BRONCHITIS - A common Ailment

Today, there are millions of Americans suffering from different kinds of respiratory illnesses that can have a significant effect in the way they live their daily lives. And so are we! 


The increased levels of pollution in this modern age is the core irritant for most of the respiratory diseases.


Smoking cigarettes , hookahs, cigars etc have become a fashion trend among teenagers.

Adults claim it helps relieve stress. However other common agents causing Bronchitis are dust, pollen grains, pet's hair etc. There may be various allergens causing Bronchitis. This is called Allergic Bronchitis.

There are two types of Bronchitis:

1. Acute
2. Chronic

Healthy (Normal) Lungs and its anatomy:

Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes (inflammation = itis). The inflammation causes swelling of the lining of these breathing tubes, narrowing the tubes and promoting secretion of inflammatory fluid.

  NORMAL     INFLAMED

Acute bronchitis: the inflammation of the bronchi usually caused by a viral infection, although bacteria and chemicals also may cause acute bronchitis. 
                            In infants, this is usually caused by respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV), and affects the small    bronchi and bronchioles more than the large. 
                            In adults, other viruses as well as some bacteria can cause bronchiolitis and often manifest as a persistent cough at times productive of small plugs of mucus.


What exactly happens inside our body? (as you read, refer to the above pic)


* Inflammation of the bronchial tubes narrows the inside opening of the bronchial tubes.
* Narrowing of the bronchial makes it difficult for air to move to and from the lungs.
* This can cause wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
* The cough may consist of sputum due to the secretions from the inflamed cells that line the bronchi.
* By coughing, the body attempts to expel secretions that clog the bronchial tubes. If these secretions contain    certain inflammatory cells, discoloration of the mucus may result often in a green or yellow color.
* Sometimes the severity of the inflammation may result in some bleeding.


What causes Acute Bronchitis ?

• Viral infection :  most common cause. It causes inflammation to the inner lining of the bronchial tubes and undergo the changes that occur with any inflammation in the body,like redness and swelling. Common viruses include the rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the influenza virus. 

• Bacteria can also cause bronchitis (a few examples include, Mycoplasma, Pneumococcus, Klebsiella, Haemophilus).
  
• Chemical irritants (for example, tobacco smoke, gastric reflex, solvents) can cause acute bronchitis.

How will I know that my loved ones are suffering from Bronchitis? 

 

It is not easy to differentiate a cold from Acute Bronchitis. So, its usually ignored that may lead to chronic bronchitis.

               Anatomically, the larynx divides the upper and lower airways. Colds tend to affect the mouth, throat, and nasal passages while bronchitis describes specific inflammation of the bronchial tubes. The two illnesses can exist at the same time and may be caused by the same virus infection.

Common Signs and symptoms that may help you judge :

• Chest discomfort
• Cough that produces mucus; if it's yellow-green, you are more likely to have a bacterial infection
• Fatigue
• Fever -- usually low
• Shortness of breath - worsened by exertion or mild activity
• Wheezing
  However not all symptoms will be seen in a patient. I have come across several patients who just have Dry cough with very little mucus with wheezing ad mild breathlessness (patients usually ignore these symptoms). 
  In such cases, On examination is the key to confirm diagnosis and treat ASAP

Chronic Bronchitis - The diagnosis is made based on clinical findings of a long term persistent cough usually associated with tobacco abuse, ignored acute bronchitis

Symptoms of Chronic Bronchitis -

Acute Bronchitis symptoms 

                    +

1) Ankle, feel and leg swelling.

2) Blue coloured lips from lowered oxygen

3) Frequent respiatory infection

4) patients are more likely to develop pneumonia 

5)Emphysema 

6)Pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale 

 How can I manage it myself?

• DO NOT smoke
• Rest
• Drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
• Take humidifier or steam to humidifying the air
• occasionally medication to suppress the cough are appropriate home care treatments.
• Paracetamol in case of mild fever.
• In patients with asthma, wheezing may increase with acute bronchitis. Use of a prescribed albuterol inhaler (Ventolin HFA, Proventil HFA, ProAir) is reasonable; however, asthma patients should contact their health care practitioner if the symptoms of wheezing and shortness of breath do not resolve promptly.

Always remember that acute bronchitis is treatable. As soon as the signs and symptoms show up, you should consult your doctor about it. You have to consider that it may not be a simple cold that you are suffering from but acute bronchitis.