Winning the battle against bronchitis

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Dr. Mark Hochberg MD deems it necessary now more than ever to educate people on the importance of respiratory health. With the COVID-19 pandemic breathing down everyone’s necks, people must keep their lungs and heart at their healthiest. This is one of the main reasons why Dr. Hochberg has released a series of blogs on lung health.

Today’s blog focuses on one of the most common lung diseases – bronchitis, specifically, how to manage it successfully.

Bronchitis manifests itself with chronic coughing and difficulty with breathing. Millions of people in the U.S. suffer from the disease that causes one’s bronchial tubes to become inflamed and irritated and produce excess mucus. Coupled with COVID-19, this can be potentially fatal.

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Bronchitis is part of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases or COPDs. COPDs are lung diseases that block airflow to and from the lungs. Bronchitis is caused by long-term exposure to cigarette smoke, fumes, dust, and other irritants, and it can be quite difficult to cure.

Respiratory specialists explain that lifestyle changes are important to manage bronchitis successfully. First, people should either quit smoking or stay away from people who smoke. Second, if a person is taking regular medication for the condition, they should stick to the schedule. Third, a person with bronchitis should make good use of equipment and activities for breathing purposes such as a humidifier, steam breathing, maintaining an ideal weight, and proper rest, Dr. Mark Hochberg MD adds.

Important reminders on how to avoid lung disease

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Dr. Mark Hochberg MD believes that in today’s world, one that is slowly being ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic, taking care of one’s lungs is one of the most important things a person can do.

As a guide, here are a few things that people can do to protect their respiratory system and prevent lung disease.

Stop smoking or stay away from smokers.

One of the most effective ways to protect one’s lungs is to simply not smoke cigarettes. For non-smokers, it’s important to stay away from people who smoke. First or second-hand smoke can be very damaging to the lungs because of all the harmful substances found in it. Smoking also reduces the lung capacity significantly and prevents the lungs from clearing toxic elements.

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Manage alcohol consumption.

Studies show that minimal alcohol consumption is good for the body. However, it was also found that drinking too much alcohol weakens a person’s immune system and in association, one’s heart and lungs.

Breathe in steam.

While breathing exercises are a great way to keep the lungs healthy and avoid respiratory problems, breathing in steam takes things one step further by moistening the pathways and relaxing the lungs, explains Dr. Mark Hochberg MD.

Why are some people asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers?

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One of the biggest problems that's helping spread the coronavirus are people who have it but don't show symptoms immediately. You've probably heard the news about people who weren't showing any symptom but tested positive to the virus. According to Dr. Mark Hochberg MD, these people are asymptomatic. However, this doesn't make them any less of a threat. On the contrary, these cases can be more threatening than people showing clear symptoms.

Illnesses can be classified according to the current health of the patient. It can range from asymptomatic or not showing any signs of health degradation, showing mild symptoms, showing moderate symptoms, severely affected by the disease, and in critical illness. And because of the nature of COVID-19, a person infected with the disease could quickly go from asymptomatic to being severely affected in a matter of days, according to Dr. Mark Hochberg MD.

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There is no scientific evidence that can state why some people are asymptomatic, while others show signs of the illness from the get-go. Some healthcare professionals believe that the virus reacts differently from person to person. An individual with almost perfect health could contract the coronavirus and have a better time fighting the illness with their immune system compared to the elderly or those who have pre-existing conditions.

Because some people are asymptomatic, people everywhere should follow the guidelines set by the state when it comes to protecting themselves from the virus. Dr. Mark Hochberg MD mandates that people follow strict social distancing rules, as well as the wearing of protective equipment like face masks when going out. Lastly, if you come in contact with someone who has tested positive or is showing symptoms of the virus, you should retreat to your home and self-isolate for a few days to confirm whether or not you have contracted the virus.