Annual vaccinations against influenza and a once only vaccination against bacterial pneumococcal pneumonia may help prevent the pulmonary complication of infections in chronic bronchitis. The sufferer from chronic bronchitis should avoid excessive dust and fumes although under normal circumstances, the contribution of atmospheric pollution to chronic bronchitis is extremely small. Regular exercise is even more important for patients suffering chronic bronchitis than for healthy individuals. Exercise does not improve the ability of the lungs to take up oxygen, but the effects of physical fitness on the cardiovascular system will compensate somewhat for the impaired lung function. The result of physical fitness in the patient suffering from chronic bronchitis is a lessening in breathlessness on exercise.
Chronic bronchitis is basically a preventable disease being rare in the non-smoker.
It is never too late to stop smoking. The patient with chronic bronchitis can be treated with better results in the early stages of the disease. All Rights Reserved.