those that live in polluted
cities, especially smokers, are prone to it. If your bronchi are inflamed, then
you may have bronchitis, which is widely known as an obstructive pulmonary
illness or disorder.

Bronchitis is divided into short-term or acute and the long-term or chronic
types. How will you know if you have bronchitis? There are symptoms associated
with the disorder including expectorating cough, dyspnea, malaise and/or
fatigue, mild fever and chest pains, coldness, and vibrating chest.

People of all ages may have bronchitis. Those that have frequent flu and colds
tend to have this condition. If your immune system is weak, you are at a
greater risk to major complications like asthmatic and chronic bronchitis, and
it would be a lot easier for pneumonia to settle in.

As mentioned earlier, bronchitis can be acute or chronic. To diagnose and treat
bronchitis properly, the pulmonary specialist must be more detailed with their
diagnosis and understanding of various diseases and illnesses.

As a responsible individual, you must be aware of the symptoms so that when you
or a family member exhibits such symptom, you can identify them easily and seek
the help of medical professionals. It is best to act on the condition at an
early stage to avoid any complications.

Signs and Symptoms of Bronchitis: Knowing More about Bronchitis

There are quite a lot of different respiratory diseases today. You have to
consider that being affected with one of the respiratory diseases, it can have
a negative impact in your daily activities. You will not be able to do some
tasks, you will have difficulty breathing and you will also deprive your body
of the sufficient amount of oxygen it needs.

One kind of respiratory illness is called bronchitis. This particular illness
can have negative impact in your daily life. It is also considered as one of
the most common respiratory illnesses today that can affect anyone at anytime.
Although bronchitis can happen anytime, most cases occur during the winter
months. And, people who are usually affected with this kind of respiratory
illness are people who live in areas where there is a high amount of air
pollution, usually in large cities. People who have weak lungs are also easily
affected by bronchitis. Anyone can be affected by this illness. However, most
of the time, infants, children, the elderly and people who smoke tobacco are
usually the ones who are frequently affected by bronchitis.

First of all, there are basically two kinds of bronchitis. One is acute
bronchitis and the other is called chronic bronchitis. In acute bronchitis, it
will usually last for about 10 to 12 days only providing that you have it
properly diagnosed by a professional and get it treated properly.

Acute bronchitis can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. However,
there are rare cases where fungus infection can also cause acute bronchitis.
You can know if you have acute bronchitis by knowing about its signs and
symptoms. Here are the signs and symptoms that you may experience if you have
acute bronchitis:

*  Mild chest pain 
*  Mild fever 
*  Wheezing when breathing 
*  Shortness of breath 
*  Persistent and expectorating cough 
*  Vibration of chest when breathing 
*  Chillness 
*  Mild pain on throat
*  Squeezing and painful sensation around the eyes

You cannot determine whether the bronchitis is caused by a virus or by bacteria
unless you consult your physician where they may order you to go on laboratory
testing. The laboratory test results will provide information whether your
bronchitis is caused by a virus or by bacteria.

The doctor will then prescribe you a medication that you should take in order
to cure the illness. Also, the doctors will advice you on different kinds of
home remedies to alleviate the signs and symptoms. They may also schedule you
for another visit to determine if there are any other illnesses besides the
bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis is considered as a long term illness that needs careful
management and care. One of the main contributors for chronic bronchitis is by
inhaling irritants, such as toxic fumes and especially cigarette smoke. Chronic
bronchitis can cause permanent damage to your respiratory system where it can
make it difficult for you to live your daily life. The chronic bronchitis can
last for three up months and in worse cases, it can last up until 2 consecutive
years.

You have to remember that this disease is contagious and you should take the
necessary precaution in avoiding transmitting the disease, especially inside
the household. You can do this by humidifying the environment and by covering
your mouth with a damp handkerchief of towel when coughing.

Chronic bronchitis is a long term illness that needs special care and
management in order for the patient to recover from the illness and also help
let the bronchial tube in its healing process. You have to consider quitting
smoking and avoid dusty places if it is possible. You can use the different
methods to alleviate the symptoms in acute bronchitis as well.

Another important factor that you should consider is your hygiene. A good
hygiene will help in the treatment of the illness. You should always wash your
hands frequently and thoroughly. It is also important that you should get a lot
of rest, eat the right kinds of food, and drink lots of fluid.

If you notice the early signs and symptoms of bronchitis, you should
immediately act on it and treat it in order to prevent it from worsening. With
early detection, diagnosis and treatment, you can take control of your life
once again and free yourself from bronchitis.

Managing Bronchitis Symptoms and Knowing the Treatment

Inflammation of the respiratory tract that includes the trachea and the
bronchus is known as bronchitis. This may be caused by viral or bacterial
infection or constant exposure to pollutants (such as smoking and air
pollution). There are two kinds, acute and chronic bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis usually takes place right after an infection of the upper
respiratory tract has occurred like a sinus infection or the common cold. As
for chronic bronchitis, there is no exact microorganism that can be pinpointed
as a cause but smoking and environmental pollutants are believed to be the
major culprits which then may be followed by bacterial or viral infection as
the immune system becomes vulnerable.

Common symptoms of both kinds of bronchitis are nasal congestion, muscle pains,
fever and chills, sore throat, poor sleep, and dyspnea (common in chronic
bronchitis). Basically, the symptoms of bronchitis are similar to that of the
common cold. It starts with an irritation at the back of the throat and as it
gets worse, cough will enter the picture which may come with phlegm. If the
phlegm is streaked with blood, it is best to consult a physician.

Cough is a universal symptom of bronchitis. This may be accompanied with sputum
or not (dry cough). Sputum producing cough is a manifestation of an infection in
the lower respiratory tract and the lungs. In acute bronchitis, cough may
persist for more than fourteen days. Constant and vigorous coughing may leave
the thoracic and abdominal muscles aching. Without proper medication, forceful
coughing may even cause injury to the chest wall.

Uncomplicated bronchitis can be easily treated at home. Commonly, bronchitis
(especially acute bronchitis) is caused by a viral infection. Virus-caused
bronchitis is self-limiting and may require no major treatment except to
alleviate symptoms and ease discomfort.

But if it is caused by bacterial infections, then antibiotics are prescribed.
However, antibiotics should not be taken if bronchitis is caused by a virus.
Doing so, will only be a waste of time and money. An over usage of antibiotics
will only make certain types of bacteria to build resistance from the
medication.

Since muscle aches can be experienced through the course of the disease,
anti-pain medications may be taken such as acetaminophen and aspirin. But bear
in mind that an over dosage of these type of medications may cause gastric
bleeding. These should be taken with a full stomach. Furthermore, aspirin is
contraindicated for children and pregnant women. Aspirin is thought to be
highly associated with Reye's syndrome in children, and it may cause severe
bleeding in pregnant women.

To ease irritation in the respiratory tract, a cool mist humidifier may be
employed. Taking large amounts of liquid helps out to ease fever because it
tends to cool down the body temperature. Liquid intake also thins out or
liquefies the phlegm, making it easier to cough it out. Another way to loosen
up the phlegm is by taking an expectorant such as quaifenesin.

Further medical treatment will depend on the causative factor of bronchitis. If
the patient is experiencing severe uncontrollable coughing, cough suppressants
may be prescribed by the physician. But the before prescribing it, the
physician will most likely test the individual to rule out other diseases.

Another kind of medication is the bronchodilator. This causes the respiratory
tract tissues to dilate or open up which then promotes easy passage of air to
the lungs. It consequently reduces wheezing.

Again, antibiotics may be used. Other than the reason of bacterial-caused
infection in uncomplicated bronchitis is because individuals suffering from
long term lung problems are more prone to bacteria infections because of their
weakened immune systems.

In later stages of chronic bronchitis, the patient may call for supplemental
oxygen to assist him or her in breathing. This oxygen therapy may be given
during exercise to avoid dyspnea. And the patient may as well be hospitalized
if the disease has become very severe and has developed complications.

To avoid further complications, patients may be required to receive an annual
flu vaccine, as well as pneumococcal vaccine every five to seven years. Other
medical treatments may also include mucolytic agents, antitussive medications,
and alpha1 antitrypsin therapy.

Other treatments that can ease the symptoms of bronchitis are the use of herbal
medicines. These can be formulated as inhalants and tea. Still, consult your
physician if these additional herbal medicines won't interfere with the primary
treatment.

Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis has symptoms similar to flu and lasts for a short term only.
People who have viral infections may be susceptible to acute bronchitis. Acute
bronchitis is contagious and usually begins by having dry cough that occurs at
night. In a matter of days, the cough will progress and the person can suffer
from fatigue, fever, and headache. The cough might take several weeks; but for
some it might even take months because the healing process is very slow in the
bronchial tubes.

If you've been suffering the cough for over a month, your doctor can refer you
to an ENT expert to find out if there are other causes of irritation. If your
bronchial tubes are always irritated, it can lead to asthmatic conditions.

With acute bronchitis, the passageways constrict because of the infection
caused by a virus or bacteria. If it is caused by a bacteria, then giving the
right antibiotic regimen can make the person well. You must visit your doctor
to get accurate diagnosis because administering any medicine without doctor's
prescription can make the disorder worse.

If you experience persistent wheezing and cough, then you might have acute
bronchitis. If you have constricted bronchial tubes, you can hear a wheezing
sound every time you breathe. The disorder clears up after a few days but it
can also last for over a week. Make sure that you take a rest and drink lots of
juices or water.

As a simple home remedy, you can put wet blankets and towels inside the house
to increase humidity or you can opt for room humidifiers. Smokers who happen to
have acute bronchitis should quit smoking to heal faster and don't make his
condition even worse.

Chronic Bronchitis

This condition is ongoing. It can take months, or even years, for the condition
to last. Due to environmental factors like exposure to smoke, fumes, odors, and
dust can lead to chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis has no cure; therefore
patients having the condition must avoid the triggers and make considerable
changes in their surrounding environment. You must be able to identify the
'triggers' and you can do this with the help of your doctor.

When you consult a doctor, several laboratory tests will be performed including
chest x-rays, test for pulmonary function and blood gases in the arteries, and
the sputum culture. Usually, these tests are also performed for patients with
acute bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis can be prevented only if you try to change some of your bad
habits including smoking.

Nothing beats a healthy and active lifestyle. If you practice preventive
measures, then you can avoid getting bronchitis or any other illness.

Acute Asthmatic Bronchitis

The respiratory system is one of the most important systems in the human body.
It is the part of the body that distributes oxygen throughout the body in order
for it to live. Without it, the body will not be able to survive. This is why it
is important for you to always take care of your respiratory system.

However, there are instances where there will be a respiratory disorder. One
type of respiratory illness is called bronchitis. Bronchitis is an obstructive
pulmonary disorder where the bronchi of the lungs become inflamed. This
particular condition is common with tobacco smokers or people living in areas
where there is a high level of air pollution.

One type of bronchitis is called acute bronchitis where it is considered to be
a short-term bronchitis and can be treated right away. You can tell if you have
acute bronchitis if you are suffering from the following signs and symptoms:

*  Persistent coughing with mucus 
*  Shortness of breath (Dyspnea) 
*  Mild fever 
*  Fatigue 
*  Mild chest pains 
*  Feeling of vibration in the chest when breathing 
*  Feeling of coldness

If you are suffering from the mentioned signs and symptoms, it is recommended
that you should consult your physician immediately in order for them to conduct
a diagnosis. The diagnosis will include a physical examination where the
physician will listen for your breathing sounds through a stethoscope. They
will also have your chest X-rayed for further testing.

Acute bronchitis is commonly caused by viruses infecting the lining of the
bronchial tree. The virus can be the same viruses that cause colds. In rare
cases, acute bronchitis can be caused by an infection of fungus in the
bronchial tree. Bacterial infection is also one of the main causes of acute
bronchitis.

Treatment for acute bronchitis can be rather easy to do. If the bronchitis is
caused by a virus, it will usually go away after a few days and signs and
symptoms of bronchitis will subside. It is only required that you should get
plenty of rest until the fever subsides and drink a lot of non-caffeinated and
non-alcoholic drink, such as water and juices. It is recommended that you
should drink at least 3 to 4 liters a day in order for you to recover faster.

However, if the bronchitis is caused by bacteria, the treatment will include
taking antibiotics. It is also recommended that you should increase the
humidity in the environment by using room humidifiers or by simply putting wet
towels and blankets around the house.

In order to help the bronchial tree recover and heal faster and prevent another
attack of bronchitis, it is recommended that you should stay away from polluted
areas and if you are a smoker, you should cut down or quit smoking if possible
or at least by not smoking inside the house.

The duration of acute bronchitis is usually 10 to 12 days after the first signs
and symptoms appear. It will be accompanied by cold or flu or in some cases it
can come unaccompanied by other conditions. You have to remember that acute
bronchitis is contagious. It is usually transmitted through coughing where the
virus or bacteria will be released in the air causing someone who breathes in
the virus or bacteria to get infected. It is important that whenever you need
to cough, you should cover your mouth with a damp cloth to prevent most of the
virus or bacteria particles from getting airborne.

For some people, after the bronchitis has been treated, they will still
continue coughing. However, if the coughing lasts longer than a month, it is
recommended that you should consult your physician immediately as some other
condition aside from the bronchitis may be causing you to cough.

There are ways to prevent bronchitis. To do this, all you need to do is wash
your hands thoroughly and frequently, drink lots of fluid, and get lots of
rest. You have to remember that bronchitis is caused by viruses or bacteria
that can be transferred from an infected area to your hands and from your hands
to your lungs.

Always remember that once you see the signs and symptoms associated with
bronchitis, you should consult your doctor immediately in order to make a quick
diagnosis of your condition and let you treat it at its early stages.

Medications That Can Battle Bronchitis

There are basically two kinds of bronchitis, acute and chronic bronchitis.
These two may have the same last names but they vary from their causative
effects and treatment prescribed to control the diseases.

Acute bronchitis is a short-term illness that becomes rampant during the cold
seasons. It is usually followed by a viral infection and can go together with a
bacterial infection. Acute bronchitis is self-limiting which clears itself
within fourteen days but the cough may continue. Like any other upper
respiratory tract infections, having acute bronchitis can raise chance of
developing pneumonia.

People who are at risk of getting acute bronchitis are infants, very young
children, and the old adults. This is due to the fact that infants and very
young children still have underdeveloped immune systems, while the old adults,
on the other hand, have immune systems that have become weaker due to ageing.
Other group populations who are at risk are smokers and those with preexisting
lung and/or heart ailments. People who are often exposed to pollution are also
at risk of being afflicted with acute bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis is also an inflammation of the respiratory tract with an
accompaniment of phlegm expectoration and coughing. But in chronic bronchitis,
the signs ands symptoms are at hand for no less than 3 months for two
successive years.

Chronic bronchitis may be caused by the inhalation of respiratory airway
irritants. Airway irritants may be in the form of cigarette smoking or
pollution or a combination of both. Because this disease advances gradually,
middle aged individuals and the elderly are expected to be diagnosed with this
malady.

The main objective for the treatment of both acute and chronic bronchitis is to
alleviate the symptoms.

For acute bronchitis, treatment consists of lots of intake of fluids, quitting
smoking, taking a break, humidifying the home environment, and medications (in
case of fever and pain). Acetaminophen is the most prescribed medication to
fight pain and fever. Another is aspirin, but this is contraindicated for
children and pregnant women due to the fact that this drug is suspected to be
the cause of Reye's syndrome among children. For women, it may cause severe
bleeding.

Anti-cough medicines are taken when the sufferer experiences dry cough (cough
without phlegm). But if the individual is experiencing cough with phlegm, then
it should be left as it is and let the phlegm come out naturally. This is
because if cough is suppressed and the phlegm is contained within, then it will
eventually accumulate in the air passages which will cause an obstruction and
may become a hotbed for dangerous microorganisms.

Expectorants, on the other hand, are medications that help liquidify or thin
out the thick mucus in the lungs to make it easier to cough out.

Moreover, if the physician has detected a bacterial infection then an
antibiotic medication may be prescribed. Intake of antibiotic medications
should be done religiously as the physician ordered because any lapse may only
cause the return of the disease or worse, the bacteria may produce a strain
that could become immune to the medication.

Antibiotic medications may include the following: 

*  azithromycin 
*  trimethoprim or sulfamethazole 
*  clarithromycin 
*  tetracycline or ampicillin
*  amoxicillin (for children below eight years of age due to the fact that
tetracycline causes discoloration on the teeth that have not come out)

As for chronic bronchitis, treatment is a bit more multifaceted than acute
bronchitis. The physician would need to carefully evaluate the patient for
other health problems before a treatment plan can be employed to control the
disease. Including in the treatment plan are changes in lifestyle that will
involve stoppage of smoking and keeping away from polluted environments.
Regular exercise may also help in the control of the disease.

Medications for chronic bronchitis include anti-inflammatory medications and
bronchodilators. Anti-inflammatory drugs decrease the inflammation in the
respiratory tract tissues.

The following are commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs: 

*  Corticosteroids (i.e. prednisone, can be taken either as an oral medication or
through IV) 
*  Ipratropium (also reduces the amount of mucus produced)

Meanwhile, bronchodilators help loosen up the bronchial muscles which then
permits increase air flow in the respiratory passages. These can be taken in
orally or by inhalation through a nebulizer (an apparatus that transport
medication to the respiratory tract). Bronchodilators may include the
following: 

*  metaproterenol 
*  albuterol

With the advancement of chronic bronchitis, the individual afflicted may
eventually require supplemental oxygen. And in the later stages of the disease,
the patient may need to be in the hospital if he or she developed severe
complications.

In addition to conventional medications, herbal medicines can be also included
in the treatment plan. Herbal medicines may be inhaled (like eucalyptus) or
taken as tea made from mullein or Verbascum thapsus, coltsfoot or Tussilago
farfara, and anise seed or Pimpinella anisum.

There are numerous medications out there and it is best to consult the
physician to know which drug can best help treat and/or control bronchitis.

Do Not Delay: Treatment for Bronchitis

An author once said that time and again medical science has demonstrated that
with apt resources on proper treatment, diseases can be treated if not cured.

Bronchitis can be treated if you know the proper ways to make yourself better.
Such information can also be helpful for your caregiver.

Treating bronchitis depends on how mild or severe the condition is. Most
physicians recommend "home treatment" when you are inflicted with acute
bronchitis since the illness goes away after two to three weeks.

Relieve your cough.

Since coughs can be annoying, you need to find ways to alleviate from coughing.
The most effective action is to drink plenty of non-caffeinated fluids such as
water and fruit juices. Studies show that water is the best expectorant to ease
your cough as well as thin your mucus.

Cough can be relieved by breathing steam from a hot shower, vaporizer or a pan
of boiling water. The moist air soothes the air passageways which can help
release the phlegm.

If you are a smoker, it is recommended that you discontinue from smoking.
Substances from a cigarette are known to be irritants which can contribute to
the severity of your cough.

Some foods can exacerbate your cough. Hence it is best to avoid eating spicy
foods, dairy products, meat, oily and fried foods.

Get enough rest.

The best way to combat the symptoms of acute bronchitis is to get ample of
rest. By doing so, you will be able to get as much energy you need to fight the
infection.

Try getting sufficient sleep. If you can't sleep due to inability to breathe
well, try elevating the head of your bed. When you do that, the sinuses and
nasal passages will have better drainage and it will not make a "tickle" in
your throat.

Keep away from heavy food intake three hours before bedtime for you to be able
to sleep well. Eating hours before bedtime increases your blood sugar which
makes you hard to fall asleep.

Make use of nonprescription medicines.

There are recommended nonprescription medicines if you have acute bronchitis.
These medicines are commonly given to alleviate fever and other discomfort
brought by the symptoms.

1. Acetaminophen -- this is a drug commonly used to relieve soreness of the
   body as well as fever. 
2. Ibuprofen -- this type of drug is given to individuals to give aid to their 
   fever. 
3. Aspirin -- this is a drug usually used as an "analgesic" to reduce minor 
   pains and body aches. However, aspirins are not recommended for use to 
   children unless advised by their physician.

If it cannot be prevented, there are suggested prescribed medications such as
the following:

1. Inhaled betaz- agonists -- this type of medication is usually prescribed for
   the presence of chronic cough. You or a caregiver should be cautious of the
   potential side effects such as tenseness and trembling. 

2. Antibiotics -- there are some antibiotics which are prescribed by physicians 
   to treat individuals who are at danger to develop other complications.

Chronic bronchitis usually entails long-term treatment compared to acute.
Medical findings show that there is no cure for chronic bronchitis. The main
objective for you to be able to treat this type of illness is to relieve you
from the symptoms and to put off complications.

Any substances which can irritate the respiratory tract should be avoided such
as smoke from cigarettes or belches, strong scent from perfumes or colognes,
dust mites, dander from pets, and fibers from fabric materials.

Some physician will recommend the intake of antibiotics. However this is only
suited for recurring infections. Additionally, the use of steroids such as
Corticosteroids is sometimes prescribed to patients who do not act in response
to recommended treatments. There are few doctors who prescribe this type of
medication due to the many side effects it poses. Corticosteroid is only used
when needed.

If your chronic bronchitis is considered severe then you will have to undergo
"oxygen therapy." This kind of therapy administers oxygen as a therapeutic
modality wherein the oxygen supply is heightened. With a use of mask or nasal
cannula, oxygen is being supplied to you.

Being well-informed about your illness most especially its treatment will give
you a lot of benefit. Read a lot about how to treat bronchitis. Most
importantly, talk with your physician and do not be afraid to ask questions if
there are vague explanations which you cannot understand.

Allergic Bronchitis: Understanding This Illness and Ways to Treat It

Today, there are millions of Americans suffering from different kinds of
respiratory illnesses that can have a significant effect in the way they live
their daily lives. Respiratory illnesses can vary from being acute and chronic.
In acute cases, it is usually easy to treat and is only a short term illness.
However, chronic conditions of respiratory illnesses are difficult to treat and
can cause permanent damage to the respiratory system.

There are quite a lot of different kinds of respiratory illnesses. One such
respiratory illness is called allergic bronchitis. This particular illness is a
type of asthmatic condition where the bronchi and the lower airway of the
respiratory system is inflamed by irritants and allergens. In allergic
bronchitis, asthma and respiratory allergies are present. This can cause a
condition called hay fever or allergic rhinitis.

Allergic bronchitis is also commonly called as allergic asthma. This particular
condition is triggered by an overly active immune system that attacks harmless
foreign substances that enters the body. The immune system identifies the
foreign substance as dangerous and releases antibodies to fight the substance.

You have to consider that allergic bronchitis is very different from
non-allergic bronchitis. In non-allergic bronchitis, the main causes of the
illness are usually viruses or bacteria. However, in allergic bronchitis, the
main causes are allergens. Allergic bronchitis can occur as long as the person
affected by this condition is exposed to the allergens.

The symptoms of allergic bronchitis are shortness of breath, runny nose, red or
swollen eyes, hyperventilation, rashes, tickling in throat, tight chest,
persistent sneezing, coughing, headache, nausea, and other symptoms associated
with asthma and allergies.

