What is allergic bronchitis?

Allergic bronchitis can be defined as the illness where certain allergies can cause severe bronchial immune reaction. Allergic bronchitis is chronic and can be caused by the exposure to allergic triggers such as tobacco smoke, pollution or dust. Bronchitis can be defined as the inflammation or swelling of the bronchial tubes which may cause bronchial tubes to create too much mucus which may cause difficulty in breathing and coughing. 

What are the types of allergic bronchitis?

There different types of bronchitis are; 

1. Acute Bronchitis: This can be caused due to bacterial or viral infection. Usually, older patients are more prone to this condition < although all age group can be affected by this condition  
2. Allergic Bronchitis: This can be defined as the inflammation of the bronchial tubes due to the exposure to the allergens. It can also be referred to as chronic bronchitis if it persists for a longer duration of time.  

What are the causes of allergic bronchitis?

Allergic bronchitis can be caused by different environmental & genetic factors such as:

• Tobacco smoke- Smoking can damage the lungs, small air sacs and the airways, increasing inflammation while decreasing immune function. 

• Dust- Chronic bronchitis is often linked with perennial allergens like dust mites, pet dander, mold or occupational irritants. 

• Pollution- It usually happens because of a virus or breathing in something that irritates the lungs such as fumes and air pollution. 

• Mold- Indoor dampness or mold to be associated consistently with increased asthma development and exacerbation. 

• Animal dander- Some humans are allergic to the pet and carry chances of allergic reactions, especially when the pet gets some allergens on the hair. Symptoms like bronchitis aggravating after they come in contact with a pet. 

• Faulty diet which can trigger the respiratory tract infections in the body. 

• Heredity- The tendency to develop allergies is often hereditary, which means it can be passed down through genes from parents to their kids. 

What are the symptoms of allergic bronchitis?

A commonly present symptom of allergic bronchitis is a cough. Some of the symptoms of allergic bronchitis include:

• Cough- Coughing is the main symptoms of the both acute and allergic bronchitis. When you cough, you’ll bring up a thick, slimy fluid called mucus. In acute bronchitis, the mucus can be yellow or green. Chronic bronchitis mucus is usually clear or white. 

• Wheezing- Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing. Wheezing may occur while breathing out. Individuals suffering from the allergic bronchitis typically encounter symptoms such as cough, wheezing. 

• Shortness of breath- Shortness of breath, is the feeling that can’t get enough air into your lungs. It might feel like your chest is tight, you’re gasping for air or you’re working harder to breathe. 

• Chest tightness / discomfort- Discomfort in the chest including a dull ache, feeling like something is pressing on your chest. 

• Postnasal drip / congestion- Inflammation or swelling of the nasal passage can cause postnasal drip to build up. When that happen, the excess mucus, or snot, can also cause congestion a feeling of fullness or heaviness in your chest. It’s usually because you have too much mucus in your airways, your mucus is thicker than usual or both. 

• Bad breath- Bronchial Congestion and nasal congestion can result from bacterial infections, allergies, or irritation of the nasal cavities. They often result in bad breath, which is some people could smell similar to urine.     

• Mild to high fever- When the bronchitis is due to an infection the symptoms may include: A slight fever of 100 to 101F with sever bronchitis. The fever may rise to 101 to 102 F and last three to five days with runny nose. 

• Generalized body pain- The symptoms of bronchitis usually develop over a period of several days. Early symptoms are fever, cough, Headache, muscle pain and weakness. Within a day or two, the symptoms typically get worse, with increasing cough, Shortness of breath and muscle pain. 

What are the risk factor of allergic bronchitis?

Tobacco smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for allergic bronchitis. Other risk factors are:

• Obesity- Obesity has emerges as an important risk factor for respiratory diseases. Moreover, obesity may influence the development and presentation of these diseases.
• Change in weather- Weather can also affect pollen counts. This can cause asthma symptoms in those with allergic bronchitis.
• Air Pollution- The association of air pollution with the prevalence of chronic lower respiratory tract symptoms and raise the risk of bronchitis.    
• Gastroesophageal reflux diseases- GERD can cause several upper airway symptoms and severe heartburn can irritate the throat and cause dryness leading to cough and making you vulnerable to bronchitis by causing the stomach acids to backflow into the bronchial tree or from windpipe to air sacs.
• Occupational exposures- Exposure to certain chemicals, gases, or allergens may increase risk of developing occupational Bronchitis. 
• Older age- Majority of people with chronic bronchitis start experiencing symptoms when they are at least 40 years old. As age increases, lung function decrease, which means the lungs become less effective at taking in air, even if they do not smoke or are not exposed to any lung irritants. 

