|
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the airways that connect the windpipe to the lungs. This mucus-producing lining
covers and protects the respiratory system, and the organs and tissues for breathing. When a person has bronchitis, it may
be harder for air to pass through the lungs than it normally would, so more mucus is produced. The most common symptom is
coughing.
Consequences are:
- cough brings up thick white, yellow, or greenish mucus
- headache
- generally feeling ill
- chills
- fever
- shortness of breath
- soreness or a feeling of tightness in the chest
- wheezing
People who are particularly at risk are smokers, people with a family history of Bronchitis, people with weak immune systems,
and people who are exposed to the bacteria in the surrounding environment.
65-80 percent of people with Bronchitis are prescribed antibiotics and 90% of these cases are viral. In the United States
alone, the cost of the treatment of this virus is estimated to be between 200-300 million dollars annually.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prevention:
- avoid smoking first and second hand
- avoid people with upper chest infections such as a cold
- see your physician about the flu shot
- wearing a face mask when working with irritants
- allergic reactions can trigger this disease
- liquids and rest are a necessity
- if the air pollution is at a high level, stay indoors
- common sense
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
The treatment, as specified by Mayo Clinic, is very close to common sense. The treatment is simply:
- get plenty of rest
- drink plenty of fluids
- take nonprescription cough medication
- use a humidifier
- avoid exposure to irritants such as tobacco
- see your doctor is symptoms don't improve
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was very difficult to find a case of Bronchitis in a youth so the video below will show a method of treatment for someone
with the disease.
A Method of Treatment Video
|
