Bronchitis affects the tubes in your lungs called bronchial tubes. These tubes can become inflamed, which causes symptoms like coughing and the production of mucus.
This condition affects the body by causing the bronchial tubes to swell. When they swell, they become narrower, making it harder for air to pass through them.
Bronchitis causes symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and trouble breathing. To treat it, rest and drink lots of fluids.
When someone has bronchitis, their bronchial tubes—the passages linking the nose and mouth to the lungs—get swollen and inflamed. They might find it hard to clear thick mucus from their airways.
Types
There are two main types of bronchitis. They are acute and chronic.
Acute bronchitis typically lasts for a specific period and often follows a viral infection like the flu or a cold. Symptoms may include a cough with or without sputum, chest pain, fever, light headache, body aches, and breath shortness.
Chronic bronchitis shares the same symptoms as acute bronchitis but is a persistent condition. According to the National Library of Medicine, it’s classified as a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease where the bronchial tubes accumulate excessive mucus. Chronic bronchitis either does not resolve completely or recurs frequently. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that if emphysema develops with chronic bronchitis, it leads to a determination of COPD, which is a severe and potentially dangerous condition.
Symptoms
Signs of both chronic and acute bronchitis can include a continuous cough that creates mucus, gasping, a low fever, trouble in the chest, body aches, a sore throat, headaches, breathlessness, and blocked sinuses and nose. In cases of bronchitis, the cough can last for some weeks or even months if the tubes of the bronchus take a long period to heal completely.
Chronic bronchitis symptoms often recur, particularly during the winter season for many individuals. It’s important to note that while bronchitis is a common cause of a continuous cough, it’s not the only possibility. Other conditions such as pneumonia, asthma, or various illnesses could also be responsible. Therefore, anyone experiencing a persistent cough should seek medical advice to determine the underlying cause.
When to consult a doctor
For most people, recovering from bronchitis can be managed at home with relaxation, anti-inflammatory medicines, and staying hydrated with lots of fluids.
However, it’s important to seek medical attention if any of the following symptoms occur:
- A cough that persists for more than 3 weeks.
- High temperatures of the body that last for 3 days or longer.
- Blood in the sputum.
- Fast breathing and chest aches.
- Confusion or drowsiness.
- Symptoms that keep coming back or get worse over time.
Individuals with pre-existing heart or lung conditions should especially consider seeing a doctor if they notice symptoms of bronchitis developing. Early medical intervention can help manage symptoms effectively and prevent complications.
Diagnosis
To diagnose bronchitis, a healthcare provider will begin with a physical examination, u a stethoscope to hear for any unusual sounds in the lungs.
The healthcare provider will ask about the patient’s symptoms, particularly their cough, and inquire about the medical history. They will also ask if the patient has had any recent bouts of flu or cold if they smoke, and if they have been exposed to secondhand smoke, fumes, dust, or air pollution.
Additionally, the healthcare provider may take further steps such as taking a sputum sample to test for viruses or bacteria in the lab, checking the oxygen levels in the patient’s blood, suggesting a chest X-ray and a pulmonary lung function test, and conducting blood examinations.
Treatment
For acute bronchitis, antibiotics are generally not helpful and healthcare providers usually avoid recommending them. Instead, they can advise natural treatments to help a person feel better. These options include utilizing honey in hot water or tea to soothe cough symptoms, utilizing a humidifier to loosen mucus and enhance airflow, resting, consuming plenty of fluids, exercising to harden chest muscles for better breathing, enhancing breathing techniques using pulmonary rehabilitation, and avoiding lung irritants like smoking.
Medications for Bronchitis
Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen can help alleviate a cough and manage any pain. In many cases, acute bronchitis will resolve on its own without the need for extensive treatment.
- Bronchodilators: These medications open up the bronchial tubes and can help rule out mucus.
- Cough medication: Coughing helps remove sputum from the bronchial tubes, but medicine can provide relief, especially at night.
- Mucolytics: These drugs loosen mucus in the air passages, making it effortless to cough up mucus.
- Steroid and anti-inflammatory drugs: These may assist in decreasing inflammation that may lead to tissue damage.
The signs of chronic bronchitis may improve temporarily but often return or worsen, especially contact with smoke or other triggers.
If acute bronchitis is caused by a bacterial infection, a healthcare provider may suggest antibiotics. These can also help prevent a secondary infection in some cases. However, antibiotics are not suitable for viral infections and are generally not prescribed unless bacteria are identified as the cause. This cautious approach helps prevent antibiotic resistance, which can make infections harder to treat over time.
Complications
One of the most common problems that can happen with bronchitis is known pneumonia. This occurs when the infection spreads deeper into the lungs, causing the air sacs in the lungs to become full of fluid.
Older adults, smokers, people with other health issues, and those with weak immune systems are more likely to get pneumonia. It can be very serious and even life-threatening, so it’s important to get medical help if it happens.
Prevention
While it may not be possible to completely prevent chronic or acute bronchitis, there are several ways to decrease the risk.
One important step is to avoid smoking. Staying away from lung irritants like fumes, dust, vapors, and smoke can also help. Putting on a mask to close your mouth and nose when pollution stages are high is another good practice.
Additionally, washing your hands often can limit exposure to germs and bacteria. It’s also worth asking your doctor about vaccinations that protect against the flu and pneumonia.
Summary
Bronchitis is a condition that affects the bronchial tubes in the lungs, causing symptoms like coughing, mucus production, and difficulty breathing. Acute bronchitis typically resolves on its own, while chronic bronchitis is persistent and requires ongoing management.
Diagnosis involves a physical exam and possibly tests like chest X-rays and blood tests. Treatment includes rest, fluids, OTC medications, and avoiding lung irritants. Complications like pneumonia can arise, particularly in vulnerable individuals. Preventing bronchitis involves avoiding smoking, lung irritants, and practicing good hygiene, as well as getting vaccinated against pneumonia and the flu.
