User:KOMF/Wiki4Cam Backups/Bronchitis

Bronchitis, in simple terms, is an inflammation of bronchi. Bronchi are two branches of the trachea, one leads to the left lung and the other goes to the right lung. Bronchits causes cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness and other symptoms. Bronchitis may be either acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis usually follows the acute upper respiratory infection.

Causes
Acute bronchitis is mostly caused by viral infection, rarely bacterial infection. Usually bacterial infection follows the viral infection. There are number of viruses causing viral infection like influenza virus. Elderly, infants, young children, smokers, people with heart or lung disease are more prone to get acute bronchitis. In most cases, the same viruses that cause colds cause acute bronchitis. Research has shown that bacterial infection is a much less common cause of bronchitis. Fungal infection may also cause acute bronchitis very rarely.

Chronic bronchitis, which is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is mainly caused untreated acute bronchitis and cigarette smoke (including long-term exposure to second-hand smoke). The severity of the disease is directly propotional to the amount of smoking. Air pollution, certain occupations (like coal mining, textile manufacturing, or grain handling), infection and allergies can aggravate the problem.

Symptoms
Sore throat, fever, cough with yellow or green mucus, chest congestion, shortness of breath, wheezing, chills and body aches are the main symptoms.

Acupuncture/acupressure
Following points are useful.

General Points: DU 20 (Baihui), LU 1 (Zhongfu), UB 13 (Feishu) and DU 14 (Dazhui). Acute bronchitis: LU 5 (Chize), LI 4 (Hegu). Fever: LI 4 (Hegu), DU 14 (Dazhui) and LI 11 (Quchi). Sore throat: SI 17 (Tianrong). Chest pain: LU 6 (Kongzui) with manual stimulation. Excessive sputum: ST 40 (Fenglong).

Homeopathy
Following are the drugs for bronchitis with indications:

Aconitum napellus: When the fever runs very high; hot skin; much distress and great restlessness. Antimonium tartaricum: Much thirst; wishes to drink little and often. When the child coughs there appears to be a large collection of mucus in the bronchial tubes; and it seems as if much would be expectorated, but nothing comes up. Arnica montana: The child cries every time it coughs.  Arsenicum album: When there is great prostration; restlessness after twelve at night; it drinks little and often. Belladonna: The mucous râles are large and crepitous, hoarse cough; much moaning; moaning at every breath. Bryonia alba: Respiration much oppressed; dry, cracked lips; cough worse after drinking; constipation of dry, black, burnt-like looking stools. Calcarea carbonica: Much mucus in the chest. In phlegmatic children large and open fontanelles; much perspiration on the head, so that the pillow is wet far around. Chamomilla: The child is very cross and fretful; one cheek red, the other pale; must be carried to be appeased. Cina maritima: Vermiculous symptoms prevail; such as picking the nose; nothing satisfies the child. Drosera rotundifolia: The fever and the cough,-which is very hoarse,-are worse after twelve at night. Dulcamara: The disease has been induced by cold damp air. Hepar sulphur: The child seems croupy, decidedly so, and the phlegm is loose and choking. Ipecacuanha: Much nausea and vomiting of mucus; the cough is strangling and suffocating, so much mucus seems to be accumulated in the bronchial tubes. Lycopodium clavatum: There is much oppression of the chest; and the alæ nasi are seen to dilate or spread out wide, like the large end of a trumpet, and then to contract alternately. Nux vomica: The child is always worse after four o'clock in the morning. Phosphorus: Severe and exhausting cough, which the child dreads and avoids as long as possible. The case becomes worse in the evening; and continues so during the night. The fever is often very high; and the pulse very rapid. Pulsatilla pratensis: The cough is very loose, and with all the fever there is but little or no thirst. The child gets worse towards evening; and it has more difficulty of breathing when it lies on its side. Silicea terra: In children who have large bellies; perspiration about the head; of a scrofulous constitution. Sulphur: The child has papular eruptions upon its skin; rather inclined to excoriation; much rattling of mucus in the chest; sleeps in very short naps, frequently awaking.