Most of us at one time or another have had a persistent cough that came out from the depths of our chest and was accompanied by chest pains.
Although it may not necessarily be bronchitis, it may as well be that, as a great deal of people have been diagnosed with it. There are two types of it, chronic and acute bronchitis. The chronic type may not be as severe, but it is persistent and has been acquired by the body on its own, and is therefore much harder to treat and get rid of. Acute bronchitis on the other hand may run a much more severe course, but is easier subjected to bronchitis treatment. Generally, bronchitis is an inflammatory disease of the bronchial pipes (bronchi), through which the air is admitted to the lungs.
As a rule, acute bronchitis is acquired from the same causative agents that cause colds and other infections of upper airways. As bronchitis develops, phlegm or slime is released into the bronchi. The smallest hairs, which normally cleanse the air coming through, lose their mobility in the slime. Thus, if the hair is unable to cleanse the air, then the impact of irritating agents upon the bronchi grows, which brings about more phlegm release, which in turn causes cough- very typical for bronchitis. When one coughs, it usually produces yellowish or grayish mucus.
Symptoms
The condition starts as a regular cold, and then it "localizes" in the chest. In the process of inflammation in the bronchi, the secretion of heavy phlegm increases even more, which clogs up airways, which in turn causes other symptoms making it harder for the patient to breathe in and out. A cough develops as a reaction to the presence of phlegm in the bronchi, which needs to be removed.
Bronchitis may also be accompanied by pains in the upper part of the chest, which are greatly increased in the process of coughing. One suffering from acute bronchitis may also experience high fever and whistling breathing, caused by the increase of phlegm secretion in the bronchi. For many people acute bronchitis is not really harmful. Smokers, on the other hand, and those suffering from bronchial asthma and other lung diseases, have high chances of getting infected again and developing a chronic form. Other symptoms that may be noted are similar to other cold-related diseases such as general weakening, headaches, and dizziness.
Treatment
What bronchitis remedies are available in the first phases of its development in a home environment? Providing a warm atmosphere at home, drinking herbal drinks, so that mucus will be diluted, and expectorants may be used. Maintaining proper humidity in the home is a good bronchitis treatment as well, as it helps to lessen the aggravation of the bronchi. However, no patient needs to limit him- or herself to home bronchitis treatment, especially if his condition aggravates and worsens, because otherwise, acute bronchitis may develop into irreversible lung damage.
The acute bronchitis diagnoses may be given on the basis of basic symptoms. In most cases, it is healed on its own within 7-10 days. Antibiotics are usually not prescribed as a bronchitis remedy until the bacterial nature of bronchitis is identified. Once it is, then specific bronchitis treatment is provided, to which the patient needs to strictly adhere, abstaining from smoking. When one is diagnosed with acute bronchitis, it needs to be made sure that he is somewhat isolated from others. Because a cough and saliva may be contagious, it is advised that individuals use separate dishes. Treatments may be different for children or pregnant women.
