INTRODUCTION:
We all want to breathe in the cool air, but what will happen if you are in the fresh air but won’t be able to breathe properly? People with bronchitis will face difficulty in their breathing patterns. Bronchitis is the swelling and inflammation of the bronchial tubes (the air passage that links the mouth with the nose and connects with the lungs). Bronchitis can be severe or common, and depending on the situation, people have to go for treatment. If the bronchitis is acute, the person will recover soon, but if it persists and becomes chronic, it will never go away immediately. This will get better with the passage of time. Symptoms of bronchitis include a cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. People may also have trouble clearing heavy mucus or phlegm from their airways.
Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms of both acute and chronic bronchitis include:
- Persistent cough, which may produce mucus
- Wheezing
- Low fever and chills
- Feeling of tightness in the chest
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Breathlessness
- Headaches
- Blocked nose and sinuses
Acute bronchitis:
This will not remain for long. This will occur at a specific time. This will be similar to the flu. Symptoms of acute bronchitis are:
Cough with or without mucus
Chest discomfort or soreness
Fever
Mild headache and body aches
Shortness of breath (SOB)
Chronic bronchitis:
This will persist for more than six months or a year. This will have the same symptoms as what we have observed in acute bronchitis. This will be severe if not treated. In chronic bronchitis, it is essential to connect with a health care provider and get treatment. Smoking can make it worse, so it is good to quit smoking; otherwise, this will make symptoms worse.
Mode of Transmission:
If the bronchitis is caused by a viral or bacterial illness, droplets from coughing can spread the infection to another person.
- To limit the possibility of spreading an infection, a person should:
- They frequently wash their hands
- Sneeze into a tissue
- Take special precautions around young children, the elderly, and others with compromised immune systems.
Treatment:
A doctor will recommend a person with bronchitis to:
Plenty of rest.
Drink fluids
Take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen. These medications will help to relieve coughs and ease pain. Acute bronchitis will be cured with the medication.
Cough medicine: While coughing is important for clearing mucus from the bronchial tubes, medication can provide comfort, particularly at night.
Taking honey: 2 spoonful of honey may help relieve cough symptoms.
Using a humidifier: This can help to release mucus, increase airflow, and alleviate wheezing.
Bronchodilators: These open the bronchial tubes and may aid in the removal of mucus.
Mucolytics loosen or thin mucus in the airways, enabling coughing up phlegm easier.
Anti-inflammatory and steroid medications can help reduce inflammation, which can lead to tissue damage.
Oxygen therapy: In severe circumstances, a person may require additional oxygen to help them breathe.
Complications:
The most common bronchitis complication is pneumonia. This is possible if the infection spreads to the lungs. The air sacs within the lungs fill with fluid in a person who has pneumonia. Pneumonia is more common in older people, smokers, people with other medical disorders, and people with compromised immune systems. It is potentially fatal and necessitates medical intervention.
When to take advice from doctor:
If symptoms a cough that lasts more than 3 weeks a fever that lasts 3 days or longer blood in their mucus rapid breathing, chest pains, or both fatigue or disorientation. These are alarming which shows that people need to see the doctor as soon as possible to eradicate the symptoms.
Prevention:
Prevention is better than cure. If you are having any difficulty breathing, this is the right time to quit smoking. If preventive measures aren’t taken, they will make symptoms worse. Although it is not always possible to prevent acute or chronic bronchitis, there are some factors that can lessen the risk.
These are some examples:
Discontinuing smoking
Avoiding lung irritants such smoking, dust, fumes, vapours, and air Pollution wearing a mask to protect the nose and mouth when Pollution levels are high washing hands often to prevent germ and acterium exposure
CONCLUSION:
Bronchitis is a disease that develops when there is inflammation in the bronchial tubes. This will lead to difficulty in the breathing pattern. The most renowned symptoms are coughing and mucus production. This can be chronic or acute. Preventive measures will help people get rid of it or save themselves before they become the prey of this bronchitis. It can be uncomfortable, but it will usually resolve on its own within a few days. Bronchitis is a common infection of the lower respiratory tract. Typically, the same viruses that cause the common cold cause bronchitis.
