Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis

       Acute bronchitis is an easy form of bronchitis, highly contagious which can be caused by bacteria or viruses and that can be treated at home. It is usually associated with flu and it is commoner in winter months. The disease is likely to affect people who are cigarette smokers.

       A person affected by acute bronchitis may experience this bronchitis symptoms: cough, fever, noisy breathing and may have problems sleeping. If this type of bronchitis is not treated, the infection may spread and it may develop into pneumonia or asthma. As it is a highly contagious the person suffering from it should take the necessary measures in order to not spread the disease.

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Chronic bronchitis

       Chronic bronchitis can be described as irreversible airway obstruction due to smoking. When dealing with chronic bronchitis the cough is very persistent and it is associated with production of sputum.

       The easiest measure for preventing chronic bronchitis is to be a non smoker, also to avoid pollution and chemical gases. One should see a doctor for this type of bronchitis and take the treatment under medical supervision. The complications due to this illness affect the heart and the lungs.

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Bronchitis symptoms

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       Each type of bronchitis has its own symptoms. For chronic bronchitis the main symptom is cough usually associated with production of mucus. The cough is persistent and it manifests for three months per year, two or three years in a row. The person may also suffer from headaches and shortness of breathing.

       In case of acute bronchitis cough is the main symptom. The cough can be dry or expectorant. With time the phlegm changes its color in green or yellow. The symptoms of acute bronchitis can be easily mistaken for those of a common flu. The person may also experience: chills, low grade fever, sore throat and sneezing.

Bronchitis pictures

Viral bronchitis and bronchitis cough

       Viral bronchitis is in fact a type of acute bronchitis caused by a virus. For this reason this type of bronchitis is not treated with antibiotics furthermore the treatment should be given by a doctor as untreated correctly, viral bronchitis symptoms may develop into many complications.

        Just as in the case of acute bronchitis the symptoms of viral bronchitis are similar to a common cold: cough, fever, runny nose. But the most important symptom for viral bronchitis is bronchitis cough. This cough is dry at the beginning but develops into a productive cough. When suffering from bronchitis cough the person may have a tight feeling in the chest and also may suffer from breathlessness. The person in cause must avoid irritating factors and should stay indoors.

Asthmatic bronchitis

       Asthmatic bronchitis is an airway obstruction which is accompanied by productive cough. This type of bronchitis symptoms are not produced by viruses or bacteria as in case of acute bronchitis but by external factors such as smoking, pollution and many others. This illness is spread among children but adults can also suffer from it.

       One should seek medical help when confronting with this type of disease because it can lead to death.

Bronchitis contagious

        Only one type of bronchitis is contagious the acute one. For the reason that the disease spreads through viruses liberated in to the air when the infested person coughs or sneezes it is advisable that the person in cause stay indoors until the signs of the disease cease. A healthy person can prevent catching bronchitis by regularly washing his hands, by avoiding taking the hands at the level of the face and by quitting smoking.

Bronchitis treatment

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       Bronchitis treatment is not complicated and the patient can be easily treated at home. The treatment should be prescribed by a doctor as an inexperienced person can give a wrong diagnosis. People should ask a doctor before taking antibiotics as they do not have any efficiency in case of viral bronchitis. Only bronchitis that is caused by bacteria has a response to antibiotics.

       When it comes to treating bronchitis symptoms the patient should respect some simple rules: drink a lot of liquids, rest, aerate his room and stop smoking.

Bronchitis in children

       Children may suffer from acute bronchitis but also of chronic bronchitis although they are more predisposed to develop acute bronchitis.

       In case of bronchitis in children symptoms are not different from those of adults; they may experience cough, fever and noisy breathing.

       It is very important to see a doctor before giving any pills to your child. Each child requires a personalized treatment according to his age, weight and other factors. In consequence only the doctor can prescribe a treatment.

Bronchitis remedies and bronchitis cure

       Acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis require different remedies. Although there are a few common steps that must be taken into consideration when wanting to cure bronchitis. First of all one must avoid irritating factors and especially quit smoking. Furthermore respect hygienic measures; regularly wash the hands and the fruits and vegetables before eating them. Also there is advisable to see a doctor in order to give you the proper treatment.

       One should not take antibiotics if they are not prescribed by the doctor especially if they suffer from a viral bronchitis as viruses do not respond to antibiotics. The person should be well hydrated. Besides water one must also drink teas with expectorant properties.