Glutathione, bronchitis, emphysema and time

Bronchitis is an inflammation or obstruction of the bronchi, the larger airways that eventually fall into brinquiolos (where asthma occurs). It is similar to asthma in some ways, their common symptoms are shortness of breath, phlegm coughing, chest tightness, wheezing and (breath hissing sound). Bronchitis has two forms: acute and chronic. They differ in some important respects.

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by an infection, either viral or bacterial. Cough, chest pain, fever and chills are common symptoms. In healthy subjects, is a disease of short period, which is removed once the infection is overcome. Occasional inflammation persists, leading to a Post-inflammatory cough may persist for several weeks. Inhaled steroids are sometimes prescribed for this condition.

As emphysema (described below), chronic bronchitis in a disease that requires frequent medical attention. Although it may be aggravated by an infectious disease, chronic bronchitis is usually caused by exposure for long periods to lung irritants - toxins, allergens or repeated cases of acute bronchitis. The most common cause of bronchitis is cigarette smoke.

The lungs exposed to snuff smoke are subject to various pathological processes. One of the most critical is the dysfunction or loss of cilia lining the respiratory tract. The cilium is a microscopic structure of hair that traps air and remove dust, mucus and other debris. A single puff of cigarette smoke can paralyze these hairs, increasing the likelihood wound and lung infections.

Just as chronic bronchitis progresses, the ability of the lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide decreases. In an attempt to compensate for this loss of lung function, increased energy demands, the chest muscles work harder and the heart pumps faster. This can lead to secondary diseases such as pulmonary hypertension, heart failure and pulmonary emphysema.

Pulmonary emphysema progresses slowly over time and is usually the result of a previous lung disease. Chronic cough and shortness of breath are common symptoms. Although in some cases may be caused by hereditary factors, environmental exposure, chronic asthma or chronic bronchitis, emphysema is most commonly by years of smoking constantly. It is the most common cause of death from lung disease in the West.

Emphysema shares many symptoms with chronic bronchitis. In fact, both diseases overlap to some degree. They are commonly classified together under the label of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). But they differ anatomically. Emphysema is an irreversible damage to the alveoli (small structures such as bags which carried out the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide). The alveoli are counted in millions, like bubbles in a bubble bath. Emphysema causes that will be breaking one by one, become less sacks, becoming larger. As a result, the total surface is compressed, reducing the amount of air that can be exchanged with each breath.

It is well known that the most common lung diseases are characterized by a very poor antioxidant activity, as well as glutathione production systems overloaded. Taking this information as a basis, a group of French researchers conducted a study to test whether glutathione levels may indicate a person's predisposition to lung diseases. Tested individuals seeking the absence of the gene responsible for the specific enzyme glutathione. Some 47% of French individuals lacking this gene. They proved that 67% of cases of chronic bronchitis were deficient in this gene and 71% of cases of severe bronchitis. They concluded that any factor that lowers glutathione levels in the body puts you at greater risk of lung disease to people.

Other studies found that COPD patients are very sensitive to lower levels of glutathione even after light exercise, demonstrating a precarious balance of glutathione in these patients and the importance of maintaining high levels of glutathione.

A team at the University of Odense in Denmark conducted a double-blind study of the overall health of patients with chronic bronchitis media. They gave a precursor of glutathione during the winter periods some patients and a placebo to other group members. Of the 2 groups of patients with higher levels of glutathione reported better general health.

In a study of 200 patients, Hanover Medical School in Germany showed that the use of glutathione precursors leads to improved symptoms and lung disease improve lung function in general. The 4-week study included patients with acute and chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma and emphysema. All groups showed improvement in this period of time.

Smoking and glutathione.

There is no doubt that smoking is an important factor in producing chronic bronchitis, emphysema, COPD, Cancer and crdiovasculares problems. One of the ways in which cigarette smoke damages the body is increased oxidative stress in the lungs.

A single puff of smoke contains millions of free radicals and can literally "burn" the reserves of antioxidants in the lungs. But this is not the worst. Oxidative stress is generated increases with inflammation in the lungs. The damage caused by the cigar corresponds directly to the level of lung disease.

Studies with glutathione precursors have been shown to increase the ability of the lungs to clear the airways. A study in the Institute of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene in Italy rats exposed to high levels of cigarette smoke. This led to weight loss, severe pathological damage of the respiratory tract, inflammation of the bronchi, alveolar damage, emphysema, abnormal white blood cells and precancerous lesions. Rats which were given a precursor of glutathione were much less lung damage, demonstrating the protective action of glutathione against lung damage and cancer.

Muhos patients with respiratory problems like emphysema, acute and chronic bronchitis, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis have significant benefits in overall health and lung capacity by using a precursor of glutathione and Immunocal raising glutathione levels.