There are some cases where a person is overly sensitive to allergens and can be
a very dangerous situation that needs medical assistance. However, most cases
are only mild to moderate suffering. You have to realize the fact that allergic
bronchitis can be a very dangerous condition. In fact, people with this
condition have been hospitalized or died of suffocation caused by blocked
airways because of severe swelling of the tissues found in the airway.

This is why it is important that you should be aware of this particular
condition. Treating mild to moderate symptoms of allergic bronchitis can
include taking anti histamine mediations and getting away from the allergen
that caused the symptoms. It is very important that you should consult your
physician immediately after you notice the mentioned signs and symptoms of
allergic bronchitis. The physician may conduct some examination to determine
what kind of allergen is causing the condition. They may perform some skin test
where an allergen will be injected just below the skin to determine which
allergen you are allergic from.

Allergic bronchitis can effectively be treated by having the right information
about the disease and also being informed on what kind of allergen is causing
the irritation. Your physician may also recommend you to an allergist where
they will able to perform a series of test of the particular allergens that
causes the irritation. The allergist will also advice you on the different
methods to prevent the condition from happening again.

Normally, prevention of allergic bronchitis will include staying away from the
allergens that causes the condition. You have to consider that allergic
bronchitis may worsen during the summer months as there will be a lot of
allergens available. You also have to know that pets, such as cats and dogs can
also have allergens in their furs. This is why it is important that you should
bathe your pet frequently to wash off the allergens caught in the fur.

Allergic bronchitis can be easily managed. However, you should consider the
fact that if you have this condition, you should always be careful as it can be
dangerous. Also, you need to consider that you should always take some anti
histamine medications with you wherever you go out. You will never know when
and where you will come across an allergen that can trigger the symptoms of
allergic bronchitis.

By carefully managing allergic bronchitis, you will be able to live a normal
and productive life. Learn more about this condition by visiting your local
allergist or your physician and ask them about it. You can be sure that they
will provide you with all the information you need about allergic bronchitis.

Salt Therapy, a Natural Cure for Bronchitis

Many illnesses annoy millions of people around the globe. Getting sick is very
costly especially nowadays. Medicines are expensive, especially those that are
used for treatment regimens. And it's very sad to note that not all individuals
are capable of paying their medical bills. In fact, many people die from
different illnesses because they don't have enough money to pay for
consultation fees or even buy medicine.

Usually, the government offers health programs for the needy. You can search
your locality for institutions or organizations that offer free medical
services to less fortunate people.

Sometimes, taking a lot of medications can be harmful to the body. And that is
probably why many people resort to going back to natural cures. Bronchitis,
together with other respiratory diseases can be cured using the natural way.

Have you heard of Halotherapy? This is also called salt therapy or
speleotherapy. In Europe, this therapy is highly documented. In the early part
of the 19th century, speleotherapy was practiced in salt mines. And today,
specialists are trying to replicate speleotherapy by using dry aerosol salt
particles and minerals. These things are utilized to treat various types of
respiratory diseases.

People who worked in salt mines don't get lung diseases, and this was noticed
by Felix Botchkowski. He was a health official who wrote a book about salt dust
during the 18th century. He had a successor named M. Poljakowski who founded his
own Salt Spa near Krakow. In World War II, salt mines were used as shelters; and
it was noted that people suffering from asthma felt better there. As of today,
salt sanatoriums can be found in Hungary, Austria, Romania, Poland, Russia, and
European countries.

Salt therapy is a non-invasive and non-drug treatment of respiratory diseases
including bronchitis. Drug therapy has its own advantages as well as
disadvantages, and for people who want to stick with the natural means can make
use of salt therapy. Medical researchers from Soviet Union are developing
physical therapies to cut down on medicine costs and avoid side effects.
Presently, Russia leads the development of physical therapies. A lot of
clinical trials focused on salt therapy to treat chronic bronchitis and asthma.
It is even proven clinically that salt therapy is very effective in treating all
respiratory tract disorders.

The major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide are respiratory diseases.
Drug therapies usually have palliative effects; and drugs with steroids or
corticoids have considerable side effects. And so there is a great need for a
natural cure like salt therapy.

Here is a list of countries that acknowledge the use and effectiveness of salt
therapy:

-  Romania 
-  Poland 
-  Germany 
-  Austria
-  Armenia 
-  Bulgaria 
-  Hungary
-  Belarus 
-  Russia 
-  Ukraine 
-  Slovenia

These countries believe that salt therapy is a very important treatment fro
chronic bronchitis and other respiratory diseases. It works well if you're
taking a medication or not and there are no side effects. Asthmatic patients
and pregnant women can use the therapy. In European countries, salt therapy is
usually covered by public medical systems, making it easier for the less
fortunate to avail of the therapy at a minimal or no cost at all.

The salinity differs from one sanatorium to another. There are also salt lakes
with different salinity ranging from 9g per 1 to 320g to 1.

Now, it is possible to have the natural cure even in your own homes. An
inventor from Romania developed a certain device that can reproduce salt
therapy in a home environment. This device is very convenient and affordable.
People having bronchitis and other respiratory diseases can hope for a better
and natural way of treating their condition at home. The device is called air
salinizer that uses natural salt.

Using salt therapy does not entail any risk and can be adapted to your living
space. But remember, natural cures are not substitutes for any medical
treatment. Consult your doctor first. Natural cures like salt therapy can
greatly improve the life of a patient having bronchitis. With it, you can
reduce antibiotics, steroids or corticoids, and decrease hospitalizations.

This is an alternative that you might want to try yourself. If your medications
are not enough to address bronchitis and other respiratory diseases, then you
can try the natural cure.

Bronchitis Talk: When It Hits Your Child

Bronchitis is an illness which scares most parents since it is after all an
inflammation of the bronchi in a person's lungs. However, most physicians would
advise parents or caregivers to calm down since according to medical findings
bronchitis is not a chronic illness in children.

Although bronchitis is not a chronic illness in children, it is still important
for parents or caregivers to acquire knowledge about the said illness. By doing
so, you will be well-equipped during times of bronchitis attacks.

Bronchitis is a condition wherein the air passages amid the lungs and the nose
swell due to a viral infection. It affects the bronchi. The bronchi are tubes
wherein air passes through into and out of the lungs. There are times that the
tracheas and windpipe is also affected by the inflammation.

There are two types of bronchitis -- acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis is most
common to children than the chronic one. Usually chronic bronchitis appears to
adult especially those who are heavy smokers and are prone to inhale chemical
substances.

Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is most common during the winter season which usually strikes
children.

Some viruses attack the lining of the bronchial tree which leads to an
infection. Swelling heightens because the body combats with the viruses. When
there is more swelling, it produces more mucus.

Your child will more likely develop acute bronchitis if the virus which causes
the said illness is inhaled from the air he breathes or can be passed on by
other people with a cough. Your child is likely to develop acute bronchitis if
he breathes in the said viruses.

If you observe that your child has runny nose which starts before a cough do,
has slight fever, experiences pain at the back and muscle area, has sore
throat, getting chills and malaise then he is most likely suffering from acute
bronchitis.

During the onset of acute bronchitis, your child will have a dry and
unproductive cough which will later on develop into a copious cough filled with
mucus. There are times that some children vomit or gag as they cough.

Upon observation of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is recommended that you
bring your child to his physician. Acute bronchitis is initially detected by
obtaining the child's medical history and performing a physical examination of
the child. Furthermore to verify the said illness the following tests can be
done:

* Blood tests 
* X-ray on Chest 
* Lung Tests 
* Pulse Oximetry 
* Sputum cultures

A child with acute bronchitis will get well if you ask him to get a good rest.
Eating a well-balanced meal and drinking a lot of non-caffeinated fluids will
also be helpful. Another helpful cure is to improve the humidity within your
surroundings.

There are times that some physician recommends asthma-related medications. This
helps release mucus inside the bronchi tubes. The said medications are usually
accompanied with an inhaler.

Analgesics can be given to a child to relieve his fever as well as the
discomfort he is feeling.

Parents or caregivers must be cautious not to give aspirin to a child suffering
from bronchitis since it can lead to severe illness such as Reye's syndrome.
Additionally, antihistamines should also be prevented since it can worsen your
child's cough.

So that your child will not have recurring acute bronchitis, it is advised that
you inform your child to regularly wash his hands. It is recommended that you
keep your child away from smokes coming from cigarettes or belches.

Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is the second type of the said illness. It usually appears
after a continuing irritation of the bronchial tubes. Bronchitis is referred to
as "chronic" when symptoms persist by more than three months.

Studies show that there are fewer cases of chronic bronchitis in children
compared to acute bronchitis. Bronchitis in children will be chronic if
symptoms are not treated well.

Bronchitis should be properly treated since it can lead to serious illness such
as pneumonia.

When your child experiences cold or cough, do not let it pass by thinking that
things will all be well. It is better to give immediate aid to a child with
colds or cough for it may lead to bronchitis.

Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema Handbook: A Guide to a Healthy Living

"The Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema Handbook" was written by Francois Haas 
and Shiela Sperber Haas. Both authors are gifted scientists besides being
compassionate people.

This handbook is a bestseller in terms of guiding patients who suffer from
emphysema and bronchitis. Thus, revision and expansion were done to provide the
most recent information. These diseases are discussed in a way that patients can
easily understand. Proper care of bronchitis and emphysema are also posted.
Through this handbook, patients can restore their vitality and improve their
relationship towards other people.

The authors of this handbook provide facts and useful information on finding
the appropriate treatment and obtaining its full advantages. Clearly written
and helpful, find out what are the contents of The Chronic Bronchitis and
Emphysema Handbook.

Tips are provided on finding the best doctor. The treatment options which are
very important to patients are thoroughly discussed. You will never worry about
HMO's since guidelines on dealing with them are also provided. Companies
providing supplemental oxygen are listed. Even new techniques of surgery are
posted to give patients wider options on how technological advances can help
treat their diseases.

Anxiety and stress management are included so that patients never lose hope.
Preventing symptoms of bronchitis and emphysema are incorporated to improve the
quality of life of the patients. The accessibility of their wide helpful
resources either by web or phone is easy. You can also read newsletters from
experts keeping you informed of the latest developments associated with
bronchitis and emphysema.

However, before purchasing this handbook, it is better to read some consumer's
review. In this way, you will have an idea of how useful and effective it is.

-  Some people find this handbook very repugnant. It contains grim and
frightening illustrations. Thus the wicked line drawings of "blue bloater" and
"pink puffer" looks like depiction of the dark ages regarding hell. People with
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) never denied the fact that they are
going to face death younger than their cohorts.

-  Those who are more than fifty five years old may feel that hopes are robbed
from them. This handbook failed to encourage them to lead worthwhile lives.
Instead they suggest reading "courage books" offering stories of dignity,
capability to cope, and hope.

-  A licensed psychotherapist who read the entire book never recommends it.
Some contents associated with facing anxiety and depression may damage the
patients psychologically.

-  Some medical doctors find this handbook a very useful tool. It is because
COPD is clearly discussed in plain English. In fact, COPD sufferers can easily
learn and understand facts about the disease. This is appropriate for COPD
dummies.

-  Some people have given their testimonials how this handbook has helped them
a lot. One reviewer said that the breathing exercises found in this handbook
helped his father with serious emphysema condition. His father's heart failed
to function so the doctors let him breathe through an oxygen tank to keep his
heart out of fibulation. But after doing the exercises, his condition slowly
becomes better until oxygen is not anymore needed.

-  The 1990 handbook edition helped one of the patients who were diagnosed with
emphysema. He even considered this handbook superb since it immediately toured
him and learn about emphysema taking away his ignorance. The firm foundation of
the handbook is the posted break through in medical advances. It includes herbal
therapy and LVRS or Lung Volume Reduction Surgery. Changes in the practices
associated with health insurance ensure that COPD patients can still get the
best quantity and quality of treatment.

Living with COPD can be the most overwhelming and exhausting burden. Patients
as well as their caregivers may continually live in fear of air running out,
their abilities prematurely dwindle, and struggle in their fragility.

Some people who are close with people with bronchitis and emphysema are usually
depressed, angry, and frightened. However, doctors are treating their COPD
patients in the best way possible. But the problem is that many doctors only
focus on the medical aspects of treating COPD rather than giving rehabilitation.

The Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema Handbook can help people with COPD as well
as their families to achieve a more realistic perspective of the disease. This
can allow them to live calmly and confidently although they have chronic
bronchitis or emphysema.

Battling with the Cough Symptoms in Chronic Bronchitis

Coughing, most often, is the onset symptom of bronchitis. Being knowledgeable
on matters regarding coughing can be most helpful in combating bronchitis
especially chronic bronchitis.

A cough is an abrupt, frequently recurring contraction of the "thoracic
cavity," which results in an aggressive discharge of air from the lungs that
comes with a distinguishing sound.

When the air passages in your body are irritated, a cough takes place to do
away with the irritants.

Causes of Cough

There are two reasons why cough occurs -- physiological and psychological. The
psychological aspect of cough is termed as "habitual coughing." In a medical
perspective it is referred to as "steruphilia" wherein an individual loves the
sound of coughing or sneezing that is why he practices the said condition. On
the other hand, there is also a physiological reason why cough is evident to
humanity.

The "vagus nerve" which flows through the lungs into the brain has a major role
in the physiological act of coughing. Under this type, the following are broken
down into sub-causes:

*  Infection -- the presence of bacteria, virus from a common cold or fungus
triggers humanity to develop a cough.

*  External factors -- cough is evident when an individual is allergic to
irritants such as dust, smoke from cigarettes or belches, pollens and some
medicinal drugs.

*  Internal factors -- as diseases in heart, ear, sinuses especially in the
lungs progresses it causes a person to cough.

Types of Cough

1. Dry cough

Dry cough or sometimes termed as non-productive cough is described to be arid,
stiff and exasperating. Apart from being bothersome, dry cough gives you a
wearing and strenuous time.

2. Chesty coughs

Chesty coughs are commonly known as "productive coughs." The common cause of
this type of cough is infection from a virus or bacteria.

Phlegm is being taken away from the respiratory channels so that unwanted mucus
and germs can be eradicated in the body. By doing so, your breathing will be
normalized.

Effects of Cough in Chronic Bronchitis

There are a lot of consequences if cough is persistent and productive
especially if you have chronic bronchitis. When you cough you will experience
any of the following:

*  There is aggravation in the "anus" which can worsen piles or crevices from
   within it.

*  Headache oftentimes occur with persistent or aggressive coughing.

*  Stomach-strain heightens which may lead to "hernia" or "scrotal sac."

*  There is increased pressure in your chest. Having so, "air emphysema" may
   occur.

With the above-mentioned consequences, it is best to know important ways for
coughing to be reduced.

1. Medical studies show that smoking is the main culprit for the development
of chronic bronchitis. Hence, if you are a smoker, it is highly recommended for
you to stop smoking. Breathing for you will be easy if you decide to stop
smoking. It is not only cough that will be reduced but you will have better
lungs as well by putting an end to smoking cigarettes.

2. If you are a non-smoker yet you encounter people around you smoking, it is
best to stay away from them because according to some medical findings
secondhand smoking is more serious than firsthand smoking.

3. You need to avoid irritants. Some common irritants which can worsen cough
are aerosol products, fumes from chemical substances and dust.

4. When there is a high possibility that you will be exposed to irritants, it
is a must for you to wear masks so that there is less chance for you to breathe
those.

A visit to your physician is recommended for you to recognize the type of cough
you have. The physician will also tell you if your cough is associated with
chronic bronchitis or a symptom of other illnesses. Moreover, it is he who will
tell you the means and ways for you to treat as well as prevent the cough you
have. There is no need for you to delay a consultation with your physician.
Cliche, as it may be "the sooner: the better."

To some, coughing is but an ordinary illness. However, no one can tell when
cough is mild or fatal. When health is being talked about, you need to be
extremely concern about it for life is just but once.

Treating Acute Bronchitis and the Use of Antibiotics

Around twenty million prescriptions for infections of the respiratory tract are
written every year. The common diagnoses include URIs, otitis media,
pharyngitis, sinusitis, and acute bronchitis; and take note, this is happening
in the US alone. If you try to combine all prescriptions around the world,
perhaps it can reach to billions.

Studies have shown that around 70% of adults and children diagnosed with acute
bronchitis receive unnecessary antibiotics. Some clinical studies were
documented showing primary care physicians prescribing antibiotics though
literature suggests non-prescription of antibiotics in the case of acute
bronchitis.

At present, there are a growing number of patients developing antibiotic
resistance. Experts in the field of infectious disease claim that the scenario
is rapidly increasing and that it is because of the unnecessary antibiotic
prescriptions made by the physicians. If this kind of approach is duplicated
over and over again, the entire world will be gravely affected.

Adult patients with acute bronchitis but with no underlying pathology are very
much different from patients having COPD. The latter is usually treated with
antibiotics. Since most cases of acute bronchitis are caused by viral
infections, antibiotic therapy is not recommended. Viral bronchitis is
characterized by purulent sputum which definitely indicates that there is no
bacterial infection. With the right supportive care, acute bronchitis will
disappear in a maximum period of seven days. If symptoms worsen after seven
days, this is still considered as a non-viral course of action, but the patient
can already use antibiotics.

Most patients with acute bronchitis complain about their non-productive and
annoying cough. Physicians usually give aerosolized bronchodilators to reduce
coughing. Normal patients are allowed to use bronchodilators for a couple of
days.

Not all patients need antibiotics, especially in the case of bronchitis. There
are however, certain exceptions to the use of antibiotics. Here are some of the
situations:

1. Ten days of protracted cough -- only a small number of patients having viral
bronchitis develop protracted cough; and if a 48 hour trial using bronchodilator
does not show cough relief, the prescription of an antibiotic is quite
reasonable. The pathogens causing the protracted cough can include mycoplasma
pneumoniae, bordetella pertussis, and Chlamydia pneumoniae. The pathogens
mentioned are vulnerable to antibiotics such as macrolide. The most commonly
prescribed antibiotic is azithromycin because it only has few side effects
compared to erythromycin. You will be prescribed to continue with azithromycin
for at least five days which can cost around $38.

2. Bronchitis patients with aggravating symptoms. If this is the case, the
patient must be re-evaluated for possible bacterial infection. Remember that
acute bronchitis is a viral infection that disappears after five to seven days;
and if you observe that the symptoms are getting worse, you must tell your
doctor immediately.

3. Patients with underlying cystic fibrosis and COPD. Patients having cystic
fibrosis tend to have staphylococcus aureus, otherwise known as gram-negative
infections. Patients with COPD often need antibiotic to treat haemophilus
influenzae and streptococcus pneumoniae.

4. A viral influenza outbreak can complicate how acute bronchitis is treated.
This is important when the flu season begins. During this season, bacterial
complications are common among adults. And if your acute bronchitis worsens
after seven to ten days, you might be given an antibiotic.

These are four special cases when acute bronchitis can be given antibiotics,
but under normal conditions, the prescription of these drugs must not be made.

Educating the patient is a very important matter. They often have
misconceptions as to the use of antibiotics. Physicians and doctors should show
their expertise and since they are the ones equipped with the right knowledge,
they must educate their patients in the proper use of antibiotics. Try to tell
them that not all illnesses or diseases require the use of antibiotics. Once
your patients are aware of this important fact, they may not ask for any
antibiotic, not unless the situation calls for its use.

As patients, you should not expect an antibiotic prescription every time you
visit the doctor. Be thankful if antibiotics are not required because you can
cut your medicine costs. Instead, you can use the money to buy vitamins that
will make your body strong and healthy to avoid diseases such as acute
bronchitis.

Cause of Bronchitis and Tests Done To Determine It

The most common disease associated with respiratory system is bronchitis. It is
often accompanied by a cold or flu and affects people regardless of age. If your
immune system is weak or you are a chain smoker, then you are greatly exposed to
develop chronic bronchitis. In few cases, developing asthmatic bronchitis is
also possible.

Smoking is considered to be a serious cause of bronchitis which can lead to
other complications like pneumonia. The substances found in cigarettes as well
other tobacco causes bronchial tubes irritation. Environmental pollution and
exposures to chemicals can also lead to developing chronic bronchitis. In
addition, second-hand smokes as shown in some studies can also cause chronic
bronchitis.

Mostly, chronic bronchitis is diagnosed among metal molders, grain handlers,
coal miners, and other dust-related occupation. Symptoms of chronic bronchitis
worsen if air pollutants and sulfur dioxide also increases.

However, bronchitis is brought about by viruses. Within a few days, these
viruses may disappear without medications. If bacteria is the cause of
bronchitis, then antibiotics is needed to completely overcome it.

Bronchitis can either be chronic or acute. Acute bronchitis generates extreme
symptoms. It normally clears up immediately if viruses caused it. Chronic
bronchitis produces milder symptoms but later on can aggravate. This is often
persistent with recidivating character. Chronic bronchitis requires continuous
treatment to prevent symptoms from recurring.

Bronchitis manifests different symptoms including coughs, breath shortness,
soreness, discomfort, excessive mucus production, headache, wheezing, chest
pain, and fever. Fever is present due to bacteria infections posing any
possible complications.

Among the COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases) illnesses, bronchitis
mostly affects more people. And despite its large affected population, it is
usually misdiagnosed. Insufficient clinical examination can misinterpret
bronchitis with allergies, asthma, and sinusitis.

The doctor will ask your medical background which includes pervious and recent
smoking habits. Your endurance is also questioned whether or not it is easy for
you to climb stairs or walk a long distance. Using a stethoscope, the doctor
will examine your chest and back and listen to your normal breathing. In this
way, signs of bronchitis can be determined.

However, the best way to confirm the presence and seriousness of bronchitis is
to undergo PFT or pulmonary function tests. Keep in mind that these tests can
be done if causes are known. It includes:

1. Spirometry. An instrument called spirometer is utilized to measure the air
   inhaled and exhaled from your lungs. Air volumes are measured to determine the
   ability of your lungs to hold and exhale air.

2. Peak flow meter. It measures the PEFR (peak expiratory flow rate). PEFR is
   the maximum quantity of air that you can exhale upon forced exhalation.

3. Chest x-ray. This is suggested by a doctor to know if pneumonia problems
   are present. Mild x-ray changes can be a sign of chronic bronchitis.

4. ABG (arterial blood gas) test. This determines the amount of carbon dioxide
   and oxygen in your blood. A blood is drawn from your artery. The procedure can
   make you very uncomfortable. Analysis of your blood gas is useful if oxygen
   therapy can be advised in case your blood oxygen is very low.

5. Additional tests are necessary if other problems related to your health are
involved. If infections are present, sputum and blood tests as well as cultures
are conducted to determine the causes of infections.

There are different factors when considering treatments for bronchitis. If it
is not caused by bacteria, unblocking the obstruction from the airways is done.
Medical treatments inhaled medications helpful in unblocking the air passages of
your respiratory tract. Bronchodilators are widely used for asthmatic bronchitis
and chronic bronchitis.

