What is Bronchitis, its Causes, and How to Treat It?

What is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a disease where your bronchial tubes, which carry air to your lungs, become infected and swollen. You will experience a long-lasting cough and increased mucus production. There are two types of bronchitis:

• Acute Bronchitis
  This is more common and occurs for a short period, often after a cold or viral infection. The symptoms last for a few weeks but usually do not cause problems before that.
• Chronic Bronchitis
  This is more serious and long-term. It may be caused by environmental factors or pre-existing diseases. Chronic bronchitis is typically caused by repeated irritation and damage to lung tissue and airways. Because this condition constantly recurs and doesn’t fully heal, it’s one of the conditions that make up Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

What Causes Bronchitis

Bronchitis is often caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold. However, sometimes bacteria can also be responsible for bronchitis. In both cases, as your body fights the infection, your bronchial tubes swell, and more mucus is produced, narrowing the air passages and making breathing difficult.

Other causes include:

• A weakened immune system, which sometimes happens in the elderly, those with chronic diseases, and in babies and children.
• Smoking or being around smokers.
• Exposure to substances that irritate your lungs, such as chemical fumes or dust.
• Living in or going to places with poor air quality or high pollution.
• Frequent episodes of acute bronchitis.

What are the Symptoms of Bronchitis?

The early symptoms of acute bronchitis are similar to those of a cold. Common symptoms include:

• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Feeling cold easily
• Back and muscles aches
• Fever (100°F to 100.4°F or 37.7°C to 38°C)
• Chills
• Headache
• Blocked nose and sinuses

   

After the initial infection, you may develop a cough, which may be dry at first but becomes productive, meaning it produces mucus.

Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms in addition to the ones listed above, as they may indicate a more serious condition:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Severe coughing
• Breathing difficulties
• Chest pain
• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
• A cough lasting more than 10 days.

It’s common for symptoms of chronic bronchitis to worsen each year, and the condition often becomes worse in winter. However, a persistent cough can also be a sign of other diseases such as asthma or pneumonia.

What is the Treatment for Bronchitis?

Doctors usually recommend rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking cough medicine and pain relievers to reduce symptoms and ease breathing.

For managing bronchitis symptoms, the following treatments can be considered:

• If your illness is caused by bacteria (which is rare), your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
• If you have asthma or allergies, your doctor may recommend inhalers, which help open your airways and make breathing easier.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Eight to twelve glasses per day can help thin the mucus and make it easier to cough up.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve), or Aspirin to help with pain. Avoid giving aspirin to children. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help with both pain and fever.
• Use a humidifier or try steam to ease restricted airflow and coughing. A hot shower can also help loosen mucus in the windpipe.
• Use bronchodilators. These open the bronchial tubes and clear mucus from the windpipe.
• Mucolytics can help thin the mucus in your airways and make it easier to cough up.
• Anti-inflammatory steroids like glucocorticoids are used for severe symptoms to reduce chronic inflammation, which can cause tissue damage.
• Oxygen therapy can help increase oxygen intake when breathing is difficult.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation programs may involve working with respiratory therapists to improve breathing.
• Stop smoking to eliminate the irritants that affect your lungs.
• Breathing exercises, such as pursed-lip breathing, can slow and ease breathing. These exercises also strengthen the muscles involved in breathing.
• Do not start smoking, and quit if you already smoke.
• Avoid substances or materials that can irritate your lungs, such as smoke, dust, fumes, vapors, and air pollution. If avoiding exposure is impossible, wear a mask covering your nose and mouth.
• Wash your hands regularly to limit exposure to germs and bacteria.
• Get an annual flu vaccine.
• Get a pneumonia vaccine.

If the symptoms or signs of bronchitis worsen, you should consult your doctor immediately or seek advice from our doctors at www.doctoroncall.com.my.

Thank you.