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Bronchitis is a state of acute inflammation of the lungs. It occurs when the Trachea (windpipe) and the small and large bronchi leading from the Trachea to the lungs become inflamed because of infection or other causes. Infection can cause a lot of problems in the bronchi. The thin mucus lining inside these airways can become irritated and swollen and fluids may leak out of the cells that make up the lining of these airways due to the inflammation. Thus the reflex action of coughing helps clear these secretions from the lungs.
Bronchitis symptoms such as coughing can be triggered by respiratory infections like common cold and sinus. Signs of bronchitis also include a whistling sound in the chest, called wheezing which occurs during breathing. This may occur due to inflammation of the airways leaving the patient short of breath. Bronchitis symptoms are similar for both children and adults. Due to smaller airways, infants usually get g which is similar to asthma. Other signs of bronchitis to look out for are, fever with chills, muscle aches, nasal congestion and sore throat. Hoarseness, pain in the chest and loss of appetite may also occur due to bronchitis.
Since bronchitis is a short-term and temporary situation; symptomatic treatment enough to relieve the patient from discomfort. If signs of bronchitis include fever, it is important that the patient is hydrated with plenty of fluids. This not only helps reduce the loss of fluids during fever but also loosens the phlegm in the airways making way for easy clearance of the fluid while coughing. If coughing is severe and bothers a lot, then the relevant cough medicines may be given. The patient may respond to Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin) in an inhaler when he displays bronchitis symptoms like wheezing. Fever continuing for more than four to five days must be examined by the doctor to rule out pneumonia.
Signs of bronchitis with complications such as coughing of blood, rust colored Sputum or an excessive amount of green colored phlegm must be reported to the doctor immediately. If a patient displays severe signs such as difficulty in breathing with or without wheezing he must be rushed to the nearest hospital as it is serious.
Large quantities of mucus are secreted and expelled as phlegm, which is a sticky and semi-fluid. Some simple home remedies like drinking half glass of milk with turmeric on an empty stomach may be helpful. The patient can also take a bath prepared by dissolving 11/2 Kg of Epsom salt in 60 lts of water having a temperature of 3.8 degree C. The patient should spend about 20 minutes in this solution, twice a week. Towels heated in a dryer may be applied over the upper chest and this can be helpful in both chronic and acute bronchitis.
