Chronic Bronchitis Nursing Measures

Written by Li Jian Wu

Pulmonology

Updated on September 09, 2024

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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 Wang Xiang Yu

Pulmonology

45sec

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Is chronic bronchitis hereditary?

The etiology of chronic bronchitis is not very clear at present. It is considered that many factors work over a long period to cause chronic bronchitis. The most common factors include long-term irritation from harmful gases and particles, such as cigarette smoke, smog, dust, irritating gases like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc., as well as infectious factors. There might also be a certain relationship with the occurrence of chronic bronchitis, but so far, no close relationship has been found between chronic bronchitis and genetics, and there is no evidence to prove that chronic bronchitis is a hereditary disease.

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Written by Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

41sec

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How to expectorate phlegm in chronic bronchitis

Coughing up phlegm is a common symptom of chronic bronchitis. When patients with chronic bronchitis experience coughing up phlegm, they can initially use medications to expel the phlegm. They may choose some expectorant medications or bronchodilators to help expel the phlegm. If the phlegm is thick and sticky, cough suppressants should be used with caution to avoid affecting the expulsion of phlegm. Additionally, drinking more water and having a lighter diet can also facilitate the expulsion of phlegm. Another method is to use turning and patting on the back to help expel the phlegm. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Yuan Qing

Pulmonology

1min 4sec

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How to use diet to supplement treatment for chronic bronchitis?

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

3min 18sec

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How to treat chronic bronchitis?

How to treat chronic bronchitis, first of all we need to know that chronic bronchitis can be divided into two phases, one is the remission phase, the other is the acute exacerbation phase. Since most patients are in the remission phase most of the time, that is, their symptoms of cough and expectoration are relatively stable, more or less the same every day, with no significant change in the amount and nature of the sputum, no purulent sputum, no significant increase in sputum, and no fever or other symptoms of infection. In such cases, the first step in treating chronic bronchitis patients is to target some possible causes of their condition, such as smokers must quit smoking. Most chronic bronchitis patients experience some relief in cough and expectoration after quitting smoking. Furthermore, some patients' chronic bronchitis may be due to exposure to dust or irritant gases. It is crucial to avoid contact with these harmful gases as much as possible. In addition, patients in a stable condition should engage in physical exercise, enhance their physical fitness, and prevent colds. Some chronic bronchitis patients who frequently suffer from respiratory infections can consider using immunomodulators or some traditional Chinese medicine to regulate immunity and enhance resistance. Additionally, since chronic bronchitis can acutely exacerbate, which means the patient’s condition has changed, their cough and expectoration frequency may increase, the amount of sputum may increase, or there may be some purulent sputum, or fever and other symptoms. In such cases, the primary treatment may still be infection control, commonly using antimicrobial drugs, often referred to as anti-inflammatory drugs. The types of anti-inflammatory drugs are numerous, the most common ones include penicillin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, amoxicillin, and some cephalosporins. In such cases, it is necessary to choose medication under the guidance of a doctor. Additionally, in these situations where the patient’s cough and expectoration are worsened, and sputum increases, medications for cough suppression and expectoration, commonly known as expectorants and cough relievers, are also needed. There are some proprietary Chinese medicines, such as licorice preparations, and Western medicines such as bromhexine and ambroxol as well. Moreover, a very small portion of patients may experience wheezing, meaning some patients might also have symptoms like chest tightness and shortness of breath. In such cases, it would be necessary to use bronchodilators under the guidance of a doctor, such as theophylline or doxophylline, and these medications must be used under medical supervision.

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Written by Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

34sec

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Differences between acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis

Generally speaking, acute bronchitis has a sudden onset, with patients often experiencing symptoms such as fever, coughing, and coughing up phlegm, and some patients may have wheezing. With effective treatment, recovery usually occurs within two to three weeks. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, typically has a longer course of illness with recurring symptoms, including coughing, coughing up phlegm, chest tightness, and wheezing. The duration of the illness often exceeds two years, with episodes typically lasting more than three months each year.