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(also referred to as...)

Acute Infectious Bronchitis, Acute Irritative Bronchitis, Chronic Bronchitis

 
Description

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi (singular, bronchus) which are the tubes that attach the trachea (windpipe) to the lungs. Acute infectious bronchitis is the most well known form of bronchitis. Other types include acute irritative bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, and more. The acute forms are generally self-limiting, with complete healing and return to function. More and more people are suffering from chronic lung disease, caused especially by smoking, which has lead to an increase in the number of people suffering from chronic bronchitis.

Symptoms and Signs:

A diagnosis of acute infectious bronchitis is made with the onset of a productive cough with no evidence of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or pneumonia. Other symptoms include shaking, chills, chest pain, mild fever, runny nose, fatigue, malaise, back and muscle aches, and sore throat. If severe, you may have a high fever (38.3°C to 38.8°C or 101°F to 102°F) for three to five days, after which you will begin to feel better. The cough may persist for several weeks after other symptoms have abated. Some may also experience wheezing or shortness of breath.

Chronic bronchitis is diagnosed by a chronic productive cough for at least three months in two successive years for which other causes, i.e., infection, cancer, chronic heart failure, have been excluded.

 
Causes:

Acute infectious bronchitis is caused by an infection from a virus (most common), bacteria, or bacteria-like organism. This form of bronchitis occurs most often during the winter months and often follows an upper respiratory tract (URT) infection, such as the common cold or throat infection. Smokers and people with chronic lung or airway diseases are more susceptible to this form of bronchitis due to an impairment of the mechanisms that clear inhaled particles from the lungs. If recurrent, this type of bronchitis may be due to chronic sinusitis, bronchitectasis, allergies, and in children, enlarged tonsils or adenoids.

Acute irritative bronchitis is caused by dust, fumes from strong acids, some organic solvents, ammonia, chlorine, bromine, hydrogen sulfide, sulphur dioxide, tobacco smoke or other types of smoke, and air pollutants such as ozone and nitrogen dioxide.

Chronic bronchitis is usually caused by smoking. Allergies may also cause chronic bronchitis.

 
What to Expect:

Acute bronchitis is generally self-limiting, with no complications for otherwise healthy individuals. It can become serious in people with chronic lung or heart disease and pneumonia is a possible sequela for this group.

A persistent cough may be serious. See your naturopath or other health practitioner if your cough lasts more than one week, if it recurs, or if it is accompanied by a high fever, rash, or persistent headaches.

Acute respiratory failure may follow acute bronchitis in people with chronic respiratory disorders.

Bronchitis can be recurrent in people with bronchopulmonary diseases, chronic sinusitis, bronchitectasis, bronchopulmonary allergies, COPD, or in children with enlarged tonsils or adenoids.

Chronic bronchitis compromises the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs. The heart then attempts to compensate by exerting more effort to pump blood through the system. This can eventually lead to pulmonary hypertension, enlargement of the heart, and heart failure. Chronic bronchitis has an increased mortality rate.

 

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