A very important system is the respiratory system of the body. It distributes oxygen in order for the body to live and without it, the body dies. It is this reason that taking care of your body's respiratory system is imperative.
During a person's life, they will get a breathing disorder. One such illness is chronic bronchitis. This is an obstructive pulmonary disorder where the bronchi become inflamed. It's commonplace for smokers and people who live with smokers to have this issue.
What is Acute Bronchitis
Acute Bronchitis is considered short term and should be treated immediately. Acute bronchitis can be recognized by these signs:
* Persistent cough with mucus
* Shortness of breath or (Dyspnea)
* Mild fever
* Fatigue/tiredness
* Minor chest pains
* Ability to feel vibrations in chest when breathing
* Feeling of coldness
Should you suffer from any of these symptoms, consult a physician right away for treatment so they can do a physical examination to provide you with a diagnosis. A stethoscope will be used to listen to your chest and chest x-rays may get ordered to see how bad the infection is.
This type of illness is caused usually by viruses that attack the lining of said bronchial tube. Sometimes, these viruses are the same cold viruses that cause the common cold. Bacteria can also cause acute bronchitis.
Acute bronchitis is easier to treat than chronic. If it is caused by a virus, it is typically bothersome for a week or so and then goes away on its own. With plenty of rest and drinking lots of non-carbonated and non-alcohol drinks, the illness subsides. It's necessary to remember that acute bronchitis is contagious so it can be spread by coughing and sneezing. Try using a cloth to minimize the virus from escaping into the air when you cough.
However, the same cannot be said for bacterial infections. This typically takes antibiotics. Also, increase the humidity in your environment by placing humidifiers or even wet towels or blankets in the home.
To help aid in recovery and heal faster, it is imperative that you stay away from pollutants that cause the irritation in the first place. If you live with or are a smoker, you need to be rid of the situation as soon as you can. Stop smoking and don't let anyone smoke inside your home.
This illness can last anywhere from ten to twelve days after the symptoms first appear. It can also be in conjunction with the flu or cold and sometimes others you may not realize you have had.
Even after it has been treated, for some people the cough simply does not go away. If it persists for more than a month, it is time to see the doctor again. This could mean another illness is making you cough.
What are the ways to prevent the illness?
One of the best ways is to clean your hands all the time, drink plenty of fluid and get some sleep. Remember that these viruses and bacterias are transmitted to your hands and then to your lungs.
If you feel the symptoms of bronchitis coming on, consult your doctor as soon as you can so he can be sure to make a diagnosis of the condition and to treat it in its early stages.
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