Bronchitis Patients Increase Mucus by Smoking

A new study done by researchers in New Mexico reveals cigarette smoking is associated to an excess of mucus linked with chronic bronchitis. The study demonstrates that cigarette smoke restrains a protein that produces the natural death of mucus producing cells in the airways of bronchitis patients.

The study can be found published online prior to the print edition in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Dr. Yohannes Tesfaigzi, director of the COPD Program at Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute in Albuquerque stated that is known chronic mucus secretion is an indication of chronic bronchitis. The causes underlying this condition are largely unknown. The study demonstrates that secrete mucus are maintained by cigarette smoke that restrains a cell death causing protein called "Bik".

Chronic bronchitis is usually liked with COPD. Cigarette smoking is the ranking cause of the disease for 15 to 17 million people in the United States. This disease effects greater than 200 million people worldwide.

Past studies have demonstrated that an overproduction of mucus is common in the large and small airways of people who smoke. The overproduction in the small airways is the reason for airway obstruction and decreased lung function and in the development and production of acute worsening of COPD.

Past studies demonstrated that after inflammatory reactions, up to thirty percent of the cells lining the airways go through death and return to the original cell amounts. The cell death is helped partially by proteins which include Bik. Disturbing this recovery process could result in constant addition of mucus cell rates and add to airway obstruction found in chronic lung diseases such as bronchitis.

Researchers wanted to determine if Bik may be liable for maintained mucus cell growth in the airways of smokers.

In order to test the theory, researchers observed both human airway tissue samples and mouse models. The human samples came from bronchial brushing from persons with chronic bronchitis and health controls. Chronic bronchitis was described as a daily cough with phlegm for three months in a row, two years in a row.

Mice were exposed to cigarette smoke at the rate of six hours daily, five days a week for the length of three weeks. After being exposed lung tissue samples were gathered and examined to see if Bik was present.

Researchers concluded Bik was significantly decreased in the bronchial brushing of patients with chronic bronchitis in comparison to non-disease control. Autopsy tissues substantiated the findings. Mice who had been exposed to the smoke also showed the same results.

In conclusion the researchers had discovered that cigarette smoke restrains Bik rates in humans and mice models. The mouse study suggests that Bik stays restrained in former cigarette smokers who have constant chronic bronchitis. In humans Bik was lessened even further in former smokers with chronic bronchitis in comparison to those former smokers who did not have bronchitis.

The study provides a foundation to examine therapies that may restore the expression of Bik and lessen the numbers of mucus producing cells.

Stop smoking is one of the top recommendations. There are some alternative therapies which may be able to help with bronchitis. As any treatment consult your health practitioner before using them.

Chiropractic

Patients with upper respiratory infections especially in the children age group are frequently seen in chiropractic offices. Case reports usually report quick improvement in upper respiratory symptoms following minor vertebral subluxations, particularly in the cervical spine. Upper respiratory infections are in a general descriptive group of conditions among them included are colds and bronchitis.

Vertebral subluxations, especially in the cervical spine, produce muscle spasms and could be the cause of balance or restriction of lymphatic drainage from the head or neck. As a result the body cannot clear the bacteria and viral germs to where it is constantly exposed through the mouth and respiratory passages.

Chiropractic treatments of the spine have been noted to change the lung capacity in patients with chronic obstructive airway disease. 95% of patients who see a chiropractor for bronchial asthma state it provides them with benefits including ease of breathing.

Herbs

Thyme made into a tea by steeping one teaspoon of dry theme in a cup of hot water for five to ten minutes and straining mixture before drinking. Consume the tea three times a day. It can help alleviate bronchial spasms.

Echinacea at 300mg three times a day to prevent colds which can lead to bronchitis. This herb should not be used if pregnant or breast feeding or anyone on medications to suppress immune system.

Reflexology

Reflexologists use associated points of the adrenal gland, lung and solar plexus points on both hands.

It is said to alleviate bronchial spasms and increase breathing ease. Sources:

Medical News Today

Kim Family Chiropractic

Your Spine

Mother Nature