« Older Entries

Tell-Tale Signs of Chronic Bronchitis

Bronchitis is defined as a disease with acute inflammation of the respiratory tract. The term is basically coined from the Greek words bronchos, which means windpipe, and itis, meaning inflammation. Bronchitis takes place when the trachea or windpipe and the bronchi (both small and large) become inflamed which is likely caused by an infection or other factors.

Bronchitis has two types, acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis is mainly caused by viral or bacterial infections and from the acute word itself, it is only for a short period of time, but that is another story.

Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is a long term bronchial inflammation consequently followed by a raise in the production of mucus. It is also a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a group of respiratory diseases that hampers with normal breathing.

Chronic bronchitis can be caused by no specific factor but cigarette smoking is believed to be the major culprit of the illness. Following smoking, other causes may include environmental pollution (especially air pollution) and bacterial or viral infections.

To be considered as chronic bronchitis, the patient must experience cough and expectorations (meaning with phlegm or sputum) for no less than 3 months in a year for two successive years. Furthermore, other factors that may cause symptoms such as TB (tuberculosis) or other respiratory health problems must be excluded.

As a category of COPD, primary symptoms of chronic bronchitis are mucus expectoration, cough, and dyspnea or labored breathing during physical exertion. These symptoms commonly deteriorate over time. Persistent cough and mucus expectoration usually come first years before the development of aberrations in the airflow of the respiratory tract.

Dyspnea or labored breathing, due to its severity, more often than not causes interference in the patient’s day to day activities. Loss of weight is fairly not uncommon since eating needs a certain amount of physical exertion and the sometimes only breathing itself can be energy consuming for the patient.

There will come a time when the patient will find it difficult to even participate in mild exercise because of dyspnea. As bronchitis progresses, labored breathing will be experienced by the patient even at rest. Then the patient will become in danger of acquiring more respiratory infections and respiratory insufficiency, which consequently raises the danger for both chronic and acute respiratory failure.

Other warning signs of chronic bronchitis may include swelling of the feet, abnormal lung signs, heart failure, and bluish discoloration of the lips and skin.
Symptoms may be similar to other respiratory problems; therefore it is advisable that the patient should consult a physician. This is due to the fact that chronic bronchitis is frequently associated with other diseases of the respiratory system such as asthma, tuberculosis, sinusitis, pulmonary emphysema, and other upper respiratory infections.

Moreover, there are numerous examinations that are utilized by the medical professionals to identify chronic bronchitis. These tests or examinations may include the following:

  • Pulmonary function tests, which assist in calculating the lungs’ capacity to appropriately exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide through use of a spirometry and peak flow monitoring (PFM). Spirometry is an apparatus that is used by the doctor to evaluate the function of the lungs. PFM is a tool that is utilized to determine the greatest speed in which an individual can exhale or blow air out of the lungs. PFM helps in assessing how the malady is being controlled
  • Pulse Oximetry. This is a small apparatus that measures the quantity of oxygen in blood.
  • Chest X-ray. This fairly common diagnostic test is used to create images of the internal tissues, organs, and bones unto a film.
  • Arterial Blood Gas or ABG. This is a blood test that is employed to assess the lungs’ capacity to supply with oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide. This also helps in measuring the acidity of the blood.
  • CT Scan or Computed Tomography. This is an amalgamation of x-rays and computer technology to produce sectional imagery of the body. This imaging device illustrates a comprehensive picture of any part of the body.

Although once a person acquires chronic bronchitis, which usually lasts a lifetime, this illness can be controlled. Treatments are utilized mainly to alleviate the symptoms. Nevertheless, the patient can still live a comfortable life if provided with a proper management of the symptoms. It may not be curable but it is manageable.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

Tags:

The Nature Of Allergies

Allergies can affect a person in various ways. These can be in the form of hayfever or allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, food allergies or drug allergies just to name a few. Allergies can elicit reactions, which range from the annoying and itchy skin redness to the fatal anaphylactic shock usually caused by drug or food allergies.

One of the most common allergies is hayfever. It is estimated that almost 1 in every 5 Americans has this form of allergy. Hayfever is often aggravated by molds, pollen, dander or bits of animal skin and household dust.

Food allergies commonly affect children than adults. However, children often outgrow their food allergies by the time they reach the age of 3. The most common food offenders are nuts, milk and eggs. It is observed that peanuts and seafood deliver the strongest and sometimes worst and fatal reactions. Unfortunately, most people rarely outgrow their peanut and seafood allergies. Other allergies that can result into fatal reactions include allergies to penicillin and insect stings.

Most often allergies can be handled effectively by home remedies. However, if you experience the worst form, it is always wise to consult your doctor. He will be able to prescribe some medications to curb the reactions like antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays. Some alternative treatments like herbs, acupuncture and homeopathy are found to be effective by some individuals.

