Symptoms and Treatments

Introduction to Bronchitis

Bronchitis is inflammation of the mucosal membranes of the bronchial airways from the trachea to the lungs. You can have acute or chronic bronchitis which are the two categories of the ailment, each having unique pathologies and treatment strategies.

Acute bronchitis is the most common bronchial ailment characterized by inflammation of the epithelium of the bronchi airways leading to the lungs and will result in dry or phlegmatic coughing in an attempt to expel excess mucus.

Chronic bronchitis is among the types of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases or COPD and is characterized by productive phlegmatic coughing. It can last for 3 months and recurs thereafter when triggered by irritants entering the bronchial passageway. Chronic inflammation and edema or swelling produces copious mucus secretion of the goblet cells and can partially block the airways

Causes and Risk Factors

Acute bronchitis is triggered by viral infection that results in increased mucus secretion of the inflamed epithelial linings of the bronchial passageways to the lungs. It usually develops in the course of an acute viral infection such as influenza or then common cold which increases the risk of contracting the bronchial ailment. Viruses account for about 90% of acute bronchitis while the remainder of the cases is caused by bacterial infection.

Chronic bronchitis develops dues to recurrent injury to the bronchial airways often caused by inhaled environmental irritants with cigarette smoking being the most causative, followed by air pollution and occupational exposure to irritating chemical fumes.

Bronchitis Symptoms

Acute bronchitis comes with persistent coughing attended with our without sputum or the mucus expectorated from the respiratory tract. It is often accompanied with symptoms similar to common cold and influenza such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, low fever and pleurisy.

Chronic bronchitis lasts longer and is characterized by productive expectorated coughs that come with wheezing or shortness of breath which becomes more apparent with physical exertion. Coughing often gets worse in the mornings upon waking and the sputum can exhibit yellow to greenish tinge and may contain blood streaks.

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose either types of bronchitis from the symptoms and a physical exam. Blood tests are not necessary expect in the most severe cases to eliminate other pathological possibilities. A suspicion of pneumonia will require chest X-ray. Doctors may require a culture test of a phlegm sample to check on bacterial infection.

Treatment

Acute bronchitis is “self-limited” which means it can go away in a few weeks without treatment. Bronchitis caused by bacteria can be treated with the administration of antibiotics. The symptomatic cough can be treated with OTC medication to relieve the coughing which if dry can be helped with expectorants.

Chronic bronchitis is best treated by treating its symptoms. Using inhaled corticosteroids can reduce inflammation and edema of the bronchial epithelium. Wheezing can be treated by reversing the narrowing of the smaller bronchi airways with bronchodilators like the brand Albuterol as we well as inhaling anticholinergics like ipratropium bromide. The most lasting treatment and prevention of Chronic bronchitis is to refrain from smoking tobacco products and to discontinue cigarette smoking for smokers suffering the ailment.