Bronchitis :: essays research papers fc

Bronchitis is anINFLAMMATION of the membrane that linesthe air passages, or, bronchial tubes, of theLUNGS and results in the narrowing of these airpassages. This disorder whitethorn be of either an acuteor chronic type. Irritation of mucus-producingglands within the membrane results in theproduction of excess bronchial secretions. Themain symptoms of bronchitis are expectorate andincreased expectoration of sputum, with or withoutassociated wheezing and shortness of breath. abrupt bronchitis is usually caused by infection byone of the many viruses that cause the common cool or INFLUENZA and is frequentlyassociated with MEASLES. The patient maysuffer from additional symptoms, such as chestdiscomfort, fever, and aching, that arecharacteristic of these diseases. WHOOPINGCOUGH is a make believe of severe bronchitis caused bythe bacterium Hemophilus pertussis. Treatment ofa pure viral infection is directed toward the reliefof symptoms, but frequently secondary infectionsby bacterium co mplicate the condition. In such acase the patients sputum may turn from white toyellow (purulent, or pus containing), and treatmentwith various antibiotics is recommended. Acutechemical bronchitis may be caused by theinhalation of irritating senss, such as smoke,chlorine, ammonia, and ozone. Chronic bronchitisresults from pro spacioused irritation of the bronchialmembrane, causing cough and the profligatesecretion of mucus for extended periods. By farthe most common cause of chronic bronchitis iscigarette SMOKING, but air pollution andindustrial fume and dust inhalation are alsoimportant irritants. Patients with chronic bronchitisare subject to recurrent infections with H.influenzae and pneumococci. PulmonaryEMPHYSEMA often coexists, and over a longperiod of time the patient may suffer from