Bronchitis inflamed the bronchial tubes, mucous membrane, and other tissues and
organs associated with the breathing process. Once these fragile organs of the
respiratory get irritated and inflamed, excessive mucus is produced so that
external agents such as irritants and dusts cannot penetrate. Excess mucus
clogs the air passage and blocks the air from going into the lungs. This is the
time when a person experiences cough, wheezing, or breathing difficulty.

Basically, bronchitis is not easy to diagnose. It is because its symptoms are
also present in other respiratory diseases such as asthma and sinusitis. But
these careful laboratory analyses and physical examinations help a lot.

The Difference between Viral and Bacterial Bronchitis

People suffer from illnesses or diseases due to viruses and bacteria; but
sometimes, environmental factors also play an important role in triggering such
illnesses. When a person becomes ill, his life is naturally affected. And this
includes his relationship with his family, colleagues, and friends. That is
why, may experts stress the need for a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent
these illnesses.

Inflammation of your bronchial tubes is a condition called bronchitis. This
illness can be caused by viral infections, bacterial, and allergens. There is a
great difference between a viral bronchitis and a bacterial bronchitis. Most
people may not be able to distinguish between the two, and only a professional
can evaluate and diagnose a person's condition.

The most common cause of bronchitis is viral infection. If the bronchitis is
viral in nature, you may experience several symptoms like wheezing, burning
pain, difficulty in breathing, headache and other symptoms. Bronchitis caused
by viruses is not that serious, and can disappear without medications. Usually,
home remedies are enough to relieve bronchitis symptoms.

If the illness is caused by a virus, you may only have mild fever and you don't
feel that sick. You might cough up with little or even no mucus at all. While
with bacterial bronchitis, you will have higher fever and cough (with
discolored, dark, and thick mucus).

Bronchitis can become serious if you're suffering from another disease like
asthma, cystic fibrosis, or COPD. If this is the case, home treatments are not
enough.

Your doctor knows the right treatment suited for your condition. By performing
the necessary physical examination and considering your symptom's history, an
accurate diagnosis can be obtained. If you're only suffering from a mild
condition, using the stethoscope is enough to examine your lungs, but with
severe or prolonged symptoms, the best way is to have your chest x-rayed.

Treatment of bronchitis also differs between one that is caused by a virus and
that of bacteria. Viral bronchitis can be resolved without undergoing any
treatment. But this doesn't mean that you will take your condition for granted.
You can do simple things like increasing your fluid intake; this helps in
reducing congestion especially when you have fever. You must also take a rest
and if you feel muscle pains, you can use acetaminophen. If you can't withstand
the symptoms, you can purchase cough expectorants and suppressants to thin the
mucus. Having a steamy shower can also open your airways thereby allowing mucus
expulsion.

If you're bronchitis is caused by bacteria, your doctor will usually prescribe
an antibiotic like erythromycin, tetracycline, and amoxicillin. The antibiotic
prescribed is dependent on the type of bacterial infection. You can experience
side effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. There are
certain bacteria that are resistant to drugs, and just recently, FDA approved a
drug suited for these kinds of bacteria. The drug is called gemiflaoxacin
mesylate. This is a tablet that needs to be taken orally once a day for five
days. If you use this drug, you may experience rashes, diarrhea, and nausea.

Remember that a viral bronchitis can't be treated with antibiotics because your
condition might become worse. Don't just use any medication without consulting
first with your doctor to ensure that you're on the safe side.

It is essential that you rest to make exertion of the mucus easier. Later on,
you can do cardio respiratory exercises moderately as this can help regain the
normal functions of your lungs, and expel remaining mucus.

A good way to avoid viral and bacterial bronchitis is to have good hygiene.
Getting immunizations can also lessen the risk of getting bronchitis. Make sure
that you also avoid cigarettes, smoke, fumes, and other environmental factors
that might trigger bronchitis. This way, your lungs can filter the
pollutants easily.

You can get sick every now and then especially if you have many unhealthy
habits and if you live in a polluted environment; and this can happen whether
you like or not. This is the sad reality that many people have to bear. Strive
to be healthy and while you're alive and kicking, try to save some money so
that in the event you get sick, you can handle the medical costs without
worrying.

Acute Bronchitis: Knowing About the Different Signs and Symptoms

There are quite a lot of people living today who are suffering from different
kinds of respiratory illnesses. You have to consider that your respiratory
health is one of the most important factors that you should consider. Many
people have been disabled by chronic respiratory illnesses where the main cause
is that they tend to neglect early signs and symptoms of the disease when it
develops and becomes severe.

One kind of disease that is commonly neglected by people is called bronchitis.
This particular disease is common in infants and children where their immune
system is still at the developing stages. Tobacco smokers and people living in
areas where there is a high level of air pollution is also commonly affected by
bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is a respiratory illness where the bronchial tree
is infected by either a virus or bacteria or in rare cases, fungus. 95% of
acute bronchitis is caused by viral infection where no special treatment is
necessary.

The treatment for acute bronchitis that is caused by viral infection only
consists of getting a lot of rest, drinking a lot of water or juices during the
duration of the infection. In bacterial infection, antibiotics are usually
needed along with the basic treatments. If it is possible, it is recommended
that the humidity in the house should be increased by using room humidifiers or
by placing wet towels and blankets around the house.

Acute bronchitis, if properly treated, can last up to 10 to 12 days only and
are usually followed by flu or cold. Sometimes, coughing can last for two to
three weeks or during the duration of the healing process of the bronchioles.
However, if the cough still persists, it is recommended that you should consult
your physician immediately because there may be other conditions that is
affecting your body.

If acute bronchitis is left untreated, it can develop into chronic bronchitis
where the disease can remain in long duration that can last up to 3 months to 2
years. Chronic bronchitis has permanent damages into your respiratory system.
This is why it is important that you should know all about bronchitis and the
signs and symptoms associated with it. If you neglect the signs and symptoms of
acute bronchitis, it will develop into chronic bronchitis that can cause
permanent damage in your respiratory system and can interfere with your normal
movements and activities.

The signs and symptoms associated with acute bronchitis will include shortness
of breath, mild pain on chest, mild case of fever, persistent coughing with
mucus, chills, tightness in the chest, wheezing, and headache. As you can see,
the symptoms associated with acute bronchitis have similar symptoms associated
with the common cold disease. This is why it is important that if you
experience the mentioned signs and symptoms, you should immediately consult
your physician about it.

They will conduct a series of test that will include physical examination by
listening to your breathing through a stethoscope and chest X-rays. Laboratory
tests will also include examination of your mucus to determine whether you have
acute bronchitis caused by virus, bacteria, or fungus infection.

During the recovery phase in acute bronchitis, it is important that you should
stop smoking if you are a smoker, or avoid inhaling cigarette or tobacco smoke
blown by smokers. It is also recommended that you should install air purifiers
inside your home in order to breathe clean air.

Acute bronchitis is also easy to prevent. By constantly washing your hands and
by quitting smoking, you will be able to maintain your respiratory health and
avoid getting infected by viruses and bacteria that causes acute bronchitis.

Always remember that acute bronchitis is treatable. As soon as the signs and
symptoms show up, you should consult your doctor about it. You have to consider
that it may not be a simple cold that you are suffering from but acute
bronchitis.

By taking the necessary precautions and by knowing about the signs and symptoms
of acute bronchitis, you will be able to prevent it from getting worse and let
it develop into chronic bronchitis. By effectively managing the illness and
with the proper treatment, you can be sure that you will never have to suffer
from chronic bronchitis.

How long is Bronchitis Contagious? Get Rid from the Anxiety of Contagiousness
Brought By Bronchitis

Bronchitis is the swelling of the bronchial tubes, otherwise known as the
airways. These airways are the windpipes that directly connect to the lungs.

Bronchitis happens when there is an irritation that occurs in the bronchial
tubes. Next to the irritation, the formation of thick mucus will soon follow.
Hence, the air passage will be blocked by the mucus, leading to difficulty in
breathing.

Bronchitis can be identified into two types: acute and chronic.

The acute bronchitis is normally an illness that lasts for a short period of
time. Usually, this is caused by severe cold. But most often, this is triggered
by the viral infections.

Acute bronchitis is characterized by the pain in the middle of the chest, cough
that comes with green sputum. Fever might also happen, and a slight difficulty
in breathing might also occur.

The Chronic bronchitis on the other hand is identified with a cough that
produces mucus. And this lasts for longer period of time as compared to the
acute bronchitis.

The sufferers of bronchitis are also identified to suffer from different level
of breathing difficulty. These sufferers may also have the possibility to
attain lung infections sometimes. Hence, the breathing difficulty is worsen.

There are certain occasions where chronic bronchitis is termed as "chronic
obstructive lung disease" and "chronic obstructive airways disease." From the
terms themselves, the problem can already be identified -- difficulty in air
circulation that goes in and out of the lungs.

Now, the question comes, is bronchitis contagious?

The answer is yes. Bronchitis is extremely contagious. The virus can be
transmitted by the means of cough, sneeze, and yes, even by simply touching the
things that has been touched by the person infected.

Bronchitis, basically, is the swelling of the bronchia, thus, it is not
contagious. However, as the bacteria starts to form, the disease then is
contagious the moment the bacteria was emitted into the air.

In fact, there are already several affected people who confessed that they had
the disease when they had a close contact with the infected person.

Now, the question is how long is bronchitis contagious?

According to the medical experts, the length of time of the disease
contagiousness actually depends on the cause and type of the person's
bronchitis.

For a person who suffers from bronchitis, it is suggested for him to visit and
consult to a medical specialist of respiratory and pulmonary to assure whether
he is already contagious and until when will it last.

It is advisable for the infected person to consult to a medical specialist when
bronchitis tends to occur, if not, it may possibly lead to pneumonia.

Both the acute and chronic bronchitis have the threat to become contagious.

Even the healthy person is not safe from the attacks of acute bronchitis. This
is because of the viral infection. These viral infections can be transmitted
from one person to other through indirect and direct contact.

However, the spread of bronchitis can still be avoided. The affected person
only needs to maintain a healthy hygiene by regularly washing his hands and by
using hand sanitizers afterwards.

Most importantly, the affected person should cover his mouth whenever he is
coughing. Hence, the possibility of transmitting the disease is reduced.

People who suffer from asthma may also develop an acute bronchitis. Such
circumstance reduces the risk of acute bronchitis to be contagious. It is the
effect whenever the acute bronchitis acts as a complication of a certain
disease.

To totally eliminate the risk of spreading the disease, it is best to cure it.
Antibiotic are not regarded as an effective way to treat acute bronchitis. This
is because bronchitis is caused by viral infection.

Only an ample amount of rest, an extra liquids intake, and a non-prescription
medicine for cough are the suggested effective treatment for acute bronchitis.

The antibiotic are only prescribe by the doctors whenever there is the presence
of bacterial infection. Antibiotic will then serve to lessen the risk of
secondary infection.

For the asthmatics, the doctor may recommend a medication for asthma, most
likely an inhaler. These medications will widen the contracted lung airways.

Knowing the Difference between Bronchitis and Pneumonia

Bronchitis and pneumonia is not synonymous. However, both are diseases
affecting the lower respiratory system. Typically, it affects the airways going
to the lungs, so it is imperative that a person should learn the major
differences of the diseases to have a better understanding.

A severe lung infection is called pneumonia. The alveoli are filled with other
liquid and pus. Thus the normal flow of oxygen is blocked. The blood is then
getting less amounts of oxygen. In the absence of oxygen in your body, the
cells fail to work properly. Proper treatment should be given, because less
supply of oxygen and widespread infection can lead to death.

There are several factors which cause pneumonia, but the major cause of
pneumonia is bacteria. The symptoms may include a headache, severe fatigue,
loss of appetite, excessive sweating, skin is clammy when touched, and some
degree of confusion.

-  Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterium affecting twenty to sixty percent of
adults and thirteen to thirty percent of children. This type of pneumonia is
considered as community-acquired. Streptococcus classified as Group A or
streptococcus pyogenes also causes pneumonia.

-  Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for acquired pneumonias in hospitals
affecting ten to fifteen percent of people. This is often linked with patients
having a weak immune system and viral influenza.

-  Another bacteria present in cases of community-acquired pneumonias, people
having chronic lung diseases, and children having cystic fibrosis is the
gram-negative bacteria.

-  Viral causes include RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), HPV (human
parainfluenza virus), SARS (severe acute respiratory distress syndrome),
herpesviruses, influenza, and adenoviruses.

There are several types of pneumonia which you should also learn.

-  Bacterial organisms cause atypical pneumonias including the walking
pneumonia. A mild symptom like dry cough is apparent. However, hospital care is
not needed.

-  Aspiration pneumonia is a condition wherein the bacteria are present in the
mouth. It is harmless if it stays there. But if gag reflex weakens, bacteria
can penetrate your lungs causing the infection.

-  Opportunistic pneumonia is harmless as long as the immune system is healthy.
It can be harmful for people with vulnerable immune systems especially to
illness and infection.

-  Regional and occupational pneumonias are caused by exposure to chemicals.
People who are exposed to cattle are at high risk of getting pneumonia due to
anthrax.

Bronchitis is a disease affecting the bronchi. It is responsible for carrying
the air from your trachea into your lungs. Inflammation due to irritation and
infection can damage the cells on the bronchi areas. Normally, these cells
contain cilia which remove and trap foreign particles that you breathe every
day.

Blockage of the cilia causes obstruction on the airways increasing the
irritation since the debris cannot easily flow. Mucus is then produced
resembling to that of a cough. It makes the airways more vulnerable to
infection and damages the tissue if irritation continues. Bronchitis has two
types.

-  Acute bronchitis can last for ten days. This is often accompanied by a
severe flu or cold. Take note, bronchitis can start without any infection.

-  Chronic bronchitis can last for three months or above. The symptoms are
recurrent. So it must be always checked because it can threaten your life. This
condition may also occur from a series attacks of acute bronchitis. It may also
gradually develop because of inhaling dirty air or heavy smoking.

Viruses affect approximately ninety percent of people with acute bronchitis.
Other cases are caused by repetitive exposures to irritants including smoke.
This may develop chronic bronchitis. Using antibiotic is not effective because
it cannot eradicate irritants or viral illnesses. It can only be effective with
bacterial diseases. Moreover, you should never be confused of an asthma which
produces significant amounts of cough and little wheezing. Often it is
misdiagnosed as acute bronchitis.

The therapies that are most effective in treating bronchitis is being patient,
avoid irritants, and maintain good nutrition. Some cases of viral bronchitis
can last from eight to twelve weeks. Chronic bronchitis which is considered
severe causes bronchi dilation. This makes the condition more susceptible to
bacterial and severe infections caused by drugs.

It is very important to determine the differences between pneumonia and
bronchitis. Health is very important thus proper diagnosis is essential for
acquiring proper treatment.

Significant Facts about Asthmatic Bronchitis

In the beginning, very few illnesses and diseases were known, people would
suffer from different ailments mysterious to them. As time passed, the number
of diseases cropping up continued to increase. Millions of people acquire
illnesses at some point in their lives; from common colds, coughs, to cancers
and heart ailments. Though these illnesses or diseases have medications, it's
still best to stay healthy. Prevention is still better than cure, as many
people always say.

Perhaps you've heard about bronchitis. This is the irritation and inflammation
of a human's bronchial tubes and adjacent tissues and organs involved in the
breathing process. Bronchial tubes filter the air before it reaches the lungs,
and are covered with hair-like things called cilia. Prolonged exposure to
irritants can break the defenses thereby causing infection and inflammation.

Asthmatic bronchitis is similar to bronchitis. This is a disease associated
with the airways. If you have chronic bronchitis, it can develop into asthmatic
bronchitis. This type of disease is quite difficult to identify and diagnose.
The generated symptoms exhibited by an individual having asthmatic bronchitis
are similar to other respiratory tract illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis,
sinusitis, and emphysema.

Bronchial hyperactivity, immunologic abnormalities, and severe childhood
infections can cause asthmatic bronchitis. Individuals suffering from serious
chronic bronchitis and persistent asthma are susceptible to asthmatic
bronchitis.

Bacterial infections lead to chronic bronchitis; but with asthmatic bronchitis,
small particles that passes though the cilia in the bronchial tubes triggers
this disease; the airways and bronchial tubes become obstructed. Mucus is
produced by the bronchial tubes to cover the trachea, lungs, and soft tissues
involved in the breathing process. Due to irritants, the bronchial tubes
produce an excessive amount of mucus thereby blocking air access. Constant
blocking of the tract is a common occurrence among patients having asthmatic
bronchitis.

Prolonged smoking and exposure to irritants, pollutants, and toxins can lead to
asthmatic bronchitis especially if the person already has chronic bronchitis.
The reason behind this is still unknown according to experts; but they claim
that some environmental factors influence such condition.

Symptoms

-  wheezing 
-  cough 
-  difficulty breathing 
-  chest discomfort 
-  pain and soreness 
-  increased infection vulnerability

Individuals suffering from asthma exhibit the same symptoms, but those that
have asthmatic bronchitis experience them in higher intensities.

Treatment includes bronchodilators, antibiotics, and steroids. You must be
warned that these treatments are not that effective in treating the causes of
the disease. Inhaled medicines and bronchodilators provide only temporary
amelioration to symptoms because the airways are cleared. Improvement can be
seen after an ongoing treatment.

Treatments

-  Oral corticosteroids like prednisolone tablets 
-  Symptom controller like salmeterol 
-  Oral antibiotics 
-  Preventer-medication or anti-inflammatory like fluticasone 
-  Reliever medications or bronchodilation like salbutamol

Doctors will advice patients with asthmatic bronchitis to avoid irritants like
dust, pollen, smoke, alcohol vapors, and chemicals. Some patients are even
required to have flu vaccines and the necessary precaution should be undertaken
against bacterial or viral infections.

Any disease when not treated at an early stage has a great chance of developing
into other forms of illnesses. Clinical examinations, pulmonary testing, and
laboratory analyses can establish the asthmatic bronchitis diagnosis. Although
bronchitis is a common condition, misdiagnosis can occur since respiratory
illnesses are somewhat similar with each other. Other doctors might require
supplementary respiration tests and chest x-ray to prescribe a treatment or
medication.

People of all ages may suffer from asthmatic bronchitis. This is already a
major complication that needs professional medial attention. Now, you're
already susceptible to developing pneumonia.

If you want to heal permanently, you must first get an accurate diagnosis. Only
then can you be given the appropriate medication and treatment. If you don't
want further complications to develop, then you'd better see your doctor. If
you haven't been diagnosed yet and you think you have the symptoms mentioned
above, then try to seek medical help.

Addressing any disease immediately can prevent complications, and not only
that, you get to save money on medical costs. If you let your condition worsen,
then you're bound to spend a huge amount of money in the future for medications
alone.

So why wait before things get complicated? Act now and look for a doctor that
can diagnose your condition. He or she is the best person to assess your
condition and determine the right medication suited for you.

Recognizing Symptoms and Seeking Advice on Infant Bronchitis

To define bronchitis simply, it is just a cold which spread out throughout the
bronchial tubes of your lungs. Bronchitis has its own degrees of severity. It
can range from a very mild condition without any fever then becomes very
serious. Normally, cough is present. This can be extremely dangerous especially
for infants. They may experience shortness of breath. Squeaky noises can be
heard as the infant breathes. If you observe these signs in your child, then
you better call a doctor.

Bronchitis usually occurs when infection happens in the upper respiratory
system. It displays abrupt onset symptoms and it is seldom considered as a
separate entity during childhood. It is often accompanied with dry, hacking,
persistent cough which can last for two to three days and low-grade fever.
Coughing can worsen at night and sometimes causes chest pain. The tachypnea
rate in one minute is more than sixty breaths.

Bronchitis in infants is basically attributed to a viral infection. But
sometimes the symptoms are also apparent in infants having bacterial pneumonia.
These cause serious or fatal consequences if not treated immediately.

-  Cough and cold are commonly considered as infection of the upper respiratory
caused by viruses. These cold viruses lower the resistance of the throat and
nose causing secondary infections. It is not true that exposure to a cold
atmosphere without wearing a hat, or getting wet can cause a cold.

Colds in infants are milder and can last for about seven to ten days. It is
manifested by a runny, stuffy, or bubbly nose accompanied by mild coughing.
Positioning your infant with his or her head elevated can aid him or her
comfortably breathe. Avoid direct contacts with your infant if you have colds.
Simple, regular hand washing is effective in preventing colds. It is not
advised to give medicines to your infant without proper prescriptions.

You should always be aware of your infant's condition. If he or she has a cough
and whether or not a fever is present, proper treatment is required. The normal
health of your infant is your first consideration.

-  The breathing patterns of your infant can be distorted. Respiration is
considered normal if exchange of gases (such as oxygen) in the lungs occurs.
The measurement of breathe is taken per minute.

Mothers need to observe the breathing rates of their infants for one minute.
Abdominal movements are noticeable. Infants below one year old must have at
least 40-60 respirations in one minute. One year old babies must have 25-35
breaths in one minute. Toddlers should have 20-40 respiration per minute.
However, crying can increase respiratory rates while sleeping decreases it.

-  Strep and sore throats can also affect infants. This condition is manifested
by inflammation of the tonsils which produces pain in the throat and accompanied
sometimes by fevers. Swallowing can be very difficult. An itchy throat is often
associated with colds. Toddlers having strep throat can be irritable, have
low-grade fever, losses their appetite, have swollen glands, and have yellow
thick spots on their tonsils.

Streptococcus is a bacteria causing strep throat. Cold viruses and allergies
are also included. Sore throats linked with colds can be transmitted to another
person by direct contacts on the secretions.

Antibiotic treatment can help alleviate the symptoms and later on cure the
strep throat. It is necessary to seek advice from a health care professional to
obtain treatment recommendations. This can prevent strep throat complications
such as rheumatic or scarlet fever.

Bronchitis affects infants as well as young children because their airways are
still very small and are blocked easily. Bronchitis normally occurs until the
infant reaches two years old. However, its peak occurrence mostly affects
infants aging 3-6 months old. Children who are mostly affected by bronchitis
are male children, children living in crowded conditions, children who are
exposed to cigarette smokes, and children who are not breastfed.

Although infant bronchitis is a mild disease, there is always a risk for more
severe cases requiring hospitalization. It can include prematurity, lung or
heart disease, and weak immune system. Infants who are diagnosed with
bronchitis can develop asthma in the future.

Mothers should understand these important facts about bronchitis. They can
avoid hysterics and late response if their infants show negative health
symptoms associated with bronchitis.

Herbal Remedy for Bronchitis: A Natural Way to Treat Bronchitis

Many people know that in order to live a normal and productive life, one must
be physically healthy. However, there are some instances where you may suffer
from diseases. You have to consider that it is normal for people to suffer from
diseases caused by viruses and by bacteria infection inside the body. This is
why people take all the necessary steps and are continuing to research and
develop different kinds of medicines for different kinds of illnesses.

