The lining of the bronchial tubes, which transport air to and from the lungs, becomes inflamed in bronchitis. Such patients cough up thick coloured mucus. It can be acute or chronic.

 

Acute bronchitis is a very common condition that frequently results from a cold or other respiratory illness. It is characterized by persistent irritation or inflammation of the bronchial tube lining, generally associated with smoking.

 

Acute bronchitis, also known as a chest cold, typically resolves without any residual symptoms, although the cough may last for weeks.

 

If bronchitis occurs more than once, it can possibly develop into chronic bronchitis, which calls for medical intervention. Chronic bronchitis is one of the disorders leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

 

Types

1. Acute bronchitis – It occurs more frequently. After a few weeks of symptoms, there normally aren't any complications.
2. Chronic bronchitis: This is a bigger deal because recurrent bronchitis causes frequent episodes or simply does not go away. Recurrent bronchitis leads to chronic bronchitis, a serious condition as it does not resolve on its own and requires medical intervention.

Causes 

 Chronic bronchitis is typically caused by repeated exposure to irritants that harm the lungs and airways. Cigarette smoke is the primary contributor across the globe. Smoke from pipes, cigars, and other tobacco products can lead to chronic bronchitis, particularly if one breathes it in.

 

Exposure to other inhalational irritants can aggravate chronic bronchitis. These include air pollution, passive smoking, and chemical fumes or specks of dust from the surroundings or place of employment.

 

Rarely, a genetic disorder known as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency may contribute to the development of chronic bronchitis.

 

Symptoms 

 

Both acute and chronic bronchitis have the following symptoms:

• Wheezing 
• Low fever and chills
• A feeling of tightness in the chest
• A sore throat
• Body aches
• Breathlessness
• Headaches
• A chronic cough that occasionally produces mucous

 

Bronchial tubes take a long time to heal completely, a person with bronchitis may have a cough that lasts from several weeks to a few months.

 

On the other hand, chronic bronchitis symptoms can reoccur frequently, especially in winters.

 

Bronchitis however, is not the only disease that results in a cough. A persistent cough could indicate asthma, pneumonia, or a number of other illnesses. Anyone with a recurrent cough should visit a doctor for a diagnosis.

 

Diagnosis 

 

Based on medical history and current symptoms, a healthcare professional can determine whether one has bronchitis (clinical diagnosis). They evaluate breathing pattern and listen to the chest for indications of congestion. They might perform COVID-19 or flu virus test.

Bronchitis cannot be diagnosed with a specific test, rather a patient has to be evaluated for diseases with similar symptoms. Investigations include:

• Nasal swab: The doctor might take a swab from the nose with a soft-tipped stick to check for viruses like COVID-19 or the flu.
• Chest x-ray - A chest X-ray may be ordered if the cough is persistent for a long time in order to rule out any serious conditions. An x-ray device is used to take images of heart and lungs. A search for signs of other illnesses is made that might be the source of the symptoms.
• Blood tests - Done to check for infections or to assess general health, blood samples are withdrawn using a needle.
• Sputum test - Asked to cough into a sample container and collect the sputum. The  sample is examined for  bacteria or viruses.
• Pulmonary function tests - Healthcare practitioner uses a machine to examine the lung function, if there is a suspicion of chronic bronchitis.

 

Treatment

 

Most cases of acute bronchitis resolve without treatment in a few weeks. Antibiotics are ineffective since most cases of bronchitis are exacerbated by viral infections. If the doctor suspects a bacterial infection, an antibiotic is recommended.

If the cough disturbs sleep, cough suppressants are advised before bed. In case of allergies, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the doctor might prescribe an inhaler and other prescription drugs to reduce inflammation and open narrowed pulmonary passages.

 

In case of chronic bronchitis, pulmonary rehabilitation would be beneficial. It is a supervised medical program that includes breathing exercises and improves breathing techniques. This helps in breathing easier and improves the quality of life in patients with lung diseases.

Conclusion:

Acute bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tube lining. It is typically caused by a viral respiratory infection and usually resolves on its own. Symptoms include shortness of breath and excessive cough with expectoration. Treatment usually includes symptom management with cough suppressants. Antibiotics are not usually advised.