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Definition

The bronchi are air passages of the lungs. Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi. It can make breathing difficult. It can also be painful.

Bronchi of Lungs

lungs and bronchioles
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There are different types of bronchitis such as:

  • Acute bronchitis—is a sudden onset of symptoms. It only lasts a short time. There is full recovery of lung function.
  • Chronic bronchitis]]> —is a long term condition. It causes obstruction and erosion of the lungs. It is often the result of many years of ]]>cigarette smoking]]> . This is a serious condition. It is a type of ]]>chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)]]> .
  • Asthmatic bronchitis—occurs in people with ]]>asthma]]> . Occurs during an asthma attack. It is most common with allergies.
  • Irritative bronchitis—due to frequent contact with certain irritants. This often happens because of work setting. (also known as industrial or environmental bronchitis)
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Causes

The inflammation may be caused by:

  • Bacterial and viral infections
  • Smoking (cigarettes or marijuana)
  • Inhalation of certain respiratory irritants (usualy in work setting) such as:
    • Ammonia
    • Chlorine
    • Minerals
    • Vegetable dusts

Risk Factors

Risk factors for bronchitis include:

  • Smoking
  • Exposure to second-hand smoke
  • Contact with a person infected with bronchitis
  • Viral upper respiratory tract infection ( cold]]> or ]]>flu]]> )
  • ]]>Asthma]]>
  • Chronic ]]>sinusitis]]>
  • Occupational exposures to respiratory inhalants
  • Smog, in susceptible individuals
  • Enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids
  • Malnutrition

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Symptoms

Symptoms will depend on the type of bronchitis.

Acute Bronchitis

  • Runny nose
  • Malaise
  • Slight fever
  • Back and muscle pain
  • Sore throat]]>
  • Cough, initially dry, then produces mucus that may be thick, yellow, green, blood-streaked
  • Wheezing

Chronic Bronchitis

  • Cough that brings up yellow-green mucus, often worse in the morning
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Bluish tint to lips and skin (in severe cases)
  • Swelling of the feet (in end-stage cases)

Bronchi and Air Sacs of Lungs

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Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

Acute Bronchitis

Tests are rare. The following may be recommended for severe or questionable cases:

  • Blood test
  • Chest x-rays]]> —to rule out ]]>pneumonia]]> , a complication of bronchitis
  • Pulse oximetry—to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood
  • ]]>Bronchoscopy]]> with culture of the sputum

Chronic Bronchitis

Tests may include:

  • Blood test
  • Chest x-rays
  • ]]>Pulmonary function tests]]> or spirometry—to evaluate lung function
  • Sputum culture
  • Arterial blood gas—to test for levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acid in the blood
  • Pulse oximetry
  • Bronchoscopy with culture of obtained sputum

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Treatment

Acute Bronchitis

Treatment is aimed at relieving the symptoms. It includes:

Antibiotics will not be helpful if the infection is viral.

There are some concerns about the safety of over-the-counter cough and cold products. The concern is highest for children under two years of age. It is best to avoid these, especially in young children. Talk to your doctor about medication options. ]]>*¹]]>

Chronic Bronchitis

Treatment is based on:

  • Age
  • Overall health
  • Extent of the disease
  • Past response to treatments

Treatment may include:

  • Oral antibiotics and bronchodilators, particularly ]]>clarithromycin]]>
    • If you have chronic bronchitis and mild-to-moderate COPD, you may not need antibiotics
    • A study found that shorter antibiotic treatment (five days or less) is as effective as longer treatment (more than five days) ]]>*²]]>
  • Bronchodilators
  • Oral or intravenous corticosteroid medications
  • Inhaled bronchodilators or corticosteroids
  • Expectorants to loosen secretions
  • Mucolytics
  • Supplemental oxygen
  • Cool mist humidification
  • ]]>Lung reduction surgery]]> —removal of the most damaged part of the lungs (in severe cases)
  • ]]>Lung transplant]]> (in end-stage cases)

If you are diagnosed with bronchitis, follow your doctor's instructions .

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Prevention

To reduce your chance of getting bronchitis:

  • Stop smoking]]> or never start.
  • Avoid passive smoke.
  • Avoid exposure to respiratory irritants.
  • Avoid contact with people who have bronchitis.