Definition
Bronchitis is a condition in which the bronchial tubes become inflamed. These
tubes carry air to lungs.
According to Babylon dictionary bronchitis is inflammation of one or more
bronchi
Bronchitis, in other words, is an inflammation or swelling of the bronchial
tubes (bronchi), the air passages between the nose and lungs. More specifically,
bronchitis is referred to a condition when the lining of the bronchial tubes
becomes inflamed or infected. People with bronchitis breathe less air and oxygen
into their lungs; they also have heavy mucus or phlegm forming in their airways.
Bronchitis-An introduction
Bronchitis is a pernicious disease. In the region of Indo-Pak sub-continent, it
usually get its exposure during the climate especially in autumn and winter
seasons. 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. More specifically bronchitis occurs
when the trachea (windpipe) and the large and small bronchial tubes (airways)
within the lungs become inflamed because of infection or irritation from other
causes such as dust. Following facts are noteworthy to elucidate in order to
understand bronchitis:-
• The thin mucous lining of these airways can become irritated and swollen.
• The cells that make up this lining may leak fluids in response to the
inflammation.
• Coughing is a reflex that works to clear secretions from the lungs. Often the
discomfort of a severe cough leads a person to seek medical treatment.
• Both adults and children can get bronchitis. Symptoms are similar for both.
• Infants usually get bronchiolitis (inflammation of the bronchioles, the
smallest air passages of the lungs), which involves the smaller airways and
causes symptoms similar to asthma.
• Asthmatic bronchitis occurs when asthma and bronchitis coexist. Asthma is a
chronic inflammatory airway condition that leads to tightening of the muscles
around the airways and swelling, both of which cause the airways to narrow. The
combination of inflammation of the inner lining of the airways and mucus
production can lead to severe wheezing and shortness of breath.
• Breathe when inhaled, small, bristly hairs near the openings of nostrils
filter out dust, pollen, and other airborne particles. Bits that slip through
become attached to the mucus membrane, which has tiny, hair-like structures
called cilia on its surface. But sometimes germs get through the cilia and other
defense systems in the respiratory tract and can cause illness.
Kinds of bronchitis
The disease comes in two forms: acute bronchitis (lasting from one to three
weeks) and chronic bronchitis (lasting at least 3 months or more).
Acute Bronchitis
Infections or lung irritants cause acute bronchitis. The same viruses that cause
colds and the flu are the most common cause of acute bronchitis. These viruses
are spread through the air when people cough. They also are spread through
physical contact (for example, on hands that have not been washed). Sometimes
bacteria can cause acute bronchitis. Bacteria causing throat infection can
resultantly cause bronchitis.
Acute bronchitis lasts from one to three weeks. However, coughing may last for
several weeks even after the infection is gone.
Acute bronchitis is a shorter illness that commonly follows a cold or viral
infection, such as the flu. It consists of a cough with mucus, chest discomfort
or soreness, fever and sometimes shortness of breath.
An acute medical condition comes on quickly and can cause severe symptoms, but,
as mentioned above, it lasts only a short time (no longer than a few weeks).
Acute bronchitis is most often caused by one of a number of viruses that can
infect the respiratory tract and attack the bronchial tubes.
Several factors increase the risk for acute bronchitis. Examples include
exposure to tobacco smoke, dust, fumes, vapors, and air pollution. Avoiding
these lung irritants as much as possible can help lower your risk for acute
bronchitis.
Chronic Bronchitis
Due to repeated attacks of acute bronchitis, which weaken and irritate bronchial
airways over time, can result in chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is an
ongoing, serious condition. It occurs if the lining of the bronchial tubes is
constantly irritated and inflamed, causing a long-term cough with mucus. Smoking
is the main cause of chronic bronchitis.
Viruses or bacteria can easily infect the irritated bronchial tubes. If this
happens, the condition worsens and lasts longer. As a result, people who have
chronic bronchitis have periods when symptoms get much worse than usual.
Chronic bronchitis is a serious, ongoing illness characterized by a persistent,
mucus-producing cough that lasts longer than three months. People with chronic
bronchitis have varying degrees of breathing difficulties and symptoms may get
better and worse during different parts of the year. If chronic bronchitis
occurs with emphysema, it may become chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Causes of bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is generally caused by lung infections, 90% of which are viral
in origin.
Industrial pollution is another culprit. Chronic bronchitis is found in
higher-than-normal rates among coal miners, grain handlers, metal molders, and
other people who are continually exposed to dust and fumes. But the chief cause
is heavy, long-term cigarette smoking, which irritates the bronchial tubes and
causes them to produce excess mucus. The symptoms of chronic bronchitis are also
worsened by high concentrations of sulfur dioxide and other pollutants in the
atmosphere.
Here are some major factors that increase the risk of bronchitis, which can be
included in causes:
Cigarette smoke. People who smoke or who live with a smoker are at higher risk
of both acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis.
Low resistance. This may result from another acute illness, such as a cold, or
from a chronic condition that compromises the immune system. Older adults,
infants and young children have greater vulnerability to infection.
