Smoking is the primary cause of Bronchitis. About 90% of individuals that have bronchitis have been or are smokers. Bronchitis is the inflammation of the airways of the lungs called the bronchi. There are two kinds of these, the acute bronchitis and the chronic bronchitis. The acute bronchitis only affects the individual for a short time and will eventually go away. Chronic bronchitis on the other hand doesn’t go away. The mucus cannot easily be cleared because it has become thick and is more difficult to cough up. This will also enable bacteria to easily accumulate in the lower bronchi. This type of bronchitis is the more severe of the two. One form of this is the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Aside from smoking other factors can cause chronic bronchitis. Chemical fumes, dust and other harmful substances that can irritate the lungs can also lead to chronic bronchitis. But smoking is the most common cause of the condition. Second hand smoke, the smoke that non-smokers or people around get from the person smoking nearby, can also lead to chronic bronchitis.
A persistent cough is one symptom that individuals with chronic bronchitis get. This also includes coughing that produces mucus that may be speckled with blood. Shortness of breath, frequent respiratory infections, fatigue, swelling of the ankle, foot and legs and also headaches are some of the other symptoms of chronic bronchitis.
To test whether an individual is affected with chronic bronchitis, a pulmonary function test can be conducted. This will detect airflow obstruction in the lungs. Blood test and x-rays can also be done. Chest Radiograph, electrocardiogram and sputum cultures are also other ways to diagnose chronic bronchitis.
Complications may arise while having chronic bronchitis. Pneumonia, cor pulmonale, emphysema, respiratory failure and cardiac arrhythmia are some of these complications. That is why it is important to do something as soon as chronic bronchitis is detected to avoid further complications. Quitting smoking is one very important thing to do. Second hand smoke should also be avoided. So as other things that may irritate the lungs like hairspray and spray paint.
Physical treatment can be done to treat the condition. Exercise is one thing. It can strengthen the muscles to help make breathing easier. This should be done at least three times a week. This may include walking or bicycling with oxygen supplementation. Pulmonary rehabilitation, an exercise program, can be given by the respiratory therapist or by the health care provider to improve breathing. Another method that can be done to treat chronic bronchitis is pursed-lip breathing.
Medical treatment is also available. Bronchodilators should be taken by those affected by the condition. This would make breathing easy by opening the airways in the lungs. Theophylline, another type of medication, should also be taken. For severe cases, steroids are prescribed to the patients. This can be either in inhaler or pills form. When lung infection is present, antibiotics should be taken. Oxygen therapy is also available for treatment. For rare cases of chronic bronchitis with coexisting bulbous emphysema, a surgical treatment is done. This is in the form of a lung transplant.
