Sometimes, for an individual with chronic bronchitis, the physical manifestations will swiftly worsen all of a sudden. This is known as an acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, otherwise known as AECB. Many patients who pass away from this disease unexpectedly die while suffering from an attack of AECB, hence an individual experiencing sudden AECB should receive medical care instantly to increase his/her chances of survival.

What Occurs In An Attack of AECB?

During an AECB, the previously irregularly constricted air passageways in one’s lungs become even thinner, and even more thicker mucous is secreted. This will cause breathing to be particularly difficult. This may possibly occur simultaneously with a fever, chills and cold, and a sense of weakness in one’s knees. If the abrupt occurrence of acute exacerbation is due to bacterial infection, the mucus expelled during expectoration may potentially be speckled with blood, or tinted with a more vivid than regular green or yellow. If the patient is experiencing fever, and has found blood in his/her mucus, there is a likelihood the doctor will recommend an x-ray to make certain that pneumonia is not the determining root of the condition.

What Are the Triggers of AECB?

AECB are usually triggered by one or more of the following:

-Bacterial or viral infections (e.g. cold, flu)

-Air pollutants that aggravate the respiratory system (e.g. smoke, fumes, dust)

-Weather changes

To protect oneself from AECB, a chronic bronchitic is counseled to avoid places with severe air pollution, to seek flu and pneumonia injections, as well as to keep a healthy diet to protect one’s immune system against infectious agents.

If you are stricken with AECB, you must pursue medical treatment at once. This condition has been observed to trigger other conditions, as well as numerous cases are admitted to the hospital annually for AECB complications. If you are stricken by AECB, try to avoid panicking. Breathe as steadily as possible, and levelheadedly phone a doctor or physician for advice . Since this condition can come abruptly without warning, it is imperative to keep any inhalants prescribed by your doctor within reach in emergency situations. Remember to ask your physician, and ensure that such inhalants are okay to inhale during an attack of AECB, to avoid any problems. You may benefit from lying down with a humidifier turned on, or jumping in a warm shower to help you breath and decrease the problems of AECB.