BronchitisWhat are the Symptoms and Treatments

The Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema Handbook were 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.

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.

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!

It was inevitable.

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how long does it take to progress into something serious. like say you get sick start coughing and think you are sick then you make an appointment to see a doctor in a week. can the pneumonia spread super fast and kill you? i mean if you are elderly and you are trying to see a doctor as fast as you can but say you cant get in for a week. or you dont think it is serious… until it is very developed. can it develop in a week?

Pneumonia is the lung's reaction to a bacterial or viral infection in the lungs, and it can develop as quick as a day. If you feel like you have something worse than a cold, then instead of waiting for a Doctor go to an ER or better yet go to a walk-in clinic and let them know of your symptoms. They will do a chest x-ray to determine if you have pneumonia. Signs of pneumonia include a "wet" chest, coughing up sputum that is green or yellow colored and/or foul smelling, shortness of breath, and possible fever. Most common sign is shortness of breath.

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