Bronchitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

The Bronchi – What are the Characteristics?

The human bronchi are an extensive network of channels that distribute oxygen to the alveoli. In the structure of the respiratory system, there are two primary bronchi, which are an extension of the bifurcation of the trachea. The right bronchus is called the main bronchus. It is shorter than the left bronchus, has a more vertical structure, and a slightly larger diameter. As a result, most cases of a foreign body (e.g., a piece of food) stuck in the bronchi concern the obstruction of the right bronchus.

The alveoli are the components of the lungs – the primary human respiratory organ. Air is supplied thereby to bronchioles, which form a network (bronchial tree) and join at the top of the lower respiratory tract into the main bronchi.

Bronchitis – What is It?

Many people mistake bronchitis with the common cold (particularly in the early phases of the condition). However, bronchitis is a damaging respiratory disease. If left untreated – it can cause severe medical complications.

Most often, the infection causes it. The most common bronchitis viruses are adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, and parainfluenza viruses. Sometimes, it happens because of the Coxsackie virus, RV viruses, or even herpes virus. Many cases happen because of microorganisms that cause inflammation and damage the epithelium.

Chronic bronchitis form is mainly a result of polluted air or cigarette smoke. Less often, it happens because of viral infection. Specialists often recommend supplemental tests to verify or rule out sinusitis, asthma, or other respiratory conditions during this illness.

Bronchitis – Children

Children often suffer from bronchitis. The reason for the development of bronchitis is most frequently viruses. Signs of the disease in children depend on the child’s age and are difficult to define clearly. Nonetheless, the younger the child, the more intense the condition is. It can even be deadly in very young kids.

The symptoms of pneumonia in a child depend on the causative agent of the disease, according to which we divide pneumonia into typical and atypical in a simplified way.

The manifestations of regular pneumonia include:

• sudden onset,
• cough,
• fever, usually high (above 38.5°C),
• rapid deterioration of the child’s condition,
• accelerated breathing,
• chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or coughing,
• shortness of breath or signs of difficulty breathing (in small children, intercostal retraction).

When the secretion stays in the airways, the bronchi become less patent, and while auscultating, you can hear a clear, distinctive wheezing. The child becomes fussy, and their tummy hurts.

Infections caused by atypical bacteria develop more slowly. Initially, the symptoms are similar to an upper respiratory tract infection. It may be followed by:

• dry cough,
• chest pain,
• flu-like signs,
• gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea).

Signs of bronchitis typically last for seven days. The condition gradually subsides after this time, but coughing may be present for up to three weeks.

Bronchitis – Adults

This condition in adults is constantly undervalued. A suffering individual often does not go to the specialist because they confuse bronchitis with a common cold or flu. Nevertheless, it is worth visiting the doctor and beginning suitable treatment. Additionally, remember that bronchitis is often a result of untreated flu or common cold.

Bronchitis – Pregnancy

If you are pregnant and have bronchitis, always consult a doctor. It is critical to make a diagnosis and begin appropriate treatment. Bronchitis in pregnancy can result in different medical complications, which at this particular time can risk the course of pregnancy. However, the main obstacle in the pregnant women’s treatment is the limited amount of safe drugs for the woman and the baby.

That is the cause specialists recommend pregnant women to avoid catching the illness in the first place. Prevention, although not easy, is meaningful. Consequently, the connection with ill people or crowded locations should be avoided during pregnancy.

However, if the infection develops, you should see a doctor immediately. To ensure good health, it’s important to get sufficient rest and consume ample amounts of fluids. Cough can be reduced by putting the chest higher at night and by well-ventilating our room.

Treatment in pregnant women consists mainly of rest and conservative treatment, i.e., inhalations with saline. Any other medications are included only at the suggestion of a specialist.

Bronchitis – What are the Causes?

Bronchitis is a disease that, in the vast majority of cases, is caused by the same viruses as colds and flu. Bronchitis caused by bacteria is rare, most often by the so-called atypical ones. Most cases occur in autumn and winter.

