Need to know the difference between Bronchitis & pneumonia

Bronchitis or pneumonia is two different respiratory conditions that usually begin as a common cold. At first, you may have a cold and when it worsens may lead to symptoms like cough, fever, fatigue, and so on. Severe cases of cold or infections may lead to the above two respiratory conditions i.e. bronchitis and pneumonia. If not treated properly these two can lead to some severe complications and can be life-threatening also. Let us learn about these two conditions and their differences.

Overview of Bronchitis and pneumonia

Both bronchitis and pneumonia as discussed earlier are two different respiratory conditions that share some common symptoms. Let us have a quick look at these two

Bronchitis– inflammation of bronchial tubes due to infection is termed bronchitis. It mainly develops from the cold i.e. when the cold virus reaches your airways. Due to this infection, your airways get inflamed and this inflammation narrows the airways and leads to excess formation mucus. Bronchitis can be both acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis is a condition that can result from infection due to a virus or bacteria. Even though this gets cleared up within weeks, it is very contagious. Chronic bronchitis is a condition that lasts longer and is not contagious. People who smoke are more susceptible to it. People with bronchitis have symptoms like breathlessness, wheezing, and most importantly persistent cough along with the mucus.
Pneumonia– infection of the lungs due to virus or bacteria is termed as pneumonia. Due to infection, the little air sacs called alveoli in your lungs to get inflamed and filled with pus. In few cases, severe bronchitis can lead to pneumonia. It is a serious life-threatening disorder and needs immediate treatment. Common pneumonia symptoms include productive cough, high fever, chills, breathlessness, confusion, dizziness, and so on. Pneumonia can be caused due to organisms like viruses, bacteria, and fungus. Several factors like low immunity, asthma, and other chronic conditions can worsen your condition and can trigger pneumonia.

Difference between Bronchitis and Pneumonia?

Even though both these respiratory conditions share few common symptoms and affect an individual’s ability to breathe, but they have a huge difference. Bronchitis symptoms include dry cough which can produce mucus, sore throat, and body ache, whereas people with pneumonia face symptoms like productive cough along with high fever, chills, fatigue, sweating, fast heartbeat, and rapid breathing, gray or blue colored nails, and lips and confusion. Generally bronchitis is not life-threatening, whereas pneumonia is a life-threatening disorder which needs immediate treatment.

How to identify?

Identifying the difference between bronchitis and pneumonia is very crucial for early and accurate treatment. Though both bronchitis and pneumonia look similar, people with pneumonia face symptoms like high fever, chills, pain in the chest while coughing or while breathing, whereas in bronchitis people may not have fever and chills as pneumonia. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of both bronchitis and pneumonia. By examining your symptoms your doctor suggests few tests through which he can easily differentiate between these two and offer you accurate and quick treatment. Do not neglect your symptoms as they can sometimes be life-threatening.

Pneumonia is a lung infection where airspaces in lungs get inflamed. It can be caused due to virus, bacteria, fungus and also due to foreign substances. It can infect people of all age groups, but it is severe in children and elders who have low immunity. People with this lung disorder have symptoms like fever, cough, breathing problems and so on. It is classified into different types depending on the cause of infection.

Community acquired pneumonia (CAP)- This type of disorder, people develop in schools and other community areas mostly in winter seasons.
Hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP)- In this type, people get infected with this disorder when they are admitted in hospitals. It is also referred as health care associated pneumonia. It can be severe and can lead to several health complications.

It is also classified into other types depending on the look of infected tissues, like bronchopneumonia, lobar pneumonia and lipoid pneumonia. Though most of the bacterial Pneumonia are not infectious, mycoplasma and TB are the two most severe types of contagious bacterial disorders.

Causes of Pneumonia

It is mainly caused due to several virus, bacteria, fungus and also due to several foreign substances which enters our body through nose, mouth and so on. It generally starts as cold and normal flu and leads to this condition. Few factors like weak immunity, elder people, children, chronic disorders like asthma, diabetes, heart problems, COPD and cancer acts as risk factors which can worsen the condition. Smoking is also one among the risk factors which triggers this lung disorder.

Symptoms of Pneumonia

Few common symptoms of this lung disorders, seen in many people include

Cough
Fever and chills
Pain in chest wall which worsens with severe cough.
Abnormal breathing
Fatigue or weakness
Nausea
Diarrhea
Mucus discharge while coughing

In severe conditions, it can lead to health complications like sepsis, it is a condition where people face low Blood Pressure and also lack of oxygen supply. It can also lead to pleural effusion, abscess or formation of puss in lungs and so on.

Health tips for pneumonia disorders

Though it is impossible to prevent all types of this condition, but by following few health tips, one can reduce the risk of developing this disorder.

Avoiding contact with infected persons.
Maintaining hygiene and washing hands regularly
Getting vaccinated
Quit smoking
Eating healthy and regular exercises
Take adequate rest
Drink warm water and other fluids
Avoid cold weathers

Homeopathy treatment for pneumonia disorders

Homeopathy for this lung disorder works very effectively in controling this lung disease. Homeopathy treatment for pneumonia disorders uses natural remedies which are safe, non toxic and suitable to all age groups. Homeopathy remedies for this disorders are prescribed based on the symptoms, severity and also based on the theory of individualization. Homeopathy along with treatment also provides few health tips to control this disorders. These disorders control tips helps in quick recovery and are safe. Homeopathy treats this lung disorder by improving immunity and self healing of the body.