Bronchitis

What is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi (the two main airways carrying inhaled air from the trachea to the chambers in the lungs where oxygen
is exchanged for carbon dioxide). This inflammation often results in the narrowing of the bronchi which means that less air is able to flow in and out
of the lungs. This condition often results in a persistent, heavy cough accompanied by mucus production. Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition
that is characterized by excessive cough and mucus production.

What are the risk factors of Bronchitis?

• Smoking cigarette.
• Low resistance.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Stomach acids that persistently back up into your esophagus may cause a chronic cough.
• Exposure to irritants on the job. You run the risk of developing occupational bronchitis if you work around certain lung irritants, such as
  grains or textiles, or are exposed to chemical fumes from ammonia, strong acids, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide or bromine.

• What causes Chronic Bronchitis?

  Cigarette smoking, bacterial or viral infections, air pollution and inhalation of industrial fumes or dusts often lead to chronic bronchitis. These irritants can cause inflammation of the bronchi, which leads to a persistent, heavy cough. Additionally, the inflamed bronchial tubes are an ideal breeding ground for bacterial infections.

  The bacteria that frequently cause bronchitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis.

• 
  What are the symptoms associated with Chronic Bronchitis?

  Chronic bronchitis is characterized by a chronic cough with excessive production of pus-like or mucus-like sputum. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, sleep disturbances, wheezing, rattling in the chest, slight fever, chest pain and general ill feeling (malaise). A bacterial infection is suspected when the mucus becomes yellow, gray or green or when there is a change in sputum volume or color.

• How is Chronic Bronchitis diagnosed?

  To diagnose bronchitis, your doctor may take the following approaches:

• Use a stethoscope to listen for wheezing and other abnormal sounds in your lungs
• Have you get a chest X-ray
• Have you undergo blood tests
• Analyze a sputum culture — a test that checks for the presence of bacteria in sputum produced when you cough
• Have you take a pulmonary function test (PFT), to rule out other causes for your symptoms

• Pulmonary function test

  This test checks for signs of asthma or emphysema. During a pulmonary function test, you blow into a device called a spirometer, which measures
  the volume of air in your lungs after you have taken a deep breath and blown it out. The spirometer also shows how quickly you can get air out of 
  your lungs.
  The test is painless and takes just a few minutes. If you have repeated bouts of bronchitis and your doctor does not suggest a pulmonary function
  test, ask to have one done.

•  

   

  How is Bronchitis treated?

  It is essential to minimize the conditions that irritate the bronchi. Smokers have to quit and the sufferer must change his or her job if environmental conditions are detrimental.

  It would be helpful to move to a better climate and use vaporizers for indoor humidity. Drinking plenty of water, being careful not to catch a cold, gaining weight and avoiding stress are very important. If necessary, a doctor can prescribe an expectorant, a steroid to reduce inflammation and an anticholinergic bronchodilator. Antibiotics can be used to treat infections for short periods, but the patient must be careful to follow the directions to prevent building up a tolerance.

  Acute bacterial infections associated with chronic bronchitis can be effectively treated with antibiotics. New antibiotics demonstrated to benefit patients with chronic bronchitis are available that have high efficacy against bronchitis. Reducing the irritation in the bronchial tubes and enhancing the outward flow of mucus is essential to treating bronchitis. Bronchodilator drugs may relax and open up air passages in the lungs and expectorants may promote mucus flow; however, the effect of these drugs is solely to relieve symptoms.

  Clinical studies have clearly demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of patients with acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB). To effectively combat bronchitis relapse or chronic bronchitis, patients should avoid irritants such as cigarette smoke and dusty work conditions. Improving one's overall health also increases the body's immunity to infections.