Bronchitis

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Overview[edit | edit source]

Figure A shows the location of the lungs and bronchial tubes in the body. Figure B is an enlarged, detailed view of a normal bronchial tube. Figure C is an enlarged, detailed view of a bronchial tube with bronchitis. The tube is inflamed and contains more mucus than usual.

Most people with acute bronchitis recover after a few days or weeks. Viral infections, such as the cold or flu, are usually the cause of acute bronchitis. Occasionally, acute bronchitis can be caused by a bacterial infection.

Causes[edit | edit source]

  • Chronic bronchitis is an ongoing cough that lasts for several months and comes back two or more years in a row.
  • In chronic bronchitis, the lining of the airways stays constantly inflamed.
  • This causes the lining to swell and produce more mucus, which can make it hard to breathe.
  • Chronic bronchitis is often part of a serious condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Depiction of a person suffering from Bronchitis
Depiction of a person suffering from Bronchitis

Risk factors[edit | edit source]

  • Your risk for either type of bronchitis is higher if you smoke cigarettes or have asthma or allergies.
  • Chronic bronchitis is most often caused by smoking cigarettes, but it can occur in non-smokers as well.
  • Women who smoke may be more at risk than men.
  • Those who are older, have been exposed to fumes or secondhand smoke, have a family history of lung disease, have a history of childhood respiratory diseases, or have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), are also at higher risk of getting chronic bronchitis.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

  • The most common symptom of bronchitis is coughing associated with mucus production.
  • Other symptoms include wheezing or shortness of breath, chest pain, or a low fever.
  • To diagnose bronchitis, your doctor will do a physical exam and ask about your medical history and symptoms.
  • The doctor may also order a blood test to look for signs of infection or a chest X-ray to see if your lungs and bronchial tubes look normal and rule out pneumonia.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis

Treatment[edit | edit source]

  • Usually, acute bronchitis goes away on its own, without treatment.
  • Sometimes over-the-counter medicines that loosen mucus or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen can help manage acute bronchitis.
  • Taking a couple of teaspoons of honey or using a humidifier may also reduce the symptoms and help with comfort.
  • Doctors typically prescribe antibiotics only if they find that you have a bacterial infection, which is more common in young children.
  • To prevent acute bronchitis from recurring, your doctor may recommend that you get a seasonal flu vaccine, quit smoking, and avoid being around secondhand smoke.

Goals of therapy[edit | edit source]

The goal of treatment for chronic bronchitis is to help you breathe better and control your symptoms. Your doctor may recommend healthy lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking; taking medicines to help clear your airways or to prevent symptoms from getting worse; or, in some cases, getting oxygen therapy to help you breathe better. Pulmonary rehabilitation can teach you breathing techniques such as pursed-lip breathing and help you prevent symptoms from worsening.

Bronchitis Resources

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