lung infection no cough :: Article CreatorWhat To Know About Bronchitis
Bronchitis is inflammation of the inner mucus lining of the bronchial tubes in the lungs. A nagging cough is one of the most prevalent bronchitis symptoms. A cough usually starts as dry but eventually produces phlegm, which makes it hard to breathe. Some cases of bronchitis go away on their own. Treatment includes medications, therapies, and home remedies.
The bronchial tubes are branch-like passageways, also known as bronchi, that carry air from the windpipe (trachea) to the lungs. The bronchial tubes swell and thicken with mucus, constricting airflow if they become infected or irritated. Contagious viral infections are the most common cause of bronchitis.
Bronchitis might be short-term (acute) or long-lasting (chronic). Read on to learn what bronchitis is, including types, symptoms, treatment, and more.
Bronchitis causes inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs. There are two distinct types of bronchitis: acute, which is short-term, and chronic, which is long-lasting. Acute Acute bronchitis, or a chest cold, is the most common type. This inflammation of the bronchial tubes is temporary. Most people with healthy immune systems and no underlying illnesses recover from acute bronchitis within one week. Coughing may persist for up to four weeks in some people. Chronic Chronic bronchitis causes a persistent, phlegm-producing cough that lasts three months per year for at least two years in a row. This type is the most common type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of progressive lung conditions that make it hard to breathe. People with chronic bronchitis are more susceptible to lung infections and sensitive to air pollutants and allergens than others. Symptoms go through periods where they flare up and then subside. Bronchitis symptoms might vary depending on if it's acute or chronic but generally include: Coughing up mucus Fatigue Low-grade chest pain Low-grade fever (i.E., below 100.4 degrees) Shortness of breath Wheezing or whistling sound in the lungs Acute The most common sign of acute bronchitis is a persistent cough that lasts as long as four weeks. Coughing may produce clear, slimy phlegm or be yellowish-green. Acute bronchitis often strikes when you are sick or recovering from a cold or the flu, which causes symptoms like: Fatigue Fever Headache Muscle aches Runny or stuffy nose Sneezing Sore throat Acute bronchitis narrows the airways, so you may notice a wheezing sound when you breathe. Other symptoms include a low-grade fever and chest discomfort. Acute bronchitis may cause shortness of breath that worsens with physical activity. Chronic Chronic bronchitis symptoms include a persistent cough with: Chest tightness Shortness of breath that worsens with physical activity Squeaky or whistling sounds while breathing Thick mucus Wheezing People with this chronic form of bronchitis are more likely to have frequent respiratory infections than others. They may develop blue skin discoloration due to a lack of oxygen in the blood as the disease progresses. Bronchitis develops if the airways, or bronchial tubes, in your lungs become inflamed. Acute bronchitis typically strikes in the wake of a cold, flu, or other viral infection. The virus invades your bronchial tubes, causing inflammation and a phlegmy cough. A bacterial infection may cause acute bronchitis, but it's less common. Other causes include irritants like: Air pollution Dust Fumes Perfume Pollen Smoke Vapors Long-term damage to the airways and lungs causes chronic bronchitis. People with chronic bronchitis typically have exposure to irritants, such as air pollution, fumes, and smoke. Risk Factors Anyone can develop acute bronchitis, but it's most common in infants, young children, and older adults. People who live in crowded and polluted areas and have asthma are also likelier to develop acute bronchitis. Factors that increase your risk of chronic bronchitis include: Age: Older adults are likelier to develop chronic bronchitis than others. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: This is a rare genetic condition that increases your risk of chronic bronchitis and other lung conditions. Family history: You might be more likely to have COPD, including chronic bronchitis, if someone in your family has it. Environmental irritants: Air pollution, dust, fumes, and secondhand smoke might lead to chronic bronchitis. Health conditions: These include illnesses that affect your lungs, such as asthma, bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis. People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which irritates your esophagus, also have a high risk. Long-term smoking: People sometimes mistake chronic bronchitis for a "smoker's cough." A healthcare provider can diagnose acute and chronic bronchitis by assessing your symptoms. They might perform a physical exam and place a stethoscope on your chest to listen for wheezing. You might require other diagnostic tests, depending on how severe your symptoms are, such as: Arterial blood gas test: This checks the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood. Chest X-ray: This imaging test can diagnose acute and chronic bronchitis and rule out pneumonia. This lung infection has symptoms similar to those of bronchitis. Pulse oximeter: A healthcare provider will clip this small sensor to a finger or toe to measure your blood oxygen levels. Spirometry: This test involves blowing into a tube to measure your lung function. Various methods can treat acute and chronic bronchitis, including medications, oxygen therapy, and home remedies. Using multiple treatments is usually the most effective route. Medications