Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema

Chronic bronchitis is defined clinically as the persistent daily expectoration of mucoid, sputum for at least 3 months of 3 consecutive years and not due to a localized bronchiectatic lung region. Emphysema is defined as pathological dilatation of air space distal to the terminal bronchioles. Emphysema always accompanies chronic brochitis but it may also occur as a primary lung disease. Smoking, polluted air and recurrent lung infections are the main cause of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Allegic changes of the airways is also one of the cause of the blockage of the main airways. Patients usually get one or more symptomatic problems, for examples, cough, sputum retention and bronchospasm of the bronchi.

Cough results from the allergic changes of the bronchi. Sputum is the result of the prolonged allergic stimulus over the bronchi and make the hypersecretion of the mucus gland at the bronchial region. This increases the thickness of the bronchial wall and hinders the ciliary action. Sputum cannot be effectively cleared. If bacteria invasion is involved, the sputum will become more sticky or with pus. Then, sputum retention blocks the airways and the destroyed bronchioles goes into emphysemous changes and shortness of breaths develops.

Suitable exercise for these kinds of patients

Most of the chronic lung disease patients will reduce their daily activities because of the shortness of breaths. Severe patients will also decrease the abilities of self independence and care. For example, feeding or bathing depends on their relatives. Thus, suitable exercises are very important to enhance their body fitness, to maintain their social life and to cope with daily living. Otherwise, the physical conditions is deterioated quickly. Although heart and lung functions can be improved through exercise, exercise will induce shortness of breaths and thus, excessive or heavy exercise should be avoided. Or, before exercise, consult doctor or physiotherapist, for example, use the bronchodilators before exercise or use pursed lips breathing methods during exercises. If the patients persist discomfort after exercise, consult doctors at once.

Walking can improve the body fitness. Before walking, patients may inhale the bronchodilators. To keep the physical fitness, you should walk twice a day. You should not concern the speed or the distance and should concern how long you can take. At first, you should start at a slow speed, progress slowly and the time keeps about 15 min. Then, if possible, you should exercise around 15 to 30 minutes for each walking. Besides, you should take a rest in between.

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