Bronchitis - Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Increases Your Risk!
Introduction
Bronchitis is a respiratory problem in which the mucous membrane in the lungs bronchial passages becomes inflamed and usually occurs in the setting of an upper respiratory illness and is seen more frequently in the winter months. It can be short-lived (acute) or chronic, meaning that it continues a long time and often recurs and can have causes other than an infection. It can also happen when acids from your stomach consistently back up into your esophagus , a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Both adults and children can get it.
If you are a smoker and develop the acute form, it will be a good deal harder for you to recover. If you continue smoking, you are increasing your chances of acquiring the chronic type which is a serious long-term disorder that often requires regular medical therapy. If you suffer from the chronic form, you are at risk for developing cardiovascular problems plus more serious lung diseases and infections, and you should be monitored by a doctor.
Symptoms
Symptoms lasting up to ninety days are normally classified as acute; symptoms continuing longer, sometimes for months or years, are usually classified as chronic. Signs of Infectious bronchitis generally starts with the symptoms of a common cold: runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, chills, and back and muscle aches. The signs of either ind include: Cough that produces mucus; if yellow-green in color, you are more apt to have a bacterial infection, Shortness of breath made worse by exertion or mild activity, Wheezing, Fatigue, Fever -- usually low and Chest discomfort. Additional symptoms include: Frequent respiratory infections (such as colds or the flu), Ankle, feet, and leg swelling, Blue-tinged lips caused by low levels of oxygen.
The Majority of those infected can treat their symptoms at home. However, if you have severe or persistent symptoms or if you cough up blood,you should see your doctor. The doctor will recommend that you drink lots of liquids, get plenty of rest, and may suggest using an over-the-counter or prescription cough medicine to ease your symptoms as you recover. If you do not improve, your physician may prescribe an inhaler to open your airways. If symptoms are severe, the physician may order a chest x-ray to exclude pneumonia.
Risk
Over a period of time, harmful materials in tobacco smoke can permanently damage the air passages, increasing the risk for emphysema, cancer, and other serious lung diseases. Those at risk for acute bronchitis include: Seniors, infants, and young children, Smokers, People with heart or lung disease. Passive smoke inhaling is a risk factor for asthma in adults. Smoking (even for a brief time) and being around tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, and other air contaminants for extended periods of time puts an individual at risk for developing the disease.
In total, tobacco smoking accounts for as much as 90% of the risk. Secondhand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke elevates the likelihood of respiratory infections, augments asthma symptoms, and creates a measurable reduction in pulmonary function. Malnutrition increases the chances of upper respiratory tract infections and subsequent acute bronchitis, especially in children and older people.
Treatment
Treatment depending on the symptoms and cause, can encompass: Antibiotics to treat acute bronchitis that appears to be caused by a bacterial infection or for persons who have other lung diseases that put them at a higher risk of lung infections, Bronchodilators, which open up the bronchi, may be used on a short-term basis to open airways and reduce wheezing, Cool-mist humidifiers or steam vaporizers can be useful for wheezing or shortness of breath.
Early recognition and treatment, combined with smoking cessation, greatly improve the chances of a good outcome. With the severe type, your fever may be as high as 101 to 102 F and may last for 3 to 5 days even with antibiotic therapy. However, if influenza is the probable cause, treatment with an antiviral drug may be helpful.
Conclusion
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the air passages within the lungs and may be accompanied by signs and symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, encompassing: Soreness and a feeling of constriction or burning in your chest, Sore throat, Congestion, feeling out of breath, Wheezing, Slight fever and chills, Overall malaise.
Tobacco and infectious agents are major causes of chronic bronchitis and even though found in all age sectors, it is diagnosed most frequently in children younger than five years. In 1994, it was diagnosed in more than 11 of every 100 children younger than 5 years. Fewer than 5% of persons with the disease go on to develop pneumonia. The majority of cases clear up on their own in a few days, especially if you rest, drink lots of liquids, and keep the air in your home warm and moist. If you have repeated episodes of bronchitis, see your doctor.
