Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a respiratory disease in which the mucus membrane in the lung’s bronchial passages becomes inflamed.

As the irritated membrane swells and grows thicker, it narrows or shuts off the tiny airways in the lungs, resulting in coughing spells that may be accompanied by phlegm and breathlessness.

The disease comes in two forms: acute (lasting from one to three weeks) and chronic.

Chronic bronchitis is defined as a cough that occurs every day with sputum production that lasts for at least 3 months, two years in a row. 

The inflammation causes a change in the lining cells of the airways to varying degrees. 

Many cells that line the airway lose the function of their cilia and eventually the ciliated cells are lost. Cilia perform the function of moving particles and fluid (usually mucus) over the lining surface in such structures as the trachea, bronchial tubes, and nasal cavities to keep these hollow structures clear of particles and fluids.

Causes of chronic bronchitis:

• Main cause is cigarette smoke. Statistics from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that about 49% of smokers develop chronic bronchitis and 24% develop emphysema/COPD.
• Many other inhaled irritants (example, smog, industrial pollutants, and solvents) .
• Viral and bacterial infections.
• Asthma, cystic fibrosis, immunodeficiency, congestive heart failure, familial genetic predisposition to bronchitis, and congenital or bronchiectasis.

Others symptoms of chronic bronchitis are:

• Cough and sputum production are the most common symptoms. They usually last for at least 3 months and occur daily. 
• Dyspnea (shortness of breath) gradually increases with the severity of the disease. 
• Wheezing (a coarse whistling sound produced when airways are partially obstructed) often occurs.
• Other symptoms of fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches, nasal congestion, and headaches can accompany the major symptoms. 
• Severe coughing may cause chest pain, cyanosis.

Treatment with Stem Cells for Chronic Bronchitis

We are using the adult stem cells of the patient from fat or bone narrow. The typical deployment for Chronic Bronquitis is intravenous. We also nebulize a small amount of the stem cells and have the patient inhale it.

Around 90% of patients respond to deployment with adult stem cells. The most common response is an increase in exercise ability. Patients feel they can walk further without becoming winded. Patients also note an increase in their oxygen saturation levels (O2 sat).