Bronchitis: definition, symptoms, causes, to treatment

Definition

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is inflammation that occurs in the airways or bronchial tubes. Bronchi are tubes that connect to the right and left lungs. This part of the respiratory tract is in the form of a branch so it is also called the throat branch.

When your airways become inflamed or infected, less air can flow in and out of your lungs. When inflammation occurs it also creates thick mucus or phlegm, which makes you cough as you try to get it out.

How common is this condition?

This condition is basically common and can affect patients of all ages. Bronchitis can be overcome by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Types

What are the types of bronchitis?

This disease is of two types, namely chronic bronchitis and acute bronchitis. Both are determined based on the duration of symptoms that appear. Usually, acute bronchitis is more common. Here's the explanation.

Acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis, also known as the flu of the chest is inflammation and swelling of the airways located in the lungs. It is caused by the same viruses that are found in flu and often the flu causes acute bronchitis.

This condition usually resolves on its own within a few weeks without lasting repercussions. Although, you may still feel a persistent cough for several weeks after recovering.

Chronic bronchitis

The American Lung Association (ALA) defines chronic bronchitis as a cough with phlegm that appears during most days of the month, three months of the year. The condition occurs for two consecutive years without any other underlying conditions explaining the cough itself.

If you have chronic bronchitis, you may also develop emphysema. When a person is exposed to both, they are said to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

This condition is a long-term condition that will continue to recur, but the symptoms can still be treated. However, still this chronic inflammation cannot be completely cured.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of bronchitis?

Bronchitis is irritation and inflammation of the walls of the bronchial tubes, or airways. The inflammation that occurs generally causes excess mucus production.

Under normal conditions, cilia, the hair-like cells in the respiratory tract, are responsible for keeping the airways clear of mucus. When irritation occurs, the cilia can become damaged so that they are unable to carry out their duties.

As a result, the airways that are full of mucus are a good place for bacteria that cause infection to breed.

Once airway inflammation occurs in the long term, it can cause characteristic symptoms. Some of the typical symptoms of bronchitis include:

• Coughing up phlegm, which may be mixed with blood
• Tired
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Fever

If you have acute bronchitis, you may still cough for several weeks after the inflammation clears. However, if you have chronic bronchitis, you may experience a phase where your symptoms get worse.

In more detail, here are the typical symptoms of bronchitis by type:

Acute bronchitis

The following are typical symptoms of acute bronchitis:

• The cough goes away after a few weeks
• The presence of phlegm that is white, gray, or greenish yellow
• Shortness of breath, especially during exertion.
• Shortness of breath

Chronic bronchitis

The following are typical symptoms of chronic bronchitis:

• Excessive and persistent mucus production
• The color of the mucus can appear clear, white, yellow, gray, or greenish
• Difficulty breathing due to thickened airways due to mucus
• Cough with phlegm that occurs every day (this condition can also cause injury to the lungs)
• Cold

When should I see a doctor?

You should visit your doctor if your cough:

• Lasts more than three weeks
• Makes you sleepless
• Is accompanied by a high fever (above 38 ° C)
• Produces colored sputum or blood
• Causes wheezing or shortness of breath

Cause

What causes bronchitis?

Based on the type, here are the causes of bronchitis:

Acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection. Viruses that infect are generally the same as viruses that cause colds and flu.

Usually children suffer from this condition more often. The cause of inflammatory conditions in the child's airways (acute bronchitis) is usually a virus, but it can also be caused by bacterial infections, allergies, and irritation from cigarette smoke, pollution, or dust.

When a child has a cold, flu, sore throat, or chronic sinusitis caused by a virus, this virus can spread to the bronchial area. The virus in the bronchial area can then cause the airways to become swollen, inflamed, and blocked by the mucus they produce.

These viruses can be spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing. The virus can also be spread when a child touches the mouth, nose, or from the snot or respiratory fluids of an infected person who sticks to objects held by the child.

Chronic bronchitis

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) confirms that secondhand smoke is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis. In fact, 90 percent of people who suffer from this disease have a history of smoking as reported by Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Apart from cigarette smoke, other causes include long-term exposure to air pollution, industrial or chemical fumes, toxic gases, and dust. Recurrent infections that can damage the lungs and worsen symptoms are also conditions that can be the cause of this disease.

Risk factors

What increases the risk of developing this condition?

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, there are many factors that make you more at risk of developing chronic bronchitis, including:

• Cigarette smoke. People who smoke or live with smokers are at high risk for both types of bronchitis, acute and chronic.
• Low immune system. This may be the result of another acute illness, such as a cold, or from a chronic condition that damages your immune system. The elderly, infants and children are more susceptible to infection.
• Workplace exposure to irritants. Your risk of bronchitis becomes much greater if you work around lung irritants, such as grain or textiles, or are exposed to chemical fumes.
• Gastric acid reflux. Attack heartburn recurrences can irritate your throat and make you more susceptible to bronchitis.
• Age. People who are 50 years old are at risk of developing this disease.

Complications

What bronchitis complications might occur?

Although a single episode of bronchitis is usually not a big concern, it can cause pneumonia in some people. Repeated bouts of bronchitis can also mean that you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The most common complication of bronchitis is pneumonia. It occurs when the infection spreads deep into the lungs, causing the tiny air sacs inside the lungs to fill with fluid.

About 1 in 20 cases of bronchitis leads to pneumonia. People who are at higher risk for this condition are:

• Elderly people
• People who smoke
• People with health conditions, such as heart, liver, or kidney disease
• People with weak immunity

Mild pneumonia can usually be treated with antibiotics at home. More severe cases require hospitalization.

