Acute broncitus refers to a disease whereby the respiratory tract joining to the lungs, called bronchi, shows anomalous behavior. The mucus-secreting cells within the bronchi start releasing excessive amounts of substantial mucus which is usually coughed out.

The significant causes of acute bronchitis take into account the general conditions like persistent flu bouts, and common cold. Moreover, the mucus excretion is unusually triggered by personal allergies. These allergic reactions of the body could be against cigarette smoke, certain gas, or else. Measles and whooping cough have also been associated as usual causes of the acute form of broncitus.

The major reported symptoms of acute broncitus include dry cough that appears in the initial stages of the disease. However, the coughing is generally painful and with the passage of the time, it intensifies. Sufferer of acute bronchitis develops a productive cough in the later stage of this affliction. Wheezing and blocked airways are also common problems; hence the patient has difficulty in breathing and does not get required amount of oxygen for the body.

The general methods of acute bronchitis diagnosis carried out consist of series of tests. All or few of these procedures might be adopted for a successful diagnosis of the disease within patients. Such methods comprise of physical examination, where the doctor uses a stethoscope to evaluate the breathing of the person. Wheezing and rattles are the abnormal breathing sounds present within a sufferer’s breathing. The electro-cardiogram technique called ECG mostly is also used to judge the conditions. A specialized from of ECG, known as the 12-lead ECG is also occasionally adopted in more ambiguous cases. Different blood tests may be conducted where the blood oxygen level is checked, along with other abnormalities. Pulse oximeter is a device that is employed to carry out the above function. Apart from this, other gaseous contents in blood are analyzed through several tests on blood sample from the patient. Other routine tests would consist of smear and culture of samples taken from nasal region, throat and mucus. X-rays of the chest are especially taken in most diagnostic cases of acute bronchitis.

There are certain standard acute bronchitis treatment options. These are widely recommended the patients, depending upon the stage of their disease. Initially, a medicine practitioner prescribes rest, fluids, steam inhalation, hot water bottles and pain-killers like Aspirin and Paracetamol to relieve the early symptoms of acute broncitus Some precautions are also suggested like avoiding exertion, extreme weather, etc. However, with every progressive stage of the disease, the health professional may recommend humidifier to ease and thin the sputum coughed. They also advise physiotherapy to be done, for clearing the air passage and disintegrating the mucus collected in respiratory tract. Prescription of antibiotics, steroids and bronchodilators is also done where required. Most suggested option is to quit smoking because the components of cigarette smoke are generally a major cause of acute bronchitis.

The information above is provided to inform you about all the dimensions of this fatal disease. If you wish to add or comment to this, you’re welcome to give any feedback.