How to use diet to supplement treatment for chronic bronchitis?

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on December 10, 2024
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Chronic bronchitis primarily refers to a condition characterized by a frequent chronic cough, with the total duration of cough exceeding three months per year and recurring for two consecutive years. Through routine examinations, such as chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests, other conditions like pulmonary space-occupying lesions, bronchiectasis, tumors, tuberculosis, and asthma are ruled out. If the disease is predominantly characterized by coughing, it is referred to as chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is generally related to long-term exposure to smoke and dust. In terms of dietary support, traditional Chinese medicine believes that the lung is associated with the color white; therefore, it is suggested to consume more white-colored foods, which help to moisten the lungs, stop coughs, and transform phlegm. Foods such as lotus seeds, Job's tears, tofu, and Chinese yam are considered beneficial in the dietary treatment of chronic bronchitis.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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Chronic bronchitis radical cure medication

First, we still need to know what chronic bronchitis is. The medical definition of chronic bronchitis is chronic non-specific inflammation of the trachea, bronchial mucosa, and surrounding tissues. Here, we emphasize the chronic process, and the diagnostic criteria generally require that the condition persists for more than three months each year, for two consecutive years or more. Since the definition of the disease strongly emphasizes the chronic process, we must understand this disease and accept this fact. The symptoms of chronic bronchitis can last a long time and may recur throughout a person's life. So far, we have not found a cure for chronic bronchitis. Therefore, patients with chronic bronchitis do not need to believe those false advertisements, nor should they pursue a cure for chronic bronchitis and use antibiotics long-term, as these are not advisable approaches.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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Does chronic bronchitis cause chest tightness?

Chronic bronchitis is commonly known as "old chronic bronchitis." Its main symptoms are coughing and expectoration. These symptoms are chronic and recurrent, and the onset is gradual. Coughing and expectoration are usually more pronounced in the morning and may consist of white, sticky phlegm or frothy sputum. Occasionally, there may be blood in the phlegm, but significant hemoptysis or chest pain generally does not occur. A small portion of chronic bronchitis patients may experience wheezing, which some of them might describe as chest tightness, meaning that chest tightness can occur in some chronic bronchitis patients. Those experiencing wheezing are referred to as having asthmatic bronchitis. Additionally, some patients may also have coexisting conditions like bronchial asthma or, in later stages, chronic obstructive pulmonary emphysema, which can also lead to symptoms of chest tightness, shortness of breath, or respiratory difficulty.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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Can chronic bronchitis be treated?

Chronic bronchitis, commonly known as "chronic obstructive bronchitis," is treatable. The primary symptoms of chronic bronchitis are coughing and expectoration. If the disease occurs for more than three months each year, for two consecutive years, while excluding other organic diseases, chronic bronchitis can be diagnosed. Treatment for chronic bronchitis is divided into two parts. During acute exacerbations, which typically present with worsened coughing and expectoration, increased sputum volume, or the presence of purulent sputum and possibly accompanied by wheezing and fever, the main treatment is anti-infection. The primary medications for anti-infection are antimicrobial drugs, which include macrolides, quinolones, cephalosporins, etc. Additionally, treatment can be aimed at alleviating symptoms of coughing and expectoration and might include expectorants and cough suppressants, such as ambroxol. For wheezing, medications like aminophylline or nebulized treatments may be necessary. Most of the time, patients with chronic bronchitis are in a remission phase. The primary treatment here initially involves addressing known triggers, such as insisting smokers quit and minimizing exposure to dust or harmful gases at work. Chronic bronchitis patients are encouraged to exercise moderately, strengthen their physique, and prevent colds. For patients who experience repeated respiratory infections, vaccination or immune modulators, such as BCG, may be considered. Always follow a physician’s guidance regarding specific medication use.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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The difference between acute bronchitis and bronchitis

What is the difference between acute bronchitis and bronchitis? Generally speaking, in terms of the duration of the disease, bronchitis can be classified into acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is a type of bronchitis. It is often caused by infections, physical and chemical factors, allergies, etc. Patients may experience fever, cough, and expectoration, and the duration usually lasts 2 to 3 weeks. In the case of chronic bronchitis, the course of the disease is longer, with symptoms such as repeated coughing, expectoration, and wheezing, and the symptoms persist and do not improve.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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How to cure chronic bronchitis completely?

At present, there is no cure for chronic bronchitis, and most treatments are mainly aimed at alleviating its symptoms. The treatment is mainly divided into two parts, one is the treatment during the acute exacerbation phase, which means that if a patient with chronic bronchitis experiences acute worsening of symptoms such as coughing and expectoration, or if accompanied by wheezing, fever, etc., then the main treatment methods might include anti-infection measures, expectorants to relieve cough, or treatments to alleviate wheezing. Most patients with chronic bronchitis are likely in the remission phase most of the time, and the primary treatment during this phase is initially to address factors that might trigger chronic bronchitis, such as insisting that patients who smoke quit smoking, and for those who have been exposed to dust or smoke, it is crucial to resolve triggering factors and avoid contact with harmful gases or inhalation of harmful particles. The next step is to enhance physical fitness and prevent colds. Chronic bronchitis patients can engage in appropriate physical exercise based on their condition, and those who suffer from long-term recurrent infections might consider pursuing immunotherapy.