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Bronchitis
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.
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
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
- 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:
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
- 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:
Chronic Bronchitis
Treatment is based on:
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
Chronic Bronchitis
Treatment is based on:
- Age
- Overall health
- Extent of the disease
- Past response to treatments
- 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.