One kind of disease that is considered to be one of the most common diseases in
the world is called bronchitis. This kind of diseases is a form of respiratory
illness that can affect the way you live your daily life. First of all, there
are mainly two kinds of bronchitis. One is the acute bronchitis, and the other
is called chronic bronchitis. Bronchitis is an illness where the bronchial tube
is inflamed due to viral infection.

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus infection. However, there are
some cases where bacteria and fungus infection can also cause bronchitis. You
have to consider that you need to know about bronchitis in order for you to
know how to treat it properly and also know how to manage it. Acute bronchitis
is considered to be very easy to treat and manage. This kind of bronchitis will
usually last for only 10 to 12 days and will also be followed closely by flu or
cold. Acute bronchitis will contain the following signs and symptoms that you
need to be aware of:

*  Mild chest pain 
*  Hacking cough with mucus 
*  Mild fever 
*  Headaches 
*  Sinus congestion 
*  Squeezing sensation around the eyes 
*  Wheezing sound when breathing 
*  Fatigue 
*  Chest discomfort

These are the signs and symptoms of acute bronchitis that you should know
about. It is important that you should consult your doctor immediately after
you feel the mentioned signs and symptoms. They will be able to know what kind
of infection you have or whether it is a viral, bacterial or fungal infection.
With a proper diagnosis, the doctor will be able to give you the right kind of
medicine.

Bronchitis caused by viruses doesn't usually need medications, but you can
consider taking medications for symptom relief, such as nasal decongestant, and
anti-inflammatory drugs. Again, you first need to tell your doctor about your
intentions of taking some medications as you may have allergies in certain
kinds of drugs and some drugs are also considered to dangerous when combined,
especially in pregnant women.

Today, research has found that some herbal medicines can help in alleviating
the symptoms of bronchitis. One kind of herbal medicine that can help alleviate
coughing associated with bronchitis is eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus oil helps
loosen the phlegm to make it easier for the lungs to get rid of the mucus
secretion inside. In fact, inhaling eucalyptus has been recommended by a lot of
medical practitioners all over the world for bronchitis patients. To prevent
bronchitis, or to at least minimize the chances of getting bronchitis, eating a
lot of garlic is recommended. Garlic is filled with chemicals that kill virus
and bacteria. In short, garlic is a natural antiviral and antibacterial herb.

Recent studies have found that the stinging nettle plant can treat bronchitis
and other kinds of respiratory illnesses. The juice inside the roots and leaves
mixed with honey or sugar can relieve the signs and symptoms that you can suffer
from bronchitis.

Plants containing a good source of vitamin C can also help prevent and
alleviate the symptoms of bronchitis. It is also recommended that you should
eat plants containing magnesium as this can also help in alleviating the
symptoms of bronchitis.

These are some of the herbal remedies that you can consider using if you have
bronchitis. You can also try boiling oregano leaves and drink the juice.

It is recommended that you should not disregard if you are already seeing the
early signs and symptoms of acute bronchitis. You have to remember that if you
neglect it, it make likely develop into its chronic form that will cause
permanent damage to your respiratory system.

The best thing that you can do to prevent bronchitis from affecting you is by
changing your lifestyle by quitting smoking and drink alcohol in moderation.
You should also exercise regularly to maintain your respiratory health.

Tell-Tale Signs of Chronic Bronchitis

Bronchitis is defined as a disease with acute inflammation of the respiratory
tract. The term is basically coined from the Greek words bronchos, which means
windpipe, and itis, meaning inflammation. Bronchitis takes place when the
trachea or windpipe and the bronchi (both small and large) become inflamed
which is likely caused by an infection or other factors.

Bronchitis has two types, acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis is mainly caused
by viral or bacterial infections and from the acute word itself, it is only for
a short period of time, but that is another story.

Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is a long term bronchial inflammation
consequently followed by a raise in the production of mucus. It is also a type
of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a group of
respiratory diseases that hampers with normal breathing.

Chronic bronchitis can be caused by no specific factor but cigarette smoking is
believed to be the major culprit of the illness. Following smoking, other causes
may include environmental pollution (especially air pollution) and bacterial or
viral infections.

To be considered as chronic bronchitis, the patient must experience cough and
expectorations (meaning with phlegm or sputum) for no less than 3 months in a
year for two successive years. Furthermore, other factors that may cause
symptoms such as TB (tuberculosis) or other respiratory health problems must be
excluded.

As a category of COPD, primary symptoms of chronic bronchitis are mucus
expectoration, cough, and dyspnea or labored breathing during physical
exertion. These symptoms commonly deteriorate over time. Persistent cough and
mucus expectoration usually come first years before the development of
aberrations in the airflow of the respiratory tract.

Dyspnea or labored breathing, due to its severity, more often than not causes
interference in the patient's day to day activities. Loss of weight is fairly
not uncommon since eating needs a certain amount of physical exertion and the
sometimes only breathing itself can be energy consuming for the patient.

There will come a time when the patient will find it difficult to even
participate in mild exercise because of dyspnea. As bronchitis progresses,
labored breathing will be experienced by the patient even at rest. Then the
patient will become in danger of acquiring more respiratory infections and
respiratory insufficiency, which consequently raises the danger for both
chronic and acute respiratory failure.

Other warning signs of chronic bronchitis may include swelling of the feet,
abnormal lung signs, heart failure, and bluish discoloration of the lips and
skin. Symptoms may be similar to other respiratory problems; therefore it is
advisable that the patient should consult a physician. This is due to the fact
that chronic bronchitis is frequently associated with other diseases of the
respiratory system such as asthma, tuberculosis, sinusitis, pulmonary
emphysema, and other upper respiratory infections.

Moreover, there are numerous examinations that are utilized by the medical
professionals to identify chronic bronchitis. These tests or examinations may
include the following:

*  Pulmonary function tests, which assist in calculating the lungs' capacity to
appropriately exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide through use of a spirometry and
peak flow monitoring (PFM). Spirometry is an apparatus that is used by the
doctor to evaluate the function of the lungs. PFM is a tool that is utilized to
determine the greatest speed in which an individual can exhale or blow air out
of the lungs. PFM helps in assessing how the malady is being controlled

*  Pulse Oximetry. This is a small apparatus that measures the quantity of
oxygen in blood.

*  Chest X-ray. This fairly common diagnostic test is used to create images of
the internal tissues, organs, and bones unto a film.

*  Arterial Blood Gas or ABG. This is a blood test that is employed to assess
the lungs' capacity to supply with oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide. This
also helps in measuring the acidity of the blood.

*  CT Scan or Computed Tomography. This is an amalgamation of x-rays and
computer technology to produce sectional imagery of the body. This imaging
device illustrates a comprehensive picture of any part of the body.

Although once a person acquires chronic bronchitis, which usually lasts a
lifetime, this illness can be controlled. Treatments are utilized mainly to
alleviate the symptoms. Nevertheless, the patient can still live a comfortable
life if provided with a proper management of the symptoms. It may not be
curable but it is manageable.

Getting To Know the Symptoms of Bronchitis

Cough and colds are considered ordinary illnesses by many individuals. However,
it is unusual if it persists for more than a week. It may be something else. It
may be bronchitis.

Bronchitis is a respiratory condition wherein the bronchial tubes are irritated
and swelled which is most of the time is accompanied by pain.

There are two types of bronchitis -- acute and chronic. A viral infection is the
primary cause why an acute bronchitis develops. It usually arises after a sore
throat or cold and last for one to two weeks.

You need to watch out for the following symptoms of acute bronchitis:

* Throbbing Cough -- a cough is an abrupt and recurring contraction of the
  thoracic cavity which produces a distinct sound. 
* Runny nose -- studies show that a runny nose is a mere irritation to an 
  individual who has acute bronchitis. When you are inflicted with a runny 
  nose, gently blow from your nose. 
* Wheezing -- there is obscurity in breathing with a distinct wheezing
  sound. 
* Sore throat -- this is a pain or scratchiness in one's throat. 
* Recurrent headache -- this is a condition wherein pain is felt in the head.
  Sometimes pain can be felt in the neck or upper back. 
* Chills -- with this condition you may feel cold with quivering and paleness. 
  There are instances that chills are accompanied by a sudden increase in 
  temperature in the body.
* Slight fever -- sometimes termed as "pyrexia," wherein there is a raise in
  the temperature of your body. A fever is considered slight or low grade if 
  it falls between 38 to 39 C. 
* Malaise -- this is a general term to describe an individual's uneasiness, 
  fatigue or ill health. 
* Back pain -- this is a condition where there is the presence of soreness in 
  the back area which occur from the bones, nerves, muscles or joints. 
* Muscle pain -- medically termed as "myalgia," wherein there is soreness in the 
  muscles in your body.

Chronic bronchitis is the other type of the said illness. Compared to acute,
when an individual has chronic bronchitis it denotes that the he has too much
phlegm in the air passageway causing a successive and prolific cough. After
three months of successive and prolific cough and other related symptoms, then
you are most likely positive for a chronic bronchitis.

The above-mentioned symptoms of acute bronchitis are also applicable for
chronic bronchitis; however the symptoms are more severe. Apart from the
above-mentioned symptoms, here are the distinct symptoms of chronic bronchitis:

*  Cyanosis -- it is a condition wherein the skin turns into a bluish color. The
   bluish color is due to the presence of "deoxygenated hemoglobin" in the vessels
   of your blood. 
*  Edema -- it is a condition where an organ or tissue swells because of excessive 
   fluid in the lymph. Feet and ankles are the most common sites for edema to 
   occur.
*  Heart failure -- it is a condition where there is function disorder in the 
   cardiac which results to the inability of heart to pump adequate amount of 
   blood throughout the body. 
*  Clubbed fingers -- it is a condition associated with heart and lung problems 
   wherein the fingers and fingernails are deformed. 
*  Dyspnea -- it is a condition where you will experience difficulty and 
   shortness in breathing. 
*  Shortness of breathing due to exertion (exercising or overworking) 
*  Too much airway mucus secretion
*  Abnormal lung signs 
*  Repeated infections in the lungs and respiratory tract

There are some symptoms of bronchitis which resembles other respiratory
problems. With this regard, it is best to consult with your physician to
identify if you are indeed suffering from either acute or chronic bronchitis.
Your physician will then assess your medical history as well as evaluate the
physical exam he will do. To further assess the condition, other tests may be
prescribed by your physician.

An ordinary cough or cold should not be taken for granted; it must be cured as
soon as possible to prevent other severe illnesses such as bronchitis to occur.
You are one unfortunate individual if you will be inflicted with chronic
bronchitis since there you will have to undergo long-term treatment. Medical
studies show that there is no cure for chronic bronchitis.

Pediatric Bronchitis: The Scourge of Childhood

Bronchitis is a lower respiratory tract problem that is manifested by an
inflammation and/or infection of airways which includes the trachea and larger
air tubes that carry oxygen into the lungs. There are two kinds of bronchitis:
acute (short-term) bronchitis and chronic (long-term) bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis is usually followed by a viral infection, primarily upsetting
the nasal cavity, sinuses, and the throat and then extending to the larger
bronchial airway passages. Other times, the patient may acquire a bacterial
infection. This goes to show that the inflamed respiratory tract will be
infested by bacteria.

Very young children, infants, children who are constantly exposed to smoke
(such as parents who are smokers), and children afflicted with a pre-existing
lung or heart disease are at risk of getting acute bronchitis.

On the other hand, chronic bronchitis is manifested by overproduction of
bronchial mucus causing a productive cough. As the disease progresses from
constant inflammation (which may exclude infection) can obstruct the flow of
air into the lungs eventually causing difficulty in breathing and severe damage
in the respiratory tract.

Chronic bronchitis is a category of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease). COPD is a respiratory problem that develops for a long time which
will eventually hinder the patient from breathing normally causing difficulty
in physical exertion and may require a supply of oxygen regularly.

Long-term contact and exposure with smokers is the main culprit of chronic
bronchitis among children. Other predicaments that may cause the illness are
allergies and air pollution.

To prevent children from acquiring this unfortunate disease, parents and/or
guardians must teach proper hand washing to keep away from the spread of
bacteria and viruses that causes bronchitis; reduce the incidence of exposure
to air pollutants; and it is also recommended to get a flu vaccine. Quitting
from cigarette smoking will very much help you and your loved ones from being
afflicted with respiratory problems.

Both types of bronchitis have the same set of symptoms:

*  easily tired 
*  wheezing 
*  difficulty in breathing which is worsened even by mild physical exertion 
*  chest aches 
*  cough with mucus ( if the mucus is blood streaked, then it is advisable 
   to consult your paediatrician) 
*  rales (abnormal sounds heard in the lungs through the use of a stethoscope)

Tests to diagnose bronchitis may include the use of pulse oxymetry, arterial
blood gas, pulmonary lung function tests, chest x-ray, and sputum or mucus
analysis and evaluation.

If left untreated or under treated, bronchitis may progress into other forms of
respiratory ailments such as pneumonia, emphysema, right sided heart failure,
and pulmonary hypertension.

In any case, when there are no other infections present in acute bronchitis, it
is treated just like the common cold. Treatment may include intake of lots of
fluids, complete rest, use of humidifiers, and medications like Tylenol for
fever and pain. Bear in mind that aspirin is contraindicated with children due
to its association with Reye's syndrome.

If the child is experiencing dry cough, then it is advisable to give cough
suppressants for comfort's sake. But if the cough is productive (with mucus or
sputum) then it is best if the sputum be expectorated naturally. This is
because the cough helps to bring out the mucus and other irritants from the
lungs. When coughing is restrained, the sputum or mucus build ups in the
already obstructed airways and can become a hotbed for bacterial pneumonia.

To induce coughing, expectorants may be used. These medications assist the
child afflicted with bronchitis by thinning out the mucus in the lungs. To make
sure of what type of medication is best for your child, it is best to consult
your pediatrician.

Antibiotics on the other hand are prescribed to battle bacteria-caused
bronchitis. It is imperative that the patient take the medication regularly as
prescribed to avoid relapses. Children below eight years old are generally
prescribed with amoxicillin instead of tetracycline. Tetracycline is
contraindicated because it tends to create a discoloration in the teeth that
has yet to come out in children.

As for chronic bronchitis, treatment will depend on the stage of the disease.
In a child's case, a change into a healthy environment is best indicated in
addition to supervised exercise. Medications may include bronchodilators, which
relaxes the bronchial tubes allowing easy flow of air into the lungs.
Anti-inflammatory medications are also utilized which reduces swelling in the
respiratory tract. If, unfortunately, the disease advances the child may
require supplemental oxygen.

In all cases of diseases, prevention is still better than the cure. Parents who
are health conscious should quit smoking to both protect their own health as
well as their children. Also avoid places that are heavily polluted and eat a
lot of nutritious food. The flu vaccine may also help in preventing such
illnesses that causes disruptions to day to day living. Just remember to stay
healthy!

Facts about Bronchitis and Asthma

When a medical specialist used the word "chronic" he is directly referring to a
long-term and persistent suffering of a person from certain disease. One of
which is chronic bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis is the irritation or swelling of lung's airways. These
airways are tubes in the lungs where the air used to pass through. Airways are
also termed as "bronchial tubes".

When irritation occurs in bronchial tubes the formation of thick mucus will
follow. Hence, the bronchial tubes will be block by the mucus, resulting to
difficultlty in breathing.

Asthma on the other hand is the chronic inflammation of the airways or
bronchial tubes. This common lung disorder is normally characterized by
difficult breathing.

The chronic bronchitis is frequently associated with asthma, if not with
allergies. Truth is a bronchial infection consists several factors that may
possibly trigger it.

Both of these lung disorder -- chronic bronchitis and asthma -- is
characterized by coughing, chest contraction, wheezing and difficulty in
breathing.

Sadly, the environment alone consist several threatening factor that triggers
bronchial infection, thus, the start of the symptoms.

Dust is an example of this environmental factor. Obviously, dust is a kind of
substance which is common everywhere. That is why, for those with a problem in
their respiratory system, dust is a tough villain for their health.

For the asthmatics and sufferer of bronchitis, dusty places are not an ideal
breathing zone.

Therefore, people who have a respiratory problem are advised to limit their
exposure to dust as possible as they can. However, the preventions for dust
that are needed to be taken will be determined according to the person's
sensitivity itself.

Those who are sensitive enough may need to install in their house a specialized
air cleaning equipment. While those who are not that sensitive enough may enjoy
a home that has a regular schedule for cleaning.

If you are one of these lung sufferers, you can visit the online links to get
free tips on how to avoid and get rid of the factors that trigger asthma and
bronchial cough inside of your home.

Another factor that may harm the respiratory system, and may lead to bronchial
infection, is the chemical odors and fumes. An example of this is the tobacco
smoke. The smoker himself and the person who happened to inhale the smokes
emitted by the smoker may compromise the health of their respiratory system.

Hence, this practice will lead to chronic cough, which is usually experienced
by the asthmatics and the sufferers of bronchitis.

Furthermore, such chronic cough and bronchitis may also be triggered by the
stomach irritating acid which is caused by the stomach acid's backflow to the
esophagus. This disease is known as the acid reflux.

For the sufferer of a chronic cough which is triggered by bronchitis and
asthma, it is advisable that he ask from a pulmonary or respiratory medical
specialist an accurate diagnosis.

Aside from it, understanding the lifestyle of the sufferer may also help, since
there are several environmental factors that are needed to be avoided for people
who have a respiratory problem.

On the other hand, allow the author to tackle the "bronchial asthma." Bronchial
asthma is simply the contraction of the bronchial tubes that vary for a short
span of time.

However, there is a little confusion regarding the bronchial asthma. For those
who are not aware on medical terms, bronchial asthma may be regarded as the
fusion of bronchitis and asthma.

Getting the etymology, bronchitis is derived from the Greek word "bronchos",
meaning "windpipe or throat." "It is" on the other hand is a suffix noun that
pertains to "diseases."

While the term asthma is rooted from the Greek word "azein", which stands for
"breathe hard."

Medically speaking, the so-called "bronchial asthma" is what we commonly known
as asthma.

The bronchitis is the swelling of bronchial tubes. And can either be acute or
short-lived, or can last for a long period of time, termed as chronic. This is
infected by certain viruses and lung irritants such as pollution and smoke that
bring harm to respiratory tract.

Meanwhile, the bronchial asthma is caused by the stomach problem or the
gastrointestinal tract. Although this may also be triggered by certain form of
substances such as dust.

Stopping Bronchitis with Medicines

When the inside layer of your bronchial tubes begin to swell, you are most
likely to develop bronchitis. Once this happen, your air passageway will be
filled with mucus or phlegm.

Bronchitis itself cannot be cured. What you need to do is treat the symptoms of
bronchitis as well as alleviate the discomfort and pain which comes with the
symptoms.

These days, there are suggested and prescribed medicines to combat bronchitis.

Antibiotic

Antibiotic is used to slow down or destroy the development of bacteria.
Recently, medical studies show that Telithromycin is an alternative choice to
treat bronchitis.

It is believed that antibiotics help relieve the symptoms which come together
with bronchitis such as reducing cough and colds.

There are adverse side effects if your body is not used to taking antibiotics
such as irritated stomach, loose bowel movement, and skin irritations and to
some extent seizures.

Bronchodilators

Bronchodilator is a medication which is breath into the mouth to treat
bronchitis. This is done to open the bronchial tubes or the air passageway of
the lungs. Some of the common brand names of this drug are Ventolin, Albuterol
and Primatene.

Such medicine may act to give short or long term effect to the one taking it.
Short effects aim to give speedy aid from the discomfort and pain. On the other
hand, long-term effects help control and on some cases put off symptoms.

The amount of dosage varies from one patient to the other, depending on the
severity of bronchitis. Your physician will prescribe you the proper dosage
which you will need.

The possible side effects once this medication was taken may include
nervousness, tremors in the muscle, fast heartbeat and queasiness.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids belong to the group of "steroid hormones." This type of
medication is utilized to help the patient suffering from bronchitis breathe
easier.

Intake of this drug comes into two different forms. It can be given by mouth or
it can be given intravenously.

Use of this medication has long-term side effects such as persistent
infections, thinning of the skin, ulcers, and to some extent osteoporosis and
cataracts. On the other hand, short-term side effects of Corticosteroids may
include increase in weight, mood swings and increase in blood sugar and blood
pressure.

This type of medicine should be taken under a direct and close supervision of
your doctor.

Cough Suppressants and Expectorants

A cough suppressant is given to individuals who are suffering from bad cough
without congestion in their nose. "Dextromethorphan" is an active ingredient of
most cough suppressant. Some examples of cough suppressants are Vicks Formula
and some Robitussin products.

Over dosage of cough suppressants may result to vomiting, irritated stomach and
sleepiness.

Alternatively, cough expectorants works in a way wherein it thins the mucus
which blocks air passageway. With cough expectorants, it is uncomplicated for
you to cough. "Guaifenisin" is the major ingredients in cough expectorants
which come in several brand names.

You may encounter the following side effects upon intake of some cough
expectorants which may include vomiting, headache, faintness and skin rashes.

Although cough suppressants and expectorants can be readily bought
over-the-counter, it is still best to consult a physician for prescription
which will be suited to your condition.

Ibuprofen

Most physicians prescribe Ibuprofen to alleviate the discomfort and pain
experienced by someone who is suffering from the symptoms of bronchitis. Some
of the common brand names of Ibuprofen are Advil, Midol and Motrin.

Taking too much of this drug can lead to side effects which may include tight
bowel movement, bloating, faintness, anxiety and a feeling of buzzing in the
ears.

Mucolytics

Mucolytic is a type of medication which liquefies thick mucus so that an
individual suffering from bronchitis will have a reduced difficulty in
breathing.

Some major types of mucolytics are referred to as "acetlycysteine,
carbocisteine, and methylcysteine hydrochloride."

If you are not attuned with this type of drug, you may develop the common side
effects such as abrupt stiffness of the air passageway, fever, vomiting and
sleepiness.

There are a wide variety of medicines to treat bronchitis or the symptoms
causing the said illness. However, you should not instantly take the said
medications without consulting your physician. By doing so, you will avoid
possible side effects which can harm your life.

