Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucous lining in the bronchial tubes, which are the tubes that allow air to pass in and out of the lungs. When the membranes are inflamed, the mucus they produce is thick and sticky. This sticky mucus clogs the bronchial tubes and makes it harder to breathe. There are two main types of bronchitis. Acute bronchitis usually goes away after a week or so, but chronic bronchitis can last for years and often accompanies emphysema. Emphysema is a serious lung disease caused by damage to the alveoli, which are tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are two elements of a disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. Acute bronchitis is a common ailment that affects people of both genders and all ages, though people who are very young and people who are elderly are more susceptible.
The Five Important Questions About Bronchitis
1: What causes bronchitis?
A: Bronchitis is usually caused by a virus, though it can also be caused by bacteria. It is sometimes a complication of a cold. The cold virus first infects the person’s throat and nose then spreads into the lungs. Bronchitis can also be caused by irritants such as smoke, so it’s important that a person with bronchitis not smoke and avoid areas where there is secondhand smoke. Some people find that their allergies cause bronchitis, so any treatment that helps their allergies will alleviate their bronchitis.
2: What are the symptoms of bronchitis?
A: Bronchitis can begin with symptoms that resemble those of the common cold. They include a sore, scratchy throat, a runny or stuffy nose, headache, sneezing and coughing, a low fever, fatigue and watery eyes. After this, symptoms are a cough that may be unproductive at first and a fever that rarely goes above 101 degrees Fahrenheit. The person may wheeze and feel a burning sensation just behind their sternum or pressure in their chest. Fatigue is another symptom of bronchitis.
3: How is bronchitic prevented?
A: Preventing bronchitis is much like avoiding the cold or flu. It starts with distancing oneself from sick people. They should wash their hands often and wear a face mask if they have to work in an environment where there are chemicals, lots of dust or other substances that can irritate the lungs. The good news is in most people bronchitis clears up after a week or so of self-care. This includes drinking lots of fluids, rest and using a room humidifier to increase the humidity in the air.
4: Are there conditions that increase the risk of bronchitis?
A: Conditions that increase a person’s chances of getting bronchitis include already having a chronic lung disease such as emphysema or chronic sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis is a long-term inflammation of the sinuses. People who smoke or who are exposed to secondhand smoke are more at risk, as are people with allergies. The risk of bronchitis increases if the person is malnourished, lives in a polluted area or has gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. This is when acid from the stomach bubbles up into the esophagus.
5: What are the possible complications of bronchitis?
A: Though most people recover from bronchitis, there can be complications. Bronchitis can become chronic. It can also develop into pneumonia, which is an inflammation of the lungs. This causes a build-up of fluid in the alveoli and makes it hard to breathe. Another possible complication of bronchitis is bronchiectasis. In this disease, the bronchi are not just inflamed but damaged and abnormally wide, which allows for frequent infections and sometimes causes the person to cough up bad-smelling mucus. Pleurisy is another complication of bronchitis. This is when the pleura, which are the membranes that encloses the lungs, become inflamed.