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Bronchitis

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a respiratory condition that is caused by inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs. Acute bronchitis is usually noticed soon after a viral respiratory infection. Influenza A and B virus can bring on an attack of bronchitis. Young children, elderly people and smokers are at risk for contracting this disease. Chronic bronchitis is a condition where the patient suffers cough with mucus for a prolonged period of time. This is COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Cigarette smoke is often the main cause of chronic bronchitis. Infection, allergy and air pollution worsen bronchitis. Bronchitis is sometimes caused due to gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Symptoms of bronchitis include cough, wheezing and shortness of breath. The patient experiences fatigue and chest discomfort. Sometimes bluish tinge on lips is noticed on patients suffering from bronchitis. Greenish-yellow mucus is a characteristic symptom of bronchitis. Congestion and breathlessness are noticed among bronchitis patients. There may be fever and sore throat too. A physician can detect bronchitis when conducting a complete physical examination. Pulmonary function test (PFT) aids in diagnosis of bronchitis. Chest xrays and sputum analysis provides information on bacterial infections.

Patients suffering from bronchitis are advised to take rest and plenty of fluids. Smoking must be avoided. Use of humidifier may help alleviate symptoms of bronchitis. Inhalers are prescribed to assist in opening the airways. These are drugs such as bronchodilators (albuterol and ipratropium). Avoid pollutants and lung irritants. Antibiotics are prescribed for any bacterial infection. Medication such as aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen are used to reduce fever and body ache.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (CPOD)encompasses a group of lung disorders that include chronic bronchitis, emphysema, chronic obstructive airways disease and chronic asthma. CPOD affects millions of people worldwide and this disease is mostly attributed to smoking. Air pollution, working in an environment with harmful effluents and passive smoking are also likely causes for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Sometimes a patient may suffer an inherited form of emphysema due to a deficiency of alpha-1-antitrypsin. With chronic bronchitis, the air passages and mucus glands are enlarged thereby leading to severe cough. Over time, the enlargement can lead to reduced oxygen supply to the lungs. Elevated blood pressure is noticed. This condition is more predominant in those who smoke or have a history of respiratory illness. While some patients develop wheezing and shortness of breath, others notice mucus while coughing. Chronic bronchitis is noticed with symptoms such as continuous cough, rapid breathing and cyanosis (bluish tint to the lips and nails). Morning headaches may be noticed on account of inability to remove carbon dioxide from the blood. Patients with severe case of COPD may face hemoptysis (blood while coughing). Emphysema occurs when the tiny alveoli in the lungs are destroyed thereby hampering efficiency of the lungs. It leads to labored breathing and the patient often feels out of breath. Other symptoms are loss of weight, disturbed sleep and tight constriction in the chest.

Diagnostic tests for COPD include blood tests and pulmonary function test. The pulmonary function test is an indicator of the extent of blockage of the lungs. Chest x-rays help in identifying damaged areas of the lungs and areas of fluid collection as well as any masses in the lungs. Sputum culture can identify any respiratory infection. A spirometry test measures the amount of air a person can blow in a second. Arterial blood gas analysis indicates how efficiently the lungs bring oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide.

Antibiotics can help in tackling the bacterial infections in the lungs. Bronchodilators open up the air passages in the lungs thereby alleviating some of the symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Inhaled corticosteroids will reduce airway inflammation. In severe cases, oxygen is administered. In addition, some lifestyle changes must be followed:

Avoid smoking

Avoid exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke

Adopt physical fitness regime to maintain good lung health

As far as possible, avoid environmental irritants, hazardous inhalated substances such as paints, chemicals and cleaning agents

Balanced diet

Plenty of water and fluids

Steam inhalation

Mycoplasma Infection

Mycoplasma are smallest living organisms that are found on the surfaces of mucous membranes. They can cause chronic inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system, urogenital tract and joints. Mycoplasma infection spreads through air or direct contact. Coughing, spitting and sneezing by infected persons leads to spread of infection. It can lead to sore throat, bronchitis and pneumonia. Typical symptoms of mycoplasma infection include fever, cough, bronchitis, sore throat and headache. A person suffering from mycoplasma infection experiences extreme fatigue. Blood tests and chest x-rays aid in diagnosing mycoplasma infection. If mycoplasma pneumonia is suspected, x-ray of the lungs is taken. Usually mycoplasma infection clears up by itself. But if it causes pneumonia, suitable antibiotics will be prescribed. Antibiotics such as erythromycin or tetracyline are used to treat this condition.