Bronchiolitis

[Sheri Nakken]

Bronchiolitis

many of these conditions sound a lot the same - croup, bronchiolitis, pertussis, bronchitis
trying to share the info so you can tell the difference

http://www.drgreene.com/qa/rsv-and-croup
Croup , bronchiolitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia are all words that denote the location in the body of a problem. The word croup comes from an old Germanic word for the voice box. Today, croup, or laryngotracheobronchitis, refers to swelling centered at the larynx or vocal cords. It can be caused by infection, allergy, or a foreign body. Bronchiolitis refers to inflammation in the bronchioles, the smaller airways that branch off from the main bronchi or breathing tubes. Bronchitis is inflammation in these larger, main breathing tubes. Pneumonia refers to inflammation of the lungs themselves

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http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/g ... nchiolitis
Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is the inflammation of the bronchioles or small airways of the lungs. It is commonly caused by a virus and usually occurs in children under two years of age, although it can afflict anyone. Symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, cough, fever, increased breathing, wheezing, and respiratory distress. Treatment for Bronchiolitis includes fluids, a humidifier and supplemental oxygen.

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http://www.herbsandcures.com/361/bronchiolitis-detail
What is Bronchiolitis?

Inflammation of the bronchioles, often associated with bronchopneumonia. usually caused by a viral infection.. Bronchitis is inflammation of the large airways in the chest and pneumonia is inflammation of the lung. Bronchiolitis is inflammation of the smaller airways connecting the two.
Bronchiolitis is usually a viral infection. RSV is responsible for the illness in most children. Adenovirus, parainfluenza (croup), and other viruses can also cause bronchiolitis.
What are the causes, incidence and risk factors of Bronchiolitis?

One of the greatest risk factors for getting bronchiolitis is being less than 6 months old, because the lungs and immune system aren't yet fully developed. Boys tend to get bronchiolitis more frequently than girls do. Other factors that have been associated with an increased risk of bronchiolitis in children include:

* Never having been breast-fed - breast-fed babies receive immune protection from the mother
* Premature birth
* Exposure to cigarette smoke
* Contact with multiple children, such as in a child-care setting
* Having siblings who attend school
What are the symptoms of Bronchiolitis-Disease?

The first symptoms of bronchiolitis are usually the same as those of a common cold:

* stuffiness
* runny nose
* mild cough
* These symptoms last a day or 2 and are followed by worsening of the cough and the appearance of wheezes (high-pitched whistling noises when breathing out).
* Sometimes more severe respiratory difficulties gradually develop, marked by:
* rapid, shallow breathing (60 to 80 times a minute)
* a rapid heartbeat
* drawing in of the neck and chest with each breath, known as retractions
* flaring of the nostrils
* irritability, with difficulty sleeping and signs of fatigue

Diagnosis & Tests

* Wheezing and crackling sounds are heard by stethoscope examination of chest.
* Decreased blood oxygen levels are detected.
* Tests often include a chest x-ray and blood gases.
* Samples of nasal fluid may be cultured to determine what virus is present.

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again do NOT suggest using tylenol or any other fever reducers or pain relievers

http://www.ehow.com/about_5369422_bronc ... abies.html

Bronchiolitis in Babies
Contributor
By Amanda Delgado, eHow Contributing Writer

If your baby is sniffling and sneezing, keep an eye on him for symptoms of a more serious condition. Bronchiolitis develops when a virus enters your baby's respiratory system and causes the bronchioles, the smallest airways in the lungs, to become swollen and irritated. Mucus collects in the bronchioles and interferes with the flow of air through the lungs. Although the infection generally clears up on its own, some babies could develop severe cases that require immediate treatment.