Bronchitis

What is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a condition where the tube that carries air to and from your lungs, bronchial tubes, gets inflamed and swollen. It can develop a thick and discolored cough and mucus, leading to chest congestion and breathing problems.

There are two types of bronchitis:

• Acute Bronchitis: Acute bronchitis is more common and often develops from a cold or respiratory virus. They are commonly called chest colds, and their symptoms do not exceed three weeks

• Chronic Bronchitis: Chronic bronchitis is severe and requires immediate medical attention. It is a constant irritation and inflammation in the bronchial tubes that does not go away. It is categorized under the term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

What Causes Bronchitis?

Viruses that give you a cold or flu cause acute bronchitis. It can be a bacterial or viral infection.

On the contrary, chronic bronchitis is caused by smoking, air pollution, dust, or toxic gases. Breathing second-hand smoke for a long time can also contribute to the condition.

Risk factors that give rise to bronchitis include:

• Asthma and allergies

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• Smoking

• Weak immune system

• Family history of lung diseases

What are the symptoms of Bronchitis?

Symptoms of acute and chronic bronchitis include:

• Chest congestion

• Cough with mucus

• Shortness of breath

• Wheezing

• Fatigue

Symptoms showed for acute bronchitis are:

• Fever

• Running nose

• Sore throat

• Body ache

The symptoms of acute bronchitis may go away after a week, but the cough will remain for a few more weeks until your bronchial tube heals.

Unlike acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis is not contagious as it is caused by smoking or polluted air. It can last for at least three months and can be back within two years.

Diagnosis of Bronchitis

You must consult a doctor if your cough lasts more than three weeks and produces discolored mucus or blood. With a physical exam and examining your symptoms, the physician will know if you have bronchitis.

They will listen to the lungs using a stethoscope and evaluate your breathing and other problems like wheezing. Some tests suggested by your physician to determine if you have acute or chronic bronchitis are:

• Chest x-ray

• Blood tests

• Septum tests

• Pulmonary Function Test

• Testing oxygen levels in the blood

Treatment for Bronchitis

Quite often, acute bronchitis gets better with time. If you have asthma or allergies, an inhaler can help open the airways. If you have a bacterial infection, the physician will prescribe you antibiotics; however, this will not be effective for a viral infection.

If your cough is keeping you from sleeping, your doctor will recommend taking the cough medicine at bedtime. To ease the symptoms, you can:

• Drink plenty of water

• Take aspirin or ibuprofen to ease the pain

• Use steam or humidifier to loosen mucus

• Avoid lung irritants and don't smoke

Treatment for chronic bronchitis includes:

• Antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and bronchodilators medication

• Oxygen therapy

• Pulmonary rehab and breathing exercise program to help you breathe easily and exercise better

• Airway clearance device to clear the mucus