Bronchitis is a respiratory problem in which the mucous membrane in the lungs bronchial passages becomes inflamed and usually occurs in the setting of an upper respiratory illness and is seen more frequently in the winter months. It can be short-lived (acute) or chronic, meaning that it continues a long time and often recurs and can have causes other than an infection. It can also happen when acids from your stomach consistently back up into your esophagus , a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Both adults and children can get it.
If you are a smoker and develop the acute form, it will be a good deal harder for you to recover. If you continue smoking, you are increasing your chances of acquiring the chronic type which is a serious long-term disorder that often requires regular medical therapy. If you suffer from the chronic form, you are at risk for developing cardiovascular problems plus more serious lung diseases and infections, and you should be monitored by a doctor.
Symptoms
Symptoms lasting up to ninety days are normally classified as acute; symptoms continuing longer, sometimes for months or years, are usually classified as chronic. Signs of Infectious bronchitis generally starts with the symptoms of a common cold: runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, chills, and back and muscle aches. The signs of either ind include: Cough that produces mucus; if yellow-green in color, you are more apt to have a bacterial infection, Shortness of breath made worse by exertion or mild activity, Wheezing, Fatigue, Fever -- usually low and Chest discomfort. Additional symptoms include: Frequent respiratory infections (such as colds or the flu), Ankle, feet, and leg swelling, Blue-tinged lips caused by low levels of oxygen.
The Majority of those infected can treat their symptoms at home. However, if you have severe or persistent symptoms or if you cough up blood,you should see your doctor. The doctor will recommend that you drink lots of liquids, get plenty of rest, and may suggest using an over-the-counter or prescription cough medicine to ease your symptoms as you recover. If you do not improve, your physician may prescribe an inhaler to open your airways. If symptoms are severe, the physician may order a chest x-ray to exclude pneumonia.
Risk
Over a period of time, harmful materials in tobacco smoke can permanently damage the air passages, increasing the risk for emphysema, cancer, and other serious lung diseases. Those at risk for acute bronchitis include: Seniors, infants, and young children, Smokers, People with heart or lung disease. Passive smoke inhaling is a risk factor for asthma in adults. Smoking (even for a brief time) and being around tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, and other air contaminants for extended periods of time puts an individual at risk for developing the disease.
In total, tobacco smoking accounts for as much as 90% of the risk. Secondhand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke elevates the likelihood of respiratory infections, augments asthma symptoms, and creates a measurable reduction in pulmonary function. Malnutrition increases the chances of upper respiratory tract infections and subsequent acute bronchitis, especially in children and older people.
Treatment
Treatment depending on the symptoms and cause, can encompass: Antibiotics to treat acute bronchitis that appears to be caused by a bacterial infection or for persons who have other lung diseases that put them at a higher risk of lung infections, Bronchodilators, which open up the bronchi, may be used on a short-term basis to open airways and reduce wheezing, Cool-mist humidifiers or steam vaporizers can be useful for wheezing or shortness of breath.
Early recognition and treatment, combined with smoking cessation, greatly improve the chances of a good outcome. With the severe type, your fever may be as high as 101 to 102 F and may last for 3 to 5 days even with antibiotic therapy. However, if influenza is the probable cause, treatment with an antiviral drug may be helpful.
Conclusion
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the air passages within the lungs and may be accompanied by signs and symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, encompassing: Soreness and a feeling of constriction or burning in your chest, Sore throat, Congestion, feeling out of breath, Wheezing, Slight fever and chills, Overall malaise.
Tobacco and infectious agents are major causes of chronic bronchitis and even though found in all age sectors, it is diagnosed most frequently in children younger than five years. In 1994, it was diagnosed in more than 11 of every 100 children younger than 5 years. Fewer than 5% of persons with the disease go on to develop pneumonia. The majority of cases clear up on their own in a few days, especially if you rest, drink lots of liquids, and keep the air in your home warm and moist. If you have repeated episodes of bronchitis, see your doctor.
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