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of the different forms of allergies:

A person suffering from hayfever may experience itchy or runny eyes accompanied by frequent sneezing with runny or stuffy nose. The back of the throat and hard palate or roof of the mouth may also feel itchy.

Sneezing, coughing and wheezing are common to people with allergic asthma. There are even cases when those affected with this form of allergy may find difficulty in breathing.

A person with food allergies will often experience an upset stomach and itchy, red and bumpy skin outbreaks whenever offending foods are consumed. Drug allergies on the other hand often show bumpy, red and itchy skin similar with food allergies. Sometimes, drug allergies exhibit flu like symptoms like low fever, headache and joint pain.

There are different approaches to follow in order to prevent allergic reactions depending on the offending substance.

If you are allergic to pollen, it will be helpful if you stay indoors during the days when the pollen count is high. It is also advisable to avoid smoking or smoky places and areas with dusts and insects sprays.

If you have hayfever, try over the counter antihistamines. It is also wise to keep track which among the antihistamine medications work best for you. Always check with your doctor if you are taking prescription drugs because these might cause some unwanted reactions when mixed together with over the counter antihistamines.

Finally, if your allergies are due to insect stings or if you have severe reactions to some food, ask your doctor for an emergency kit that contains antihistamine and epinephrine shot. Always carry this kit with you because this might just save your life.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

Tags:

Gouty and Back Pain

Gouty arthritis causes back pain, since it affects the joints. Gouty arthritis is a joint disease, which inflammation causes deposits of uric (Acid in the urine) acid crystals. The acids are slightly soluble, which are present in blood and urine. The acids are produced by breakdowns of body waste known as nitrogenous matters, or substances.

Gouty arthritis in etiology aspects emerge from hyperparathyroidism, genetics, polycythemia Vera, decreases in uric excretion, and chronic renal (Kidney) failure.

Gouty affects the metabolic flow, as well as causes abnormal purine results of metabolism. The problem results to secretion of urates and increases in blood and uric.

The symptoms occur from actions that affect the metabolism. The symptoms include joint pain, swelling, redness, malaise, tachycardia, elevations in skin temperature, and so on. Tophi in worst conditions affect the outer ear, ankles, and toes.

Doctors often conduct a series of tests to find gouty. The tests include synovial analysis of fluid, hematology, and blood chemistry.

If increases of ESR, or uric is noted Synovial fluid is tested. If the results show positive sodium urates crystal formation, thus management is planned. The doctor may start management before the tests are administered, especially if he/she suspects that gouty is present.

Management is followed by interventions and additional assessments. Once the patient has a set diet, monitoring, lab studies, exercise, etc, the doctor moves to intervene with further complications.

Management includes an alkaline-ash diet and low-purine. Fluid is increased, which the doctor also recommends that the patient avoid kidney beans, anchovies, sardines, liver, alcohol, and shellfish. Aspirin is prescribed, as well as NSAIDs to reduce the pain. The doctor often prescribes Motrin, Ibuprofen, Flurbiprofen, Naproxen, Piroxicam, and so on.

The diet must be maintained, as well the patient should increase fluid intake up to three quarts daily. Once the management plan is set in motion, doctors will start to assess the patient’s integumentary rank. Additional actions are taken, including skin care. The joints are monitor to reduce edema, pain, and slowness in the range of motion. (ROM)

You can take actions at home to reduce pain caused from gouty. Since gouty can lead to damaged cartilages, or renal calcui, doctors recommend home care. Home care often includes daily foot and skin care, stress reduction, avoidance of fasting, limited alcohol, and monitoring your symptoms.

Since gouty affects the joints, cartilages, connective tissues, ligaments, tendons, etc, back pain emerges from gouty arthritis.

If you experience pain in the back, you may want to address the issue with your doctor. Since mobility is limited, you will need to learn stretch exercises to minimize the pain. You can learn additional helps to limit pain. For instance, when sitting you can practice helpful strategies to avoid injury, such as using an armrest to lower the body, as well as avoid bending or twisting when you raise your body from the chair.

You can learn additional strategies in proper sitting, lying down, standing, lifting, etc, to reduce back pain and other pain that emerges from gouty arthritis.

If you have a problem with obesity, you may want to create a diet and exercise regimen to lower your weight. Studies have proven that exercise will reduce pain emerging from nearly all diseases. Of course, some people cannot exercise due to paralysis, yet if possible learn stretch exercises to reduce our pain. Talk to your doctor about routines that are designed to limit back pain.

In addition to gouty arthritis, some people suffering back pain merging from Osteomyelitis, which is a disease of the bones affected by bacterial infections that trigger the soft tissues and bones.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

Tags: