Bronchitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which connects the trachea to the lungs. When the bronchial tubes become inflamed. The air enters the lungs little and in the same way it leaves little, for which an incessant cough is originated, which is accompanied by phlegm.
Bronchitis usually appears after a respiratory infection. It begins by affecting the nose and throat, and then spreads to the lungs. People most at risk for bronchitis are children, babies, the elderly, smokers, people with heart disease.
Bronchitis can be acute when it is caused by a badly cured flu, that is, its origin is viral. This type of bronchitis does not last very long. For its part, chronic bronchitis can be caused by exposure to tobacco smoke or chemicals that inflame the lungs and airways. It is said to be chronic when the cough occurs at least three months out of the year, for more than two years in a row.
Common symptoms of bronchitis include: coughing up a lot of phlegm, chest pain, shortness of breath, fever, wheezing, hoarseness.
In order to diagnose bronchitis, the doctor proceeds to auscultate the patient using a stethoscope, with which he can listen to any abnormal noise in breathing. Other tests to be performed would be a chest X-ray.
Acute bronchitis usually disappears within a few days, however, if it is not treated properly, it can transform into pneumonia. As for patients with chronic bronchitis, they must undergo very strict treatment, especially smokers, since if it becomes complicated, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could develop.
The treatment to be followed to combat bronchitis will depend on the type, that is, for acute bronchitis it is recommended a lot of rest, taking cough drugs that are mucolytic and expectorant and the use of antipyretics.
As for the treatment for chronic bronchitis, you must first find out what causes it and try to eliminate it. Although it is usually the result of inhaling tobacco smoke, it is recommended to stop smoking immediately. If once this is done, the disease still continues, then the doctor recommends the use of bronchodilators, mucolytics or antibiotics in case of a bacterial infection.
Similarly, there are many natural remedies that show great effectiveness in curing bronchitis, some of them are: eucalyptus (taken as an infusion or syrup), thyme infusion, plantain syrup, among others.
