Chronic Bronchitis

Related Conditions

Chronic Bronchitis an inflammation condition of the airways that results in the reduced air flow to and from the lungs. Common causes include fumes, pollution, cigarette smoke of other irritants. Your airways consist of tubes connecting your windpipe with your lungs. When the airways become inflamed with any irritant the airways begin to swell protecting your lungs from the irritant. As a result, less air is able to travel to and from the lungs.

The lungs work to protect themselves too. While your airways are tightening to protect your lungs from the irritant, the lungs produce mucus to clear away any irritation. This causes you to cough and bring up mucus. It can also make breathing more difficult and uncomfortable.

Chronic Bronchitis like emphysema, is classified as one of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, also known as COPD, and there are two types, chronic and acute. Acute Bronchitis may start after you had a cold or viral infection, and it can be treated with antibiotics, but chronic Bronchitis is far more serious, and more common than you may think.

→ 3,500 Americans die from chronic Bronchitis every year

→ 3 in every 1 American suffer from chronic Bronchitis (U.S National Library of Medicine)

→ From 1970 - 2002, COPD deaths have risen 102% (The Journal of The American Medical Association)

The word chronic means long lasting or repetitive. If you have chronic Bronchitis, you will have suffered a mucus producing cough most days for at least 3 months or years. It is a long term disease, and there is no cure.

Causes

The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking, and the persistent cough is sometimes dismissed as being smokers cough. This assumption can be dangerous, because the earlier bronchitis is detected and treated, the greater chance for improvement. If you have a persistent cough, make sure to see your doctor as soon as possible.

Cigarette smoking is not the only cause of chronic bronchitis. In non smokers causes of the disease include:

→ Second hand smoke

→ Chronic Asthma

→ Chemical Fumes

→ Air Pollution

→ Cystic Fibrosis

→ Industrial Dust (like coal mining)

→ Chronic Lung Infection

People over the age of 45 are more likely to have chronic bronchitis, and more women get this disease than men.

Symptoms

→ Fatigue

→ Wheezing

→ Trouble Breathing

→ Conditions worsen laying down. Most sufferers will sleep sitting up

→ Blue skin or lips

→ Persistent cough that causes mucus

→ Tightness around the chest area

→ Swollen ankles, leg, or feet

→ Frequent respiratory infections

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, see your health care professional immediately for an accurate diagnosis and treatment to relieve your symptoms.

The only treatment when your needing oxygen is the IGO oxygen concentrator!