Exposure to irritants on the job. Risk of developing bronchitis is greater for
the people who work around certain lung irritants, such as grains or textiles,
or are exposed to chemical fumes.
Gastric reflux. Repeated bouts of severe heartburn can irritate throat and make
the affected person more prone to developing bronchitis.
(Note to elaborate Gastric reflux: Gastric reflux gastric reflux disease, or
acid reflux disease in which due to damage in Mucous membrane stomach acid comes
up from stomach in to the esophagus /a tube connecting the mouth and the
stomach)
Chronic bronchitis is a serious, long-term medical condition. Early diagnosis
and treatment, combined with quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke, can
improve quality of life. The chance of complete recovery is low for people who
have severe chronic bronchitis.
Signs and symptoms of bronchitis
For either acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis, signs and symptoms may
include:
• Cough
• Throat infection in case of acute bronchitis
• Production of mucus (sputum), which can be clear, white, yellowish-gray or
green in color — rarely, it may be streaked with blood
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath or difficulty in taking full strength breath
• Slight fever and chills
• Chest discomfort
In acute bronchitis patient has a nagging cough that lingers on for several
weeks after the inflammation resolves. Chronic bronchitis is defined as a
productive cough that lasts at least three months, with recurring bouts
occurring for at least two consecutive years.
In case of chronic bronchitis, patient usually has to undergo with periods when
signs and symptoms are worsen. At those times, patient has to keep acute
bronchitis on top of chronic bronchitis.
Tests and diagnosis of bronchitis
During the first few days of illness, it is very difficult to distinguish the
signs and symptoms of bronchitis from those of a common cold. During the
physical examination, a physician uses a stethoscope to listen the morbid sounds
of lungs during deep breathe.
Following are the major tests to diagnose the ailment:
• Chest X-ray. A chest X-ray can help determine whether patient has mucus in the
region of lungs or not. Pneumonia or another disease can be ascertained by
examining the chest
X-ray.
• Sputum tests. Sputum is the mucus that patient coughs up from lungs. It can be
tested to see if patient has whooping cough or other illnesses that could be
helped by antibiotics. Sputum can also be tested for signs of allergies. Sputum
culture test explores the name of exact bacteria due to which cough and fever
occurred.
• Pulmonary function test. During a pulmonary function test, through a device
called a Spiro-meter, which measures that how much air lungs can hold and how
quickly patient can get air out of lungs. This test checks for signs of asthma
or emphysema.
Treatment, medication and therapies in bronchitis
Most of the cases of acute bronchitis resolve without medical treatment in two
weeks.
Medication
However, a physician may prescribe following medicines in bronchitis caused by
viral infections or infection due to bacteria:
Antibiotics. Bronchitis usually results from a viral infection, so antibiotics
aren't effective. However, physician prescribes antibiotics just to avoid
further complications such as bronchial pneumonia. Prescription for the use of
antibiotic for upper resparatory infections in acute bronchitis, due to
bacterial infection, has shown good results.
Cough medicine. It's best not to suppress a cough that brings up mucus, because
coughing helps to remove irritants from lungs and air passages. Usually
physicians prescribe cough expectorants which help to remove chest congestion by
expectorating mucus and phlegm from lungs.
Other medications. In case of cough due to allergy or asthma or in chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), physicians recommend an inhaler and other
medications to reduce inflammation and open narrowed passages in the lungs.
Therapies
In case of chronic bronchitis, pulmonary rehabilitation — a breathing exercise
program in which a respiratory therapist teaches that how to breathe more easily
and increase the ability to exercise.
Lifestyle and home remedies
In order to avoid the onset of bronchitis following lifestyle and home remedies
are recommended by the specialist physicians:
a) Use a humidifier. Warm, moist air helps relieve coughs and loosens mucus in
airways. But be sure to clean the humidifier according to the manufacturer's
recommendations to avoid the growth of bacteria and fungi in the water
container.
b) Avoid lung irritants. Don't smoke. Wear a mask when the air is polluted or if
one is exposed to irritants, such as paint or household cleaners with strong
fumes.
c) Consider a face mask outside. If cold air aggravates cough and causes
shortness of breath, put on a cold-air face mask before going outside.
Prevention
It is well known maxim that prevention is better than cure. Therefore,
physicians have recommended following tips to reduce the risk of bronchitis:
• Avoid cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke increases the risk of chronic
bronchitis.
• Get vaccinated. Many cases of acute bronchitis result from influenza, a virus.
Getting a yearly flu vaccine can help to protect from getting the flu. Similarly
vaccination as a prophylactic measure of protection against some types of
pneumonia is strongly recommended by the physicians.
• Washing hands. To reduce the risk of catching a viral infection, it is
recommended to wash the hands frequently and get in the habit of using hand
sanitizers.
• Wear a surgical mask. In case of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
one must wear a face mask while at work or exposing to dusty atmosphere and in
crowds.