Bronchitis: Difference between revisions
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== | {{SI}} | ||
[[File:Bronchitis.jpg|thumb|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.]] | {{Infobox medical condition | ||
| name = Bronchitis | |||
| image = [[File:Bronchitis.jpg|alt=Bronchitis]] | |||
| caption = Inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs | |||
| field = [[Pulmonology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Cough]], [[mucus]] production, [[shortness of breath]], [[wheezing]], [[fatigue]] | |||
| complications = [[Pneumonia]], [[chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]] (COPD) | |||
| onset = Acute: sudden; Chronic: gradual | |||
| duration = Acute: less than 3 weeks; Chronic: more than 3 months per year for at least 2 years | |||
| causes = [[Viral infection]], [[bacterial infection]], [[smoking]], [[air pollution]] | |||
| risks = [[Smoking]], exposure to [[irritants]], [[asthma]], [[allergies]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Physical examination]], [[chest X-ray]], [[sputum culture]] | |||
| differential = [[Asthma]], [[pneumonia]], [[tuberculosis]], [[sinusitis]] | |||
| prevention = [[Vaccination]], avoiding [[smoking]], reducing exposure to [[pollutants]] | |||
| treatment = [[Rest]], [[fluids]], [[cough medicine]], [[bronchodilators]], [[antibiotics]] (if bacterial) | |||
| medication = [[Bronchodilators]], [[corticosteroids]], [[antibiotics]] | |||
| frequency = Common | |||
| deaths = Rarely fatal | |||
}} | |||
== Introduction == | |||
[[File:Bronchitis.jpg|left|thumb|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. | 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 == | == Causes == | ||
* Chronic bronchitis is an ongoing cough that lasts for several months and comes back two or more years in a row. | * Chronic bronchitis is an ongoing cough that lasts for several months and comes back two or more years in a row. | ||
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* This causes the lining to swell and produce more mucus, which can make it hard to breathe. | * 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). | * Chronic bronchitis is often part of a serious condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). | ||
[[File:Depiction of a person suffering from Bronchitis.png|alt=Depiction of a person suffering from Bronchitis|thumb|Depiction of a person suffering from Bronchitis]] | [[File:Depiction of a person suffering from Bronchitis.png|alt=Depiction of a person suffering from Bronchitis|left|thumb|Depiction of a person suffering from Bronchitis]] | ||
== Risk factors == | == Risk factors == | ||
* Your risk for either type of bronchitis is higher if you smoke cigarettes or have asthma or allergies. | * Your risk for either type of bronchitis is higher if you smoke cigarettes or have asthma or allergies. | ||
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* Women who smoke may be more at risk than men. | * 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. | * 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 == | == Symptoms == | ||
* The most common symptom of bronchitis is coughing associated with mucus production. | * The most common symptom of bronchitis is coughing associated with mucus production. | ||
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* To diagnose bronchitis, your doctor will do a physical exam and ask about your medical history and symptoms. | * 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. | * 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. | ||
[[File:Bronchitis.png|alt=Bronchitis|thumb|Bronchitis]] | [[File:Bronchitis.png|alt=Bronchitis|left|thumb|Bronchitis]] | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
* Usually, acute bronchitis goes away on its own, without treatment. | * Usually, acute bronchitis goes away on its own, without treatment. | ||
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* Doctors typically prescribe antibiotics only if they find that you have a bacterial infection, which is more common in young children. | * 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. | * 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 == | == Goals of therapy == | ||
The goal of treatment for chronic bronchitis is to help you breathe better and control your symptoms. | The goal of treatment for chronic bronchitis is to help you breathe better and control your symptoms. | ||
Latest revision as of 19:38, 4 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Bronchitis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Cough, mucus production, shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue |
| Complications | Pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) |
| Onset | Acute: sudden; Chronic: gradual |
| Duration | Acute: less than 3 weeks; Chronic: more than 3 months per year for at least 2 years |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Viral infection, bacterial infection, smoking, air pollution |
| Risks | Smoking, exposure to irritants, asthma, allergies |
| Diagnosis | Physical examination, chest X-ray, sputum culture |
| Differential diagnosis | Asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis, sinusitis |
| Prevention | Vaccination, avoiding smoking, reducing exposure to pollutants |
| Treatment | Rest, fluids, cough medicine, bronchodilators, antibiotics (if bacterial) |
| Medication | Bronchodilators, corticosteroids, antibiotics |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | Common |
| Deaths | Rarely fatal |
Introduction[edit]
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]
- 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).
Risk factors[edit]
- 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]
- 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.
Treatment[edit]
- 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]
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.
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