Diagnosis

How to diagnose this disease?

Physical examination is always the first way. The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to your lungs carefully as you breathe. In certain cases, your doctor may suggest:

• Chest X-ray. A chest or chest x-ray can help determine if you have pneumonia or another condition that is causing coughing. Pneumonia and bronchitis are indeed two conditions that are similar, but they are actually different. This is especially important if you have previously smoked or are a current smoker.
• Sputum test. The sputum can be tested to check if you have whooping cough (pertussis) or another illness that can be relieved by antibiotics. Sputum can also be tested for signs of an allergy.
• Pulmonary function tests. This test is done to check lung function and signs of asthma or emphysema. This test is done by measuring the airflow and volume of air in the lungs.
• High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). This method is a special CT scan that allows your doctor to get a high-resolution image of your lungs to aid in the diagnosis. In general, the HRCT method is no different from a regular CT scan.

Treatment

The information described is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How to treat bronchitis?

In the treatment of bronchitis, doctors usually give you medication that is tailored to the symptoms and type of bronchitis you are experiencing. Combining treatment with adopting a healthy lifestyle is also one important thing that needs to be done. The following are bronchitis treatment options:

1. Antibiotics

Bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection, so antibiotics are not very effective. However, if the cause is a bacterial infection, the doctor will give antibiotics.

If you have chronic lung disorders or you smoke, taking antibiotics can reduce the incidence of secondary infections.

2. Cough medicine

Coughing will help remove waste from the lungs. If the cough occurs during sleep to reduce the quality of sleep, you should take cough medicine. You can buy over-the-counter cough medicine, or you can ask a doctor for advice. This method can help you sleep better.

3. Other treatments

If you have acute bronchitis, you should talk to your doctor about the healing process for lung function. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program of breathing exercises, the respiratory therapist will help you breathe easily and improve breathing exercises.

If you have allergies, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), your doctor may recommend bronchodilators or glucocorticoids to reduce inflammation and open narrowed passages in the lungs.

In treating chronic bronchitis, treatment aims to treat symptoms, prevent complications, and control disease progression.

Home remedies

What natural remedies can I take for bronchitis?

Some natural bronchitis treatments that you can do yourself are:

1. Get enough rest

When you want to fight an infection, your body really needs time to rest the entire system. The reason is, the flu will easily attack a body that is not fit (due to lack of sleep). This can lead to bronchitis, according to the statement of Amy Rothenberg, a doctor at the American Association of Naturopathic.

2. Drink lots of water

Drinking lots of mineral water can be a natural remedy for acute bronchitis. A hydrated body will help thin mucus in the bronchial tubes. Usually, symptoms of fever also accompany bronchitis sufferers. Drinking lots of water can replace fluids lost in the body during this inflammatory period. Avoid drinking alcoholic and caffeine-containing drinks during coughs and fever.

3. Eat pineapple and drink ginger tea

There are several plants that are good for natural bronchitis medicine, one of which is pineapple and ginger. Both of these plants have a medicinal effect that can soothe the inflamed mucous membranes in the respiratory tract.

• Pineapple

The pineapple contains bromelain. Well, this bromelain enzyme substance has been shown to be effective at reducing inflammation in the body. Pineapple fruit can also relieve cough with phlegm symptoms.

• Ginger

As is well known, ginger has a calming effect on the body. Ginger is good for soothing inflamed airways, and acts as an expectorant (removing foreign substances in the body). Amy Rothenberg suggests drinking 2 cups of warm ginger cooking water every day as a natural bronchitis remedy.

4. Drink a mixture of honey and lemon

Honey, which has been used as a medicinal ingredient for a long time, actually has antibacterial properties in it. When combined with fresh lemon juice, which acts as a repellent against foreign substances in the body, it will be a powerful natural bronchitis remedy.

Keep in mind, do not give honey to children aged 1-3 years, because it will cause symptoms of botulism (poisoning) which can cause muscle paralysis.

5. Inhale warm vapors

Warm steam inhalation is highly recommended to reduce mucus and wheezing in sufferers of this condition. This evaporation can be done in an easy and cheap way. All you need is a basin, hot water, and a large towel. You can reduce mucus in the bronchial tubes by doing this activity regularly.

6. Gargle with salt water

Researchers in Japan conducted a study on 400 volunteers who volunteered to gargle with plain water and diluted with an antiseptic. The result, 36% of people who gargle 3 times a day, have lower symptoms of respiratory tract infection, than those who rarely gargle. So, it is advisable for sufferers of bronchial tract infections, to rinse your mouth with salt water regularly to reduce symptoms of infection.

7. Eat warm chicken soup

Researchers at the University of Nebraska published the results of their chicken soup experiment in the October 2000 issue of the journal Chest. They showed how chicken soup supported the fight against infections of the respiratory tract due to its anti-inflammatory effects. Even though it can't be cured, at least chicken soup can reduce inflammation of the bronchial tubes of the body.

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat chronic bronchitis?

The following lifestyle changes and home remedies can help you manage chronic bronchitis:

• Do not smoke. Wear a mask when the air is polluted or if you are exposed to irritants, such as paint or household cleaners with strong swabs.
• Consider wearing a face mask when you are outside. If cold air makes your cough worse and causes shortness of breath, wear a cold air mask before you go outside.
• Do special sports for people with chronic bronchitis. This activity is difficult to do, but there are several types of sports you can do.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor to understand the best solution for you.