Bronchitis can develop as a complication of a common cold. The viruses that cause the common cold sometimes also attack the lower respiratory tract. A cold weakens the immune system, making us more sensitive to bronchi and lung bacterial infections.

Chronic bronchitis is more common in individuals who have smoked for many years. Symptoms can occur even if you smoke for a short time and little (this is related to genetic predisposition). Passive smoking affects not only the smoker but also individuals close to them.

The body protects itself against pollutants from the smoke, and a large amount of mucus is made. In addition to that, there is also a bothersome cough present. For these individuals, the only method to prevent it is to stop smoking and avoid cigarette smoke.

There is also an environmental cause of bronchitis. We talk about exposure to chemicals, dust, or polluted air.

Also, frequent respiratory infections in childhood boost the risk of the disease.

Risk factors favoring the occurrence of the disease include:

• old age
• smoking tobacco
• diabetes
• chronic heart failure
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• use of immunosuppressants (it includes oral glucocorticosteroids, administered, for example, in the most severe cases of bronchial asthma or patients with autoimmune diseases, or preparations used after organ transplants)
• poor oral hygiene and extensive tooth decay (these conditions favor the development of bacterial flora in the mouth, which can cause pneumonia; most cases of pneumonia are caused by bacteria that reside in the upper respiratory tract and throat)
• work in conditions of exposure to metal dust
• intoxication and other conditions that increase the risk of aspiration (e.g., drug poisoning, drug use, impaired consciousness, some diseases of the nervous system)
• both malnutrition and overweight and obesity

What are the Symptoms of Bronchitis?

Symptoms of bronchitis are characterized primarily by:

• persistent cough
• high fever
• malaise
• weakness
• muscle pain
• wheezing
• pain in the chest
• dyspnoea

Consult a doctor if the fever (above 38 degrees) persists for at least several days and the general symptoms do not subside or worsen.

The bronchitis symptoms can resemble pneumonia – that is why it is significant to exclude it.

What Does the Diagnosis Look Like?

Diagnosis is based on symptoms (medical history), signs (physical examination), and radiological (usually X-ray). Typical symptoms reported by patients include cough, often accompanied by the production of purulent sputum, chest pain (usually localized not behind the sternum but in the lateral parts of the chest and aggravated by deep breathing or coughing), and dyspnoea in some patients. In addition, systemic symptoms such as sweating, chills, myalgia, or body temperature above 38°C are usually present. In the elderly, pneumonia may be oligosymptomatic, without fever, but with weakness and contact deterioration.

In a physical examination, the doctor finds symptoms localized over a specific area of the chest by tapping and auscultating the chest. A chest radiograph is usually performed to confirm the diagnosis, showing shadowing of part of the lung parenchyma.) Laboratory tests typically show leucocytosis (an increase in the number of white blood cells, most of which in pneumonia are neutrophils) and an increase in CRP (a protein that increases in many inflammatory conditions).

Bronchitis – Treatment

It is a condition that lasts about ten days.

The mainstay of treatment for pneumonia is the use of an antibiotic. Its choice is at the discretion of the doctor. People allergic to antibiotics or have had adverse reactions after using an antibiotic should be sure to tell their doctor. In treating pneumonia at home, except in exceptional cases, antibiotics are taken orally.

In the hospital, drugs from this group are given, depending on the patient’s condition, either orally or intravenously (sometimes intramuscularly). The antibiotic is usually used for seven days. In case of suspected atypical infection or some severe diseases with other bacteria, treatment may be extended to 14-21 days.

Take the antibiotic as your doctor prescribes and maintain consistent intervals between doses. Information on whether the medicine should be taken on an empty stomach or with or after meals may vary depending on the preparation and should be checked in the package leaflet (there are no specific recommendations for many antibiotics).

Since antibiotics lead to the disappearance of the natural intestinal flora while using them, it is worth taking medicines containing bacteria that complement the natural intestinal flora.

Proper room ventilation is essential to reduce swelling of the respiratory tract’s mucous membranes. Additionally, it’s significant to humidify the air to prevent secretion in the nose from drying on the mucous membranes, which can make breathing difficult.

