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There are basically two kinds of bronchitis, acute and chronic bronchitis. These two may have the same last names but they vary from their causative effects and treatment prescribed to control the diseases.

Acute bronchitis is a short-term illness that becomes rampant during the cold seasons. It is usually followed by a viral infection and can go together with a bacterial infection. Acute bronchitis is self-limiting which clears itself within fourteen days but the cough may continue. Like any other upper respiratory tract infections, having acute bronchitis can raise chance of developing pneumonia.

People who are at risk of getting acute bronchitis are infants, very young children, and the old adults. This is due to the fact that infants and very young children still have underdeveloped immune systems, while the old adults, on the other hand, have immune systems that have become weaker due to ageing. Other group populations who are at risk are smokers and those with preexisting lung and/or heart ailments. People who are often exposed to pollution are also at risk of being afflicted with acute bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis is also an inflammation of the respiratory tract with an accompaniment of phlegm expectoration and coughing. But in chronic bronchitis, the signs ands symptoms are at hand for no less than 3 months for two successive years.

Chronic bronchitis may be caused by the inhalation of respiratory airway irritants. Airway irritants may be in the form of cigarette smoking or pollution or a combination of both. Because this disease advances gradually, middle aged individuals and the elderly are expected to be diagnosed with this malady.

The main objective for the treatment of both acute and chronic bronchitis is to alleviate the symptoms.

For acute bronchitis, treatment consists of lots of intake of fluids, quitting smoking, taking a break, humidifying the home environment, and medications (in case of fever and pain). Acetaminophen is the most prescribed medication to fight pain and fever. Another is aspirin, but this is contraindicated for children and pregnant women due to the fact that this drug is suspected to be the cause of Reye’s syndrome among children. For women, it may cause severe bleeding.

Anti-cough medicines are taken when the sufferer experiences dry cough (cough without phlegm). But if the individual is experiencing cough with phlegm, then it should be left as it is and let the phlegm come out naturally. This is because if cough is suppressed and the phlegm is contained within, then it will eventually accumulate in the air passages which will cause an obstruction and may become a hotbed for dangerous microorganisms.

Expectorants, on the other hand, are medications that help liquidify or thin out the thick mucus in the lungs to make it easier to cough out.

Moreover, if the physician has detected a bacterial infection then an antibiotic medication may be prescribed. Intake of antibiotic medications should be done religiously as the physician ordered because any lapse may only cause the return of the disease or worse, the bacteria may produce a strain that could become immune to the medication.

Antibiotic medications may include the following:
* azithromycin
* trimethoprim or sulfamethazole
* clarithromycin
* tetracycline or ampicillin
* amoxicillin (for children below eight years of age due to the fact that tetracycline causes discoloration on the teeth that have not come out)

As for chronic bronchitis, treatment is a bit more multifaceted than acute bronchitis. The physician would need to carefully evaluate the patient for other health problems before a treatment plan can be employed to control the disease. Including in the treatment plan are changes in lifestyle that will involve stoppage of smoking and keeping away from polluted environments. Regular exercise may also help in the control of the disease.

Medications for chronic bronchitis include anti-inflammatory medications and bronchodilators. Anti-inflammatory drugs decrease the inflammation in the respiratory tract tissues.

The following are commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs:
* Corticosteroids (i.e. prednisone, can be taken either as an oral medication or through IV)
* Ipratropium (also reduces the amount of mucus produced)

Meanwhile, bronchodilators help loosen up the bronchial muscles which then permits increase air flow in the respiratory passages. These can be taken in orally or by inhalation through a nebulizer (an apparatus that transport medication to the respiratory tract). Bronchodilators may include the following:
* metaproterenol
* albuterol

With the advancement of chronic bronchitis, the individual afflicted may eventually require supplemental oxygen. And in the later stages of the disease, the patient may need to be in the hospital if he or she developed severe complications.

In addition to conventional medications, herbal medicines can be also included in the treatment plan. Herbal medicines may be inhaled (like eucalyptus) or taken as tea made from mullein or Verbascum thapsus, coltsfoot or Tussilago farfara, and anise seed or Pimpinella anisum.

There are numerous medications out there and it is best to consult the physician to know which drug can best help treat and/or control bronchitis.

Many illnesses abound the world today. Before, people live longer and with only a handful of illnesses. But today’s times are very much different because of the many changes that take place. New technology has brought new things into this world. Many inventions, new foods, and all the new stuff that people now enjoy seem to contribute to the many illnesses suffered by millions of people; not to mention the different day to day experiences that people encounter as they go through life.

The typical life of an individual begins as he wakes up in the morning. He then goes through his life everyday doing his routine activities. He goes to work, meet deadlines, attend meetings, and deals with different kinds of people. At home, he has to do chores, and spend time with the family. He also does other activities like going to the supermarket, church, and other important places. And not only that, he encounters different situations everyday that either he welcomes or resents. Many factors contribute to making an individual ill.

Individuals suffering from bipolar disorder have to deal with such condition all the days of their life. Talking about such disorder can be very embarrassing for some people but this should not be so since the illness can be managed especially if you know how to do it.

Before, the condition was popularly called manic depression. But now, it is called bipolar because of the two extreme poles that make up the condition. A good example is the globe having a north and a south pole. When an individual experiences different symptoms associated with one pole, then he’s having an episode.

Episode

The episodes are divided into four types: depression, mania, hypomania, and mixed mood. When a person feels depressed, he or she feels sad and don’t want to do the usual things. Those that exhibit mania usually start having a high feeling, and become angry and irritable. They are the ones who tend to do risky things. The milder form is known as hypomania which can lead to either depression or mania; this episode also starts with feeling good and the person may think that more things are done. Others who have episodes with feelings of depression and mania mixed together is called mixed mood.

Symptoms

Symptoms are divided into depression and mania. Depression symptoms include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, and guilt. These individuals sleep too much or too little and experience changes in appetite or weight. They always feel tired, restless, and can’t make a sound decision. The worst case is when the person thinks about suicide and death. Mania symptoms include an increase in the level of energy, racing thoughts, sleeps less, easily distracted, more self-confident, more talkative, focused but accomplishes little, and often do extreme or unusual activities.

Types

The four main types of bipolar are the following:

1. Bipolar I – this type involves manic and mixed episodes, as well as major episodes of depression. The bipolar patient may experience more than one episode for several days, weeks, or even months. Seasonal changes also seem to affect the symptoms exhibited by the person.

2. Bipolar II – this involves major episodes of depression and a hypomania episode. Normal functioning can also take place in between the said episodes.

3. Cyclothymic Disorder – this is a fluctuating disturbance in mood with hypomania and depression episodes. This is considered the milder form since episodes do not occur regularly and happens for shorter and less severe times.

4. Not Specified – this is a treatable disorder and the symptoms exhibited by the individual does not fall into any of the three types mentioned; the disorder varies from one person to another.

There is no known cause of bipolar disorder. Some say that it has something to do with genetics. But that alone is not enough to cause such disorder. Perhaps other factors contribute to the disorder and that is why further studies are underway.

People from different races, ethnic groups, children, teenagers, or young/older adults can suffer from bipolar disorder. The brain cells of each individual don’t work normally if there is an imbalance in the neurotransmitters. These are special chemicals that seem to be involved in the disorder.