Bronchitis

What is Bronchitis
Bronchitis is a swelling & inflammation of the main air passages which carry air to the lungs This swelling narrows the airways, making it harder to breathe and producing symptoms like coughCoughing is a reflex that works to clear secretions from the lungs. Often the discomfort of a severe cough leads a person to seek medical treatment
Both adults and children’s can get Bronchitis, symptoms are similar for both.

Acute bronchitis:
•Virus: Certain virus like Influenza A and B are known to cause Bronchitis. These are also referred as Flu in common language.
•Bacteria: Few bacteria like Mycoplasma Pneumoniae are known to cause acute bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis:
•Smoking: is the leading cause, it leads to constant irritation of the lung passages leading to Chronic Bronchitis.
•Repeated exposure of dust, pollution, toxic gases are known to cause irritation to the air passages and lead to Chronic Bronchitis
•Deficiency of Alpha 1 antitrypsin in non smokers can lead to cause Emphysema too.

•Acute Bronchitis: is a condition in which the symptoms have only been present for short time developing from cold or infections.

•Chronic bronchitis: Chronic Bronchitis is a condition which can when the condition last for more
than 3 months; it,usually develops from constant irritation to the passage due Smoking.

•Smoking
•Elderly patients
•Patients with weak immunity
•Exposure to irritants such as chemicals or smoke
•Patients suffering from asthma or any allergies are more vulnerable

•Sore throat
•Runny nose, stuffy nose,
•Fatigue with feverish feeling
•Body ache

•Take plenty of fluids throughout the day
•Avoid smoking
•Wear mask in polluted areas or while doing house hold work.
•Take plenty of Vitamin C and Beta carotene rich foods like amla , guava, mango , papaya , carrots.
•Increase Quercetin rich foods like garlic and Onions.