Overview
Bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of the bronchi that carry air to and from the lungs. People with bronchitis often cough up thick mucus that can change color. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis, which often develops from a cold or other respiratory infection, is very common. Chronic bronchitis, a more serious condition, is constant irritation or inflammation of the lining of the bronchi, often due to smoking.
Allergic bronchitis, also known as a chest cold, usually gets better within a week to 10 days with no lasting effects, although the cough can last for weeks. However, if you have recurrent bronchitis, you may have chronic bronchitis that requires medical attention. Allergic bronchitis is one of the diseases that belong to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of both acute and Allergic bronchitis may include:
cough production of mucus (sputum) that may be clear,
white, grayish-yellow, or green;
on rare occasions it may be bloody tiredness shortness of breath low-grade fever and chills chest discomfort If you have acute bronchitis you may have cold symptoms such as a slight headache or body aches.
While these symptoms usually improve in about a week, you can have a nagging cough that lasts for several weeks. Allergic bronchitis is defined as a productive cough lasting at least three months and recurring for at least two consecutive years. If you suffer from chronic bronchitis, you are likely to have periods when your cough or other symptoms worsen. At these times you can have an acute infection in addition to chronic bronchitis.
Causes
Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses, usually the same viruses that cause colds and flu (influenza). Antibiotics do not kill viruses, so this type of medicine is not helpful in most cases of bronchitis. The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking. Air pollution and dust or toxic gases in the environment or at work can also contribute to the disease.
Risk Factors
Factors that increase the risk of bronchitis include:
Cigarette smoke: People who smoke or live with a smoker are at increased risk of acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis.
Low resistance: This can be the result of another acute illness, such as the common cold, or a chronic condition that is affecting your immune system. Older adults, infants, and young children are more susceptible to infection.
Exposure to irritants at work: Your risk of developing bronchitis is higher if you work near certain lung irritants, such as grain or textiles, or are exposed to chemical fumes.
gastric reflux: Repeated episodes of severe heartburn can irritate your throat and make you more likely to develop bronchitis.
Prevention
To reduce your risk of bronchitis, follow these tips:
Avoid cigarette smoke.
Cigarette smoke increases the risk of chronic bronchitis.
Get vaccinated. Many cases of Allergic bronchitis are the result of influenza, a annual flu shot can help protect against the flu.You may also want to consider vaccination, which protects against some types of pneumonia.
Wash your hands. To reduce the risk of viral infection, wash your hands frequently and get in the habit of using alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Wear a surgical mask. If you have COPD, you should consider wearing a face mask at work, if you will be exposed to dust or fumes, and if you will be in crowded areas, e.g. B. when travelling.