Bronchitis Can Be of Bacterial Cause

Whenever the word 'bacteria' is mentioned, most people will think about it
negatively. The truth is there are bad bacteria as well as good bacteria. Bad
bacteria often cause illnesses or diseases; and the good ones help in keeping
the body healthy. Did you know that the largest class of all creatures on earth
is bacteria? They are single cells that eat and reproduce. Of all infecting
agents, the bacteria are the most common cause of hospitalized illnesses and
infections, especially in developing countries. Most short term illnesses are
caused by bacteria, but with the right antibiotic, it can easily be stopped.
Most illnesses are caused by bacteria and viruses. In the case of bronchitis,
it is most commonly caused by viruses which bring about acute or chronic
bronchitis. Bacteria though can also cause bronchitis, but cases like this are
not that common. Bronchitis is the irritation and inflammation of the
respiratory passages. If you're experiencing persistent cough, perhaps you need
to consult a doctor because you might have bronchitis. Although this is just a
mild to moderate illness, it needs proper treatment to avoid any complications
and secondary bacterial infections. If bronchitis is caused by bacteria, the
treatment will include antibiotic use. There are a lot of bacteria that cause
illnesses and diseases. Bronchitis is a very common disease among children and
adults. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is said to cause bronchitis. It is a minute
bacterium that belongs to Mollicutes class. Unlike other bacteria that have
cell walls, this organism doesn't have any. It is composed of a membrane that
incorporates compounds. Antibiotics, particularly the beta-lactam, and
penicillin disrupts cell walls; and so it can't be used to treat mycoplasma
pneumoniae since it lacks a cell wall. These bacteria thrive as parasites just
like viruses; they are not free-living. It has genomes with 816 kbs and
proteome that are fully characterized. M. pneumoniae uses a distinctive genetic
code like mitochondria and is unable to make essential compounds because it
doesn't have cellular machinery. M. pneumoniae spreads through droplet
transmission in the respiratory system. Once it is attached to the host
organism, the bacteria extract nutrients and grow. It also reproduces through
binary fission. The respiratory tract is the usual attachment site of these
bacteria. If your bronchitis is caused by M. pneumoniae, it can be easily
identified because of the slow progression of the symptoms, blood test on
cold-hemaglutinins with positive result, lacks bacteria in sputum sample (gram
stained), and lacks blood agar growth. The effective medications for this type
of bacteria are macrolide antibiotics and quinolones (both second generation).
Bronchitis caused by these bacteria is usually mild. Others experience moderate
symptoms. When bacterial infection occurs in a person with bronchitis, it is
usually treated with antibiotics and should take the medication prescribed. The
infection will return if the antibiotic is stopped. A lot of people stop
antibiotics when they feel better; but this should not be done because the
bacterial infection will just come back. You have to strictly follow what the
doctor prescribed to kill all existing bacteria and prevent the disease from
coming back. Antibiotics used are usually: 

-  trimethoprim or sulfamethoxazole
-  azithromycin 
-  clarithromycin 
-  for children: amoxicillin

Bacteria are life forms, and in order to stay alive, it performs chemical
processes. They manufacture structural elements, digest nutrients, assimilate,
and replicate themselves. They multiply and at the same time guard themselves
against hostile elements. Antibiotics are able to hinder such processes to
occur, thereby killing the bacteria. Bad bacteria are a lot like poisons and
acids. The body has its own defenses and when the bacterium irritates the
system, it can go overboard. In this manner, the bacteria and host tissues are
attacked, which is not that good so careful attention and medication must be
given to patients with bacterial infections. Illnesses and diseases are here to
stay. And perhaps the lifestyle of many people has something to do with their
getting sick. All individuals must live a healthy and clean lifestyle. With all
medical costs soaring high nowadays, no one would want to get sick. So the best
way is to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and other healthy foods. And if
you do have symptoms of bronchitis, make sure that you consult your doctor
immediately.

Pathophysiology of Acute Bronchitis

Today, it is important that you should maintain a healthy body in order for it
to fight off any diseases that it may come in contact with. In order to
function properly in society and always be a productive member of society, you
should always be healthy. However, there are some cases where people suffer
from differing kinds of diseases that can significantly affect their daily life.

One such disease that is considered to be common among many people is called
bronchitis. Bronchitis is an illness where the bronchial tubes get inflamed.
Because of this, people with this kind of illness can have difficulty in
breathing and suffer from mild fever. There are mainly two types of bronchitis
that affects people. One is called acute or short-term bronchitis, and the
other is chronic or long-term bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is easy to treat
with the proper diagnosis and management.

First of all, acute bronchitis offers several signs and symptoms that you
should be aware of in order to detect the disease and stop it on its tracks.
The symptoms for acute bronchitis will include hacking cough with mucus,
headaches, squeezing sensation around the eyes, chest tightness, mild fever,
and difficulty in breathing. As you can see, the signs and symptoms of acute
bronchitis is very similar to the common cold.

People mainly affected by this illness are infants, children, the elderly,
tobacco smokers, and people who have weak respiratory systems. People who live
in highly polluted areas are also commonly affected by acute bronchitis. You
have to consider that you should get this illness treated in order for it to
not develop into chronic bronchitis. Bronchitis can happen anytime of the year
but it will usually happen during the winter months.

Treatment will include getting a lot of rest, humidifying the home with
humidifiers, inhaling steam, taking a long shower, and drinking a lot of
non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic beverages. However, if the bronchitis is
caused by bacteria or by fungus, it is important that you should consult your
doctor about it where they can prescribe some anti-bacterial or anti-fungal
medications.

Here is a closer look of acute bronchitis to better understand its
pathophysiology or how it works.

Usually bronchitis occurs after the person was infected with cold or infection.
The virus that causes the common cold can also be the virus that can cause
bronchitis. Acute bronchitis can also happen by inhaling irritants that can
damage and inflame the bronchial tubes. Cigarette smoke and other chemical
fumes inhaled can significantly damage your bronchial tubes. The inflammation
causes the airway to constrict and therefore, causes you to have difficulty in
breathing. If left untreated or if you continue inhaling irritants such as
cigarette smoke, the acute bronchitis will eventually develop into its chronic
form where it can permanently damage your bronchial tubes and tissues
surrounding it.

This is the prognosis is of acute bronchitis.

If you are suffering from acute bronchitis, it is recommended that you should
stop smoking or at least lessen your cigarette or tobacco consumption. If it is
possible, you should avoid dusty areas. You can also consider installing air
filters in your home if you live in an area where there is heavy percentage of
air pollution.

Acute bronchitis is the last up to 10 to 12 day. However, acute bronchitis is
usually followed by flu or call. You have to consider the bronchitis is
contagious and can be transmitted by air through coughing. This is why it is
important for you to carry a damp handkerchief or towel for you to cover your
mouth if you need to cough.

If the coughing persists for more than a month, there may be other illnesses
that are inside your body, such as pneumonia. It is also important that you
should observe the mucus secretion. If there is blood present, you should
immediately consult your physician for further diagnosis.

These are the things you should know about acute bronchitis. With the proper
management and care, you will be able to stop it on its tracks and prevent it
from developing into its chronic form. If you experience symptoms associated
with bronchitis, you should consult your doctor immediately. They will perform
some tests to determine what is causing the bronchitis whether it is viral or
bacterial infection.

Some Home Remedy for Your Bronchitis: A First Aid Alert

Bronchitis is a condition wherein there is inflammation of the bronchial tubes.
As the condition worsens, mucus is developed because of the swelling of the
bronchial tubes.

The symptoms of bronchitis may cause uneasiness, irritability and to some
extent, pain. Hence when bronchitis is causing you too much discomfort, then
there are suggested home remedies for the said illness.

Drink plenty of fluids.

It is highly recommended that you drink a lot of non-caffeinated fluids such as
water and fruit juices extracted from fresh fruits. Orange juice is highly
recommended to drink to help alleviate the symptoms of bronchitis. Taking a lot
of fluids will help thin your mucus. Thus, you will have an easier time to
breathe.

It is best to avoid cold drinks since it can worsen the air passageway.

Check your kitchen for other natural remedies.

Ginger is said to be an effective remedy for bronchitis which can be commonly
found within your home. Ginger can be made as a tea or it can be licked with
honey. To obtain optimum relief, take the said ginger preparation at least
three times a day.

You can find onions in most kitchens. It is believed that onions are a good
alternative to give aid to bronchitis. Extract the juice of the onion and drink
it. It is most effective if taken first thing in the morning. Onions soften
phlegm. Furthermore, it prevents possible formation of phlegm.

Almond is another effective remedy for bronchitis. You can prepare "almond
medicine" by pounding at least seven kernels of almonds. Once done, mix it with
your favorite fresh fruit juice. It is best to take the said remedy before going
to bed.

A natural expectorant can be found with "spinach mix." You need to prepare
fresh leaves of spinach, water and a bit of ammonium chloride and some honey.
Mix those ingredients and then drink it.

Asparagus is also another cure for bronchitis. You will need one can of
asparagus. Mix it with the help of your blender. Refrigerate afterwards. It is
recommended to take an "asparagus drink" one in the morning and one before
bedtime.

Add more Cs in your diet.

Studies show that Vitamin C is beneficial to give as a treat as well as to
prevent the onset of bronchitis. Vitamin C is said to be a "cell protective
antioxidant." With that, it safeguards yours lungs from possible lung damages.

Say No to Smoking.

If you are a smoker, you need to put off smoking. Smoking deteriorates your
lungs which leads to the development to difficulty in breathing. Furthermore,
smoking worsens the infection in your bronchial tubes.

On the other hand, if you are not a smoker you need to prevent anyone in your
home from smoking. Explain to your family members the need for them to stop
smoking. If you are on public conveyances and places, it is best to stay away
from smokers.

Humidify your environment.

Research shows that humidity helps relieve the aggravated membranes in your
bronchial tubes. It is best to have a "vaporizer" in your bedroom. Thirty
minutes before you rest or go to sleep, turn on the vaporizer. If the vaporizer
is turned on, make sure to close any door or windows. You can leave the
vaporizer open during the night. Doing so, you will be able to get at least 70%
humidity.

Other steps to obtain moisture are to take a hot bath, breathe steam from a
container of hot water or drape a hot towel on top of your head.

Exercise regularly.

Medical findings show that doing regular exercise is helpful to treat
bronchitis. It is recommended that outdoor exercises be done instead of indoor
exercises since you are most likely to breathe in fresh air when you are
outside. Additionally, an outdoor exercise is best taken in the morning.

It is also suggested that you carry out other forms of exercises such as
cleaning calisthenics, workouts to correct body postures and breath-hold
exercises.

You do not need to immediately rush to your doctor or run to the nearest drug
store during the onset of the symptoms of bronchitis. The above-mentioned steps
can temporarily relieve you from the pain and discomfort that bronchitis bring.

Is Bronchitis Contagious: Clearing Your Mind from Doubts

Learning about the issues concerning chronic and acute bronchitis progression
can answer your question if it is really contagious.

Chronic bronchitis is the infection and inflammation of mucosal membranes and
bronchial tubes, which generates excessive mucus production. These high levels
of mucus production in the person's respiratory tract are only the inflammatory
response of the body to the bronchial infection and irritation. Excess mucus
disturbs the normal respiratory process by reducing significant amounts of air
going to the lungs. The chronic bronchitis symptoms include difficult
breathing, breath shortness, wheezing, discomfort, chest pain, and cough
produced by mucus.

Chronic bronchitis can generate time-persistent and recurrent symptoms which
can intensify as its progresses. Chronic bronchitis displays characteristics of
productive coughs, greater susceptibility to respiratory tract's viral and
bacterial infections, and little responsiveness when treated by medications.
Chronic bronchitis can last for tree months or more and reoccurs after two
years. Today, there is still no specific treatment for chronic bronchitis.

Compared to sufferers of acute bronchitis, patients who are diagnosed with
chronic bronchitis never respond to antibiotics treatments that well. The
excess mucus in the bronchial tubes can facilitate bacterial proliferation and
other organisms which causes infections. The disease can become very severe on
the area where infections occur. Cilia barriers or the respiratory system's
natural defenses are ineffective to antibiotics for curing chronic bronchitis
completely. Thus treating chronic bronchitis is focused on relieving the
existing symptoms to prevent further development of other complications.

Patients in their incipient stages of chronic bronchitis perceived symptoms
usually at night or in the morning. Patients who have advanced chronic
bronchitis suffer from inflamed respiratory tract because of mucus obstruction.
This condition generates persistent and intense cough or also known as the
"smokers cough". Sufferers of chronic bronchitis can also acquire pulmonary
problems and may develop severe lung diseases such as emphysema and pneumonia.

As time goes on, patients with chronic bronchitis may experience poor blood
oxygenation and hypoventilation or accelerated, shallow breathing. Complicated
chronic bronchitis may also result to cyanosis or a condition wherein the skin
turns bluish suggesting that pneumonia or emphysema is present.

Smoking alone cannot be considered as the main cause of developing chronic
bronchitis. However, the illness occurs in most cases on regular smokers. Keep
in mind that smoking contributes greatly on bacterial proliferation slowing
down the process of healing the respiratory organs and tissues. Sometimes,
asthma is often linked with chronic bronchitis due to similarities of symptoms.
But patients who suffer both from chronic bronchitis and asthma may experience
relapse of symptoms and shows unresponsiveness to medical treatments.

In some cases, chronic bronchitis becomes the consequences of mistreated or
untreated acute bronchitis and other diseases associated with respiratory
system. Chronic bronchitis is also caused by too much exposure to airborne
pollutants such as chemicals and dusts.

Acute bronchitis is general are caused by infections of the lungs. Ten percent
of these infections are bacterial in origin, ninety percent are viral. However,
chronic bronchitis is caused by more than one factor. Acute bronchitis which
repetitively attacks a person can irritate and weaken the bronchial airways
resulting to chronic bronchitis.

Another culprit of chronic bronchitis is industrial pollution. Higher rates of
patients are metal molders, grain handlers, cola miners, and works with
continuous exposures to dusts. High sulfur dioxide concentrations present in
the atmosphere also worsen chronic bronchitis symptoms. However, if it is an
asthmatic bronchitis, it is not contagious.

Bronchitis can be contagious if the bacteria and viruses are transmitted to
another person by indirect or direct contact. The fluid from the nose or mouth
of the infected person can spread out by coughing, sneezing, sharing the same
utensils and drinking glasses, and touching handkerchiefs or tissues.

Bronchitis caused by viral colds is not considered contagious because the virus
can finish its cycle for a few days. But patients with bronchitis, who still
display cold symptoms, can be contagious. If the person is sick for more than
ten days, then you don't have to worry since it is only the aftermath
resistance of bronchitis. But if the condition never yet exceed the ten day
period, then it is contagious. Beware of catching particles when the patient
coughs because you can be inflicted with the virus. The viral infection caused
by flu and colds are contagious. Healthy people should never worry but needs
extra care.

Bronchitis and Its Infectious Nature

Ever heard your doctor mention the term bronchitis? This is actually a chronic
or acute swelling or soreness of the mucous membranes of the respiratory
system's tracheobronchial tree (trachea or windpipe and the bronchial tubes).
Under some circumstances, it may or may not be contagious.

There are two kinds of bronchitis, long term or chronic bronchitis and short
term or acute bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis is manifested by fever, hypertrophy or increase in the size of
the mucus secreting tissues, productive cough, sore throat, chills, runny nose,
headache, general malaise, and back aches. While chronic bronchitis is a
debilitating illness that is caused by persistent coughing with an immense
production of phlegm or mucus by the glands of the bronchi and trachea. To be
considered as chronic bronchitis, coughing with phlegm must persist for no less
than three months for two successive years.

Common causative factors of both kinds of bronchitis are bacterial infection,
viral, infection, and environmental pollution (such as cigarette smoking,
chemical fumes, etc).

In diagnosing a patient for bronchitis, the physician primarily takes a health
history and observes for telling signs of the disease. The medical professional
will auscultate or listen to the patient's chest through a stethoscope for
sounds that may be a sign of inflammation of the lungs. These sounds could be
moist rales, crackling, and wheezing. Wheezing is a sign of narrowing of the
air passages, crackling is like the sound of hair being rubbed together, and
moist rales is a bubbling sound that indicates fluid secretion in the bronchial
tubes.

A sputum culture may be ordered by the physician in case of suspicious color or
some streaks of blood. This is done to identify what kind of infection or what
type of bacteria or virus is present in the respiratory tracts which
consequently help the physician in formulating a treatment plan for the
patient. Sputum is collected by instructing the patient to breathe deeply and
cough out the phlegm then spit out into a container. Sputum collection is best
done in the morning before breakfast or any food intake. The sample will then
be sent to the laboratory and results will come out within three days.

But sputum collection in patients with chronic bronchitis is sometimes done
through a method called bronchoscopy. The patient is administered with a local
anesthesia and then a tube is inserted in the respiratory tract to collect the
sputum. For further analysis, the physician may also order chest x-rays and
blood tests.

With these tests and examinations, the physician will not only determine what
type of treatment is best for the patient but will also determine if the
bronchitis of the patient is contagious or not. If it is contagious then
precautionary measures are employed.

Both acute and chronic bronchitis can be contagious. The cause of its being
contagious is due to viral or bacterial infections. Common viruses, but are not
limited to this list, that cause bronchitis are influenza virus, adenovirus, and
Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Bronchitis can be caused by two influenza strains: influenza A and influenza B.
However, these two strains can be avoided if the patient takes a yearly shot of
influenza virus vaccine which will help the patient to be immunized from the
virus. The adenovirus on the other hand, can be any of the forty-nine medium
sized viruses of the family Adenoviridae, which is pathogenic (disease causing)
to man. It does not only cause disease in the respiratory tract but also may
cause cystitis, conjunctivitis, and gastro-intestinal infection. Mycplasma
pneumoniae is highly contagious among young children and adults.

With virus-caused bronchitis antibiotics are quite useless since it can only
fight off bacterial infection. Virus infection is self-limiting, though, and
may clear out within fourteen days providing the bronchitis is uncomplicated.

If there is an underlying bacterial infection, then the physician will likely
prescribe antibiotics to kill off the bacteria and to prevent its further
widespread to neighboring organs. Patients should religiously take the
antibiotic medication as prescribed to prevent relapses and avoid any resistant
bacterial strains to develop.

Prevention from acquiring contagious bronchitis is possible. Individuals must
have an adequate amount of healthy nutrition and rest to improve their immune
systems especially during the cold season. Washing hands regularly can also
help prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria. Having clean surroundings can
also avoid bacterial or viral caused bronchitis.

The real picture of bronchitis, its symptoms and treatment

Bronchitis is a common respiratory disorder that can occur to any age. It is
usually associated with flues and colds. When the complication is left uncured,
this can lead to pneumonia. Bronchitis attack the immune system of a vulnerable
person especially the smokers.

Bronchitis can be classified as acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis,
depending upon the span of the occurrence of the symptoms. Pulmonary
specialists give detailed diagnosis and the treatments to particular types of
bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis has the shorter duration of symptoms. It is accompanied by
symptoms like flu, persistent cough, difficulty in breathing, congestion, and
wheezing. The wheezing sound is common to people suffering from acute
bronchitis. This occurs when the air in the bronchial tubes are hindered by the
inflammation. Acute bronchitis can either be caused by bacteria or viruses.
These elements infect the breathing passages, thus constricting the proper
function of the respiratory system.

However, acute bronchitis can be cleared up for days. With proper medication
and sufficient treatment, the patient suffering from acute bronchitis can be
cured.

On the other hand, chronic bronchitis is the long term occurrence of the
symptoms. It can last for some months or even years. Certain environmental
factors can trigger the chronic bronchial infection such as dust, certain odor
and cigarette smoke. Unfortunately, not only the smokers are exposed to
bronchitis, but those who can inhale their spute out.

Chronic bronchitis also requires intense and persistent treatment until the
full recovery of the patient. If this ailment is not properly addressed, the
symptoms can reoccur and even aggravate to a certain degree of complication.
The treatment of chronic bronchitis shall depend on the triggering factor.

In any manner, bronchitis has primer symptoms. These are coughing, excessive
mucus, fever, pains in the chest, inflammation, discomfort, and wheezing. The
symptoms of bronchitis can also lead to other respiratory problems such as
sinusitis, asthma and complicated pneumonia.

Although bronchitis is a common respiratory disease, it is also often
misdiagnosed. Because of this, Para clinical and physical examinations must be
conducted in order to establish the accurate diagnoses. With the help of the
laboratory analysis and pulmonary tests, the most vital signs of bronchitis
become eminent.

In any case, bronchitis must be given attention before its further damage. When
the cause of the infection is bacteria, antibiotics can work best to cure this
respiratory illness. Fever is a chief indication that the bronchitis is due to
bacteria. About 80% of patients prescribed with antibiotics can successfully
find relief in five to ten days. However, only the physician can prescribe the
right medication according to the diagnosis and laboratory tests. It must be
noted that the improper administration of antibiotics can harm the patient.

Antibiotics have reported side effects such as diarrhea, rashes and abdominal
pains. These side effects cannot be neglected as they can cause another set of
discomfort to the patient. Nevertheless, they can be accepted during absolute
necessity and the useful effects are denser.

When bronchitis is caused by viruses and other agents, antibiotics don't work.
The only way to deal with such case is to rest longer, maintain the patient's
humidity at a higher level, and keep the body hydrated by taking in more
fluids. This will last for some days and if the symptoms persist for two weeks,
a doctor must already be called. The condition could have drastically stirred to
become pneumonia or asthma bronchitis.

Other than bacteria and viral infections, there are other causes of bronchitis.
These are the obstructions in the bronchial tubes due to the inflammation in the
respiratory tract, organs, tissues and mucous membranes. Because of the
irritation, the secretion of mucus is increased. The mucus gather in the
bronchial tubes causing the difficulty in breathing, coughing and the wheezing
sound.

Bronchodilators are drugs administered to those who had difficulty in
breathing. They help in reestablishing the respiration process. They are mostly
used for patients suffering from chronic bronchitis and asthma.

Indeed, it is important to know the cause of the bronchitis. Such knowledge
will lead to the proper treatment of the illness. While certain medications can
be administered to the patient as first aid measure, the doctor must still be
consulted. It is also proper to notify him about those medications given to the
patient.

Prescription Guide: Common Antibiotic for Bronchitis

An antibiotic is a medicine. Its main goal is to destroy or put off the
development of bacteria. There are specified uses of antibiotic depending on
the type of infection which inflicts you.

Bronchitis is a condition where the air passageway between your nose and lungs
inflames. You can be afflicted with either acute or chronic bronchitis. The
latter is the worst condition of bronchitis.

Some antibiotics can be good to treat not bronchitis itself, but the infections
aggravating the symptoms. Medical findings state that antibiotics help in
various ways such as lowering cough after one to two weeks or decreasing
infections.

Here are some known antibiotics for treating both acute and chronic bronchitis:

Ampicillin

Ampicillin can be used to treat infections developed due to acute bronchitis.
If you are prescribed with this medication, make sure to take a glassful of
water thirty minutes or two hours after taking your meal.

The possible general side effects include diarrhea, skin irritation, vomiting
and soreness in the tongue or mouth.

Commonly, this type of medication is prescribed mostly for adults.

Trimethoprim

Trimethoprim is an antibiotic which is commonly used to treat infections in the
respiratory tract. It can also be utilized to treat urine and ear infections.

Some common side effects of this medication may consist of diarrhea, stomach
pain, swollen tongue, and in some instances failure to properly eat.

Some examples of this antibiotic are Septra or Bactrim.

Azithromycin

Azithromycin is a type of antibiotic which is considered a good medication to
treat some bacterial infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. It can be
taken through tablet form or by oral suspension.

