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a-z physical
health : bronchitis
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What Is
Bronchitis? |
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Bronchitis is an inflammation of
the bronchial tubes, or bronchi, that bring air into the lungs.
Inflammation is a chemical reaction in the body that produces
redness, swelling, and pain. |
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Bronchitis can be caused by: |
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Viruses |
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Bacteria |
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Smoking |
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Breathing in certain kinds
of irritating chemicals |
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When the cells lining the bronchi
are irritated, the tiny hairs (cilia) that normally trap and
eliminate things from the outside stop working. Formation of
material associated with irritation (inflammation) also increases;
causing the passages to become clogged. |
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Types Of Bronchitis |
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There are two types of bronchitis: |
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Acute bronchitis
usually lasts only a few days. It is often caused by a
viral infection and may begin after you develop a cold
or sore throat. It usually produces no long-lasting, harmful
effects. |
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Chronic bronchitis is diagnosed
when a person has too much phlegm in the airways, which
leads to a persistent, productive cough. An individual
is considered to have chronic bronchitis if cough and
sputum (matter that is coughed up from the lungs) are
present on most days for a minimum of three months for
at least two successive years, or for six months during
one year. |
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Chronic bronchitis is often neglected
until it is in an advanced state, because people mistakenly
believe that the disease is notserious. But prompt medical attention
will reduce the risk of damage to the lungs. |
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What
Causes Bronchitis? |
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Smoking is the leading cause of
chronic bronchitis. The substances in cigarette and other forms
of tobacco smoking cause irritation of the bronchial tubes. |
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While smoking is the leading cause
of bronchitis, environmental pollution and some kinds of occupational
exposures to chemicals have also been shown to lead to chronic
bronchitis. Of course, if you smoke and work or live in a polluted
environment, the chances of getting chronic bronchitis are much
greater. |
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In addition, there are some early
studies showing that those exposed to high enough levels of
second-hand smoke may be more likely to get chronic bronchitis.
There also are people with no known risk factors who still get
the disease. |
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How Is
Bronchitis Treated? |
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Unfortunately, there is currently
no cure for chronic bronchitis. Most treatment is focused on
making the symptoms less severe and trying to prevent further
damage. Treatment involves: |
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Lifestyle Changes |
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The first and probably the most
important treatment is to stop smoking. Quitting smoking is
a two-step process that includes getting over the physical addiction
to nicotine and breaking the psychological aspects of the smoking
habit. |
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Nicotine replacement therapy helps
take care of the nicotine addiction so that the smoker can work
on breaking the habit. Research has shown that smokers who use
some form of nicotine replacement therapy and participate in
a behavior change program can double their chances of quitting
for good. |
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A change in environment or job
may be necessary if you work in an area that has heavy concentrations
of dust or chemicals. Studies show that second-hand smoke can
also make bronchitis worse, so others in your household may
need to quit smoking. |
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Your doctor may prescribe medications
that either are inhaled or taken by mouth. They include: |
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Bronchodilators
to open your airways. The two main classes of bronchodilators
are beta-agonists (which relax the muscles surrounding
the airways) and anticholinergics (which block the chemical
our bodies use to contract the airways). The combination
of these two classes of drugs may be more effective than
either of them used alone. |
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Corticosteroids are used
to reduce inflammation, swelling and phlegm production.
There also are a minority of people who respond to oral
or inhaled corticosteroids. Your doctor may start a short
trial to determine if you will respond to corticosteroids.
A typical trial lasts two to three weeks. |
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Expectorants are used to
stop the cough that often accompanies chronic bronchitis.
They also help make the phlegm more liquid and easier
to get out of the lungs. The use of expectorants is controversial. |
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Antibiotics are not usually
used to treat the disease itself. However, since the thick
phlegm that is usually seen with chronic bronchitis is
a good breeding ground for bacteria, people with this
disease are more likely to get lung infections that would
require antibiotics. |
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Treatments that you can try yourself
include: |
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Taking a hot
shower or bath, draping a towel over your head and breathing
the steam from a bowl of hot water, or running a humidifier
in the bedroom during sleep. These can provide moisture
that airways need to stay clear. |
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Drinking eight 8-ounce glasses
of water helps keep the secretions in the lungs liquid.
Drinking hot liquids such as teas can also help remove
phlegm from the lungs. Cold liquids tend to irritate the
airways because of proximity of the esophagus to the trachea
in the neck and upper chest. |
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Respiratory therapists sometimes
have their patients blow into a device with an adjustable
valve that exercises the lungs in the same way as blowing
up balloons. |
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Some practitioners believe
that red peppers, curry, and other spicy foods that make
the eyes water or nose run can help to thin mucus secretions
but this is very controversial. |
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As the disease progresses, it may
become necessary to rely on supplemental oxygen supplied through
portable or stationary tanks. However, simple bronchitis, i.e.,
bronchitis without emphysema, will rarely require chronic oxygen
therapy. |
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Some people may need continuous
oxygen throughout the entire day. Others may only need supplemental
oxygen at certain times, such as when exercising or during sleep. |
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Usually a combination of portable
and stationary oxygen systems will be used. There are several
options including: the concentrator, an electrical device that
extracts oxygen from the air; lightweight compressed gas systems
particularly with demand valves; and liquid oxygen. |
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Oxygen is usually administered
to people in one of three ways: |
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A nasal canula,
which is a tube coming from the tank with small prongs
that fit in the nose; this is by far the most common mode
of administration. |
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A transtracheal catheter,
which is a tube that is surgically placed in the throat
to deliver oxygen directly to the lungs |
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An electronic device (flow
demand valve) that senses the beginning of a breath and
delivers a pulse of oxygen |
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