Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi caused by infection or irritants. Acute bronchitis is often caused by viruses or bacteria and presents with coughing, fever, and congestion. Chronic bronchitis is caused by repeated damage to the lungs and presents with coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Treatment includes medication to reduce inflammation and widen airways.
Bronchitis is a lower respiratory tract disease in which the mucous membranes of the bronchi – tiny airways that connect the windpipe and lungs – become inflamed due to infection or injury. There are two types of bronchitis, known as acute and chronic bronchitis, each with a specific pattern of causes and symptoms. Common signs and symptoms of both types of bronchitis include coughing and difficulty breathing; other bronchitis symptoms differ depending on whether the condition is acute or chronic.
Bronchitis is often caused by a bacterial or viral infection and such cases are more common during the winter months. Bacteria that cause bronchitis include Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and viruses such as influenza A and B can also cause bronchitis. When bacteria and viruses cause bronchitis, the condition often develops alongside an upper respiratory tract infection such as a cold or the flu.
In most cases, acute bronchitis is caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Symptoms of acute bronchitis include a wet cough that produces mucus, a runny nose and sore throat, congested nasal passages, and fever. These bronchitis symptoms develop as a result of the body’s efforts to eliminate the invading pathogen and clear the mucus that builds up in the lungs. Decongestants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and expectorants are commonly used to treat acute symptoms of bronchitis.
Not all cases of bronchitis are caused by infectious organisms. Some cases can be caused by inhaling dust, fumes and chemicals that irritate the respiratory tract and cause inflammation. Inhaling irritants such as chemicals and tobacco smoke are more likely to cause chronic rather than acute bronchitis.
The symptoms of chronic bronchitis differ significantly from those of acute bronchitis. In chronic illness, symptoms of bronchitis include coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing, without the nasal congestion and fever caused by the acute form. These symptoms are exacerbated by exertion. Many people with chronic bronchitis find that their cough is worse in the morning, with mucus appearing green or yellow. If enough damage is done to the lungs, blood can be expelled along with the mucus.
Most of the symptoms of chronic bronchitis are the result of damage to the delicate lung tissue. When the bronchial tubes suffer repeated bouts of damage, they become chronically inflamed and swollen, causing the cells to produce more mucus. Due to increased mucus production and swelling, the airways become blocked, making breathing more difficult. These bronchitis symptoms can be treated with corticosteroids and bronchodilators, which reduce inflammation and widen the airways, making breathing easier.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