You may develop the following side effects upon taking this drug: 

*  Irritated stomach 
*  Loose bowel movement 
*  Vomiting 
*  Pain in the stomach and abdomen
*  Skin irritations such as rashes which is usually minor

Some common brand names of this antibiotic are Aztrin, Zitromax, and Zmax.

Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. You can take
this drug with a capsule, a tablet (chewable for children), pediatric drops and
liquid suspension.

An irritated stomach, vomiting and diarrhea may occur as side effects once you
take amoxicillin. When you are not vigilant when taking this medication, severe
side effects can happen such as seizures, atypical bleeding, and too much
fatigue.

This type of antibiotic with brand names Amoxil, Trimox or Sumox is mostly
prescribed to young children who are inflicted with bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis is a serious illness which needs more vital types of
treatment. However, these days some medical practitioner prescribes the use of
some antibiotic such as Telithromycin.

Telithromycin

Telithromycin is a type of drug primarily used to minister mild to moderate
infections in the respiratory system. "Ketek" is the brand name of this
antibiotic.

You can take this medication either as a tablet or through oral suspension.
Some of the common side effects you may experience after taking this drug are:
headache, lightheadedness, loose bowel movement, irritated stomach, blunt taste
and unclear vision. Safety Precautions When Taking Antibiotics

There are safety precautions you need to undertake once you decide to take
antibiotics if you are diagnosed with bronchitis:

1. Inform your physician about the severity of your bronchitis for him to
determine the type of antibiotic you need to take. It is also pertinent to
inform him if you have allergies with certain medicines or foods.

2. Do not stop taking the medication in the middle of your prescribed date of
treatment. Not being able to complete the medication will not entirely destroy
the infection.

3. If you miss a dose, you need to take it as soon as possible and return to
your normal dosing schedule.

4. You need to take extra care if you know or think that you are pregnant. A
consultation with your OB-GYNE is highly recommended.

5. When side effects arise, it is best to consult your physician. He may
decide to stop the medication and give you other alternative treatment.

Most drugs have its advantages and disadvantages. A positive effect of
antibiotics may be reflected if you or a caregiver properly follows drug
instructions as well as your physician's prescription and advice.

Bronchitis or the infections which come with the illness may be relieved with
specific and prescribed antibiotics.

More Symptoms of the Bronchitis Condition: Knowing About the Different Signs
and Symptoms of Bronchitis

Every year, you may suffer from a disease that can render you sick and
disabled. Diseases that you cross paths with can immobilize you and can stop
you from going to work to earn money, or will not allow you to go to school and
catch up with the latest lessons. You have to consider that in order to get back
to work or to school as soon as possible, you have to cure the disease in order
to become a productive member of society again.

This is why you should be aware of the common diseases today and know about
their symptoms so you can take the necessary action to prevent it from becoming
worse. As soon as you notice the signs and symptoms, you can consult with your
doctor immediately and will provide you with the medications and advice that
you need in order to get cured as soon as possible.

First of all, one of the most common diseases affecting humans today is called
bronchitis. You have to consider that there are two kinds of bronchitis where
one is acute bronchitis, and the other is chronic bronchitis. In acute
bronchitis, treatment is usually quick and will not require any special
medications for it. This is because acute bronchitis is commonly caused by
virus infection which can go away in a matter of 12 to 14 days.

However, it is still recommended that you should consult your doctor once the
signs and symptoms of bronchitis. This is because bronchitis can also be caused
by bacterial and fungal infection that will need medications, such as
antibiotics and antifungal drugs. You have to consider that there is no way of
knowing if the bronchitis is caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungus unless
proper laboratory examination is done.

So, before your bronchitis becomes worse and do more damage to your lungs, you
have to know what the signs and symptoms is associated with bronchitis in order
to detect it early on. First of all, bronchitis is mainly the swelling of the
bronchial tubes. Because of the swelling, the bronchial mucosa cannot get rid
of mucus anymore. This will cause you to cough, and have difficulty in
breathing.

Here are the other signs and symptoms of bronchitis and what you can do to
relieve it:

*  Coughing with thick phlegm 
*  Breathlessness 
*  Pain on the throat 
*  Tightness feeling around the chest 
*  Pain and swelling around the eyes 
*  Slight fever 
*  Difficulty in breathing

These are the signs and symptoms you should watch out for with bronchitis. Here
are more signs and symptoms usually associated with bronchitis in order for you
to identify if you have one and know when to consult a doctor:

*  Headache 
*  Fatigue 
*  Nausea 
*  Excessive sweating 
*  Chest pain

It is very important that you should pay close attention to the signs and
symptoms associated with bronchitis in order for you to know when to visit the
doctor immediately. You should also know that there are also other signs and
symptoms associated with the chronic form of bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis can
include all the symptoms associated with acute bronchitis but in a more severe
form. There are cases where chronic bronchitis sufferers will suffer from
coughing excessive mucus with blood due to the laceration of the bronchial tube.

Chronic bronchitis will require a long term treatment in order to completely
cure it. This is because chronic bronchitis means that there is already a
permanent damage to your respiratory system that can heal quite slowly. It will
require inhaled medications, such as bronchodilators to open up the airways and
let you breath properly, it will also require you to keep yourself away from
dusty places.

It is recommended that you should humidify your room by installing a room
humidifier or just have wet towels or blankets placed all over the room.

Always make sure that you are well-aware of the signs and symptoms of acute and
chronic bronchitis. This is because if either acute or chronic bronchitis is
caused by bacteria or fungus and is left untreated, it can lead to severe
complication, which will include pneumonia.

Always remember that early detection of bronchitis will mean early diagnosis
and early proper treatment and management which will prevent you from suffering
from severe complications.

What is Asthmatic Bronchitis?

Generally, bronchitis is the irritation ad inflammation of the bronchial tubes
as well as neighboring organs and tissues that are accessories in breathing.
The main purpose of the bronchial tubes is to filter the air that passes
through the respiratory tract as it sets out to the lungs. These tubes are
covered with small hair-like projections that thwart irritants or dirt (such as
dust or pollen) from entering the crucial parts of the respiratory tract. These
hair-like projections are called cilia. But long term contact with chemicals,
viruses, or even dust particles will facilitate these irritants to shatter the
respiratory system's natural defenses which will eventually cause infection and
inflammation.

Asthmatic bronchitis is a category of COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. This type of pulmonary disease is typically acquired by individuals
suffering from chronic bronchitis and it is also hard to differentiate from
other lung diseases because their symptoms are quite similar. Other similar
respiratory tract diseases are sinusitis, bronchitis, emphysema, and the common
asthma.

As an overview, asthma is persistent inflammatory disease of the respiratory
tract that causes the airway passages to be extra sensitive, mucus production,
and mucus edema. What differentiates asthma from other obstructive lung
diseases is that it is mostly reversible, with or without treatment.
Individuals afflicted with asthma may experience symptom-free episodes
interchanging with acute asthmatic attacks which could last for as little as a
few minutes to as long as days. Factors that set off asthmatic attacks are
similar to that of asthmatic bronchitis (such as smoking, dust, etc.) but
common asthma is primarily triggered by allergens. Common allergens may be due
to the season (weed pollens or grass tree) or persistent (dust, roaches, or
animal dander). Most asthmatic individuals are very sensitive to an assortment
of triggers.

Meanwhile, the primary cause of bronchitis is bacterial infections, but
asthmatic bronchitis is thought to be activated by tiny specks that break
through the safety walls made of cilia of the bronchial tubes. And like other
COPDs, asthmatic bronchitis also involves congestion of the respiratory tract.
Bronchial tubes produce mucus under normal circumstances, this mucus covers the
trachea, lungs and other organs in the respiratory system. Nonetheless, in the
existence of irritants, an overproduction of mucus occurs, which consequently
obstructs the airways. Continuous mucoid obstruction of the respiratory tract
is fairly widespread among asthmatic bronchitis patients.

Causative factors that may have contributed to the development of asthmatic
bronchitis are relentless childhood infections, hyperactivity of the bronchus
or immunologic aberrations. Individuals who are either long suffering from
asthma and/or other grave types of chronic bronchitis are also highly
vulnerable to asthmatic bronchitis.

Furthermore, individuals who are suffering from chronic bronchitis eventually
contracts asthmatic bronchitis due to long term exposure to pollutants or
environmental toxins and mainly cigarette smoking. Although many medical
professionals are still in the shadows of what the precise cause of asthmatic
bronchitis, studies increasingly shows that it is primarily caused by
environmental factors.

General symptoms of asthmatic bronchitis includes dyspnea or difficulty of
breathing and shortness of breath, cough, chest discomforts, wheezing that
lasts for several weeks, fatigue or general malaise, pain, weight loss, a
general feeling of soreness, and high risk of susceptibility to infections.
Although these are also observed among common asthmatic patients, individuals
suffering from asthmatic bronchitis have symptoms that are more profound. These
symptoms also have higher frequencies compared to the common asthma. An
additional warning sign is the difficulty of reaching high or low notes when
singing.

Medical treatment for asthmatic bronchitis is similar to that of chronic
bronchitis. Medications include bronchodilators, steroids, and antibiotics. But
these treatments do not really cure the illness; it helps in alleviating its
symptoms and as much as possible give comfort to the patient.

A lot of asthmatic bronchitis sufferers are obliged to take long term
treatments which help improve their health situation after an extensive time.
Patients are counseled to steer clear from irritants like dust, pollen, smoke,
chemicals, and alcohol fumes. They are also advised to avoid bacterial
infection, thus they should avoid crowds as much as possible. If it is
unavoidable, patients are obliged to wear masks to cover their nose and mouth
to prevent bacteria from entering the respiratory tract.

Patients are also required to obtain influenza vaccines. They should also be
educated about other precautionary measures to avoid further viral or bacterial
infection.

How to Treat Bronchitis: Ten Simple Steps plus Useful Advice Works

Bronchitis is a condition where bronchi or tubes connecting the trachea into
the lungs are inflamed. Infection usually causes acute bronchitis and it can
either be viral or bacterial. While bronchitis that is chronic is caused by
continuous irritation of the lungs due to smoking or prolonged exposure to
poisonous chemicals.

There are ten simple steps that you could follow to treat bronchitis
successfully.

 1. Take initiative to lessen your exposure to irritants and toxins. Stop
    smoking and avoid breathing secondhand smoke. Stay inside your house when the
    presence of air pollution is very high. Wear face masks to keep you protected
    from harmful chemicals and other irritants.

 2. Use vaporizer or humidifier to keep the air moisturized. This will aid in
    loosening secretions for you to breathe easier.

 3. Place a bottle with hot water on your back or chest. A moist, warm cloth
    can be also utilized. This reduces inflammation and is very useful when applied
    at night before you sleep.

 4. Cover your mouth and nose with your scarf especially when you plan to go
    out in a cold atmosphere. Keep in mind that cold weather can aggravate
    bronchitis.

 5. Avoid the use of cough suppressants. Coughing is needed to take out
    secretions. Suppressants can be utilized at night.

 6. Take medicines as prescribed. If you take antibiotics to treat bacterial
    infection, then take its entire dosage. As much as possible complete the 
    entire duration even if you already feel better.

 7. Use inhalers and aerosols as prescribed. Never use larger dosage or
    frequently use it more than what is directed to prevent side effects.

 8. Seek the advice of a general practitioner or naturopathic doctor regarding
    dietary supplements including echinacea, goldenseal, zinc, colloidal silver,
    vitamins A and C, and coenzyme Q10.

 9. Improve your nutrition and diet. Drink lots of fluids including soups,
    herbal teas, and water.

10. Reduce or eliminate intake of foods with higher risks of mucus formation.
    It includes white flour, sugar, processed foods, dairy products, and foods
    causing allergic reactions.

People with bronchitis have also learned successful treatment based from their
experiences.

-  Some people find it effective in cleaning their mucus by ingesting vinegar
with cucumber. It helps in killing bacteria in the lungs and excretes mucus out
of the mouth.

-  Charcoal slushes. Mix 4-6 teaspoon of charcoal powder with water enough to
make a half-thick slush. The mixture is gritty when you drink it but it does
not have any foul taste. Drink the dosage at 4 to 6 hours intervals while
awake. Bacteria and germs will be absorbed by the charcoal and allow you to
eliminate it in the bathroom.

-  Use frankincense, thyme, and oregano oils. Give the patient 2 drops of
frankincense oil, in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening for
three days. Mix this oil with the Ciaga's organic juice. For another three
days, oregano and thyme are mixed in the same manner. Pleurisy root can be an
alternative. This can relive symptoms such as breath shortness thus ventilation
is not anymore needed.

-  Breathing steam. Boil water with aromatic herbs in a pot. Turn off the
stove. Use a towel to wrap your head similar to a mini-steamed bath then
breathe in the steam by lowering your face on the pot carefully. It is okay if
you do it upon intervals. Cooling down your face before returning. Repeat this
process for several times in a day. Your phlegm will loosen because of the
steam.

-  In some cases, pounding the back with firm gentle strokes while the patient
is lying down on the bed with belly down while keeping the upper parts of the
body in hanging position helps. This is helpful in breaking-up or dislodging
the phlegm. However, this procedure is not comfortable and unsafe but if done
correctly, the mucous plugs can be taken out through coughing.

If ever the symptoms last for more than one week, the mucus turns green,
rust-colored, or yellow, severity of cough increases, and develop chest pain
when coughing, then it is advised to consult a doctor. It is also recommended
to ask a physician and other health care providers before engaging in
activities related to diet and health. This information is not however intended
to become alternatives for medical treatment or advice.

Respiratory Ailments: Free Heal Programs for Asthma, Bronchitis, Emphysema and
Other Revolutionary Breathing Disorders in Asthma Day Programs

Breathing or respiratory disorders are one of the most common problems facing
society today. You have to consider that there are quite a lot of respiratory
ailments, which include asthma, bronchitis and emphysema to name a few. These
respiratory ailments can be troublesome as it can affect your breathing, which
can be very uncomfortable.

Today, there are millions of Americans who are affected with asthma. Asthma is
a chronic disease of the lungs where your airway will become constricted and
inflamed. The airway will also be lined with excessive amounts of mucus. The
main causes that can trigger asthma attacks are exposure to the environmental
stimulant or allergens. However, there are some cases where asthma can also be
triggered by excessive exercise, cold air and even emotional stress.

During asthma attacks, you will experience shortness of breath, wheezing,
coughing, and chest tightness. Between episodes of asthma attacks, most people
who suffer from this disease feel fine. The best way to treat asthma is by
identifying the allergen that causes it. It can be your pet or it can be
medications, such as aspirin. By limiting or eliminating exposure to these
allergens, you can effectively manage your illness.

Another kind of respiratory illness is called bronchitis. Bronchitis is a
respiratory disorder where the bronchi of the lungs become inflamed. Most
people who suffer from this illness are people who are habitual tobacco or
cigarette smokers. Also, people who live in cities with heavy air pollution are
also affected. There are two classifications of bronchitis, one is acute
bronchitis and the other is acute bronchitis. The chronic bronchitis is
considered as a long-term illness where it is accompanied by symptoms of
persistent coughing that produces sputum.

Acute and chronic bronchitis have the same signs and symptoms, such as
persistent coughing, shortness of breath, mild fever, fatigue, mild chest
pains, vibrations in chest while breathing, and coldness.

In most cases, acute bronchitis is caused by viruses where it will go away on
its own after a few days. The only thing that you have to do is get plenty of
rest and plenty water or non-alcoholic and non-caffeine beverages. However,
with bronchitis that is caused by bacteria, you may need to take some
antibiotics.

Another form of respiratory ailments is called emphysema. This particular
respiratory illness is chronic obstructive lung disease that is caused by
long-term exposure to tobacco smoke and exposure to toxic chemicals. This
particular disease is characterized by losing the elasticity of the lung
tissue. Symptoms will include shortness of breath after a light exercise or by
simply climbing the stairs.

This respiratory disease is irreversible and degenerative condition. This means
that in order to prevent the condition to grow worse, it is important that you
should prevent yourself from being exposed to toxic chemicals and also by
quitting smoking or staying away from cigarette or tobacco smoke.

Today, there is a program that will be able to help you in the treatment for
the mentioned conditions and other respiratory illness. The World Asthma Day
provides treatments and informing people about the new and revolutionary
treatment for certain lung disorders which may include asthma, bronchitis, and
even emphysema. There will be a lot of activities in this program that can help
you cope with your respiratory illness. It will also include new technologies
and medicines available that can effectively treat different kinds of
respiratory conditions and many organizations around the world will
participate. You will see that the World Asthma Day will be comprised of
different medical organizations that are dedicated on researching about the
different kinds of respiratory illness.

So, if you are suffering from a respiratory disorder, you should try and join
the World Asthma Day as it can provide you a lot of benefits. There are
different kinds of organizations that will help you to become more informed
about the breakthrough in medical technology for treating various respiratory
illnesses. There will also be seminars conducted on prevention of respiratory
diseases.

Whether you have asthma, bronchitis or emphysema, you can seek free medical
assistance with the World Asthma Day. Prevent respiratory illnesses from taking
control of your life by being informed about it and knowing how to prevent it or
treat it if you are suffering from the respiratory conditions.

Bronchitis Remedy: Learn and Choose the Best

Bronchitis is a condition wherein air passages into the lungs are inflamed. It
can either be chronic or acute. Acute bronchitis is caused by viral infection
which begins in the sinuses or nose spreading to the air passages. It can be
only considered a chronic bronchitis if the cough progress on the sputum for a
minimum of three months within a year. Nevertheless, chronic bronchitis most
often affects smokers. In some cases, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease) is diagnosed.

Both types of bronchitis display different symptoms. In acute bronchitis,
wheezing, fever, fatigue, sore throat, cough producing mucus, and chest burning
sensation are obvious. In chronic bronchitis, wheezing, chronic cough producing
excessive mucus, inability to breath, blue-tinged lips, and swelling of the
ankle, leg, and feet.

Virus causes acute bronchitis as well as bacteria. In general, acute bronchitis
can be transmitted from one person to another. Chronic bronchitis is caused by
cigarette smoking and long-term exposure to irritants including grain and dust
and air pollution.

The doctor listens to your back and chest, examines your throat, draws blood,
and takes cultures of lung secretions during check ups. If there is a
possibility of COPD or pneumonia, the doctor can require you to undergo a chest
x-ray.

Preventive care must be incorporated to avoid acute and chronic bronchitis. The
simplest way is to keep away from irritants and air pollutants. Yearly flu and
pneumococcal vaccination is advised to prevent infection leading to chronic
bronchitis exacerbation or acute bronchitis.

The treatment approach also varies. Generally, viruses are cleared within seven
to ten days in acute bronchitis. You can take cough medications containing
expectorants, use humidifiers, and drink lots of fluids to relieve symptoms.
Infections due to bacteria must be consulted first to your doctor. It is not
recommended to take medicines without proper prescriptions. Most often, the
doctors prescribe antibiotics. Others include bronchodilators, like Albuterol
which can help in opening your airways and corticosteroids which is inhaled or
taken orally to reduce inflammation and mucus.

Changing your lifestyle is also a helpful remedy. You need to stop smoking. If
possible, utilize a steam or humidifier in your bathroom. Make it a habit to
drink lots of water and other fluids. If your infection is active, take your
rest. Oxygen therapy at home can be also done if the levels of oxygen in your
body are low due to chronic bronchitis.

Dietary and nutrition supplements are also recommended. Food experimentation
can be done to see if changing your diet is effective or not in alleviating
chronic bronchitis symptoms. Keeping careful records regarding how you feel.
Eating dairy products should be lessened to reduce mucus production. Try
avoiding milk, eggs, nuts, preservatives, additives, and food coloring.
Instead, try adding garlic and onions.

Scientific studies revealed that NAC or N-Acetyl-Cysteine can help in
dissolving mucus as well as improve symptoms of chronic bronchitis. Zinc
supplementation can enhance the activity of your immune system. It also
protects you from infections including infections of the upper respiratory
system and colds. Other supplements include bromalein, quercetin, vitamin c,
and lactobacillus which also prevent the person from catching infections and
relieve bronchitis symptoms.

Using herbs is proven to strengthen and treat diseases for many years. However,
herbs may contain substances that are active. It may produce side effects upon
interactions with other medications, supplements, or herbs. Herbs must be taken
with proper prescription from a knowledgeable practitioner of herbal medications.

Barberry or berberis vulgaris helps improve immune system functions and fight
infections. Eucalyptus or eucalyptus globules is good for treating common colds
and coughs. Eucalyptus oil helps in loosening the phlegm. Peppermint or mentha x
piperita is effective as decongestants. It contains menthol, thinning the mucus
like an expectorant. It provides calming and soothing effects for dry coughs
and sore throats. Slippery elm or ulmus fulva is recognized by the U.S. FDA
(Food and Drug Authority) as an effective and safe remedy for respiratory
symptoms and sore throat. Stinging nettle or urtica dioica also acts as
expectorants having anti-viral properties.

Homeopathy is some cases are applicable provided with standard medical
attention. It is because physical, psychological, and emotional makeup of a
person are taken into consideration before the procedure.

However, recovery chances of the patient are good using these remedies if
bronchitis is diagnosed on each early stage.

Respiratory Survival: Holistic and Medical Approach for Allergy, Asthma,
Bronchitis, Cold, and Sinusitis Treatment

Today, there are a lot of studies about different approaches to heal different
illnesses. Some are more inclined in the traditional way where it has been
proven effective for a lot of years and some use new alternatives that was
recently invented to treat certain illnesses.

There are millions of Americans affected by different kinds of respiratory
illnesses, such as asthma, allergy, bronchitis, cold, and sinus. You have to
consider that a simple cold can affect the way you do your daily activity. It
will cause symptoms, such as runny nose, cough, feeling of weakness, and even
mild to moderate fever. As you can see, having respiratory illness can
significantly affect your performance at work or at school. In most cases, you
can't even go to school or work because of the illness.

If a cold virus can affect the way you function, it is obvious that other worse
kind of respiratory illness can affect your daily activities and tasks. For
example, respiratory allergy can be very irritating where you can't go near
objects that contain any allergens. You have to consider that your can be
allergic to anything. Usually, people with respiratory allergies are allergic
to pollen, and dog and cat hair containing dander. People with respiratory
allergies will need to take a lot of precaution as allergy attacks may come any
time they are exposed to certain allergens.

Asthma is also a form of chronic respiratory disease where it affects millions
of Americans. This particular disease is characterized by occasionally
constricting the airway, inflamed and it is also lined with a excessive amounts
of mucus. Usually, emotional stress and overexertion can trigger asthma.
However, there are some cases where allergies are also linked to asthma where
it triggers it because of the allergens entering the system. Asthma sufferers
feel shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, persistent sneezing and
persistent coughing.

