Learn more about bronchitis and its types

Types of Bronchitis

Bronchitis can be of two types:

1. Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection but a bacterial infection can also cause it. Acute bronchitis goes away on its own sometimes. Causes of acute bronchitis include environmental factors and other lung conditions along with viral and bacterial infections. In many cases, the viruses that cause the common cold or flu can also cause acute bronchitis. In rare cases, bacterial infection can develop after a viral infection of bronchitis which causes whooping cough. Read more.

Breathing in irritants such as smoke, smog or chemical fumes can cause inflammation in your trachea and bronchial tubes and can also lead to acute bronchitis. People with asthma sometimes can develop acute bronchitis as well.

2. Chronic Bronchitis

Bronchitis can be called chronic when it causes a productive (wet or chesty) cough for at least 3 months each year for two or more years. It is a disease of hyper secretion within airways. That means too much mucus is being produced. Chronic bronchitis is one type of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). When the airways become all gunked up with mucus, the air going back-and-forth between the lungs and the blood-supply is hard to get across. It could be caused by polluted air or smog from our cars, constantly irritating the lungs. So, chronic bronchitis is the lung’s response. Blood with oxygen in it looks a little bit brighter and red compared to blood without oxygen. The lung’s job is to deliver oxygen to our blood supply. With the entire gunk in there, they cannot get as much oxygen across as they should. As a result, the person will look a little bluish to the tint. It will show up in the person’s lips, nail-beds and even skin. Chronic bronchitis is the more serious of the two. It can be treated but not cured.

Both acute and chronic bronchitis symptoms include persistent cough which may produce mucus, wheezing, low fever and chills, chest tightening, sore throat, body aches, breathlessness, headaches, blocked nose and sinuses. The cough may last for several weeks (or even months in some cases) in acute bronchitis.

The doctor will ask about the symptoms and in particular the cough. A doctor will usually use his stethoscope to listen for any abnormal sounds in the lungs. They may also examine mucus or may recommend blood tests.

Benefits of homeopathy in bronchitis treatment

Homeopathy offers a salubrious technique to deal with bronchitis. Along with treating an individual of the external symptoms, homeopathy also goes deep and tries to heal the principal cause. A patient's medical history is examined, whether they have recently suffered from a cold or flu, whether they smoke or whether they have been exposed to substances such as dust, vapours or other potential aggravators.

At Dr Batra's®, every aspect pertaining to the patient’s physical and mental state is studied and based on the findings, customised remedies are provided. The fact that other lung conditions could also be causes of bronchitis makes the scrutinising part all the more necessary. Based on the findings, customised homeopathic remedies, obtained from naturally existing substances are provided. These remedies have no side-effects at all. If you are someone suffering from bronchitis, you may want to give homeopathy a try. Book an appointment now and stay safe.