BronchitisWhat are the Symptoms and Treatments

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

I recently quit smoking and I'm very proud of myself because it was the hardest thing I have ever done. Now that I think I'm in the clear from going back to it, I'm wondering if my lungs will undue the damage I have done to them and how long it will take. I smoked for about 19 years.

Congratulations!

There are three general areas of damage caused by cigarettes:

- Functional problems. Things like no taste, no smell, hacking cough, energy level will return within a few days after quitting smoking.

- Cancer and heart disease. The risk of cancer drops gradually after quitting, and levels out after about 5 years at only slightly more than the average person. In other words, if you quit for at least 5 years and don't get cancer in that time, your chances of getting it are then only a little more than the average person. Similar arguments hold for your risk of heart disease.

- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) - Emphysema, which is destruction of the walls of the alveoli, will never recover, but it will get worse with continued smoking. Chronic bronchitis, which is damage to the walls of the bronchioles, will sometimes get better, but again, it will get worse with continued smoking.

If that's not reason enough to quit smoking I don't know what else is. Good luck and congratulations again!

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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. Cliché, 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.

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.

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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.