Asthmatic Bronchitis – Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Recovery

Are you waking up from sleep at night coughing? Are frequent coughs and breathing difficulties giving you a tough time? It may be a case of Asthmatic Bronchitis that you are suffering from. Read on to know what is Asthmatic Bronchitis? Check out its causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Asthmatic Bronchitis Definition

Picture 1 – Asthma Bronchitis
Source – webmd

Asthmatic Bronchitis or Bronchial Asthma is a medical condition that is seen as a combination of two serious disorders, Asthma and Bronchitis. Asthma is a genetic condition that leads to swelling of the breathing passage or bronchi. Bronchitis is a non-hereditary disease usually caused by infection or irritants. In this disease, the membranes lining the tubes of the bronchi suffer inflammation. Both these diseases can cause severe respiratory difficulties.

Sufferers of Asthma are always at a high risk of developing Bronchitis. In case of a Asthmatic Bronchitis viral infection, a person can develop both Asthma and Bronchitis resulting in a chronic Asthmatic Bronchitis.

Symptoms of Asthmatic Bronchitis

Some of the major Asthmatic Bronchitis symptoms are :

Shortness of Breath

Patients of this condition commonly suffer from breathlessness. In people with Asthmatic Bronchitis breathing difficulties like this happen due to inflammation of the airways.

Frequent Cough

Patients with this disease suffer from frequent coughing which impairs their health and causes respiratory difficulties. Cough may or may not be accompanied with sputum.

Sore Throat

Prolonged coughing can also make patients suffer from soreness in throat area.

Nocturnal Cough

Affected ones are seen to wake up at night coughing violently.

Wheezing Sound

People with Asthmatic Bronchitis emit a wheezing noise while breathing.

Compactness

Sufferers also experience a tight or compact sensation in the chest.

Recurrent Chest Infections

People with Asthmatic Bronchitis are also found to suffer from repeated cases of chest infection.

Some other symptoms include blue colored lips, frequent breathing problems and swelling in the feet, ankles and legs.

Asthmatic Bronchitis Causes

Asthmatic Bronchitis results from an inflammation or swelling of the mucous membranes of the bronchi, one of the two main branches of trachea. It is the trachea that carries inhaled air from the larynx to the bronchi. An inflammation in the trachea leads to breathing problems.

The condition usually occurs as a result of prolonged Chronic Bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is a permanent damage of the airways caused by long-term smoking or prolonged exposure to irritants. In case of exposure to irritants for a long time, as in case of Chronic Bronchitis, the patient can also develop asthma. This gives rise to a chronic case of Asthmatic Bronchitis. Chronic Bronchitis often develops into Asthmatic Bronchitis.

Asthmatic Bronchitis Diagnosis

The diagnosis of this condition is quite difficult. This is because the symptoms of this disease are quite similar to symptoms of many other respiratory disorders like emphysema, sinusitis, asthma and bronchitis. An experienced physician uses a Spirometer to measure the vital capacity of the lungs. This helps in finding out if there is a case of air obstruction. The doctor also listens to the chest sounds with a stethoscope.

For further examination in patients of Asthmatic Bronchitis X rays of chest may be done. Pulmonary testing, laboratory analyses, respiration tests and clinical examinations are also helpful in diagnosing this condition. The patient should also be tested for allergies.

Treatment of Asthmatic Bronchitis

Treatment of this respiratory condition involves medications and lifestyle modifications. For temporary Asthmatic Bronchitis treatment antibiotics, steroids and bronchodilators are used. Bronchodilators and inhaled medicines are used only to provide temporary relief from symptoms and short-term clearing of the airways.

A permanent treatment of this disease involves the use of oral antibiotics and Corticosteroid drugs like Prednisolone tablets. Long-term use of drugs like Salmeterol and Salbutamol can also be effective to relieve Asthmatic Bronchitis symptoms.  Anti-inflammatory medicines such as Fluticasone are effectual in reducing swelling of the bronchial tubes.

If bacterial or viral infections are found to have caused Asthmatic Bronchitis flu vaccines are administered to the patient for Asthmatic Bronchitis relief. Sufferers are also advised to avoid places that are infested with irritants like chemicals, pollen, alcohol vapors.  Such people should ideally keep away from dusty and smoky surroundings at all costs.

In some cases, patients are provided with an inhaler as an aid to medical cure. Inhalers reduce wheezing and open the air passages.

Asthmatic Bronchitis Home Remedy

Some of the most effective Asthmatic Bronchitis home remedies are :

Herbal Teas

Herbal teas are one of the most powerful Asthmatic Bronchitis herbal remedies. Teas prepared from spearmint, peppermint, cinnamon, rosemary, ginger and eucalyptus are very useful in bringing relief from the condition. Adding honey to herbal teas is also seen to safeguard respiratory tract and prevent mucus formation.

Ginger Juice

Ginger juice mixed with a teaspoon of honey works as one of the best Asthmatic Bronchitis natural treatments.

Lemon Juice Solution

Warm water mixed with lemon juice also works as a powerful aid to Asthmatic Bronchitis medications. It is one of the most trusted Asthmatic Bronchitis natural remedies. Taking 2 teaspoons of this mixture daily can help a patient suffering from this disease.

Raw Garlic

Raw garlic is another of the trusted natural Asthmatic Bronchitis remedies. Having 3-5 garlic cloves daily can be very effective in aiding the treatment. For a patient of Asthmatic Bronchitis garlic consumption is necessary as the herb contains antibiotic, antiasthmatic and expectorant qualities.

Rest and avoidance of stress can also help a sufferer make a fast recovery from the disease. Smokers should kick the butt for a permanent recovery. A suffering individual must also drink plenty of water and fluids.

Is Asthmatic Bronchitis Contagious?

Unlike what many people think, Asthmatic Bronchitis is not a contagious condition. However, if the condition is caused by a bacterial or viral infection there may be a case of transmission. The infection itself can pass on from the sufferer to other persons.

Asthmatic Bronchitis Recovery Time

Asthmatic Bronchitis recovery period depends on the medications and treatment used to cure the condition. The symptoms normally go away within a week or little more. If they do not clear up by this time there may be an underlying lung disorder. In general cases, symptoms clear up in 7-10 days. The dry cough may take months to go away.

The period of permanent recovery is usually a little longer than in bronchitis. The patient may experience fatigue time to time during the treatment. But with proper diagnosis and cure, it usually goes away.

Asthmatic Bronchitis Complications

Picture 2 – Bronchitis
Source – ehow

In some serious cases of Asthmatic Bronchitis pneumonia or sinusitis may develop. Patients may need immediate hospitalization in such acute Asthmatic Bronchitis situations. An overdose of medication can also lead to an emergency condition. In some patients, some Asthmatic Bronchitis medications produce serious reactions. Serious cases of Asthmatic Bronchitis resulting from bacterial or viral infections also need immediate medical cure.

The disorder can also result in Hyperglycemia or high sugar levels in the blood and urine. This is also an emergency condition that requires quick medical attention.

If you find Asthmatic Bronchitis symptoms in yourself or someone in your family, do not neglect it. Seek immediate medical attention and begin the treatment. The condition causes a lot of discomfort and can even bring on severe complications. So it is necessary that you seek timely treatment and ensure health safety.

References:

http://exzorders.com/nc/bronchitis/acute_asthmatic_bronchitis.html

http://www.allergiesasthmahelp.com/allergies-asthma-articles/asthmatic-bronchitis-is-not-well-understood.html

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-asthmatic-bronchitis.htm

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-connection-between-asthma-and-bronchitis.htm