How to Prevent Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It occurs when air passages get inflamed or swollen, chiefly due to infection. The trachea of a person has two branches or bronchi. When one of them is affected, a person suffers from bronchitis. Smoke, chemical irritants as well as air pollutants cause bronchitis. Symptoms like persistent cough (with mucus), shortness of breath, chest pain, common cold, flu, wheezing, etc. are observed.

Bronchitis can be of two types, viz, acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. In acute bronchitis, severe symptoms are observed, but the illness does not last long. On the other hand, chronic bronchitis is a long-lasting illness. The symptoms can be mild or severe and are repeatedly observed. Bronchitis often develops after cold and flu.

How to Prevent Bronchitis?

The preventive measures to avert bronchitis are simple and uncomplicated. They must be followed strictly.

Avoid smoking: Smoking is the prominent cause of bronchitis. When a person smokes, he inhales tobacco smoke. This inhaled smoke causes irritation to his air passages producing mucus, subsequently developing bronchitis. Hence, smoking must be stopped completely.

Avoid passive smoking: Passive smoking or second-hand smoking is exposure to smoke, when others use tobacco containing products. Passive smoking is equally harmful as it affects the person, in the similar way as it affects the smokers.

Influenza (flu) vaccine: Getting vaccinated is the best preventive measure for preventing bronchitis. Vaccinations can completely minimize the risk of contracting the disease. Influenza (flu) vaccine is an annual vaccine that protects against influenza virus. It is recommended by doctors, so that contracting chronic lung diseases, like bronchitis, can be avoided.

Avoid contact with other patients: One must avoid close contact with people suffering from cold and influenza. These are infectious diseases and there are chances of contracting them. Also, one must not share personal articles and clothes of the people suffering from viral infectious diseases.

Wear masks: Wearing a mask, prevents air pollutants like dust, pollen from entering into air passages. People working in metal industries or stone quarries also have high risk of contracting bronchitis. Hence, it is advisable for them to wear masks. One must also wear a mask, if he is constantly in contact with patients suffering from infectious diseases, for e.g. doctors, volunteers, etc.

Balanced diet: Having a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet improves the immunity of a person. The immune system protects him from getting infected by disease causing virus. Therefore, there are less chances of contracting disease.

Maintain hygiene: As bronchitis is caused due to viral infection, one must follow certain steps to avoid infection. One must make use of handkerchief, wash hands and also make use of sanitizers.

How is Smoking related to Bronchitis?

Smoking stimulates bronchitis. As the air passages of smokers are constantly exposed to tobacco smoke, they get inflamed and result in bronchitis. Smokers have ten times higher chances of contracting bronchitis than non-smokers. Once smokers get contracted by the disease, it is more difficult for them to recover than other patients. If smokers suffering from acute bronchitis, continue smoking, the cilia in their lungs are permanently damaged, resulting in chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis, when sustained for a long time, is a precursor of lung cancer. Chain smokers smoking 10-20 cigarettes for nearly 10 years, are under high risk of contracting bronchitis. Therefore, the only way to avert bronchitis and lung cancer is to quit smoking. Once you stop smoking, the functioning of lungs improves.

It should be remembered that bronchitis is a serious medical condition. All preventive methods must be followed to have a healthy, disease-free life. Always remember that 'Prevention is better than cure!'

By Madhura Pandit