Hypothetical Case: Thirty two year old patient reports a chronic cough for about 2 1/2 weeks. The cough was preceded by a sore throat, fatigue, fever, body aches, and stuffy nose. The patient also reports that the cough has been productive and rather persistent which has caused lack of sleep. There is also some wheezing with a chest tightness and mild pain. There is a history of bronchitis.

Medical Model: The physician may inquire further about the medical history, ask the patient is they are a smoker, and ask whether or not the patient has been exposed to dust, fumes, vapor, and/or air pollution. During the evaluation the physician will use a stethoscope to listen for the wheezing and any unusual sounds in the lungs. The next step would probably be to culture the mucus to check for a bacterial infection, and perhaps check the oxygen levels in the blood by using a pulse ox. Following the initial examination, a chest x-ray may be obtained
Upon the completion of test(s), the physician may recommend rest, plenty of fluids, and aspirin or acetaminophen to treat the fever as well as a cough medication to bring the cough under subjection. If a bacterial infection is present, then antibiotics may be prescribed. If no bacterial infection is present, then no specific medication outside of over the counter medications. A humidifier may also be recommended.

Holistic Health Model: There are some wonderful natural remedies for Bronchitis that can speed the healing process. Liquorice is a natural remedy for treating bronchitis as well as asthma. Liquorice induces the adrenal cortex to make more natural cortisone, thus having a systemic anti-inflammatory effect on the lungs and most other organs. Natural cortisone is a type of steroid, tragically the artificial steroids released by the drug companies are not sufficiently like the natural steroids released by the adrenal glands and can never cure asthma, it’s action to relieve asthma is only temporary but the side effects are cumulative.

Epidemiological Triangle Model: In this model, there is an attempt to explain the disease causation and various risk behaviors such as cigarette smoking. The question asked of the patient is whether or not they’re a smoker that could have led to their chronic illness, or perhaps they are around and individual that does smoke which is contributing their element. Also the environmental factors will be reviewed.

Social Model: In the case of the patient with bronchitis, the social history would come under question. Such questions would involve their over all wellness, mentally, physically, emotionally. What type of work do they do, what are some of the places they visit and what type of food they consume in their diet? Another key element would be their external factors such as environment.