CHRONIC BRONCHITIS

Chronic bronchitis occurs when the air passages which connect the windpipe with the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs get red and swollen an produce too much mucus.

Sometimes a very bad cold can develop into acute bronchitis. It makes it difficult for us to breathe and causes fever, coughing and spitting but is a short term problem. This can happen in both young and elderly persons.

Chronic bronchitis is the name for this coughing and spitting when it continues for months or for years. It takes a long time to get chronic bronchitis but gradually you become more and more short of breath until eventually you get out of breath doing ordinary things such as dressing or taking a bath.

TREATMENT

Bronchitis is treated with antibiotics to stop bacteria which like to attack weaker parts of the body. Drugs used to reduce the swelling in the air passages may also be beneficial. Medications can help but they cannot cure chronic bronchitis.

Regular exercise is important for people suffering from chronic bronchitis. Being fit will make up for some of the damage done to the lungs. The best treatment for this lung disease is prevention. At least 8 out of every 10 cases of chronic bronchitis are caused by smoking. DON'T SMOKE!

CAUSE

What is the biggest cause of chronic bronchitis? CIGARETTE SMOKING! Non-smokers almost never get it. Occasionally persons who have worked in air polluted environments for many years may also suffer from this disease.

The walls of the air passages (bronchioles) become very swollen. Some of the extra mucus (phlegm) which has been made is brought up and spit out. If the lungs are infected this phlegm will turn yellow or greenish in colour. Some of the mucus can't be cleared out. The air you breathe now has a different time to get in and out of your lungs. This causes people to become short of breath very easily. Heart failure may develop when this disease has gone on for a long time because the heart has to work much harder to push oxygen around the body.

PREVENTION

Prevention is the best medicine. There is no total cure and we cannot make new air passages. To quit smoking will stop the destruction and damage being done to the lungs by the tobacco smoke. The cough of chronic bronchitis will be reduced and normally begin to disappear within three months. People who continue to smoke will get worse more rapidly. Remember, the best treatment is prevention.

DON'T SMOKE!

Chronic Bronchitis

For additional information, check out the Canadian Lung Association's web site.