Acute Bronchitis Acute bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the trachea and bronchial mucosa caused by infection, physical, chemical, or allergic stimuli, with the main clinical symptom being persistent and severe coughing.

Acute bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the trachea and bronchial mucosa caused by infection, physical, chemical, or allergic stimuli, with the main clinical symptom being persistent and severe coughing.

Infectious factors

Influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, Coxsackie virus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, and coronavirus are the most common pathogens. Bacteria (such as influenza bacillus, pneumococcus, and catarrhalis) as well as mycoplasma and chlamydia are relatively less common.

Non-infectious factors

These include physical and chemical irritants such as cold air, dust, irritating gases, or smoke (such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, chlorine, etc.), which can stimulate the trachea and bronchial mucosa, causing acute injury and inflammatory reactions. In addition, a variety of allergens such as pollen, organic dust, animal fur, and excrement can cause allergic reactions in the trachea and bronchi, leading to acute inflammation.

Patients often have sudden onset, in addition to upper respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and hoarseness, the following typical symptoms are also present.

Cough

Initially, it is an irritative dry cough or produces a small amount of mucous sputum. After 3-4 days, the cough becomes persistent and becomes the prominent symptom. Coughing may worsen when exposed to cold, inhaling cold air, or during physical activity. Coughing can be paroxysmal or persistent, and during severe coughing, patients may experience nausea, vomiting, and chest or abdominal pain.

The cough may last 2-3 weeks before it disappears. For smokers, the duration may be longer. Sometimes it can persist for several weeks, and if it does not resolve, it can develop into chronic bronchitis.

Sputum production

Initially, there may be a small amount of white, sticky sputum, which may then become mucous or mucopurulent, with an increased amount of sputum and worsening cough. Yellow or green sputum may be observed, occasionally with blood. When patients have a bacterial infection, yellow sputum often occurs.

In viral bronchitis, patients often produce a small amount of white sputum which may turn green or yellow. However, the change in color does not necessarily indicate a bacterial infection; when necrotic inflammatory cells are expelled through the airway, it can also lead to yellow or green sputum.

Herbal treatment

The general principle of treatment is to disperse and descend lung qi to stop coughing, and to pay attention to resolving phlegm and descending qi, making the phlegm clear and the qi smooth, making it easier to relieve the cough. It is also important to strengthen the body's resistance and prevent the disease from recurring.

After a comprehensive diagnosis based on observation, auscultation, inquiry, and pulse-taking, treatment is given according to the specific pattern differentiation. Common patterns and their respective treatments are as follows:

Patterns of excess

Wind-cold attacking the lungs: Disperse wind and scatter cold, and disperse lung qi to stop coughing. Use San Ao Tang plus Zhi Suan San with modifications.

Wind-heat invading the lungs: Disperse wind and clear heat, and disperse lung qi to transform phlegm. Use Sang Ju Yin with modifications.

Dryness evil attacking the lungs: Clear lung and moisten dryness, disperse wind and clear heat. Use Sang Xing Tang with modifications.

Phlegm-heat obstructing the lungs: Clear heat and transform phlegm, suppress lung and stop coughing. Use Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang with modifications.

Phlegm-dampness obstructing the lungs: Dry dampness, strengthen the spleen, transform phlegm, and stop coughing. Use Er Chen Tang combined with San Zi Yang Qin Tang with modifications.

Patterns of deficiency with an evil lingering

Lung qi deficiency: Tonify the lungs and boost qi, disperse lung qi to stop coughing. Use Bu Fei Tang combined with Yu Ping Feng San with modifications.

Deficiency of both qi and yin: Tonify qi and nourish yin, moisten the lungs, and stop coughing. Use Sheng Mai San combined with Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang with modifications.

Acupuncture

For excess patterns, use draining methods, and for deficiency patterns, use regulating and supplementing methods. Different acupoints are selected based on pattern differentiation, with appropriate modifications. Common acupoints include Feishu (BL13), Lieque (LU7), Hegu (LI4), and Taixi (KI3).

Acupoint application

Apply herbal plasters for dispersing wind and lung, and stopping cough and transforming phlegm on the chest and back at acupoints Tian Tu (CV22), Da Zhui (GV14), Feishu (BL13), and Zhong Fu (LU1).

Improve the hygiene of living environment and avoid irritating odors such as paint or cooking fumes.

Use a cool mist humidifier in the room to keep the airways moist and facilitate the expulsion of phlegm.

Patients should keep the nasal mucosa moist and clear excess secretions from the nose, throat, and pharynx.

Smokers should be encouraged to quit smoking.

Avoid getting chilled and fatigued, and prevent upper respiratory tract infections.

Prevent air pollution and avoid excessive exposure to allergens and pollutants in the environment.

Engage in appropriate physical exercise to enhance physical fitness

In winter, pay attention to keeping warm, avoid upper respiratory tract infections, and quit smoking.

Pay attention to hand hygiene and avoid touching the mouth and nose with unclean hands.

If someone in the surrounding environment has acute respiratory diseases, avoid contact.

If cold air exacerbates cough and causes shortness of breath, wear a face mask before going out to prevent it.

Improve occupational hygiene conditions, and prevent the escape of harmful gases, acid mist, and dust in the workplace.

It is recommended that elderly or immunocompromised patients who experience recurrent attacks receive influenza vaccination.