Bronchitis refers to the medical condition in which the bronchial tube present in the lungs gets swollen or inflamed and also causes coughing and a lot of mucus. The purpose of the bronchial tube is to carry air to the lungs.

Types of Bronchitis

Following are the two types of bronchitis;

  • Acute bronchitis: It is a very usual type of bronchitis that is sometimes related to a chest cold. The situation can get worsen specifically for smokers. This illness can last for almost ten to fourteen days, depending on the symptoms individual encounters.
  • Chronic bronchitis: It is a long-lasting inflammation of the bronchi specifically for smokers. Moreover, individuals with chronic bronchitis are more likely to suffer from lungs infection.

Symptoms of Bronchitis

Following are the symptom of bronchitis;

The symptoms can vary from person to person.

  • Among these, frequent coughing is the most common indication a bronchitis sufferer may have that leads to the discharge of the mucus.
  • Moreover, an individual may also feel tired and have difficulty performing day-to-day tasks.
  • In some bronchitis cases, a wheezing sound can occur while breathing.
  • Due to lung damage, an individual can also feel difficulty breathing, which can be a severe symptom of bronchitis.

Causes of Bronchitis:

  • Acute bronchitis: This kind of bronchitis is mainly caused by a cold, virus, or bacterial infection. Similarly, as the quantity of tobacco rises in a smoker’s body, the chances of acute bronchitis are also boosted.
  • Chronic bronchitis: It occurs due to the constant damage to an individual’s lungs and the tissues of the airways. It is caused by frequent contact with the pollution, fumes, and dust from the surroundings. Similarly, some genetic factors can also cause chronic bronchitis. Likewise, asthmatic patients are at a greater risk of bronchitis.

Risk factors:

Following are the risk factors associated with bronchitis;

  • Inhaling tobacco: People who smoke or are surrounded by smokers are at a higher risk of having bronchitis.
  • Weak resistance: The weak immune system can cause acute disorder or chronic bronchitis. It may occur in infants, children, and older people who are unable to protect their bodies from certain infections.
  • Surrounding by the chemical environment: Those who work in the chemical industry, textile, and grains are most likely to have a lung infection or any of the two kinds of bronchitis.
  • Digestive reflux: People who have repeated heartburn can cause damage to the throat and lead to the risk of suffering from bronchitis.

When is it vital to visit a doctor?

It becomes vital to visit the doctor when an individual experiences coughing that lasts for a longer time and also has mucus discharge. Similarly, cough with a high fever and shortness of breath are significant indicators of bronchitis.

Diagnosis of Bronchitis:

After learning about the symptoms, the consultant may take the following tests for the diagnosis of the illness;

  • Oximeter test: With the help of an oximeter, the physician would calculate the oxygen level present in the human body. In this test, an oximeter is placed on one of the fingers or toes to determine the readings.
  • Lung function examination: This test would be performed using a’ spirometer’ device to examine the lung’s functioning. It is mainly used to diagnose asthma.
  • X-ray: The physician may feel the need to perform an x-ray to have a view of the lungs and highlight bronchitis or other possible lung issues such as pneumonia.
  • Blood tests: The physician might suggest blood tests to calculate the quantity of oxygen and carbon dioxide in an individual’s blood.
  • Sample of the mucus: The physician may also take a sample of the mucus to highlight the disease.

Treatment:

The treatment can vary according to the type of bronchitis and the patient’s condition. If an individual has acute bronchitis, the physician might prescribe some medications to treat it. While, in the case of chronic illness, the doctor may rely on medicines and oxygen therapy. Moreover, the physician might also prescribe the mucus clearing device, a well-known airway clearing device.

Preventions:

  • Avoid smoking and smokers: The smoker and those surrounded by smokers are at higher risk of suffering from bronchitis. It can also cause certain other harmful diseases. Therefore, you must quit smoking and avoid smokers gathering to prevent the potential risk of bronchitis.
  • Vaccinations: Certain vaccinations are present in the market that can help to fight back the virus from the body.
  • Keeping hygiene: It would not just protect an individual from having bronchitis, but it also helps combat other bacteria that lead to severe illnesses. Frequent hand washing can aid in reducing viral infection.

References:

  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bronchitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355566#:~:text=Bronchitis%20is%20an%20inflammation%20of,be%20either%20acute%20or%20chronic.
  • https://www.webmd.com/lung/understanding-bronchitis-basics
  • https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3993-bronchitis
  • https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/chronic-bronchitis
  • https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8888#treatment
  • https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8888#treatment
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