Bronchitis – Home Remedies

It is recommended to visit a doctor when you are ill. The most significant issue with bronchitis is the enormous number of secretions blocking the airways. You can support removing it by using natural therapies that are affordable and readily obtainable. Most products that can help us fight bronchitis are in every pharmacy.

Getting rid of residual secretion is easier with the expectorant effects of many natural substances. They have a direct property on the bronchial glands. You can use them not only if you have bronchitis but also in other inflammatory conditions of the lower respiratory tract. They make the secretion thinner. It allows for easy separation of the fluids from the walls of the bronchi during coughing.

The Risk of Pneumonia

Pneumonia in patients who do not require hospital admission usually resolves rapidly with effective antibiotic therapy. The prognosis is not as good in patients whose condition is severe enough to require hospital admission. The risk of death depends on the etiology, severity of pneumonia, and the presence of comorbidities, and depending on age, it may range from a few to over a dozen percent.

The doctor decides about hospitalization based on the patient’s clinical condition and the chest radiograph results and additional tests. Indications for admission to the hospital include:

• respiratory failure, i.e., a condition in which the impairment of lung function is so great that the supply of oxygen to the body is insufficient. It usually occurs in very massive pneumonia
• bilateral, extensive inflammatory changes
• complications such as lung abscess or pleural empyema
• kidney or liver failure
• disturbances of consciousness
• low blood pressure

Bronchitis – How to Prevent It?

Bronchitis is very tiring due to the annoying chronic cough. The simplest element of prevention is to take care of immunity. A diet rich in vitamins and minerals and clothes suited to the temperature is a requirement.

Following the principles of a healthy lifestyle and not smoking are the primary methods of preventing respiratory infections that everyone should use. Oral hygiene also decreases the risk of pneumonia. The widely available flu vaccine also protects against pneumonia caused by flu virus infection. This vaccine can – and should – also be used by individuals without any chronic condition who want to decrease their risk of contracting the flu. Likewise, vaccination against COVID-19 lowers the risk of a severe course of the illness.

Chronic bronchitis prevention consists primarily of quitting smoking if it is the cause of the development of the disease. If the cause of the illness is working conditions, think about changing jobs.

In the case of kids, it is essential to support the immunity and temper of children. Do not overheat your kid. Also, allow them to spend a lot of time outdoors. Diet is also significant for children. Parents should ensure its diversity. They should also not be in crowded spaces and rooms with smoke. Climate change or parental smoking cessation can also help.

Bronchitis – Is It Contagious?

Bronchitis is a condition caused by microorganisms that enter the human organism through droplets. Some of them are:

• influenza A and B viruses;
• RSV;
• parainfluenza viruses;
• adenoviruses;
• coronaviruses;
• rhinoviruses;
• atypical bacteria.

You can contract an infection near an unhealthy individual who sneezes and coughs. Therefore, if you are sick, isolating yourself from healthy people is vital until you are cured.

Sources

• Anatomy, Thorax, Bronchial. NIH.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537353/.
• Bronchitis. NIH.
  https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/bronchitis.
• Pediatric Bronchiolitis. NIH.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519506/.
• The Management of Respiratory Infections During Pregnancy. NIH.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7118874/.
• Acute Bronchitis. NIH.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448067/.
• Chronic Bronchitis. NIH.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482437/.
• Acute bronchitis. NIH.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2278319/.
• Bronchitis. NIH.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7151913/.
• Smoking: relationship to chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and mortality. NIH.
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18303418/.
• Diagnosis and treatment of acute bronchitis. NIH.
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21121518/.
• Bronchitis and Pneumonia. NIH.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7348617/.
• Antibiotics for acute bronchitis. NIH.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6481481/.
• Chinese medicinal herbs for acute bronchitis. NIH.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7202254/.
• Preventing and Treating Bronchitis. CDC.
  https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/pdfs/Preventing-and-Treating-Bronchitis-H.pdf.