Bronchial problems, including COPD, asthma, bronchitis, bronchial pneumonia, and lung cancer, cause breathing difficulties and coughing. COPD is often caused by smoking, while asthma causes the bronchial tubes to narrow and become inflamed. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic, and bronchial pneumonia is a bacterial or viral infection that spreads to multiple areas of the lungs. Lung cancer typically develops in the bronchial lining and has no early symptoms. These conditions affect the body’s ability to carry oxygen and can cause discomfort and other symptoms.
There are many different bronchial problems that can develop, both long-term and short-term. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, bronchitis, bronchial pneumonia, and lung cancer are all diseases that develop from problems in the bronchi. The bronchi are responsible for carrying air in the lungs. Bronchial problems, regardless of their cause or severity, lead to breathing difficulties and coughing.
COPD is a progressive lung condition that is more common in middle-aged or older people. According to the National Institute of Health, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. The most common cause of COPD is cigarette smoking, but it can also be the result of exposure to pollution, chemical fumes, or dust. Symptoms of COPD include coughing up a lot of mucus, a feeling of tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
Asthma is another type of common bronchial problem. According to the National Institute of Health, more than 22 million people in the United States have asthma. It is a chronic lung condition that causes the bronchial tubes to narrow and become inflamed. Wheezing, tightness in the chest, and coughing are all symptoms of asthma. Asthma symptoms are often worse at night or in the early morning. Severe asthma symptoms require emergency care and can be fatal. The medical community has effective ways to manage asthma, even if there is no cure for the condition.
Bronchitis develops when the bronchial tubes become inflamed. Inflammation can be the result of a temporary condition, such as developing alongside a cold or the flu. This is called acute bronchitis and lasts for two to 10 days, although the cough can go on for weeks. Chronic bronchitis is the term used for bronchitis symptoms that last for three or more months a year, for two or more years. Both acute and chronic bronchitis share symptoms, such as coughing up mucus, wheezing, low-grade fever, difficulty breathing, and chest pain.
Bronchial pneumonia is a condition that develops in which patches of infection spread to multiple places in one or both lungs. It is different from traditional pneumonia, which is an infection concentrated in only one area of the lung. Bronchial pneumonia develops more often in the very young and elderly population. It is more common in people who have compromised immune systems. Most commonly, bronchial pneumonia develops due to a bacterial infection, but it can also be caused by a virus. Symptoms include cough, with or without mucus, chest pain, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, fever, weakness, and sweating.
Lung cancer is one of the most serious bronchial problems. Lung cancer typically develops first in the bronchial lining of the lungs and has no early symptoms. As the tumor grows slowly, over several years, it begins to cause problems in the bronchial tissue and symptoms develop. Chest pain, difficulty breathing, wheezing, weight loss, and fatigue are all symptoms of lung cancer. Risk factors for developing lung cancer include smoking, exposure to asbestos and a family history of cancer.
Bronchial problems are challenging because they affect the body’s ability to carry oxygen. This not only leads to chest pain and trouble breathing, but also problems such as fatigue, headaches and loss of appetite. Bronchial problems also lead to discomfort, because the bronchi are responsible for producing mucus, so problems with the bronchi can lead to excess mucus.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
