ACUTE AND CHRONIC BRONCHITIS

Bronchitis can be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is a short-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes, usually caused by a respiratory infection, lasting a few weeks. Chronic bronchitis, a form of COPD, involves a persistent, productive cough lasting at least three months over two consecutive years, typically due to prolonged exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke.

CAUSES

• Commonly cause by virus and rarely by bacteria
• Acute bronchitis — — by viruses — — usually same virus as cold and flu
• Chronic bronchitis — — by cigarette smoking, air pollution, dust, toxins
• Gastric reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Smoking, Respiratory tract infections, Environmental pollutants — — Inflammation — — Bradykinin, Histamine, Prostaglandins — — increase permeability — — edema/leakage — — hypersecretion of mucus — — congestion — — persistent cough

SYMPTOMS

As it is cause by the same virus as cold and flu let’s just consider their symptoms to make it easy

• Runny nose, chills, fever, fatigue, body ache, headache, feeling “wiped out”, sore throat due to inflammation

Due to heavy mucus secretion

• Congestion, cough, shortness of breath

DIAGNOSIS

• Chest X-ray to reveal — — if pneumonia
• Sputum tests — — that could be treated by anti-biotics (if bacterial infection is present) or it is tested for signs for — — allergies
• Pulmonary function test by spirometer — — can reveal signs of asthma or emphysema

COMPLICATIONS

• Single episode of bronchitis — — can rarely leads to pneumonia
• Repeated bout of bronchitis — — may develop COPD (chronic bronchitis)

TREATMENTS

• Bronchodilators — — Salbutamol, Albuterol
• Anti-inflammatory drugs — — Corticosteroids — — Prednisolone
• Anti-cholinergic — — that blocks acetylcholine neurotransmitter in CNS and PNS — — Atropine sulphate
• Mast cell stabilizers — — Cromolyn sodium
• Xanthine derivatives — — that relax smooth muscles + reduces inflammation — — Theophylline, Aminophylline

THERAPIES

• Supplemental oxygen
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Nutritional therapy — — in the early stages of emphysema it is advised to lose weight — — reduces physical burden on lungs

While in late stages of emphysema — — many people need to gain weight — — as breathing becomes more difficult, muscles act as major reservoir of energy

PREVENTION

• Avoid smoking
• Get vaccinated — — for influenza virus attack
• Wash your hands — — for viral infections
• Wear mask — — for dust and fumes prevention — — as they can cause chronic bronchitis