Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - How serious an illness is bronchitis?

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How serious an illness is bronchitis?

My Mum has it, how bad is it? I saw her and she looked pretty awful, but the hospital just sent her home with a mad load of drugs and anti-biotics... so it cant be that serious, right?

http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/health-.../bronchit.html

Quote:

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, or bronchi (the air passages that extend from the windpipe into the lungs). The inflammation may be caused by a virus, bacteria, smoking or the inhalation of chemical pollutants or dust. When the cells of the bronchial-lining tissue are irritated beyond a certain point, the tiny hairs (cilia) within them, which normally trap and eliminate pollutants, stop functioning. Consequently, the air passages become clogged by debris and irritation increases. In response, a heavy secretion of mucus develops, which causes the characteristic cough of bronchitis.

Quote:

ACUTE BRONCHITIS
Brief bouts of acute bronchitis often evolve from a severe cold. This disorder may also follow or accompany the flu, or it may begin without having had an infection. Acute bronchitis usually lasts about 10 days. Severe cases may also cause general malaise and chest pain.

Seeking prompt treatment is advisable to prevent serious complications. If, for example, the inflammation extends downward to the ends of the bronchial tree and into the small bronchi (bronchioles) and then into the air sacs, bronchopneumonia results. The most effective way to deal with acute bronchitis consists of the following regimen: Avoid fatigue by getting proper rest, stay indoors when the weather is cold and windy and drink large amounts of fluid to help keep the chest mucus liquified. Congestive mucus should be coughed up, so avoid the use of cough suppressants. A doctor may recommend an expectorant to help loosen the mucus. Older people should consult a doctor about whether to take antibiotics to eliminate the risk of serious bacterial infection due to lowered resistance. A doctor should also be consulted when sputum (the mucus mixed with saliva) produced by the coughing is greenish-yellow and thick rather than gray and watery, or when fever rises and chest pains become severe.

And:

Quote:

SUMMING UP
Bronchitis--an inflammation of the bronchial tubes--may be caused by smoking, air pollution and viral or bacterial infections. Complications of a cold or flu may lead to acute bronchitis, which can be treated with bed rest and by drinking plenty of fluids and staying indoors in damp, cold weather. Suffering from a series of acute bronchitis attacks, smoking heavily or inhaling contaminated air for prolonged periods may result in chronic bronchitis. Since chronic bronchitis can be life-threatening, it should receive professional medical attention, no matter what its underlying cause.

Two dangers: 1, that it develops into Chronic bronchitis, and 2, that she develops bronchopneumonia, from what I can see.

I get bronchitis almost every time I get a cold. I think this is because of the environmental allergies I've battled growing up. The Dr just gave me a steriod inhaler when I had bronchitis once. Since then I've had trouble with it a couple times and the inhaler has helped clear me up in barely more than 2 days. For me it hasn't been really serious. It could get serious if you let it go but catching it right away you don't usually encounter problems. Keep an eye on your mom and if she doesn't start to improve in a few days encourage her to contact her Dr again. Otherwise I wouldn't worry.

I get bronchitis almost every year. Just at the beginning of winter. It sucks, make no mistake, but if your mum takes her meds, including all of her antibiotics, (make sure that she doesn't stop taking them when she starts feeling better) she'll be fine. It's also a lovely excuse for chicken soup and my whiskey/honey/lemon juice concoction. Wish your mother our best. :)

I've had bronchitis numerous times, and my sister has chronic bronchitis. As Yakk posted, it's not serious IF IT'S TREATED. I left it untreated once and ended up in the ER with a serious asthma attack; didn't learn my lesson, let it go another time, ended up with pneumonia. Don't fuck with it. Make sure your mom gets rest and takes all the meds per the doctor's orders.

BOR: I use the same mix in that case... though I hadn't yet heard of adding the whiskey to the honey/lime juice? Gotta try that next time :D

and yeah, bronchitis is pretty well taken care off by modern medicine. It's not too hard, even though you feel pretty louzy. Just finish all them pill-bottles.