Bronchitis :: essays research papers fc

Bronchitis is an light of the membrane that linesthe air passages, or, bronchial tubes, of theLUNGS and results in the narrowing of these airpassages. This cark may be of either an acuteor continuing type. temper of mucus-producingglands within the membrane results in theproduction of excess bronchial secretions. The chief(prenominal) symptoms of bronchitis be cough andincreased expectoration of sputum, with or withoutassociated wheezing and shortness of breath.Acute bronchitis is usually caused by infection byone of the many an(prenominal) viruses that cause the parklandCOLD or INFLUENZA and is frequentlyassociated with MEASLES. The patient of may fend from additional symptoms, such as chestdiscomfort, fever, and aching, that arecharacteristic of these diseases. WHOOPINGCOUGH is a form of severe bronchitis caused bythe bacterium Hemophilus pertussis. Treatment ofa pure viral infection is directed toward the ministrationof symptoms, but frequently secondary infectionsby bac teria complicate the condition. In such acase the patients sputum may turn from tweed toyellow (purulent, or pus containing), and treatmentwith various antibiotics is recommended. Acute chemic bronchitis may be caused by theinhalation of irritating fumes, such as smoke,chlorine, ammonia, and ozone. Chronic bronchitisresults from prolonged irritation of the bronchialmembrane, causing cough and the oerweeningsecretion 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