Chronic bronchitis refers to inflammation and infection of the bronchi and mucous membranes, resulting in excessive production of mucus. Excessive production of mucus in the respiratory tract is the body’s inflammatory response to irritation and infection of the bronchi. Excess mucus disturbs the process of breathing by reducing the amount of air that is normally received by the lungs. Common symptoms of chronic bronchitis, mucus-producing cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain and discomfort and wheezing.

Chronic bronchitis generates recurrent symptoms, time of persistence that intensify as the disease progresses. The main features of chronic bronchitis are productive cough, increased susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections of the respiratory system and poor response to medical treatment. Chronic bronchitis usually lasts up to three months and comes back regularly in the period of two years or more. At present, there is no specific cure for chronic bronchitis.

Unlike patients suffering from acute bronchitis, patients with chronic forms of the disease does not respond well to treatment with antibiotics. Excessive production of mucus in the bronchi at facilitating the proliferation of bacteria and other infectious organisms, which contributes to the progression of the disease. In facilities and committed repeated infections of the respiratory system’s natural defenses (barriers cilia), antibiotics are often ineffective in fully overcome chronic bronchitis. Therefore, the treatment of chronic bronchitis is focused on relieving the existing symptoms and prevent complications.

In the early stages of the disease, symptoms of chronic bronchitis are generally perceived in the morning or at night. In more advanced stages of chronic bronchitis, respiratory tract becomes inflamed and clogged with mucus, causing severe and persistent cough. This type of recurrent cough, high productivity is commonly referred to as “smoker’s cough.” as the disease progresses, patients also experience chronic bronchitis and lung problems are at risk of developing serious lung disease (pneumonia, emphysema). over time, people with chronic bronchitis may suffer from poor blood oxygenation and hypoventilation (shallow, rapid breathing). complicated forms of chronic bronchitis may also involve cyanosis as a result of poor oxygenation of the lungs. Cyanosis (bluish skin appearance) usually suggests the presence of emphysema or pneumonia.

Although smoking by itself can not be considered as the cause of chronic bronchitis, the disease is more prevalent in smokers. Smoking contributes greatly to the growth of bacteria and slows down the healing of tissues and respiratory organs. Chronic bronchitis is often associated with asthma as well. Chronic bronchitis patients who also suffer from asthma are less responsive to specific treatments and often experience symptomatic relapse. sometimes, chronic bronchitis can be caused by untreated acute bronchitis or ill-treatment or other respiratory illnesses. Chronic forms of bronchitis can also be developed by people who are regularly exposed to irritants in the air like dust, chemicals and pollutants.

I have become intrigued by a neti-pot and was surprised that many of you used them for sinus allergies and symptoms. a study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology found that neti-pot use may actually increase your risk of infection.

Stopping neti-pot use was associated with a 62% decrease in sinus infections. the authors pointed out that neti-pots do provide relief of bothersome sinus symptoms, but that chronic use may wash away some of your bodies natural defenses and increase your risk of infection.

Neti pots have been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show and many people all over the internet are singing their praises. I get asked about them fairly commonly in clinic. Basically a neti pot is a form of nasal irrigation that is supposed to greatly improve sinus allergy symptoms. You take a small tea pot looking device filled with salt water and insert it into one of your nostrils. the salt water goes through your sinuses and out the other nostril. You can see a video of someone demonstrating the neti pot.

What do you think? Leave a comment or join the discussion in the forum.

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