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Mercy Physician Offers Health Advice on Bronchitis
In the winter months, runny noses and sneezes are common, but so are coughs like the ones associated with bronchitis.
Bronchitis is inflammation and irritation of the bronchi, the large air tube that runs from the trachea to the lungs, due to infection in the upper respiratory tract. Its typically caused by a virus and viruses dont respond to antibiotics, said Michael Stone, D.O., with Mercy Clinic Family Medicine Washington.
Less commonly acute bronchitis can be caused by bacteria such as Bordetella pertussis, which is better known as whooping cough.
The first few days of bronchitis and an upper respiratory infection are identical.
You may experience cough with or without mucus production, runny nose, congestion, postnasal drip, fatigue and low-grade fevers, said Dr. Stone. You typically dont need to see a doctor for bronchitis, but if you are experiencing other symptoms wheezing, shortness of breath, high fever, chest pain or a persistent cough beyond 10 days these may be signs of pneumonia, the flu or other bacterial infections. For those illnesses, people should see a physician.
The diagnosis of bronchitis is based on a clinical history of a cough with or without mucus production that lasts more than five days. The cough typically lasts two to three weeks but may persist for a month.
Fever is uncommon with bronchitis and may be a sign of the flu or pneumonia. A fever is considered to be a temperature of greater than or equal to 100.4 degrees.
Dr. Stone said acute bronchitis is unlikely to develop into pneumonia in healthy adults but people with chronic bronchitis or COPD, may develop a worsening of their chronic bronchitis.
He said, If you have been diagnosed with COPD and you develop a productive cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath you should be seen by a physician.
The mainstay of treatment for bronchitis includes drinking lots of fluids to thin the mucus, ibuprofen or acetaminophen for headache relief, and cough drops or throat lozenges for a sore throat, said Dr. Stone.
Humidified air may improve congestion and runny nose and Diphenhydramine, an over-the-counter drug, may improve runny nose and sneezing, but drowsiness is a side effect that people should be aware of when they take it.
He added that the American College of Chest Physicians does not recommend the use of cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan or codeine. Based on medical studies, Dr. Stone does not recommend the expectorant Guaifenesin and adds that pseudoephedrine may improve nasal congestion.
As far as antibiotics, they only treat bacterial infections and the majority of bronchitis infections are caused by a virus. If your health care provider suspects whooping cough, which causes severe coughing fits sometimes followed by vomiting, you may be placed on antibiotics, he said.
The antibiotic wont help with the cough, but it will reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.
The best way to prevent bronchitis is by frequent and proper hand washing and correctly covering coughs and sneezes. Proper hand washing requires scrubbing with soap and water for at least 15 seconds and ideally 30 seconds. To avoid getting germs on your hands and spreading infections, cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing with a tissue or your inner elbow.
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Posted in Feature stories on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 12:15 am. Updated: 5:02 pm.
With flu and colds now showing up late this year, I thought some of you might be interested in reading this.
Stay well my COPD friends.
Love
Holly
.
In the winter months, runny noses and sneezes are common, but so are coughs like the ones associated with bronchitis.
Bronchitis is inflammation and irritation of the bronchi, the large air tube that runs from the trachea to the lungs, due to infection in the upper respiratory tract. Its typically caused by a virus and viruses dont respond to antibiotics, said Michael Stone, D.O., with Mercy Clinic Family Medicine Washington.
Less commonly acute bronchitis can be caused by bacteria such as Bordetella pertussis, which is better known as whooping cough.
The first few days of bronchitis and an upper respiratory infection are identical.
You may experience cough with or without mucus production, runny nose, congestion, postnasal drip, fatigue and low-grade fevers, said Dr. Stone. You typically dont need to see a doctor for bronchitis, but if you are experiencing other symptoms wheezing, shortness of breath, high fever, chest pain or a persistent cough beyond 10 days these may be signs of pneumonia, the flu or other bacterial infections. For those illnesses, people should see a physician.
The diagnosis of bronchitis is based on a clinical history of a cough with or without mucus production that lasts more than five days. The cough typically lasts two to three weeks but may persist for a month.
Fever is uncommon with bronchitis and may be a sign of the flu or pneumonia. A fever is considered to be a temperature of greater than or equal to 100.4 degrees.
Dr. Stone said acute bronchitis is unlikely to develop into pneumonia in healthy adults but people with chronic bronchitis or COPD, may develop a worsening of their chronic bronchitis.
He said, If you have been diagnosed with COPD and you develop a productive cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath you should be seen by a physician.
The mainstay of treatment for bronchitis includes drinking lots of fluids to thin the mucus, ibuprofen or acetaminophen for headache relief, and cough drops or throat lozenges for a sore throat, said Dr. Stone.
Humidified air may improve congestion and runny nose and Diphenhydramine, an over-the-counter drug, may improve runny nose and sneezing, but drowsiness is a side effect that people should be aware of when they take it.
He added that the American College of Chest Physicians does not recommend the use of cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan or codeine. Based on medical studies, Dr. Stone does not recommend the expectorant Guaifenesin and adds that pseudoephedrine may improve nasal congestion.
As far as antibiotics, they only treat bacterial infections and the majority of bronchitis infections are caused by a virus. If your health care provider suspects whooping cough, which causes severe coughing fits sometimes followed by vomiting, you may be placed on antibiotics, he said.
The antibiotic wont help with the cough, but it will reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.
The best way to prevent bronchitis is by frequent and proper hand washing and correctly covering coughs and sneezes. Proper hand washing requires scrubbing with soap and water for at least 15 seconds and ideally 30 seconds. To avoid getting germs on your hands and spreading infections, cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing with a tissue or your inner elbow.
. .
.
Posted in Feature stories on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 12:15 am. Updated: 5:02 pm.
With flu and colds now showing up late this year, I thought some of you might be interested in reading this.
Stay well my COPD friends.
Love
Holly
.
It helps identify the difference in what may be happening.
I am glad you spoke with your doctor, these articles are great but regarding concerns of our own health I do feel its always best to seek the advice of a professional.
Hope you are now keeping well and breathing easy.
Dr.Stone says above:
, If you have been diagnosed with COPD and you develop a productive cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath you should be seen by a physician.
I Hope this helps some you,
Easy Breathing and be well,
Love
Holly