How can we diagnose allergic bronchitis?

Diagnosis of allergic bronchitis is multifactorial. It can be done by:

• Case taking- This includes gathering information about the patient’s symptoms, duration of the illness, and any factors that could contribute in lung infection and to find out the nature of the disease whether it is acute or chronic, curable or incurable.
• Detailed personal and family health history- A family history is a record of health information about a person and his or her close relatives. While a family history provides information about the disease. Allergies are caused by complex interplay between genetic factors and environmental factors.
• Questions about work, environment and living conditions. 

What are the diagnostic test done for allergic bronchitis?

There are various diagnostic tests which can help diagnose allergic bronchitis. Some of them are:

• PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTS  

These tests measure the lung’s ability to move the air in and out of the lungs. 

They may include: 

1. Spirometry: It is done by using a device called spirometer. It measures how much air is inhaled and how much air is exhaled. 
2. Peak flow monitor: This measures the fastest speed with which you can blow air out of your lungs. 
3. Nasal Swab: Your healthcare provider may use a soft-tipped stick(swab) in your nose to test for viruses.

• CHEST X RAY – 

If your lasts for a long time, you may get a chest X-ray to rule out more serious conditions.  

1. It can help determine if there is any other pathology present in the lungs along with bronchitis. 
2. It is very important for people who have a history of smoking or currently smokes. 

• SPUTUM CULTURE 

Patient may have to cough and then spit into a tube. The sample will be tested for a sign of a virus or bacteria to determine the treatment plan.

• ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS  

To check the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. 

• CT SCAN 

A chest CT provides a visual assessment of the lungs that can help identify bronchitis. It gives a more detailed view than the x ray.  

What are the complications caused by allergic bronchitis?

Some of the complications caused by allergic bronchitis can be

• Dyspnea- The medical term that refers to the sensation of shortness of breath, is common with chronic bronchitis It has been found to greatly interfere with overall quality of life.
• Respiratory failure- It is unfortunately, a complication of chronic bronchitis. It occurs when the lungs fail to bring in enough oxygen to supply the tissues of the body. Without enough oxygen available, a number of bodily systems experience damage. It can also result in the buildup of the carbon dioxide in the bloodstream.
• Pneumonia– Pneumonia is the most common complication of viral acute bronchitis, occurring in roughly 5% of people. Among children aged 5 and over, as well as adults, the most common cause is Streptococcus pneumonia.
• Pneumothorax- A pneumothorax or collapsed lung, is another potential complication of chronic bronchitis, especially in those who also have emphysematous changes in their lungs. With a pneumothorax, A “hole” in the lungs allows air to leak into the space (pleural cavity) between the two pleural membranes (pleura) That surround the lungs.
• Polycythemia- Polycythemia refers to the high red blood cell count and can have many causes. It is further divided into primary polycythemia and secondary polycythemia with secondary polycythemia occurring as a compensatory process related to another medical conditions.
• Emphysema and COPD– Both chronic bronchitis and emphysema are types of COPD, and since they have similar risks factors (such as smoking, exposure to airways irritants etc.) they often occur together. Overall, roughly half of the people diagnoses with COPD have bronchitis and half emphysema, with a much smaller number having bronchiectasis. 

Can I manage some symptoms at home?

Some of the measures can help to reduce the symptoms of allergic bronchitis but they don’t cure the condition. But it only helps to manage it for some time. It should be implemented along with the medicinal treatment. 