for Acute Bronchitis Medications that treat acute bronchitis include: Antibiotics: These only treat acute bronchitis caused by a bacterial infection. Cough suppressants: These include dextromethorphan, which treats a dry cough. A healthcare provider may prescribe dextromethorphan, and it's available over the counter in Delsym, Robitussin, and Zicam. Only take those drugs if coughing is keeping you awake. Don't give them to children younger than 4. Guaifenesin: This is an expectorant, or a drug that thins the mucus in your airways. Expectorants make it easy to cough up mucus and clear your airways. Inhaled bronchodilator medicines: You might use albuterol or ipratropium bromide to relieve wheezing. Pain relievers: These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce fever, inflammation, and pain, such as Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Don't give aspirin to any child younger than 18. Tylenol (acetaminophen) also helps alleviate fever and pain. Medications for Chronic Bronchitis Medications that treat chronic bronchitis include: Antibiotics: You might require antibiotics if your symptoms flare due to a bacterial infection. Inhaled bronchodilator medicines: Albuterol helps open your airways, making it easier to breathe. Inhaled corticosteroids: These control flares of symptoms by suppressing inflammation of the lungs. Nicotine replacement therapy: This helps you quit smoking. Therapy A healthcare provider may order oxygen therapy if you have chronic bronchitis. You can receive this treatment in a hospital, at a medical facility, or at home. Inhaled oxygen increases the availability of oxygen to your lungs and blood and helps with breathing. Pulmonary rehabilitation is another therapy for chronic bronchitis. This therapy combines exercise, education, and support services. You'll work with a team of healthcare providers to increase your strength and endurance, learn breathing techniques, and acquire other skills to manage the disease. Home Remedies These home remedies, in addition to medical treatments, can alleviate bronchitis symptoms: Drink warm water with honey and lemon: Don't give honey to children younger than 1 due to the risk of botulism, a rare type of poisoning. Get plenty of rest: Sleep helps your body replenish its energy to fight off a bacterial or viral infection. Getting plenty of rest also supports immune function. Stay hydrated: This thins out your mucus so it's easy to expel. Suck on a lozenge: These hard candies can soothe a sore throat. Try pursed-lipped breathing: This technique helps control shortness of breath. Breathe in through the nose for two seconds, pucker your lips, and then blow out very slowly. Repeat as needed. Use a humidifier: You can also inhale steam from a bath or shower. These methods loosen mucus and ease wheezing. Both can also ease a child's congestion under a parent's supervision. You might prevent bronchitis by protecting yourself from germs and irritants that affect the airways and lungs. Prevention measures include: Avoid smoking and smoke-filled environments. Get COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia vaccines, which help protect you from viruses and bacteria that cause bronchitis. Regularly wash your hands. Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when you are exposed to air pollution, fumes, smoke, and other irritants. Some people, such as infants, young children, and older adults, are likelier to develop complications from acute bronchitis than others. Complications include pneumonia, respiratory distress, and missed days from school or work. People with chronic bronchitis have a high risk of complications, including worsening lung function and trouble breathing. Chronic bronchitis might damage the mucus lining of the bronchial tubes, worsening a cough. This irritation may lead to inflammation and excess mucus production that clogs the airways. Chronic bronchitis also raises your risk of coronary artery disease. Bronchitis is inflammation of the airways in the lungs, or the bronchial tubes. This inflammation may be acute or chronic. Contagious viruses typically cause acute bronchitis. Smoking and exposure to environmental irritations are some of the most common causes of chronic bronchitis. Talk to a healthcare provider if you develop bronchitis symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment help prevent complications, such as pneumonia. You can treat bronchitis with medications, therapies, and home remedies, depending on what type you have and the cause.
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Lung Cancer Symptoms: What You Must Know
Lung cancer often develops without showing any symptoms in its early stages. The lungs do not have many nerve endings, so a tumour can grow without causing noticeable pain. This makes it difficult for many people to detect lung cancer until it has advanced and spread to other parts of the body.
When lung cancer symptoms do appear, they may include:
• A chronic, raspy cough, sometimes with blood-streaked mucus
• Changes in a long-standing cough
• Recurring respiratory infections, like bronchitis or pneumonia
• Shortness of breath that worsens over time
• Wheezing, lasting chest pain, hoarseness, and trouble swallowing
• Shoulder pain
These symptoms typically occur when a tumour blocks airways or cancer spreads to nearby tissues.
Symptoms of early-stage lung cancer:
At Stage I, lung cancer is usually symptomless. It is often caught through screenings rather than the patient noticing symptoms. However, some signs may include a persistent new cough, coughing up blood or mucus, shortness of breath, chest pain, or frequent infections like bronchitis or pneumonia.
