Bronchitis can be either acute or chronic, depending on how long it lasts and how serious the damage.
Acute bronchitis is inflammation of the air passages of the lung. It is generally caused by an infectious agent (like a virus or bacteria) or an environmental pollutant (like smog). These attack the mucous membranes within the windpipe or air passages in your respiratory tract, leaving them red and inflamed.
Acute bronchitis often develops in the wake of a sinus infection, cold, or other respiratory infection. It can last anywhere from three days to three weeks.
Signs of Acute Bronchitis Are:
Cough that has little or no sputum
Chills, low-grade fever (usually less than
101oF)
Sore throat and muscle aches
Feeling of pressure behind the breastbone
or a burning feeling in the chest
Treatment for Acute Bronchitis:
A doctor may prescribe:
Bronchodilators (medicines that
open up the bronchial passages)
Antibiotics
Chronic bronchitis is inflammation and degeneration of the air passages of the lung. The underlying culprit is most often tobacco smoke. In fact, cigarette smoking is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis. So quitting is essential and may bring complete relief. Other culprits include pollution and repeated infections of air passages of the lung.
Many people, most of them smokers, develop emphysema (destruction of the air sacs) along with chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis results in abnormal air exchange in the lung and causes permanent damage to the respiratory tract. It's much more serious than acute bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is not contagious.
Signs of Chronic Bronchitis Are:
A cough that brings up
mucus or phlegm, for as long as 3 months or more, for more that 2 years in a row.
Shortness of breath upon exertion (in early
stages)
Shortness of breath at rest (in later
stages)
Treatment for Chronic Bronchitis:
Not smoking, and avoiding secondhand
smoke
Avoiding or reducing exposure to air
pollution, chemical irritants, and cold, wet weather
Medical treatment for airway infections and
heart problems, if present
Supplemental oxygen
Is the person who has the cough unable to speak
more than 4-5 words between breaths or does he or she have purple lips?  |
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| Does the cough occur in a baby and make the baby
unable to eat or take a bottle because he or she has a very hard time breathing? |
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| Does the cough occur in an infant less than 3
months old? |
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| Does the cough occur in an infant or young child
with rapid breathing and sound like a seal's bark? {Note: See Croup.} |
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Are any of these symptoms also present?  Fever of 101oF or
higher Green, yellow, or bloody-colored mucus Increase in chest pain Shortness of breath at rest and at
noncoughing times Vomiting |
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| Have you been exposed to chemicals at work or at
home, such as those in new carpet or tobacco smoke, etc.? |
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Breathe air from a "cool-mist"
vaporizer or humidifier. Note, though, that vaporizers and humidifiers can harbor
bacteria, so clean them after each use. Inhaling bacteria-laden mist may aggravate
bronchitis. Use distilled water, not tap water, in the vaporizer.
Take an over-the-counter medicine for
fever, pain and/or inflammation. {Note: See Pain relievers in "Your Home Pharmacy".}
Rest.
Drink plenty of liquids.
Don't smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke.
Reduce your exposure to air pollution. (Use
air conditioning, air filters, and a mouth and nose filter mask if you have to.) If you
develop bronchitis easily, stay indoors during episodes of heavy air pollution.
Instead of using cough suppressants, use
expectorants. Use bronchodilators and/or take antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99