Allergy to various substances present in the environment manifests in various ways in the human body. Bronchitis is also one of them. Technically speaking, bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tree (tubes meant for entry of air in and out of the lungs).
Allergy to various substances present in the environment manifests in various ways in the human body. Bronchitis is also one of them. Technically speaking, bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tree (tubes meant for entry of air in and out of the lungs).
Bronchitis can occur due to infections of various kinds. But exposure to allergy producing substances can also lead to bronchitis which is called allergic bronchitis.
The allergy can be due to inhalation of dust containing danders, pollens and spores. Allergy can also occur to proteins present in the diet. Colouring and flavouring agents, emulsifiers and preservatives present in food items are also a source of allergy to those who are susceptible to it.
Chronic smokers if prone to allergy have more severe and recurrent bronchitis. Similarly women, who are exposed to smoke chronically as in cooking indoors on wood, suffer more if they have allergic bronchitis.
Worm infestations like ascaris can also induce allergic bronchitis. But in this, the condition is absolutely cured after treatment of the infestation.
Allergic bronchitis manifests as cough with expectoration, which occurs due to irritation and inflammation of the bronchial tree, after exposure to the potential allergens. Antibodies are produced in the body after one is exposed to the allergy producing substances or allergens. On subsequent exposure, these antibiotics produce an allergic reaction in the body. Severity and period of cough depends on the duration of exposure to the allergens and their quantity.
Normally expectoration is small in quantity and mucoid (whitish) in aspect. Fever is absent in allergic bronchitis. Fever occurs only if bronchi get infected. In case of secondary infection occurring, the expectoration can become copious, foul smelling, yellow or greenish in colour.
One may have only cough because of allergy. There may be associated sneezing or skin rashes or features of bronchial asthma. The underlying pathology for all these conditions is one, i.e. allergy. Hence a person may have more than one manifestation of allergy. Some individuals have only cough, but there may be family members having asthma or allergic skin problems.
Though seemingly a trivial problem, but people do suffer because of allergic bronchitis. Recurrent cough affects their productivity. Unless their problem is diagnosed to be due to allergy, they spend both time and money in seeking treatment for their cough.
Persistent cough makes one prone to infections of the lungs like pneumonia. If severe and persistent, bronchitis can be fatal due to respiratory failure. Hence it should not be neglected.
Allergic bronchitis is mostly diagnosed by excluding infections causing recurrent or persistent cough. This is done by means of blood tests and X-ray of the chest. Viral infections can mimic allergic bronchitis, but they usually subside within a week and do not recur.
If symptoms are mild to moderate, anti-allergy drugs help in improvement of a patient suffering from allergic bronchitis. Drinking much water, particularly hot water 2 or 3 times is very beneficial in reducing the cough.
Severe cases need hospitalization for surveillance and corticosteroids for a short duration. If there is superadded infection, antibiotics become necessary.
If a person is diagnosed to be having allergic bronchitis, he should be counselled to take steps to prevent exposure to the allergy producing substance leading to cough.
People having work place exposure to dust and smoke of different kinds like farmers and labourers, should be advised to keep their noses covered while working, hence minimizing the chances of inhaling the dust.
In case of allergy to food items, a person can identify after careful observation as to what food items induce bronchitis. These substances should be avoided. Ideally freshly cooked food should be eaten in place of canned or tinned food.
A person having allergic bronchitis should accept his condition and try to prevent development of symptoms. But if problem occurs, he should not hesitate to take anti allergy treatment, before it aggravates.
Dr. Rachna Pande
Specialist internal medicine-Ruhengeri Hospital