Bronchitis is also one of the growing respiratory diseases today. Affecting
people living in areas where there are high levels of air pollution, and also
commonly affecting smokers, bronchitis is a disease that can affect your daily
task. There are mainly two types of bronchitis and these are the acute
bronchitis and the chronic bronchitis. The acute bronchitis is usually a short
term illness where it can easily be treated and managed. However in the chronic
bronchitis, it may have permanent damage on the respiratory system and treatment
can last up to 2 consecutive years. Sometimes, bronchitis can also be linked to
allergy where acute episodes of bronchitis can be triggered by allergens
entering the lungs.

Your sinuses can be affected if you have one of the mentioned illnesses.
Sinusitis is usually closely associated with different kinds of respiratory
illness where it can make it difficult for you to live your daily life. If you
have sinusitis you will experience pain in the cheek, headache, toothache, and
a feeling of squeezing around the eyes.

As you can see, respiratory illnesses can cause discomfort to your body. This
is why you should get it treated and know how to manage it with care in order
for you to live a productive and normal life.

As mentioned before, there are different approaches in treating different
respiratory illness. Some people prefer the tested and proven method of
conventional medicine, while others prefer different approaches, such as
holistic therapy.

Conventional medicine is where your respiratory illness will be diagnosed by
basing on the symptoms. What conventional medicine do is help relieve the
symptoms you experience and identify what causes the illness and treat it.
Medical practitioners are usually the people who perform conventional medical
treatment of respiratory illnesses.

However, another kind of treatment is called holistic therapy where it greatly
differs from the medical approach. Although this kind of treatment approach is
greatly debated, many people claims that this type of treatment is very
effective in curing them from different kinds of respiratory illness. Rather
than focusing on the signs and symptoms of the patient, holistic treatment
focuses on the whole body of the patient.

Holistic therapy practitioners believe that the human body is surrounded by a
vital force that protects the body from diseases. Theories have suggested that
any irregularities in this force can trigger illnesses that include the
respiratory illness. What they do is balance the flow of the vital force or
life energy to cure the patient. However, medical professional have suggested
that holistic therapy offers no more than just a placebo effect.

Whatever kind of treatment you prefer, you should consider consulting with the
professionals first in order to make sure that the disease you have can be
properly diagnosed. Holistic therapy are now being accepted by quite a number
of hospitals and is integrated with conventional medicine to treat different
kinds of diseases.

Pregnant Women with Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an ailment of the airways manifested by the existence of sputum
production and cough for at least three months in each of two successive years.
From the name itself, bronchitis is the inflammation and infection of the
bronchial tree. The bronchial tree is composed of tubes that bring air to the
lungs. When these get inflamed and infected, the tubes swell and produce thick
mucus inside of them which makes it difficult to breathe.

There are basically two kinds of bronchitis: acute (meaning short term)
bronchitis and chronic (meaning long term) bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is
mainly caused by viruses and bacteria. Chronic bronchitis on the other hand is
caused by smoking or environmental pollutants that causes an irritation on the
airways.

During pregnancy the woman's body undergoes a lot of changes. Her body now
consumes oxygen and nutrients not just for her own well-being but for the baby
inside her as well. The health of a pregnant woman with respiratory problems
can be quite a predicament for physicians. There are major factors that are
involved when dealing with the health of pregnant women such as their
anatomical and physiological alterations to pregnancy, balancing both fetal and
maternal needs, and the pregnant woman's vulnerability to diseases. Although
there may be modifications in the care of pregnant women with respiratory
health problems, such as, bronchitis, management and treatment of the said
health predicament is similar to those of nonpregnant individuals.

Respiratory health problems have the possibility to get worse in pregnancy
because of the rising uterus tends to squeeze the diaphragm, decreasing the
dimension of available space in the lungs and the size of thoracic cavity just
when lung function is essential to supply sufficient oxygen exchange for the
mother and the fetus.

Moreover, histologic evaluations of the upper respiratory tract during
pregnancy expose hyperemia (increase amount of blood), glandular hyperactivity
(increase workload of the glands), increased mucopolysaccharide content, and
increased phagocytic activity. These alterations seem to be caused by the
increase in estrogen levels. As a result, pregnant women experience nose
bleeding and nasal stuffiness.

Being knowledgeable enough about the changes in respiratory physiology among
pregnant women is crucial to their care and management when they become
affected by a respiratory disease. As you may well know, these changes permit
the mother-to-be to meet the metabolic needs of the unborn child.

The following are signs and symptoms of bronchitis:

*  Fatigue 
*  Low grade fever 
*  Chest aches 
*  Wheezing 
*  Labored breathing or dyspnea which is worsened by physical exertion 
*  Cough with sputum or mucus
*  Rales, these are abnormal lung sounds that can be heard in the lungs through
   the stethoscope

To diagnose the disease, tests are utilized by the doctors in addition to the
obvious signs and symptoms in the confirmation of the disease such as pulmonary
lung function tests, pulse oxymetry, arterial blood gas, chest x-ray, and sputum
examinations

Treatment for bronchitis in pregnant women is similar to those individuals who
are not pregnant. In any case, if the disease is caused by a virus then an
antibiotic is useless (which is prescribed for bacteria-caused bronchitis).
Acute bronchitis is usually self-limiting and may clear out within a week.
General treatment is comprised of complete rest, lots of fluid intake, use of
humidifiers to clear out the lung congestions, and avoiding air pollutants such
as smoking. Although aspirin is prescribed to common individuals, pregnant women
are not allowed to take this since it can cause bleeding and may induce
complications.

Furthermore, prevention is still better than the cure. And being in a
vulnerable state, pregnant women should always be careful with their bodies
like always wash their hands (to avoid bacterial or viral bronchitis) and stop
smoking or avoid smokers. It is also recommended that pregnant women obtain a
flu vaccine especially if they are going to be pregnant during the influenza
season. Although the vaccine will not wholly prevent the woman from getting
afflicted with bronchitis, it will at least shield her from certain strains of
virus caused respiratory illnesses.

Any respiratory predicament can create serious damage to the unborn child if
allowed to progress until the mother's oxygen- carbon dioxide exchange is
altered and heavily compromised.

Bronchiolitis: The Bronchitis Version in Infant

No parent will get a good night sleep when his baby is persistently coughing
and breathing for him is difficult. You think that it is no ordinary cold or
cough. It is something else. You may want to check if your baby is suffering
from Bronchiolitis.

While bronchitis commonly happens to adults as their large airways inflame,
bronchiolitis is a term referred to infants with inflamed airways between the
chest and the lungs. The term bronchiolitis is coined since the bronchioles of
infants are smaller than those of an adult. Thus it is easily plugged and
viruses can easily enter.

Who are at risk?

When your baby reaches the age of six months, he is more likely to be prone on
developing bronchiolitis. It occurs until the second year of your baby.

Infants are more susceptible to the illness during the winter and early spring
season. Moreover, infants who are exposed to cigarette and belch smokes are
also at high risk of obtaining the said illness. A crowded environment also
causes onset symptoms of bronchiolitis.

When you have a male infant, then he is most likely to acquire bronchiolitis.
Studies also showed that male infants who are formula-fed are most likely to
develop the said illness especially if they have not been breast-fed during the
first six months of an infant.

What causes bronchiolitis?

A viral infection, commonly known as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the
main culprit behind bronchiolitis. Studies show that RSV is the major cause of
sickness to young children especially infants. Other viruses which cause the
said illness are the following: 

* Parainfluenza virus -- medical studies show that this kind of virus brings 
  pediatric respiratory infections to most infants. 
* Mycoplasma -- this type of virus is an imperative cause of pneumonia and other 
  disorders in the respiratory system. 
* Adenoviruses -- a virus which commonly causes conjunctivitis and other illnesses 
  in the respiratory system
* Influenza virus -- this type of virus strikes human's respiratory tract which
  leads for an individual to suffer from cough, cold or to some extent 
  bronchitis.

What are the symptoms?

Your infant will begin to have a stuffy and runny nose with a meek cough. That
is the primary symptom of an infant who develops bronchiolitis. He will then
begin to suffer from breathing difficulties both in inhaling and exhaling.

After a day or two, your baby will then have an increase in breathing
difficulty with rapid wheezing and cough. If you will observe, by this time his
heartbeat has increased as well.

Other probable indications which may be accompanied by the above-mentioned
symptoms are fever or cooler body temperature and reduced appetite.

How can bronchiolitis be diagnosed?

If the above-mentioned symptoms are apparent to your baby, then it is highly
recommended that you bring him to his pediatrician. The pediatrician after
assessing the infant's medical history and after taking physical examination
may advise for the following tests to further prove that the illness is indeed
bronchiolitis: 

1.  Chest x-ray 
2.  Pulsoximeter

What are the recommended treatments?

There are helpful first-aid cure to give temporary relief to your baby. The
most important step you need to undertake is to supply him a lot of
non-caffeinated fluids. By doing so, dehydration will be prevented.

The use of humidifier or saline nose drops may also be done to allow the mucus
to lighten.

Sometimes it is recommended for parents or caregivers to bring the infant to
the hospital so that he may be well-supervised in terms of giving him fluids,
oxygen which is humidified and most importantly a thorough observation.

Can bronchiolitis be prevented?

Once an infant has been cured from bronchiolitis, you cannot risk another
instance to experience the same illness. Hence, you need to undertake some
preventive measures: 

* During winter or early spring season where bronchiolitis is receptive, keep 
  an infant away from individuals who have colds, cough, and flu. 

* As the parent or caregiver, make it a habit to wash your hands before 
  handling an infant. 

* If you are to cough or sneeze, make sure that you cover your mouth with a 
  tissue or handkerchief. Parents or caregivers who are likely to become sick 
  should temporarily ask someone to take over their responsibility.

Pregnancy Watch: What You Need to Know About Bronchitis

"A new life"

Pregnancy is a momentous moment for a couple. It denotes the fruit of a man
and woman's love for each other. Most significantly, it signifies that another 
individual will be given life.

During pregnancy, women take extra care of themselves because it is not just
them that they are taking care of. When a woman becomes pregnant, she is most
susceptible to acquire many illnesses because of a weakened immune system.

Cough and colds are common illnesses once a woman gets pregnant. Physicians
advise pregnant women to make necessary precautions to prevent from getting
cough and colds since it can lead to more serious illness such as bronchitis.

Bronchitis is a condition wherein the air passageway inside your lungs swells.
Cough and colds are the most common symptoms of bronchitis. Hence, if you are
pregnant you must keep yourself from getting coughs.

Ways to Avoid Getting Bronchitis

The main consideration you need to undertake to avoid bronchitis is to avoid
getting its symptom. Primarily, you cannot risk having cough or colds which
oftentimes develop into bronchitis if not immediately treated. Hence, you need
to undertake measures to keep you away from getting coughs or colds:

1. You need to wash your hands as often as possible. If you are outside the
   premises of your home or office where a washroom is not accessible, it is best
   to bring a hand sanitizer or alcohol.

2. It is best if you keep things around you clean especially those you often
   touch or encounter. There are a lot of germ-killing disinfectants which you can
   use.

3. Keep away from people who have cough or colds. You are at high risk to
   develop such illness when you frequently interact with individuals who are
   inflicted with cough or colds.

4. If you begin to develop cough or colds, use a clean tissue when you blow.
   Immediately throw the tissue into its appropriate container.

Effects of Bronchitis to a Pregnant Woman

You need to take the above-mentioned ways seriously to avoid getting cough or
colds due to many uneventful consequences it may bring such as the development
of bronchitis.

Several symptoms of bronchitis may cause anxiety to pregnant women in many
different ways:

*  Coughing is a symptom of bronchitis. Although the presence of cough is not
   fatal to your unborn child, it can lead to annoying and discomforting moments.

*  Fever is also a symptom of bronchitis. You need determine your body
   temperature. Medical studies show that pregnant women who incur a temperature
   higher than 38.9 degrees C may give birth to a child with abnormalities.

*  Colds, pain in the throat and chest also bring annoyances to pregnant women.
   If immediately treated, these do not bring harm to you or the baby.

If You Have the Symptoms of Bronchitis

If the symptoms of bronchitis are evident in you, then you or a caregiver must
take necessary precautions to tamper the development of the illness so that you
will not suffer from the above-mentioned effects of bronchitis to pregnant women.

1. You need to drink a lot of non-caffeinated liquids. By doing so, it will
   help by easing your secretion. Some of the recommended liquids for pregnant
   women are water, fruit juices from fresh fruits, and soups.

2. A humidifier in your house may be beneficial especially if you are
   suffering from colds. Additionally, saline drops can also be utilized to
   relieve your nose from being stuffy.

3. A warm shower everyday is recommended. It was found out that taking a warm
   shower can help clear out mucus as well as nose stuffiness.

4. When symptoms of bronchitis are evident, you need to take a lot of rest. A
   visit to your OB-GYNE is highly recommended.

There are times that taking medications cannot be prevented even if you are
pregnant. Such medications aim to alleviate the discomfort and pain you are
suffering brought by the symptoms of bronchitis.

Decongestants are medicines commonly given to pregnant women who are suffering
from colds or allergies. On the other hand, there are cough suppressants and
expectorants available for pregnant women to help them aid from the annoyance
of cough.

It is best to consult your doctor before you take such medications to prevent
possible harm to you and your baby.

Life management in the occurrence of arthritis, asthma, chronic bronchitis,
diabetes, heart disease, and emphysema to condition a healthy living, help your
self and share the tips with others

As a person age, his body system starts to get frail. Because of this, he is
exposed to certain ailments. However, with proper life management, these
diseases can be prevented or alleviated. The following are some ways to deal
with the particular health conditions:

Arthritis

Aging and climate are the two culprits pointed to cause arthritis. However, the
basic cause of the pain is the lack of lubricating fluids in the joints. Because
of this, the joints, cartilage and linings are in friction when in motion. They
become stiff and will begin to irritate. Continuous movement causes the joints
to inflame and thus, ache.

There is a diverse forms of arthritis depending upon how the person reacts to
the disease. The lack of lubricant can cause friction to the cartilage or the
joint lining. When the wear occurs in the cartilage, it is called
osteoarthritis. While when the wear occurs in the joint lining, it is termed
rheumatoid arthritis.

Knowing the root of the disease, one can point out the cure. The body needs oil
rich in omega 3. And since the body cannot manufacture this, it has to be
supplemented through proper diet. Omega 3 is found in nuts, vegetables and
fish. Polyunsaturated oils from vegetables and fishes are helpful to cure
arthritis.

Asthma

Asthma is another disease that affects the natural breathing process. Because
it hinders breathing, the method of treatment involves inhalation and
exhalation technique. Correcting the breathing habits with the integration of
proper diet and exercise can help cure asthma.

The breathing technique is done by lying flat or sitting erectly. The ratio of
inhaling to exhaling should be 1:2 for a minimum inhalation period of 4
seconds. Gradually, the time to perform each set of this exercise should
increase until proper breathing is established as a habit. The next stage is to
include retention. This involves holding of breath before exhaling. The desired
ratio of inhalation, retention, and exhalation should be 1:4:2 for a minimum of
4 seconds. This technique shall be powered with eating leafy vegetables, root
crops and fruits. It should also be noted that products from animal flesh,
processed foods and grains can aggravate asthma and therefore must be avoided.

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a known respiratory disorder common to smokers and people
with poor immune system. This can be caused by viruses or bacteria and can lead
to pneumonia. The persistent character of this disease requires continuous
treatment until completely resolved, otherwise the disease can reoccur and
aggravate. Decongestants are the common medications to treat chronic bronchitis.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally high sugar
level. It is generally affected by the failure in producing insulin or defect
in insulin action or, in some cases, both. Indeed, diabetes is a serious
disease that needs proper attention. The first step to detect diabetes is to
test the blood sugar level. This refers to the amount of glucose present in the
blood. When the doctor has confirmed the occurrence of the disease, a dietitian
is the next person to call for. The dietitian shall design a good meal plan.
There are numerous medications to control the blood sugar and they must be
taken properly.

Heart disease

Heart disease is considered as the number one killer. About 1.2 million
Americans die every year because of heart disease. And unfortunately, roughly
one quarter of the population of United States suffer in some form of heart
disease without them knowing it. To prevent or to alleviate heart diseases,
lifestyle should be modified. There are basically simple things that need to be
integrated in the daily routines. Such things as regular exercise, proper diet,
and taking the nutritional supplements designed for the heart should make up
the habit. In addition, there are also habits that must be taken away from the
system such as smoking, aggressive drinking and fondness to fatty foods.

Emphysema

Emphysema is one of the most destructive lung disease, yet least understood.
Because of the poor studies in counteracting this disease, it is considered as
a silent killer. It can frantically destroy a person, yet remain unknown.
Emphysema can only be detected when it is at its worst already, when the lungs
have considerably been damaged. Cigarette smoking is one of the key causes that
lead to emphysema. When the symptoms are starting to occur, it is advised to
consult a physician and quit smoking. This is the only way to save you from
such ailment.

Tracheal Bronchitis and the New Bacteria

Sometimes, it can be very confusing to distinguish one illness from another.
The symptoms are similar and oftentimes, misdiagnosis can occur. This is the
reason why medical practitioners must be very careful in their chosen field so
that they can give an accurate diagnosis, coupled with the right medication or
treatment.

Bronchitis is defined as a condition characterized by the irritation and
inflammation of the bronchial tubes and this is divided into different
classifications, namely: acute tracheal bronchitis, chronic bronchitis (simple
to complicated), and bronchiectasis.

This condition still remains to be a major threat to the health of millions of
people. In the US, bronchitis ranks fourth as a leading death cause.
Controlling the illness recently got complicated because of the new
transformations in the illness' nature. A new and nasty bacteria emerged that
can resist or tolerate conventional antibiotics. These bacteria are forcing
doctors and physicians to re-evaluate and re-examine their practices and
methods pertaining to bronchitis and pneumonia.

The researches conducted by disease specialists are not that valuable since the
cultured data or bacteria are already dead by the time it is to be tested.
Therefore, the specific etiology and preferred treatment course are not
determined. That is why doctors and physicians are forced to focus more on
their knowledge and skill about the illness. What they usually do is to conduct
a physical examination that is largely based on the things that they observe or
see, and they would give the proper treatment. The diagnosis made by these
doctors and physicians are empiric and intuitive; but a scientific and
systematic approach is still important to design an antimicrobial therapy.

Antibiotics must satisfy certain criteria such as efficacy in the treatment of
bronchitis, safety, and convenience and cost-effectiveness. The ideal
antibiotic for bronchitis and other respiratory disorders are those that:

-  offer action against principal respiratory organisms 
-  pharmacokinetic 
-  optimal pharmacologic 
-  pharmacodynamic profiles 
-  experimental response rates are high 
-  tissue penetration is good 
-  profiles of drug-interaction
-  side effects are low 
-  bacterial resistance is developed slowly

Amoxicillin, macrolides and cephalosporins are considered as traditional
antibiotics and are greatly used in antimicrobial therapy. Their usefulness
varies, as well as incidence of resistance among bacteria.

Last 1999, gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin were released and these medications
offered better options for the treatment of respiratory diseases. Since new
ones are introduced, some drugs are pulled out from circulation because of
their hazardous side effects.

In managing tracheal bronchitis and other respiratory illnesses, the doctors
and physicians must have a great understanding of all organisms involved in the
infection, and a thorough awareness of potential therapies that are quite
effective. In treating tracheal bronchitis, there are various strategies being
utilized.

Today, physicians are having a controversy as to what course of medication and
treatment is required if the patient has symptoms of tracheal bronchitis.
Generally, the patients are treated quickly. The patients are expecting that
once they paid for a consultation, they are already entitled to get an
antibiotic. The doctor must educate his patients and tell them that if they
have a cough for a day or two, they should not rush into the doctor's clinic.
They have to wait about five to seven days. Viral infections disappear, but if
your bronchitis is caused by bacteria, the coughing will continue. Then, that
is the time that they should go the doctor.

In fact, most specialists recommend non-treatment if the cough doesn't persist
for at least five days. The time allows development and elimination of the
viral infection that will disappear even without using antibiotics. If after
such time the cough persists, then the doctor can now prescribe an antibiotic.
If the patient has tracheal bronchitis and coughs (with sputum) for several
days, but with no fever or pneumonia, COPD, or emphysema, it is customary for
physicians and doctors to give antibiotics.

With further studies underway, perhaps new antibiotics will be developed to
treat tracheal bronchitis and other classifications of bronchitis. Patients can
look forward for a much better line of antibiotics to treat their condition.
Let's just hope that before those nasty bacteria settle into the bronchial
tubes, new antibiotics are already available to combat them. For the mean time,
prevention is the best way to combat the illness.

Some Treatment Steps to Heal Chronic Bronchitis

A severe type of bronchitis is often referred to as "chronic bronchitis," where
the main air passageway of your lungs continues to swell and commonly recurs.

Smoking is the main culprit for the presence of chronic bronchitis. Firsthand
smoking is at a high risk to develop the said illness. Moreover, even if you
don't smoke but you are prone to inhale smoke from cigarettes and belches or
breathe in irritants then you are most likely to develop chronic bronchitis.

Once you observe the following symptoms then it is best to consult with your
physician for you may be suffering from chronic bronchitis:

*  Productive cough with abundant mucus and sometimes there is blood in your
   cough.

*  Difficulty in breathing which is triggered by slight activities.

*  Infections in the respiratory systems.

*  Easily weakened by non-strenuous activity

*  Swollen feet, ankle or leg

*  Persistent headaches

When the above-mentioned signs are observed by you or your physician, your
doctor will request for a series of tests to determine proper treatments. Most
medical practitioner states that there is no absolute cure for chronic
bronchitis. What you can do is give aid to the discomfort, pain and symptoms
brought by the said illness. There are specific treatments to help you deal
with chronic bronchitis.

1. Bronchodilators

The primary aim of this treatment is to help you breathe easier. What it does
is open the air passageway in your lungs to alleviate the briefness of breath
as well as wheezing.

Bronchodilators are divided into three subgroups such as beta2-agonists,
anticholinergics, and xanthines.

Beta2-agonists are used to reduce the symptoms brought by chronic bronchitis by
relaxing the airways in your lungs. Salbutamol and Terbutaline are some common
types of beta2-agonists.

Anticholinergics are drugs used to help patients with chronic bronchitis
breathe easier. However, it works differently compared to beta2-agonists.
"Atrovent" is an example of this drug.

Xanthine comes from the "alkaloids" group wherein it is utilized to treat the
symptoms of bronchitis. Others conclude that Xanthine can reduce the swelling
of the air passageway of the lungs.

2. Corticosteroids

To prevent too much swelling and irritation of bronchial tubes, corticosteroids
may be used. It is usually taken by inhaling the drug. However, there are
patients who are prescribed to take the said medication in tablet form. These
patients are the ones who experience severe lung infection.

Misuse or overuse of this drug may result to hazy vision, repeated urination
and the need to drink plenty of liquids.

3. Supplemental Oxygen

Not all individuals with chronic bronchitis need to have supplemental oxygen.
If you have extremely low oxygen in your blood or you have minor damage in the
lungs, then it is recommended that you undergo this kind of treatment.

