Here are definitions of medical terms related to bronchitis. Alveoli: Tiny sac-like airspaces in the lungs where carbon dioxide from the body is exchanged for oxygen from outside the body. Bronchial tubes, bronchi: Larger air passages in the lung, usually closer to the throat Bronchioles: Smaller air passages in the lung Bronchoconstriction: Tightening of the muscles of the surrounding […]
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Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on bronchitis. American Lung Association Phone: (800) 586-4872 http://www.lungusa.org National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute Information Center Phone: (301) 251-1222 http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm The American Academy of Family Physicians http://familydoctor.org/ The professional association for the family practice doctors in the U.S. They have a good selection of
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Bronchoscopy (pronounced “brahn KAH skoh pee”) is a medical procedure that allows a doctor to see inside a person’s airways. The airways are called the bronchial tubes or bronchi. In this procedure, the doctor inserts a small tube called a bronchoscope through the nose or mouth. The tip of this tube is lighted, so the
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A doctor will suggest a bronchoscopy if he or she needs to see inside your airways or remove something from them. Knowing the condition of your airways helps the doctor prescribe the right treatment, so you can start breathing better. This procedure is often used to help diagnose diseases like asthma, lung cancer, bronchitis, and
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Before the bronchoscopy (usually a day or two before), the doctor will usually test your blood and urine. You may also need to have a chest x-ray or CT scan. A CT scan is a painless, sophisticated x-ray procedure that uses a computer to provide images of soft tissue, bone, and blood vessels. Tell your
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Most people are awake during this procedure. You will have medicine to help you relax and to numb your throat. The bronchoscopy itself usually takes about 20 minutes. This is what usually happens during bronchoscopy: First, you’ll take medicine to help you relax. A nurse will start an IV (intravenous) needle in your arm. The
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Bronchoscopy does not usually cause any complications. For the first day or so, you might have these symptoms: Mild fever (less than 101 degrees F, 38.3 degrees C) Hoarseness Coughing up small amounts of blood (less than a tablespoon) You can take acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil) for these symptoms. Avoid
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Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, or bronchi, that bring air into the lungs. Inflammation is a chemical reaction in the body that produces redness, swelling, and pain. Bronchitis can be caused by: Viruses Bacteria Smoking Breathing in certain kinds of irritating chemicals When the cells lining the bronchi are irritated, the tiny
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Here are some frequently asked questions related to bronchoscopy. Q: Does bronchoscopy hurt? A: No one’s going to say bronchoscopy is particularly comfortable, but it shouldn’t hurt. If you’re worried, work out a hand signal with your doctor ahead of time. You can raise your hand to tell him or her to stop putting in the
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Smoking is the leading cause of chronic bronchitis. The substances in cigarette and other forms of tobacco smoking cause irritation of the bronchial tubes. While smoking is the leading cause of bronchitis, environmental pollution and some kinds of occupational exposures to chemicals have also been shown to lead to chronic bronchitis. Of course, if you
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Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopy lets the doctor see inside your airways, using a thin tube called a bronchoscope. The tube uses fiberoptics or a tiny video camera to produce images of the airways. Doctors perform bronchoscopies to help diagnose diseases or remove something blocking the airways. If
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A number of “triggers” can bring on an asthma episode. These can vary from child to child. They include: Respiratory infections Exercise and sports Weather Irritants and pollutants Certain medications and foods Allergies Stress Certain health problems Respiratory Infections Respiratory-tract infections, such as the common cold and flu, can make asthma worse. How To Information
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