Bronchitis - Opening the airways

Bronchitis is the inflamation of the bronchi - the air passages in the lungs - caused by a bacteria or virus. In response to the inflamation, the body produces secretions to protect the lining of these airways. As these secretions build up, they interfere with breathing and you begin to cough in order to clear out phlegm, mucus and other lung wastes. Bronchitis can also cause shortness of breadth, wheezing, fever and pain behind the breastbone. In most cases, the inflamation is caused by the same viruses that cause colds and flus. These acute or short-term bouts of bronchitis are common and usually clear up within a week. If phlegm is yellow or green, the bronchitis is likely caused by bacteria and will require antibiotics.

Chronic bronchitis on the other hand unlike the acute kind, can last for months or even years. Air pollution may be a risk factor, but smoking is by far the most common cause of chronic bronchitis. In fact, 90 % of the people who have it are smokers.

Steps to prevent bronchitis
Doctors say that simply living a healthy life can drastically slash your risk of bronchitis.

• Snub the smokes : If you are a smoker, then this is the right time to quit. Smoking is the number one cause of chronic bronchitis.
• Avoid the passive stuff too : Passive smoke is clearly one of the most serious forms of air pollution that we are exposed to. It predisposes children and many adults to episodes of bronchitis. If someone in your family smokes, consider creating a well-ventillated smoking area away from the frequently used rooms of your home.
• Relax : Stress saps your immunity and may make your lungs more vulnerable to bronchitis and other respiratory infections. So practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation and progressive relaxation may help.
• Eat the right foods : A balanced diet can help your immune system prevent bronchial infections. Try to eat atleast five servings of fruits and vegetables, like apples, oranges, beans and carrots, six servings of grains such as cereals and whole wheat breads, two servings of dairy products, like cheese and yogurt and a couple of servings of fish, poultry and meat everyday.
• Keep in shape : Taking a brisk 20 min walk three times a week and regularly doing aerobic exercise such as swimming also can help keep your immunity in tip-top condition and prevent bronchitis.
• Protect yourself from the flu : Bronchitis often is a complication of the flu. An annual flu shot can help prevent that and is particularly recommended for certain high-risk groups: those above 65 years or those with chronic heart or lung problems, diabetes or other chronic health problems.
  

Curing Bronchitis

If bronchitis sets in, the first question is whether to see a doctor. The answer is yes if you have a temperature of 101 degree Farenheit or higher, chest pain, shortness of breadth or vomiting, or if you are coughing up blood or thick yellow-, green- or rust-coloured sputum.

Before your appointment, collect sputum in a cup. It may speed your office visit since the first thing your physician will want is a sputum sample, and you may not be able to cough it up on demand.

Here are a few other things that may speed your recovery.

• Keep the water flowing : Drink an eight-ounce glass of water or juice every waking hour. It will prevent dehydration and break up phlegm, so it will be easier to clear out your lungs and airways.
• Stay away from alcohol : Some people think a cold beer will cure anything, but not in this case. Alcohol slows your metabolism, suppresses the immune system and increases the amount of time it will take you to recover.
• Don't push yourself : It is a mistaken belief that a good, hard workout in the gym will help clear up bronchitis by forcing the gunk out of your lungs. But exercise will only have a reverse effect on you and does more harm than good. Not only can you infect others, you'll probably get dehydrated, and that weakens your body's natural defences. So get plenty of rest.
• Lose the phlegm : The more sputum you cough up, the less problems you have in your respiratory tract. You might also use a cough medicine that contains guaifenesin, an expectorant that will help you expel phlegm from your lungs.
• Control the coughs : You want to do some coughing to keep your airways clear, but excessive coughing might make your throat sore and inflame your airways even more. In this case, an over the counter cough suppressant that contains dextromethorphan could be beneficial.
• Keep a humidifier humming : Moist air - it doesn't matter if it is warm or cool - can help loosen up phlegm and decongest your airways. if you use a humidifier, however, be sure that it is cleaned and dried after each use to prevent disease causing molds from growing in it.