BRONCHITIS

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Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways of the lungs (bronchi), which causes them to become inflamed. It is common in winter and often develops following a cold, sore throat or flu.

Classification—

  1. Acute bronchitis
  2. Chronic bronchitis

Symptoms And Sign—    

A. Acute bronchitis

    1. Irritating, unproductive cough
    2. Retrosternal discomfort
    3. Chest tightness
    4. Wheezes
    5. Breathlessness
    6. Sputum initially Scanty ,Mucoid, Viscid, Blood-stained. 
    7. pyrexia

B. Chronic bronchitis—

  1. Repeated attacks of productive cough
  2. Wheezes
  3. Breathlessness
  4. Tightness
  5. Frankly,purulent sputum
  6. Ronchi(low and medium pitched)
  7. Crepitations(over lower lobe)
  8. Tracheal tug
  9. Jugular venous filled during expiration
  10. Contraction of sternomastoid and scalene muscles on inspiration.

Causes-–

A. Acute Bronchitis—

    1. Common cold
    2. Flu

B. Chronic Bronchitis—
1. Irritants–

  • Cigarette tobacco smoke
  • dust
  • smoke
  • fumes
  • humidity
  • fog
  • sudden changes in temperature
  • Coal minig
  • Textile manufacturing
  • Grain handling

2. Infections (Strep.pneumonia, H.influenza)

 

BRONCHITIS

Investigations—

  1. Chest X-rays
  2. PFT—
    1. Ventilator capacity
    2. Lung volumes
    3. Gas transfer
    4. PaCO2
    5. Exercise test

Treatment—

A. Acute Bronchitis—

Spontaneous recovery occurs in 3-4 days

Symptomatic treatment is given for cough

B. Chronic Bronchitis—

    1. Stop smoking permanently
    2. Avoid irritants
    3. Drink lots of fluids
    4. Ayurvedic Medicines
    5. Physiotherapy
    6. Mechanical ventilation

Complications––

A. Acute Bronchitis—

    1. Bronchopneumonia
    2. Acute exacerbation of Br.asthma
    3. Exacerbation of chronic bronchitis

B. Chronic Bronchitis—

    1. Type I and II respiratory failure
    2. Pulmonary hypertension
    3. Right ventricular failure
    4. Secondary polycythaemia

Prevention–

  • Do Not smoke.
  • Yearly flu vaccine and a pneumococcal vaccine
  • Reduce exposure to air pollution.
  • Wash hands frequently to avoid spreading viruses and other infections

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