Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from your lungs. People who have bronchitis often cough up thickened mucus. Bronchitis may be either acute or chronic. There are two types: · Acute bronchitis- This is more common. , it happens once, and then a person recovers. · Chronic bronchitis- This one is more serious. A person lives with it constantly, although it may get better and worse at times. There is daily, productive cough for at least 3 months of the year, 2 or more years in a row

      Causes Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses, typically the same viruses that cause colds and flu (influenza). Antibiotics don't kill viruses, so this type of medication isn't useful in most cases of bronchitis. The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. Air pollution and dust or toxic gases in the environment or workplace also can contribute to the condition.

Risk factors

      Factors that increase your risk of bronchitis include: · Cigarette smoke- People who smoke or who live with a smoker are at higher risk of both acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. · Low resistance- This may result from another acute illness, such as a cold, or from a chronic condition that compromises your immune system. Older adults, infants and young children have greater vulnerability to infection. · Exposure to irritants on the job - If you work around certain lung irritants, such as grains or textiles, or are exposed to chemical fumes, you have greater risk of developing bronchitis. · Gastric reflux- Repeated bouts of severe heartburn can irritate your throat and make you more prone to developing bronchitis.

Symptoms

      Symptoms of both acute and chronic bronchitis include breathing problems, such as: · Chest congestion, when your chest feels full or clogged · A cough that may bring up mucus that’s clear, white, yellow, or green · Shortness of breath · A wheezing is a whistling sound when you breathe Symptoms of acute bronchitis also may include: · Body aches and chills · Feeling “wiped out” · Low fever · Runny, stuffy nose · Sore throat Even after the other symptoms of acute bronchitis are gone, the cough can last for a few weeks while your bronchial tubes heal and the swelling goes down. If it goes on much longer than that, the problem might be something else. With chronic bronchitis, your cough lasts for at least 3 months and comes back at least 2 years in a row.

Homeopathy for Bronchitis

      Homoeopathic medicines improve immunity; with treatment as immunity gets stronger the severity and frequency of the attacks reduces. Homeopathy has effective treatment for bronchitis.