BRONCHITIS PRESENTATION

BRONCHITIS

Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways of the lungs (bronchi), causing them to become irritated and inflamed.

The main airways branch off on either side of your windpipe (trachea).

They lead to smaller and smaller airways inside your lungs called bronchioles.

The walls of the main airways produce mucus to trap dust and other particles that could otherwise cause irritation.

Most cases of bronchitis happen when an infection irritates and inflames the airways, causing them to produce more mucus than usual.

Your body tries to shift this extra mucus through coughing.

Bronchitis can be described as being either acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis is temporary inflammation of the airways that causes a cough and mucus. It lasts up to 3 weeks.

It can affect people of all ages, but mostly happens in children under the age of 5.

It's more common in winter and often comes on after a common cold, sore throat or the flu.

Chronic bronchitis is a daily productive cough that lasts for 3 months of the year and for at least 2 years in a row.

It's 1 of a number of lung conditions, including emphysema, that are collectively known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

It mostly affects adults over the age of 40.

It's important that you stop smoking if you have bronchitis.

Cigarette smoke and the chemicals in cigarettes make bronchitis worse and increase your risk of developing chronic bronchitis and COPD.

Symptoms of bronchitis

The main symptom of acute bronchitis is a hacking cough, which may bring up clear, yellow-grey or greenish mucus (phlegm).

Other symptoms are similar to those of the common cold or sinusitis, and may include:

a sore throat

a headache

a runny or blocked nose

aches and pains

tiredness

Causes of bronchitis

Viral and bacterial infections

Bronchitis is usually caused by a virus. Less often, it's caused by a bacteria.

In most cases, bronchitis is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold or flu.

The virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when someone coughs or sneezes.

These droplets typically spread about 1m. They hang suspended in the air for a while, then land on surfaces, where the virus can survive for up to 24 hours.

Anyone who touches these surfaces can spread the virus further by touching something else.

Breathing in irritant substances

Bronchitis can also be triggered by breathing in irritant substances, such as smog, chemicals in household products or tobacco smoke.

Smoking is the main cause of chronic bronchitis. It can affect people who inhale secondhand smoke, as well as those who smoke themselves.

People with chronic bronchitis often develop another smoking-related lung disease called emphysema, where the air sacs inside the lungs become damaged, causing shortness of breath.

If you smoke, try to stop straight away as smoking aggravates bronchitis and increases your risk of developing emphysema.

Stopping smoking while you have bronchitis can also be the perfect opportunity to quit altogether.

Occupational exposure

You may also be at risk of chronic bronchitis and other types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) if you're often exposed to materials that can damage your lungs, such as:

grain dust

textiles (fabric fibres)

ammonia

strong acids

chlorine

This is sometimes known as occupational bronchitis. It usually eases once you're no longer exposed to the irritant substance.