What is bronchitis?
Inflammation of the bronchial tubes or windpipe is called bronchitis.
Bronchial tubes carry oxygen to and from the lungs.
Who is more prone to bronchitis?
Bronchitis is more common in females in comparison to males and also amongst younger age groups in comparison to adults.
Viral or bacterial bronchitis can prove to be contagious.
If bronchitis occurs due to smoking, air pollution, or other inhaled irritants, it is not contagious.
Are there any types of bronchitis?
• Acute bronchitis: Bronchitis resolve within three weeks.
• Chronic bronchitis: Daily cough with excess sputum production occurs for at least three months, continuously for two years.
What causes bronchitis?
• Infections caused by viruses (rhinovirus, influenza virus, etc.) or bacteria (Mycoplasma, Pneumococcus, Klebsiella, etc.).
• Allergy to pollen, environmental pollutants, etc.
• Weak immune system.
• Chemical irritants such as tobacco smoke, gastric reflux etc.
What are the signs and symptoms of bronchitis?
• Cough.
• Fever and chills.
• Chest pain.
• Shortness of breath.
• Wheezing.
• Pain in the throat.
• Nasal congestion.
• Body ache, soreness, fatigue.
Bronchitis can be compared with?
• Asthma.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
• Bronchiolitis.
• Bronchiectasis.
• Pharyngitis.
• Streptococcus Group A Infections.
• Sinusitis.
What are the examinations to confirm bronchitis?
• Physical examination.
• Chest X-ray.
• Sputum culture.
• Pulmonary function tests.
How to treat bronchitis?
• Bronchodilator inhalers help in opening airways and decreasing wheezing.
• Antibiotics and antiviral medicines.
• Bronchodilators.
• Corticosteroids.
• Analgesics.
How to manage bronchitis?
• Hospitalization in case of difficulty in breathing.
• Viral infection does not require antibiotics as the infection resolves within a week. Antibacterial is needed in secondary bacterial infection.
• In fever and muscle aches aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen is given.
• Drink plenty of fluid. It helps in thinning the lung secretions and makes it easy to clear out.
• Quit smoking.
• Proper bed rest.
• Inhaler opens up the airways.
What are the complications of bronchitis?
• Recurrence of respiratory infections.
• Emphysema.
• Pulmonary hypertension.
What are the commonly indicated homoeopathic medications for Halitosis?
Some of the homoeopathic medicines can help in this case. These are:
• Antimonium tartaricum
• Belladonna
• Kalium carbonicum
• Natrium sulphuricum
• Spongia Tosta
• Bromium
• Calcarea carb