1. Humidifier: When you have bronchitis, it may be hard to get rid of mucus, or the air in your home might be dry. Try using humidifier, inhaling steam from a bowl, or taking a hot shower to loosen mucus. it helps to keep the surrounding moist, hence loosening up the mucus and can ease the wheezing and dyspnea.
2. Increase fluid intake: Drink lots of fluids, especially Luke warm water. Try 8-12 glasses a day to help thin out that mucus and make cough easier.  It helps to make the mucus thinner.  
3. Gargling: This can get rid of some of the mucus that coats and irritates your throat. Dissolve 1teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Spit it out after gargling. You can do this several times a day to make your throat feel better.
4. Exercise: Controlled breathing exercises, these include pursed lip and belly breathing. The slow exhalation, keeping the airways open longer and, allowing in more air, it can help in strengthening lungs overtime. Start slow and gradually build up. Good amount of movement helps in overall improvement in the health.  
5. Develop healthy eating habits: eating smaller meals than larger one’s help.  

How can we differentiate Allergic bronchitis? 

1. Acute sinusitis- In the case of sinusitis, mucus often drains down the back of the throat, leading to the dreaded post-nasal drip, which can make your throat sore and cause a persistent cough but if you develop bronchitis, mucus collects in swollen bronchial tubes which makes you cough.
2. Bacterial Pharyngitis- Coughing that starts out dry is often the first sign of acute bronchitis. Small amounts of white mucus may be coughed up if the bronchitis is viral. If the color of the mucus changes to green or yellow, it may be a sign that a bacterial infection has also set in.
3. Bronchiectasis– Bronchiectasis and bronchitis have similar symptoms, including mucus in your lungs and coughing. But bronchiectasis causes permanent widening of your airways and bronchitis is a temporary infection that doesn’t cause lasting damage.
4. Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD)- Bronchitis is typically caused by a virus or, less frequently, bacteria. It is an infection that will clear up after a few weeks. COPD, on the other hand, is chronic, which means it develops over time. While symptoms may improve, they’ll never disappear completely.
5. Gastroesophageal reflux disease– People who have GERD can develop acute bronchitis when stomach acids get into the bronchial tree.
6. Viral Pharyngitis- Pain or irritation in the throat that can occur with or without swallowing, often accompanies viral infection in the upper respiratory tract, Bronchitis is a lower respiratory infection that affects the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. 

How can allergic bronchitis be prevented?

1. Quit Smoking- Smoking is the number one risk factor for developing bronchitis. Over 90% of patients with chronic bronchitis have a smoking history. It can cause an exacerbation, or flare-up, of your symptoms. 
2. Avoid irritants- Avoid things that can irritate your lungs, exposure to air pollution, chemical fumes and dust by wearing a mask can decrease the risk of bronchitis.  
3. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. 
4. Steer clear of things that can irritate your nose, throat, and lungs, such as dust, mold, pet dander and fumes. 
5. Make sure to work in well-ventilated areas, avoid humid spaces.  

Homeopathic management for allergic bronchitis:-

There is great scope in homoeopathy in treating allergic bronchitis. Homeopathy treats diseases in a safe and effective way. It treats the patient in disease and not only the disease present in the patient.  Homoeopathic treatment should always be taken under the supervision of expertise homoeopaths. Some of the medicines which can be prescribed are: 

1. ANTIM TART: Allergic bronchitis present with rattling mucus in the chest with large accumulation of mucus in the chest which is difficult to expectorate. Cough excited by eating, with pain in the chest and larynx. Dyspnea relief by eructation’s
2. ARS ALB: Suffocative cough worse after midnight and lying on back. Expectoration scanty, frothy, darting pain through the upper third of right lung. Great exhaustion after the slightest exertion. Burning pains relieved by heat and unquenchable thirst are the characteristic of this remedy.
3. SPONGIA TOSTA: Allergic bronchitis with the dry cough. Chest pain or fatigue may appear while coughing. Harshness, dryness, burning and constricted feeling in the larynx. Worse during inspiration and before midnight. Cough better by heating or drinking warm drinks.
4. NATRUM MUR: Allergic bronchitis with white egg like expectoration can indicate this medicine. Sore, lame, bruised feeling in the chest is also present with oppressive tightness and pain. Whooping cough with lachrymation is also indicating symptoms of Natrum Mur.
5. IPECAC: Allergic bronchitis in which cough is accompanied by vomiting. Vomiting relieves the cough. Cough incessant and violent with every breath. Chest seems full of phlegm, but does not yield to coughing.  Dyspnea with constant constriction in the chest.  

Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional or physician before starting any treatment or using any medication. Self-medication without professional guidance can be harmful to your health. The content provided here is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.