Bronchitis is inflammation of the air passages (bronchi) of the lungs.
It can make breathing difficult and sometimes painful.
Acute Bronchitis – sudden onset of symptoms. This lasts only a short time
and there is full recovery of lung function.
Chronic Bronchitis – long-term inflammation, obstruction,
and degeneration of the bronchi. This is often the result of many years of
cigarette smoking. This is a serious medical condition.
Asthmatic Bronchitis – intermittent inflammation of the airways in
people with underlying asthma. This is most commonly associated with allergies
or environmental irritants.
Causes
The inflammation may be caused by:
- Bacterial and viral infections
- Smoking (cigarettes or marijuana)
- Inhalation of certain respiratory irritants (e.g. chemical pollutants,
dust), particularly in an occupational setting
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or
condition.
- Smoking
- Exposure to second hand smoke
- Contact with a person infected with bronchitis
- Viral upper respiratory tract infection (cold or flu)
- Asthma
- Chronic sinusitis
- Occupational exposures to respiratory inhalants
- Smog, in susceptible individuals
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type of bronchitis.
Acute Bronchitis
- Runny nose
- Malaise
- Slight fever
- Back and muscle pain
- Sore throat
- Dry, mostly non-productive cough that may progress to a mucous-filled
cough
Chronic Bronchitis
- Cough that brings up yellow-green mucus, often worse in the morning
- Difficulty breathing
- Bluish tint to lips and skin (in severe cases)
- Swelling of the feet (in end-stage cases)
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a
physical exam.
Acute Bronchitis
Tests for acute bronchitis are not usually needed. However, for severe or
questionable cases, the following may be recommended:
- Blood test
- Chest x-rays to rule out pneumonia, a complication of bronchitis
- Pulse oximetry – measures the amount of oxygen in the blood
- Cultures of nasal discharge or sputum coughed up from lungs
Chronic Bronchitis
Tests for chronic bronchitis may include:
- Blood test
- Chest x-rays
- Pulmonary function tests or spirometry to evaluate lung function
- Sputum culture
- Arterial blood gas (for levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acid in the
blood)
- Pulse oximetry
Treatment
Acute Bronchitis
Treatment is aimed at relieving the symptoms. It includes:
- Aspirin or acetaminophen to treat pain and fever
- Expectorants or cough suppressants
- Increased fluid intake
- Cool mist humidification
In most cases, antibiotics are not necessary because the infection is viral,
not bacterial. Antihistamines are usually not recommended, because they tend to
dry up secretions, which can make the cough worse.
Chronic Bronchitis
Treatment is based on:
- Age
- Overall health
- Extent of the disease
- Past response to treatments
Treatment may include:
- Oral antibiotics and bronchodilators
- Oral or intravenous corticosteroid medications
- Inhaled bronchodilators or corticosteroids
- Expectorants to loosen secretions
- Supplemental oxygen
- Cool mist humidification
- Lung reduction surgery – removal of the most damaged part of the lungs (in
severe cases)
- Lung transplant (in end-stage cases)
Prevention
To reduce your chance of getting bronchitis:
- Stop smoking or never start.
- Avoid passive smoke.
- Avoid exposure to respiratory irritants.
- Avoid contact with people who have bronchitis.