Bronchitis definition

What is acute bronchitis? Bronchitis is inflammation of the breathing tubes. These airways are called bronchi. This inflammation causes increased mucus production and other changes. Although there are several different types of bronchitis, the most common are acute and chronic.Acute bronchitismay also be called a chest cold. Most symptoms of acute bronchitis last for up to 2 weeks. The cough can last for up to 8 weeks in some people. Chronic bronchitis lasts a long time. It is more common among smokers. What causes acute bronchitis? Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection. This is most often the same viruses that cause colds and the flu. It may also be caused by a bacterial infection, or by physical or chemical agents that are breathed in. These may include dusts, allergens, and strong fumes, including those from chemical cleaning compounds or tobacco smoke. Acute bronchitis may come after a common cold or other viral infections in the upper respiratory tract. It may also occur in people with chronic sinusitis, allergies, or those with enlarged tonsils and adenoids. It can be serious in people with lung or heart diseases. Pneumonia is a complication that can follow bronchitis. What are the symptoms acute bronchitis? The following are the most common symptoms of acute bronchitis. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include: • Back and muscle pain • Cough, first dry (non-productive), later, a lot of mucus is produced • Chest...

Every time you breathe in, air enters your nose and If the airways are inflamed, air has more difficulty getting to your When What Causes Asthmatic Bronchitis? There are many triggers that may initiate the release of inflammatory substances. Common asthmatic bronchitis triggers include: • Tobacco smoke • Pollution • Allergens such as • Chemicals • Certain • Exercise • Weather changes (for example, cold weather) • Viral or bacterial infections • Strong emotions (laughing or crying) What Are the Symptoms of Asthmatic Bronchitis? The symptoms of asthmatic bronchitis are a combination of the symptoms of bronchitis and asthma. You may experience some or all of the following symptoms: • Shortness of breath • Wheezing • • Chest tightness • Excess mucus production You might wonder, is asthmatic bronchitis contagious? Bronchitis itself can be caused by a virus or bacteria, which are contagious. However, chronic asthmatic bronchitis typically is not contagious. Visiting Your Doctor If you've been experiencing symptoms like those listed above, make an appointment with your doctor. After going through a series of questions about your symptoms and taking a medical history and • Spirometry. A test that measures lung function as you breathe in and out of a mouthpiece that is attached to a device called a spirometer. • Peak expiratory flow. A test that measures the force of air you breathe out (exhale) into the mouthpiece of a device called a peak expiratory flow meter. • Chest X-ray. A r...

Cough is the most common symptom bringing patients to the primary care physician's office, and acute bronchitis is usually the diagnosis in these patients. Acute bronchitis should be differentiated from other common diagnoses, such as pneumonia and asthma, because these conditions may need specific therapies not indicated for bronchitis. Symptoms of bronchitis typically last about three weeks. The presence or absence of colored (e.g., green) sputum does not reliably differentiate between bacterial and viral lower respiratory tract infections. Viruses are responsible for more than 90 percent of acute bronchitis infections. Antibiotics are generally not indicated for bronchitis, and should be used only if pertussis is suspected to reduce transmission or if the patient is at increased risk of developing pneumonia (e.g., patients 65 years or older). The typical therapies for managing acute bronchitis symptoms have been shown to be ineffective, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends against using cough and cold preparations in children younger than six years. The supplement pelargonium may help reduce symptom severity in adults. As patient expectations for antibiotics and therapies for symptom management differ from evidence-based recommendations, effective communication strategies are necessary to provide the safest therapies available while maintaining patient satisfaction. Clinical recommendation Evidence rating References Antibiotics should not be used routine...

Overview The most common symptom of chronic bronchitis is a frequent cough with mucus lasting two years or longer. What is chronic bronchitis? Chronic bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways (trachea, bronchi or bronchioles) in your lungs. People with chronic bronchitis have symptoms like a cough and shortness of breath most days of the month, three months out of the year, for two years or longer. Chronic bronchitis is commonly used to refer to Acute vs. chronic bronchitis Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus like the What’s the difference between chronic bronchitis and emphysema? Chronic bronchitis and Who does chronic bronchitis affect? Chronic bronchitis/COPD often affects people who smoke or used to smoke, but you can also be at risk if you: • Are around someone who smokes. • Are frequently exposed to air pollution, dust or chemical fumes. • Have What happens when you have chronic bronchitis? Chronic bronchitis is when you have a cough and shortness of breath frequently, caused by damage to your lungs. Irritation in your airways causes an Usually, bronchitis is temporary, but when your airways get irritated frequently (like from cigarette smoke or air pollution), it can cause damage that creates too many cells that make mucus (goblet cells). Additionally, sometimes the tiny, hair-like structures (cilia) that clear mucus out aren’t working properly. This damage makes your airways swell and fill with mucus often. This makes you cough and have trouble breath...

The bronchi are the two large tubes that carry air from your windpipe to your lungs. You have a left and right main bronchus in each lung. After the main bronchi, these tubes branch out into segments that look like tree branches. Many respiratory conditions, such as asthma or bronchitis, can affect your bronchi. Overview What are the bronchi? Your bronchi (BRAWN-kai) are the large tubes that connect to your trachea (windpipe) and direct the air you breathe to your right and left What is the tracheobronchial tree? The bronchi are part of the tracheobronchial tree. The tracheobronchial tree is where air passes to your lungs and exchanges gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide). The tracheobronchial tree includes your: • Trachea, which starts in your neck. • Bronchi. • Bronchioles (BRAWN-key-ols), the lower portion of your bronchi. Function What is your bronchi’s function? Your bronchi carry air to and from your lungs. The bronchi also help moisturize the air you breathe and screen out foreign particles. Your airways are lined with cells that create mucus. The mucus keeps your airways moist. It also traps bacteria, viruses, fungi and other particles to protect your lungs and prevent infection. The bronchi are lined with cilia, tiny hairlike structures. The cilia help move mucus (phlegm) and particles out of your lungs. When you cough or swallow, the particles trapped in the mucus move out of your body or into your digestive tract, where your body can dispose of them. How do your br...