Bronchitis?

[christie]

My 23 year old brother has been told he has bronchitis is it serious?he smokes 10 roll ups a day and as been told to stop , Any help would be gratfull.

[BillyNoMates]

Unusual for someone so young to get bronchitis. Suggests a chest infection so go get it checked by a GP if not already done.

Secondly get him to stop smoking - show him some pictures of diseased lungs etc etc

I smoke sometimes so I am not preaching from the non-smoking crowd.

[Ouisch]

Age has nothing to do with it, really - sometimes young kids can develop bronchitis after a bad cold or infection.  Here is some info on the condition from the McKinley Health Center (University of Illinois) website:

 

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, or bronchi (the air passages that extend from the windpipe into the lungs). The inflammation may be caused by a virus, bacteria, smoking or the inhalation of chemical pollutants or dust. When the cells of the bronchial-lining tissue are irritated beyond a certain point, the tiny hairs (cilia) within them, which normally trap and eliminate pollutants, stop functioning. Consequently, the air passages become clogged by debris and irritation increases. In response, a heavy secretion of mucus develops, which causes the characteristic cough of bronchitis.

 

ACUTE BRONCHITIS
Brief bouts of acute bronchitis often evolve from a severe cold. This disorder may also follow or accompany the flu, or it may begin without having had an infection. Acute bronchitis usually lasts about 10 days. Severe cases may also cause general malaise and chest pain.

 

Seeking prompt treatment is advisable to prevent serious complications. If, for example, the inflammation extends downward to the ends of the bronchial tree and into the small bronchi (bronchioles) and then into the air sacs, bronchopneumonia results. The most effective way to deal with acute bronchitis consists of the following regimen: Avoid fatigue by getting proper rest, stay indoors when the weather is cold and windy and drink large amounts of fluid to help keep the chest mucus liquified. Congestive mucus should be coughed up, so avoid the use of cough suppressants. A doctor may recommend an expectorant to help loosen the mucus.

[bekigee]

I dont know if this is the answer and would recommend talking to your doctor about it, as I have heard different views about it. Though mainly from people who have not taken the drug. My father has emphysema (spelt wrong prob) but this is a further deterioration from bronchitis I understand, where the alveoli in the lungs inflame causing loss of lung breathing capacity. He struggles terrible to breath and has to stop and rest when walking, this will get worse. But in taking Zyban and going to talk to like minded people also giving up smoking, he stopped after 40 years and its now approx 3 years since last cigar/cig. Yes he smoked both!! 

All I can say is my father did not have the knowledge when he started smoking, that we have today. When people found out about Aids, its scared people, 1 cos its a killer and 2 cos of awful way to die. Smoking is same 1 it kills you and 2 its not nice. Maybe if he reads this, he may show the will power of a real man and stop smoking.

If not well a few good reasons:

Would he take arsnick (cant spell that either) if given to him? Because thats in every cig he smokes, along with the added addictives he he my saying!

What will he do when it becomes NO SMOKING in all public places?

Or when he meets the woman of his dreams and she runs a mile, because he smells terrible and lets not get on to the breath thing?

I used to smoke but gave up before my dad he he, gave up for love aaaaaaw! I was young! The difference was crazy, food tasted sooo much better, could even taste the air in a way I never knew, the stench from an ashtray, clothes, cigs, yuk, a smoker will not get close to how bad it smells to a none smoker. Honestly? Its putrid!

If he reads this and he is an itelligent guy he will realise and get help. If not well there is no hope until he realises its killing him.

Hope this helps...

  

07:41 Wed 27th Oct 2004

[christie]

Thanks all for your replys especially you Quish,I will be showing my brother your replys , He has been given antibiotics so hopefully that will clear it up and i think he will stop smoking now.thanks again.

[brawburd]

Have had a couple of episodes myself after being in really smoky atmospheres (don't smoke) and I think the best advice is to avoid irritants, including smoking!  Apparently smoking cannibis is the worst irritant of all.

[chucker]

Im a chronic asthmatic who is also 23. Ive had bronchitis a few times and my consultant told me every 'episiode' of bronchitis gets worse every time you get it as it damages the lungs. history of lung problems and smoking or passive smoking are the cause of it. If your brother stops smoking he should be fine.