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
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Chronic bronchitis chest X-ray manifestations

Patients with chronic bronchitis may have completely normal chest X-rays or lung CT scans in the early stages, meaning that if a patient exhibits symptoms of chronic bronchitis, such as coughing and expectorating for more than three months continuously or over two consecutive years, they can still be diagnosed with chronic bronchitis even if their chest X-ray appears normal. Additionally, as chronic bronchitis progresses over time, some patients may develop thickening of the bronchial walls or interstitial inflammation in the small bronchioles and alveoli, etc. These conditions can manifest on chest X-rays as coarse, disordered lung textures in a net-like or strip-like pattern, or as patchy shadows, which are generally more evident in the lower fields of both lungs. Observing these changes on a chest X-ray can assist in diagnosing chronic bronchitis. Furthermore, as the disease progresses, some patients with chronic bronchitis may develop into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary heart disease, and corresponding changes might be observable on chest X-rays. Additionally, patients with chronic bronchitis often experience acute exacerbations or concurrent infections, which may lead to patchy exudates visible on the chest wall.

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Chronic Bronchitis Nursing Measures

Chronic bronchitis is a chronic inflammation of the respiratory system, which tends to be prolonged and recurrent. For those suffering from this disease, it is primarily important to quit smoking, which is a crucial preventive measure against acute attacks of chronic bronchitis. It is also essential to control occupational or environmental pollution to avoid the irritation of harmful gases such as dust and smoke. Additionally, it is advisable to strengthen the body through regular exercise, enhance immunity, and increase cold resistance. It is recommended to wash the face with cold water all year round to enhance the skin's ability to prevent and fight diseases. During the flu season, getting a flu vaccine to prevent the onset of a cold, reinforcing dietary hygiene, and enhancing health education is also advised.

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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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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.

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How to treat chronic bronchitis?

Chronic bronchitis is divided into acute exacerbation phase and remission phase. The treatment during acute exacerbation mainly focuses on controlling infections, and administrating antitussive, expectorant, and asthma-relieving medications. To control infections, antibiotics are empirically selected based on the common pathogens in the area. If the pathogen can be cultured, an antibiotic sensitive to the organism can be chosen based on the test. Oral administration is generally sufficient. In severe cases, medication can be administered intravenously. Patients with asthma are given bronchodilators. During the remission phase, treatment involves quitting smoking, avoiding inhalation of harmful gases and other harmful particles, strengthening physical health, preventing colds, and for patients with repeated respiratory infections, vaccines or immunomodulators may be administered to enhance immunity.