Winter isn't just flu season: Acute bronchitis, an inflammation of the lower respiratory tract, is also at its peak during this time of year.
It often starts as a viral infection that initially affects only the upper respiratory tract: the nose is stuffy, and the throat hurts. However, this inflammation can easily spread further. This is referred to as a “shift in level”: Especially while sleeping, virus-laden mucus can flow almost unnoticed toward the trachea and thus reach the lower respiratory tract—the bronchi. This can lead to bronchitis.
Coughing: A Test of Strength
The typical symptom of acute bronchitis is a cough that is often persistent. It is important for clearing the airways. Even though the viruses that caused the infection are long gone, it still takes a while for the inflamed bronchi to settle down.
When you cough, various muscle groups work together. First, we inhale and close our larynx. This causes high pressure to build up in the abdominal cavity. With the help of the abdominal and back muscles—but especially the diaphragm—the air is then expelled at high speed. Coughing is a real feat of strength for the body!
Muscle Training for Breathing
People who are physically weakened—and especially those without a larynx, such as those who have undergone surgery for a tumor—are no longer able to generate the necessary pressure. As a result, the mucus that is constantly being produced remains in the lungs and makes breathing increasingly difficult—some patients are at risk of nearly suffocating. At the same time, the risk of developing pneumonia increases.
This is where respiratory therapy can help. Similar to the process of rebuilding arm or leg muscles, the relevant muscle groups are activated and strengthened through targeted exercises. In addition, medications help thin the mucus so that it can be coughed up with less effort. In rare cases, however, the mucus must ultimately be actively suctioned out of the bronchi using an endoscope.
Protecting yourself and others isn’t hard
To a certain extent, it’s literally in our own hands to protect ourselves from such infections: Handwashing is the be-all and end-all. We protect those around us by coughing and sneezing into the crook of our arm. And finally, a healthy lifestyle also supports the immune system: exercising outdoors, not smoking, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep are all excellent ways to boost the immune system.