Symptoms of advanced lung cancer:
In Stage IV, when the cancer spreads to more areas of the lungs or other parts of the body, additional symptoms may develop, such as:
• Fatigue and weakness
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Headaches, numbness, or seizures if the cancer has reached the brain
Other uncommon symptoms:
Some symptoms of lung cancer affect parts of the body not directly connected to the lungs, such as:
• Clubbing of the fingers, where the nails curve and fingers appear larger
• High calcium levels in the blood, leading to stomach upset, thirst, frequent urination, or confusion
• Horner syndrome, which causes a drooping eyelid, a smaller pupil, and less sweating on one side of the face
• Swelling in the face, neck, or arms due to restricted blood flow
Skin-related symptoms
Lung cancer can also cause certain skin issues, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) or easy bruising due to interference with adrenal glands.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally, but the rates have been decreasing. However, the decline is not as significant among younger women. This has raised questions among experts, with genetic factors possibly playing a role. Historically, lung cancer has been associated with older men who smoke, so doctors may not immediately suspect the disease when a nonsmoking young woman presents with symptoms like a persistent cough or recurring respiratory infections.
Types of lung cancer and their symptoms:
There are two main types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLC is more common, making up about 85% of cases. It has three subtypes:
1. Adenocarcinoma: More common in women and nonsmokers, usually found in the outer areas of the lungs.
2. Squamous cell carcinoma: Typically forms in the central part of the lungs near the airways.
3. Large cell carcinoma: Can develop anywhere in the lungs and tends to grow faster.
SCLC, while less common, spreads quickly and is more strongly linked to smoking. It is also more likely to cause symptoms like bone pain, confusion, seizures, and paralysis.
Both NSCLC and SCLC share many symptoms, such as coughing, chest pain, wheezing, and hoarseness. SCLC is more likely to cause hypercalcemia (high calcium levels) and problems with the adrenal glands.
When to see a doctor:
If you experience persistent coughing, coughing up blood, frequent respiratory infections, or wheezing, it is important to see a doctor. Additionally, sudden shortness of breath, coughing up large amounts of blood, chest pain that does not go away, sudden vision problems, or weakness should prompt an immediate visit to the emergency room.
Takeaways:
Lung cancer often goes unnoticed in its early stages due to the lack of symptoms. Common signs include a persistent cough, chest pain, and recurring infections. It is important to consult a doctor if you are concerned, as early detection improves the chances of successful treatment.
While lung cancer is a serious diagnosis, treatments are improving, and survival rates are increasing, particularly when the disease is caught early.
Woman Nearly Loses Her Life After 70oz Of Black Slime Erupted From Her Lungs Due To Vaping
A woman has warned people to quit vaping 'any way you can' after she was left fighting for her life when her lungs collapsed and filled with 'black fluid'.
Jordan Brielle, from Cincinnati, US, first swapped smoking cigarettes to vaping in 2021.
However, she became addicted and the 32-year-old began forking out $500 a week on e-cigarettes.
The residential assistant also said that her vape pen would go everywhere with her, including to bed when she went to sleep and when she went into her shower.
However, in mid-November, Brielle began to notice that she was struggling to breath and she began 'feeling a heaviness in her chest'.
"At first it was just a respiratory infection or bronchitis so I kept going to the hospital with breathing problems." she said. "I had a horrible cough and was going to the hospital two or three times a week for help. I had little to no voice.
"Each time they would send me home. It felt like there were 80lbs of pressure just laying on my chest. I'd never felt so sick in my life.
"My body was swelling up from my ankles to my kneecaps. I kept going to the hospital because I was progressively getting worse."
Jordan Brielle began vaping in 2021 (Kennedy News and Media)
Brielle continued: "My skin was turning grey, I couldn't focus, I was very discombobulated. It was hurting to walk. I could barely do anything.
"Nobody knew what was actually wrong with me. I felt like I was dying."
Despite catching COVID and pneumonia, she says she still continued to vape despite her health issues.
In May, things took a scary turn when her partner found her unresponsive with 'black mucus' dripping out of her mouth and nose - and she was promptly rushed to hospital.
"When he went to wake me up [before a night shift], he said there was black mucus coming out of my mouth and my nose. He said I was gasping but couldn't catch my breath. I was unresponsive and had a faint pulse." Brielle said.
"He began sucking the sputum out of my nose and mouth to try and give me CPR. He called 911 because the CPR wasn't working. I don't remember anything."
Brielle was placed into a medically induced coma for 11 days (Kennedy News and Media)
At the hospital, doctors suctioned 67oz (2L) of 'black' fluid from her lungs before placing her into a medically induced coma for 11 days, while hooked to a ventilator.
They also told her family that her left lung had collapsed, while the right had partially collapsed.
"There was at least two litres of fluid on my lungs. In hospital, they told me my lungs were extremely damaged from smoking and vaping." Brielle said.
She also says she has been 'left with a minor brain injury due to lack of oxygen to her brain'.
Brielle says she feels 'grateful' to be alive and that the doctors 'really saved her life'.
"They told me if I'd waited any longer, I wouldn't have been here. I haven't touched a vape since," she added.
"I would say to anyone else quit any way you can. Do it for your health, your family, your life, your lungs - whatever motivates you, use that reason and stop.
"I wouldn't wish what I'd been through on anyone else."
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