A cylinder or concentrator is used to deliver the oxygen you need into your
body. With a use of "nasal prongs" you will be able to breathe in the oxygen
supply that is required for you to take.

With the presence of oxygen, you will be able to sustain the normal level of
oxygen in your blood which your body needs. Additionally, it enables you to
breathe easier.

4. Flu and pneumonia shots

Flu shot is a vaccine to safeguard individuals from the "influenza virus." The
shot is commonly administered in the arms every year. Equally important is a
pneumonia shot. With this vaccine, you will be protected from the infection
"pneumococcal."

There are short-term side effects when you get the above-mentioned shots such
as reddishness of the injected body part, swelling or soreness. However, these
are temporary side effects as reaction of the body to the vaccine.

5. Antibiotics

Antibiotics for chronic bronchitis are used to treat secondary bacterial
infection. Telithromycin with a brand name "Ketek" is a widely used antibiotic
for chronic bronchitis.

Apart from the suggested medication as chronic bronchitis treatment, it is also
helpful to practice the following steps:

*  You need to stop smoking, if you are a smoker. If you are non-smoker, you
   need to stay away from an environment with smokes and irritants.

*  You need to change your lifestyle by properly eating variety of foods from
   the food pyramid, getting enough exercise as well as getting ample of rest.

*  It may be helpful if you can join support group programs. By doing so, you
   will be able to fully understand and accept your condition. It will also help
   you encounter other treatment methods which you can try.

Understanding the Foundation of Chronic Bronchitis

A medical diagnosis manifested by a productive cough of the sputum occurring
for more than three months can be deemed as chronic bronchitis. It can occur
consecutively for two years along with the obstruction on air passages.
Pulmonary testing helps in proper diagnosis through documentation of reversible
characteristics of airways obstruction.

The current foundations of chronic bronchitis management are sympathomimetic
agents and inhaled ipratropium bromide. Although theophyllinne is a very
important therapy, its usage is only limited to narrow therapeutic effects.
Orally taken steroids are reserved from patients demonstrating improvements in
airflow. Antibiotics also play an important role for alleviating acute
exacerbations. Others include smoking cessation, nutritional and hydration
support, supplemental oxygen, and strengthening respiratory muscles.

Chronic bronchitis is considered one of the most common COPD (chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease) illnesses. In fact, this is the fourth major
death cause in the U.S. There are approximately ten million Americans who are
affected by COPD to some extent causing 40,000 deaths in a year.

The major risk factor in developing chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking.
More than ninety percent of the patients have smoking histories, although
fifteen percent of cigarette smokers are diagnosed ultimately with obstructive
disease of the airways. Studies revealed that persistent active markers of
airway inflammation upon bronchial specimen's biopsy are found in symptomatic
ex-smokers, even if these people already halted their smoking habit for
thirteen years.

There are three major bacterial pathogens found in people with chronic
bronchitis. It includes Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and
Haemophilus influenzae. A speculative explanation between chronic bronchitis
and infection interactions is due to the low colonization density of infectious
agents on the lower respiratory tract which cause inflammatory reaction and
triggers succeeding acute exacerbations.

Documentation which supports this concept is taken from various studies of
patients affected by chronic bronchitis. The bacteria associated with IgE
circulate in the body of the patients triggering histamine release after
exposure to similar cultured bacteria of the lower respiratory tracts. Added
mechanisms including neurogenic inflammation is then developed causing chronic
bronchitis symptomatic flare-ups. Thus the disease may continue because
inflammatory mediators are sustained.

Diagnostic testing on the obstruction of the air passages must be done.
Pulmonary function testing is recommended to determine how the patient responds
to inhaled therapy such as bronchodilators. The obstructive disease of the
airway is defined by the measured FEV1 (forced expiratory volume)/ FVC (forced
vital capacity) ratio.

Most adults over their mid-life years, physiologic changes related to their age
and elasticity of their lungs can cause a 30mL FEV1 decline in a year.
Progressive declines of FEV1 rates means prolonged suffering from chronic
bronchitis. The obstruction in the air passages caused by excessive sputum
production can confirm chronic bronchitis diagnosis.

1. Blood tests. Advanced chronic bronchitis is determined through blood
sampling taken from the artery. Usually, hypoxemia is very common characterized
by ventilatory failure next to inflammation and bronchospasm. If ventilatory
exchange of gas worsens, the condition is called concomitant hypercapnia.
Testing through blood samples can also determine mild polycythemia.

2. Chest radiograph. This tests although correlate poorly with chronic
bronchitis symptoms in many patients, still, findings can be determined such as
blebs, hyperinflation, bullae, peribronchial markings, and diaphragmatic
flattening.

3. Electrocardiogram. This test is able to recognize disturbances in the
supraventricular rhythm which include atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation,
atrial tachycardia having "P" pulmonale. Airway biopsy findings also include
submucosal and mucosal inflammation, hyperplasia of goblet cell, and increased
muscle smoothness on the small noncartilaginous air passage.

4. Sputum cultures. This is limited for patients that have never been admitted
in hospitals but displays acute chronic bronchitis exacerbations. It is because
cultures of samples never reflect any presence of the organisms in bronchial
distal levels. The sputum's gram stain is a way of determining if antibiotic
therapy is needed. Protected-tip sputum cultures are suggested for hospitalized
patients especially if atypical organisms cause the exacerbation.

The whole ten years of mortality rate after the chronic bronchitis diagnosis is
fifty percent. Respiratory failure after acute exacerbation is often the most
terminal event. It is because bacterial infections often follow, characterized
by fever, purulent sputum, and worst poor ventilation symptoms. Other
precipitants include seasonal changes, infections of the upper respiratory,
medications, and prolong exposure to pollutants and irritants. However,
understanding the role of mediators which cause inflammation in chronic
bronchitis led on a better management of the disease.

Watch Out for the Sign of Bronchitis

Each person is looking for a sign that may have a significant meaning to his
life. When he wants something and is not sure whether he will pursue it or not,
he would usually stop and ask for a certain sign. Even when the Lord Jesus was
born, the sign was a star that led the magi to his manger. Different signs for
different events or happenings take place everyday.

What if you have a disease or illness? Will you still be asking for a sign?
Naturally, a person will exhibit some sort of signs or symptoms associated with
the disease. There are many diseases known all over the world; and each disease
or illness has their own signs and symptoms.

Bronchitis is a common respiratory disease that affects millions of people in
the entire world. Though oftentimes it can be misdiagnosed, medical
practitioners are trying their best efforts to give an accurate diagnosis based
on the signs shown by their patients. There are two types of bronchitis, acute
and chronic bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis is a mild or moderate form of bronchitis while chronic
bronchitis is a severe condition that needs appropriate medication and
treatment. Each type of bronchitis can be easily determined by physicians or
doctors because of the different signs and symptoms exhibited by the patient.

Acute Bronchitis Signs

-  similar to that of cold symptoms 
-  wheezing 
-  painful cough 
-  chest and throat pain 
-  fever 
-  coughs up pus 
-  generally unwell

Chronic Bronchitis Signs

-  productive and persistent cough 
-  excessive mucus secretion in airways 
-  mild fever and chest pain 
-  breathlessness 
-  has acute bronchitis episodes
-  winter cough that disappears in summer

Bronchitis shows signs similar to other upper infections of the respiratory
tract which includes soreness, burning feeling or constriction in the chest,
congestion, sore throat, wheezing, breathlessness, overall malaise, chills and
with slight fever. This is why bronchitis may be misdiagnosed for other
respiratory infections like chronic sinusitis because the signs felt by the
individual are very similar. Chronic sinusitis is an infection in your nose'
bone, and one of its signs include a green or yellow, thick postnasal discharge
coupled with unceasing cough. This is usually triggered when an individual tries
to clear mucus from his or her throat.

Signs of bronchitis are impossible to detect, especially that of acute
bronchitis as the respiratory system has constricted contractions. If acute
bronchitis remains untreated, in time complications may occur that can bring
about chronicisation and asthmatic bronchitis. Adults, children, and newborns
suffering from emphysema are at a great risk.

A premature treatment or diagnosis can manipulate negatively the establishment
of signs and symptoms. If you want to improve the signs of bronchitis, you must
do physical exercises like aerobic exercise. This is helpful in sustaining
breathing after you're cured of bronchitis. Bronchitis patients need to do a
lot of normal walking exercises. There are also cardio exercises that you can
perform to ameliorate breathing, fortify muscles, and calm the bronchitis
patient.

When you already have bronchitis, whether acute or chronic, you should refrain
from eating dairy products because these things increase mucus secretion and
can aggravate the infection. By eating dairy products, the bacteria multiply
quickly.

If you want to further improve the bronchitis signs that you feel, you can use
pepper, garlic, and stock (from chicken) especially if you have acute
bronchitis. This aids in the dilution of mucus, as well as its elimination. You
can also put yourself under eucalyptus therapy to calm the irritation in your
lungs and bronchial tubes to improve respiration. Apply warm compresses and
take warm baths to clear mucus and help in stabilizing the breathing process.
And if you're a smoker, you'd better quit as soon as possible and take the
necessary precautions. Also try to avoid second-hand smoke because it's even
more harmful.

Signs and symptoms of diseases serve as a warning to patients having the
illness. Once you do experience some of the signs, then you can immediately
seek the help of a physician or doctor. This way, you can prevent complications
and be able to treat the disease at an early stage. Look for a reputable and
experienced doctor to get the proper diagnosis.

Bronchitis: The Drugs That Can Help Treat Bronchitis

Today, there are thousands of drugs available in the market, each with
different illnesses to treat. One of the most common illnesses in modern
society is respiratory illnesses. You have to consider that there are a lot of
kinds of respiratory illnesses. Some are contagious and some are not. There are
also different kinds of drugs for different kinds of respiratory illnesses.

The fact that you need a perfectly healthy body in order to function well in
your daily activities, you have to know how to properly take care of it or at
least know how to deal with it in case you get affected with a disease.

One of the most common diseases today is called bronchitis. This is a form of
respiratory illness that can affect anyone at anytime. However, people who live
in highly polluted areas, and people who smoke tobacco are usually affected as
well as infant, children, the elderly and people who have weak lungs are also
prone to bronchitis.

Bronchitis comes in two forms, one is acute bronchitis and the other is chronic
bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is a short term bronchitis that requires little
treatment. Usually, acute bronchitis doesn't need any drugs at all. However,
there are people who take expectorant in order to improve breathing. Some
people take anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate the symptoms. Sometimes,
bronchitis can also congest the sinuses and can be a painful condition. To
alleviate the symptom, you can take some nasal decongestant drugs.

Acute bronchitis usually lasts for up to only 10 to 12 days if properly managed
and treated. However, it will also vary on the kind of infection that the
bronchitis has. If it is a viral infection, you don't need to take any special
drugs to treat it. All you need is plenty of rest, plenty of water, and avoid
dusty and highly polluted areas. If you want to alleviate the signs and
symptoms of acute bronchitis, you can take some anti-inflammatory drugs, some
pain medication, expectorant and nasal decongestant drugs.

However, if the virus is caused by bacterial infection, the doctor will
prescribe some antibiotics or antibacterial drugs that will kill the bacteria
infecting your bronchial tube and your respiratory system. On rare cases,
bronchitis can also be caused by fungal infection and for this your doctor may
prescribe antifungal drugs along with other medications to alleviate the signs
and symptoms. It is very important to remember that you shouldn't just but any
over-the-counter drugs as you may some allergies and some drugs are dangerous
if combined to any other kind of drugs. If you prefer to take medications for
your bronchitis, it is important that you should first consult your doctor. He
or she will refer to your medical history and find out if you are allergic to
any kind of medications. The doctor can also give you prescription on the right
combination of drugs and can give you instructions on the proper dosage and the
proper time to take it.

In the chronic form of bronchitis, you have to consider that this is a long
term treatment that will require long term and well-managed care. Chronic
bronchitis will also require you to take different kinds of drugs to help
alleviate the signs and symptoms and also help treat the illness.

However, the most important step in treating acute bronchitis is by quitting
smoking. If you do this early enough, you can reverse the damage in your lungs.
The doctor will also prescribe some medications to help you overcome chronic
bronchitis which may include inhaled medicines, such as bronchodilators to open
your airway and let you breath easily, steroids, and antibiotics to prevent
infection. In some cases, people with chronic bronchitis have low oxygen
levels. For this, the doctor may recommend that home oxygen should be used.

The chance for a full recovery for people with chronic bronchitis is poor.
Always remember that the key to cure chronic bronchitis is detecting it at its
early stages and changing your lifestyle, such as quitting smoking and reducing
your alcohol intake.

These are the things that you should remember about bronchitis. Always remember
that before you take any drugs, you should first consult your doctor who will
tell you about the proper dosage and the proper drugs to take.

More Cures for the Bronchitis Condition

Bronchitis conditions are usually viral infections and are known for being
contagious since it can be acquired through contact with a person suffering
from such infection and it can travel by air. This infection can be a stepping
stone for other branching infections or complications such as pneumonia and
emphysema, not to mention that it can also lead to lung cancer should an
individual not be treated and further exposed to factors that may worsen the
condition of the patient.

This kind of respiratory disease is where the mucus membrane in the lungs'
bronchial passageway is inflamed. This causes the membrane to become irritated
which will grow and swell thicker. In turn, the lungs' tiny airways narrows
down and/or shuts off, which results in breathlessness and coughing spells that
is usually associated with thick phlegm.

There are a couple of treatments that are used to cure this condition, however
because of the fast advancement of our technology, nowadays, the cure can now
be found in just capsules or inhalers provided that you use the cure within the
prescribed duration and should not be used without the consent of your doctor.

Some doctors advice their patients to use Albuterol and Ipratropium inhalers,
these drugs are both by prescription. If the patient has fever and discolored
phlegm, then the doctor may advise antibiotics. However, some persons who has
experience such condition recommend a Z pack. It is usually taken 5 pills a day
for not less than 5 days. It should stop the congestion but a cough will still
be there so your doctor may write you a cough syrup that will help you get rid
of the left cough and get you some rest.

Another solution to bronchitis is that if you are smoking the best treatment to
the condition is to stop smoking although it is easier said than done, your
doctor may also give you some Mucinex it is an over the counter kind of
medicine at any drugstore and you will also have to take in more fluids like
water, even sodas and juice will do but not coffee. Should a cough occur with
your bronchitis, Codeine will help you stop it but if you are sick of tablets
and capsules, you should try mixing lemon juice and honey, it works, not as
well as Codeine though.

Meanwhile, if you have chronic bronchitis, what helps a lot is to have a cool
mist steamer running while sleeping. You may also try some Chinese food
remedies like the following:

1. 500 mg unpeeled pear or radish (crushed and soaked in honey). 
2. Make a soup out of boiled licorice in water over low heat. 
3. Put a peeled grapefruit inside the chicken cavity. Cook by steaming the 
   chicken in a pan by adding a little water. Drink the chicken broth and eat 
   the chicken. 
4. For older patients with chronic bronchitis, It is recommended that they 
   should eat seafoods and yam.

According to some sources there are so many ways to cure it, like by drinking
onion juice mixed with honey, or onion decoction which is said to give relief
from coughing that is usually associated with bronchitis. You can also try
boiling pepper powder in milk and then drinking it or you can also lick pepper
powder mixed with ghee and sugar. Bronchitis can also be cured by drinking a
mixture of 2 teaspoons of green ginger juice and 1 teaspoon of honey.

Bronchitis is also cured by drinking roasted asafetida mixed in warm water. One
should also try the combination of raisins and sugar kept ion mouth while sucked.

The condition can also be treated by sucking on pomegranate fruit skin. Eating
some dates while drinking warm water can dilute and remove the cough, thereby
relieving the symptoms of bronchitis. One should also try drinking mint juice
or licking approximately one half tola honey up to four times a day; or
drinking tulsi juice along with sugar. Tea also has its own curing substance
that acts as bronchodilator. Here are more natural ways to cure bronchitis. Put
warm castor oil planet leaves on a pan. Cool and spread on the chest for the
night (Caution: castor oil planet is poisonous). You can also try mixing
mustard powder and equal amount of flour and water, and then smear it on the
chest. However some people may have sensitive skin that applying mustard might
sting, test on a small area first to know whether you have sensitive skin or
not.

There are yet more ways to cure bronchitis however, if we do not take good care
of our bodies and continue to do things that may weaken our immune system,
infections such as bronchitis will always be there to threaten us.

Natural Remedy for Bronchitis: A Natural Way to Cure Bronchitis

Today, bronchitis is considered as one of the most common diseases in the
world. Usually, people who suffer from bronchitis are people who have weak
respiratory system. Infants, children, the elderly and people who smoke tobacco
are the ones usually affected by this disorder.

Bronchitis is the infection of the bronchi. Usually, the main causes of
bronchitis are virus infection, bacteria infection or in rare cases, bronchitis
can be caused by fungus infection in the bronchial tree. This illness comes into
two main classifications. The first one is acute (short-term) bronchitis, and
the second one is chronic (long-term) bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis is very easy to treat but it also needs constant management
and care in order to let the patient fully recover. Since you won't know if
your bronchitis is caused by virus, bacteria, or fungus infection without
laboratory tests, you have to consider that once you experience the signs and
symptoms associated with bronchitis, you need to consult your physician
immediately as he or she will order some laboratory examinations that can
accurately determine what is causing the illness.

Bronchitis often develops during the late stages of upper respiratory tract
infection. It is also very common in the winter months. You have to know all
about the different signs and symptoms of bronchitis in order for you to get an
idea on when to consult your physician.

Usually, acute bronchitis will include persistent hacking cough, mild chest
pain, and shortness of breath. Sometimes, it will also include headaches and
squeezing sensation around the eyes. It is important that you should consult
your doctor and get a laboratory test in order for you to determine whether the
bronchitis is being caused by viral or bacterial infection. Bronchitis caused by
virus infection is relatively easy to treat. All you need to do is drink lots of
non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic beverages, such as water and juice and get
lots of rest. You should also increase the humidity inside your home by
installing a humidifier or a simple home solution of hanging wet towels or
blankets.

You have to understand that acute bronchitis can develop into chronic
bronchitis if left untreated. Chronic bronchitis can cause permanent damage in
your respiratory system and can severely affect your daily activities. This is
why it is important for you to know how to properly care for your respiratory
system and know how to treat bronchitis at its early stages.

There are quite a lot of natural remedies that can help treat bronchitis or at
least minimize the effect of the signs and symptoms. It is recommended that you
should combine conventional treatment and alternative treatment for bronchitis.
The first thing you need to do to treat bronchitis is to stop smoking if you
are a smoker or don't start smoking if you are a non-smoker. One great natural
remedy that can alleviate the symptoms of bronchitis is by taking a long shower
or soak in a steam-filled bathtub. Or, you can stand over a sink or a large pot
filled with simmering water and inhale. When you do this, make sure that you
are near enough to inhale the steam and far enough so that you won't get burned.

Another way to relieve symptoms of bronchitis is by applying hot, damp towels
on your chest for several minutes. After this, you need to dry off, dress in
warm clothes and go to bed. It is recommended that you should avoid dusty and
smoky places as it can worsen your condition.

These are some of the ways that can help alleviate the symptoms of bronchitis.
You can also consider taking vitamin supplements to help your body fight off
the virus or bacteria infection.

There are other natural and alternative remedies that can help in treating
bronchitis. It includes aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and even
massage with oils that can help in alleviating the symptoms of bronchitis.

By combining natural remedies with conventional treatments, you can be sure
that you can get rid of bronchitis from affecting your body and at the same
time, live a healthier and more productive life. It is important to remember
that taking care of your body is the best way to prevent being affected by
bronchitis. However, if you do get bronchitis, you can simply do the mentioned
natural and conventional treatments.

Acute Bronchitis: How You Can Prevent It

Your health is one of the most important factors that you should consider in
today's world. It is important that you should maintain a perfectly healthy
body in order for you to function normally and productively in today's society.
It is also important that you should know how to take care of your health in
order to prevent certain illnesses from becoming worse.

Respiratory illnesses are very common nowadays. From asthma to other forms of
respiratory illnesses, there are a millions of people suffering from different
kinds of respiratory disorders. You have to consider the fact that your
respiratory system is one of the vital systems that you need in your body. This
is why you should know how to take care of your respiratory system in order to
enjoy and live a normal and productive life.

However, there are some cases where people can suffer from respiratory
illnesses, such as bronchitis. Bronchitis is a respiratory illness that affects
the bronchial tree where the bronchi of the lungs become inflamed. Tobacco
smokers and people living in areas where there is a high level of air pollution
are mainly affected by this disease. If you are one of this people, you have to
know how to prevent bronchitis from affecting you.

Firstly, you have to understand that there are two kinds of bronchitis. The
first one is called acute bronchitis where it can last for only 10 to 12 days.
The second kind of bronchitis is called chronic bronchitis where it can last up
to three months to two years.

In acute bronchitis, it is fairly easy to prevent this particular respiratory
illness from affecting you. Acute bronchitis is mainly caused by virus and
bacterial infections. However, there are some rare cases where bronchitis can
be caused by fungus. The person suffering from acute bronchitis may experience
persistent coughing with mucus, feeling of fatigue, shortness of breath, mild
chest pains, mild fever, vibration inside the chest when breathing, and they
will also experience a feeling of coldness.

The virus that causes bronchitis can be the same virus that causes the common
cold. In acute bronchitis that is caused by virus infection, no special
medications are usually needed. All you need is plenty of rest, and drink a lot
non caffeinated and non alcoholic beverages.

However, if the acute bronchitis is caused by bacterial infection, there will
usually be antibiotic medications involved along with the mentioned treatments.
If it is possible, the house where the patient is staying should have increased
humidity by using room humidifiers.

Usually, acute bronchitis lasts only about 10 to 12 days. However, it may be
closely followed or associated with flu or cold. Sometimes, coughing will
continue during the healing process of the bronchi in your lungs. However, if
the coughing lasts longer a month, it is recommended that you should consult
your physician immediately as conditions other than bronchitis may cause the
coughing.

Some people say that prevention is better than cure. This is very true. Just
ask yourself on why suffer from bronchitis and getting it treated instead of
preventing it to happen. Bronchitis can be prevented. All you need to do is
constantly wash your hands thoroughly. If you are a smoker, quit smoking in
order to prevent bronchitis from happening. It is also recommended that if you
are living in an area where there are high levels of air pollution, you should
try and install some curtains or air conditioners and filters inside your home
in order for you to breathe clean air.

Bronchitis is a respiratory illness that can cause discomfort in your life.
This is why it is important that you should know about the signs and symptoms
of bronchitis in order for you to know if you have it and also for you to know
if it is time for you to consult your doctor about it.

Always remember that bronchitis is a preventable illness. All you need to do is
establish a good and proper hygiene inside your home, try to reduce or quit
smoking, and install air filters around your home to let you breathe fresh and
clean air. These are some of the things you should remember in order for you to
know about bronchitis and also know how to prevent it from affecting you.

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