Some Treatment Steps to Heal Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a lung condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. It is a type of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Chronic bronchitis is characterized by a persistent cough that produces phlegm for at least three months per year for two consecutive years.

A severe type of bronchitis is often referred to as “chronic bronchitis,” where the main air passageway of your lungs continues to swell and commonly recurs. 

Smoking is the main culprit for the presence of chronic bronchitis. Firsthand smoking is at a high risk to develop the said illness. Moreover, even if you don’t smoke but you are prone to inhale smoke from cigarettes and belches or breathe in irritants then you are most likely to develop chronic bronchitis. 

What causes chronic bronchitis?

The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking. Other causes include exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, and fumes from chemicals and irritants.

What are the symptoms of chronic bronchitis?

The main symptom of chronic bronchitis is a persistent cough that produces phlegm. Other symptoms include:

·         Shortness of breath

·         Wheezing

·         Chest tightness

·         Fatigue

·         Weight loss

• Once you observe the following symptoms then it is best to consult with your physician for you may be suffering from chronic bronchitis:
•             Productive cough with abundant mucus and sometimes there is blood in your cough.
•             Difficulty in breathing which is triggered by slight activities.
•             Infections in the respiratory systems. 
•             Easily weakened by non-strenuous activity
•             Swollen feet, ankle or leg
•             Persistent headaches 
• When the above-mentioned signs are observed by you or your physician, your doctor will request for a series of tests to determine proper treatments. Most medical practitioner states that there is no absolute cure for chronic bronchitis. What you can do is give aid to the discomfort, pain and symptoms brought by the said illness.

·         How is chronic bronchitis diagnosed?

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Chronic bronchitis is diagnosed using a patient's medical history and symptoms. A doctor may also request a chest X-ray or lung function testing to confirm the diagnosis.

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How is chronic bronchitis treated?

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There is no cure for chronic bronchitis, but there are therapies that can help to alleviate symptoms and keep the condition from progressing. Treatments for persistent bronchitis include:

·         Quitting smoking: The most important step in treating chronic bronchitis is to quit smoking. Smoking damages the lungs and makes it worse.

·         Medications: There are a number of medications that can be used to treat chronic bronchitis, including bronchodilators, steroids, and antibiotics.

•  There are specific treatments to help you deal with chronic bronchitis. 
• 1. Bronchodilators
• The primary aim of this treatment is to help you breathe easier. What it does is open the air passageway in your lungs to alleviate the briefness of breath as well as wheezing. 
• Bronchodilators are divided into three subgroups such as beta2-agonists, anticholinergics, and xanthines.
• Beta2-agonists are used to reduce the symptoms brought by chronic bronchitis by relaxing the airways in your lungs. Salbutamol and Terbutaline are some common types of beta2-agonists.
• Anticholinergics are drugs used to help patients with chronic bronchitis breathe easier. However, it works differently compared to beta2-agonists. “Atrovent” is an example of this drug.
• Xanthine comes from the “alkaloids” group wherein it is utilized to treat the symptoms of bronchitis. Others conclude that Xanthine can reduce the swelling of the air passageway of the lungs. 
• 2. Corticosteroids 
• To prevent too much swelling and irritation of bronchial tubes, corticosteroids may be used. It is usually taken by inhaling the drug. However, there are patients who are prescribed to take the said medication in tablet form. These patients are the ones who experience severe lung infection. 
• Misuse or overuse of this drug may result to hazy vision, repeated urination and the need to drink plenty of liquids.
• 3. Supplemental Oxygen
• Not all individuals with chronic bronchitis need to have supplemental oxygen. If you have extremely low oxygen in your blood or you have minor damage in the lungs, then it is recommended that you undergo this kind of treatment. 
• A cylinder or concentrator is used to deliver the oxygen you need into your body. With a use of “nasal prongs” you will be able to breathe in the oxygen supply that is required for you to take.
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• With the presence of oxygen, you will be able to sustain the normal level of oxygen in your blood which your body needs. Additionally, it enables you to breathe easier. 
• 4. Flu and pneumonia shots 
• Flu shot is a vaccine to safeguard individuals from the “influenza virus.” The shot is commonly administered in the arms every year. Equally important is a pneumonia shot. With this vaccine, you will be protected from the infection “pneumococcal.”
• There are short-term side effects when you get the above-mentioned shots such as reddishness of the injected body part, swelling or soreness. However, these are temporary side effects as reaction of the body to the vaccine. 
• 5. Antibiotics 
• Antibiotics for chronic bronchitis are used to treat secondary bacterial infection. Telithromycin with a brand name “Ketek” is a widely used antibiotic for chronic bronchitis.
• Apart from the suggested medication as chronic bronchitis treatment, it is also helpful to practice the following steps:
•             You need to stop smoking, if you are a smoker. If you are non-smoker, you need to stay away from an environment with smokes and irritants. 
•             You need to change your lifestyle by properly eating variety of foods from the food pyramid, getting enough exercise as well as getting ample of rest.
•             It may be helpful if you can join support group programs. By doing so, you will be able to fully understand and accept your condition. It will also help you encounter other treatment methods which you can try.

·         Pulmonary rehabilitation: Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program of exercise and education that can help people with chronic bronchitis to improve their breathing and quality of life.

How can I prevent chronic bronchitis?

The best way to prevent chronic bronchitis is to quit smoking. Other preventive measures include:

·         Avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke

·         Avoiding air pollution

·         Getting regular exercise

·         Eating a healthy diet

·         Getting vaccinated against the flu and pneumonia

If you have chronic bronchitis, it is important to see a doctor regularly to monitor your condition and get treatment for any symptoms that you may experience.

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