Bronchitis

AYURVEDIC Care OF BRONCHITIS

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes which carry air to your lungs, ended up with a nagging cough and mucus. In Bronchitis peoples feel swelling and inflammation in their bronchial tubes.

Symptoms of bronchitis include coughing up sputum, wheezing, and shortness of breath and chest pain. People may also have trouble clearing heavy mucus or phlegm from their airways.

Bronchitis can be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis usually clears up, but chronic bronchitis is persistent and never completely goes away. Quitting or avoiding smoking can help prevent bronchitis.

TYPES OF BRONCHITIS

There are two types of Bronchitis:

Acute Bronchitis: It is a most common type normally caused by a viral infection. Smoking habbit can worsen the effect of Acute bronchitis. It generally last for 10 to 14 days. Some Symtoms include:

• A cough with or without mucus
• Body aches and chills
• Chest pain
• Low Fever
• Runny, stuffy nose
• A mild headache and body aches
• Shortness of breath

Chronic Bronchitis: It is more serious than Acute bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis resulting daily, productive cough for at least 3 months of the year, 2 or more years in a row. Chronic bronchitis can cause airflow obstruction and then is grouped under the term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• A stubborn cough with clear, yellow, white, or green phlegm (for at least 3 months of the year, and for more than 2 years in a row)
• Wheezing
• Chest discomfort
  

  CAUSES OF BRONCHITIS:

  Usually, acute bronchitis is brought on by a viral infection, though it may also be caused by a bacterial infection. The flu and colds are examples of viral infections.Chronic bronchitis is usually, but not always, caused by smoking tobacco. It can also be caused by exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke, air pollution, dust, or toxic gases. Your risk can be increased by family history of bronchitis, having asthma and allergies, and having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

  RISK FACTORS OF BRONCHITIS

Factors that increase your risk of bronchitis include:

1. Cigarette smoke: People who smoke regularly can cause high risk of both acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis.
2. Low resistance: Acute illness, such as a cold, or from a chronic condition can imbalance your immune system. Older adults, infants and young children have greater vulnerability to infection.
3. Gastric reflux: Repeated bouts of severe heartburn can irritate your throat and make you more prone to developing bronchitis.
4. Exposure to irritants on the job: Your risk of developing bronchitis is greater if you work around certain lung irritants, such as grains or textiles, or are exposed to chemical fumes.

COMPLICATIONS OF BRONCHITIS

The most common complication of bronchitis is pneumonia. This can happen if the infection spreads further into the lungs. In a person with pneumonia, the air sacs within the lungs fill with fluid.

Pneumonia is more likely to develop in older adults, smokers, those with other medical conditions, and anyone with a weakened immune system. It can be life threatening and needs medical attention.

Dietary Regimen:

• Should take light, easily digestible foods, Amlaki, luke warm water.
• Should avoid junk, sour, cold items, high in fat content, heavy food items, curd, preserved and fast food.

Yoga Regimen:

• Meditation, Pranayama.
• Avoid heavy exersice.

Lifestyle:

Should avoid day sleep, night awakening, acohol, smoking, excessive exercise, cold & dust exposer.