BronchitisWhat are the Symptoms and Treatments

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.

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 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.

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.

Dr. Donald Tashkin UCLA Geffen School of Medicine Pt 2 of 2. Conclusion of 2 part interview with the famous research doctor from UCLA Geffen School of Medicine. Pulmonary research on use of marijuana and interaction with the lungs was funded by the Federal Government to prove that lung cancer is caused by smoking marijuana, however the results proved cannabis does not cause lung cancer.

If you agree that cannabis should be legal, write a letter to your congressperson and tell them to legalize it!

Duration : 0:19:9

Read the rest of this entry »

Pulmonary specialist and Federal Government researcher from UCLA Geffen School of Medicine finds that marijuana does not cause lung cancer in his study on the effects of cannabis and the lungs. Results of this study are discussed for the first time. If you agree that cannabis should be legal, write a letter to your congressperson and tell them to legalize it!

Duration : 0:21:25

Read the rest of this entry »

I need some information on recent research made on the cure for emphysema. Sources please!

type in google search emphysema research you will get many sites Good Luck to you

powered by Yahoo Answers

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.