Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis

Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) is a condition experienced by individuals with bronchitis, which is characterized by an increase in the frequency and severity of the symptoms of chronic bronchitis. Bronchitis is caused by the inflammation of the bronchi or air passages of the lungs. Inflammation and the excess mucus block the airways, which causes shortness of breath and cough. If cough and the resulting phlegm and mucus, are present for at least three months in two consecutive years, then it is termed as chronic bronchitis. In case of AECB, people experience more difficulty in breathing due to further constriction of the airways caused by the inflammation and swelling of the air passages and production of thick mucus. Chronic bronchitis is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Causes

AECB can be caused by exposure to irritants like pollen, cigarette smoke and pollution. Sometimes, toxic chemicals can also cause an aggravation of the symptoms of chronic bronchitis. The excess mucus produced in the airways creates a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria and virus. Therefore, bacterial and viral infections can also lead to AECB.

Symptoms

The symptoms of AECB is the aggravation of the symptoms associated with chronic bronchitis, like cough, chest congestion and difficulty in breathing. Sometimes, shortness of breath and wheezing, (a whistling sound produced during breathing due to congestion of the air passages) may be noticed. If bacterial infection is the cause of exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, then the mucus is usually thicker than usual and is greenish or yellow in color. Sometimes, blood can also be observed in mucus. Infection can also cause fever and an increase in the volume of sputum.

Diagnosis and Treatment

AECB is usually diagnosed by observing the severity of the symptoms of chronic bronchitis, as an increase in coughing, shortness of breath and volume of sputum are associated with the disease. Besides, examination of a sample of sputum is also carried out to ensure proper diagnosis of the disease. Presence of blood in the sputum and fever may require a chest X-ray to detect if pneumonia is the underlying cause of the disease.

AECB is usually treated with antibiotics, cough suppressants, oxygen therapy, corticosteroids and bronchodilators. Antibiotics are mainly used, if it is suspected to be caused by bacterial infection, while corticosteroids are used to reduce the inflammation of the air passages. Bronchodilators are effective in opening up the airways of the lungs. On the other hand, oxygen therapy is usually prescribed when the oxygen level in blood drops to a significant level. To relieve the severe coughing associated with AECB, cough suppressants are used. In addition, methylxanthines are used to open up the air passages and inhibit the release of chemicals, which can be responsible for narrowing the airways.

In addition to medications, it is also important to keep the possible causes of the disease under control to reduce the frequency and occurrence of the disease. Therefore, individuals afflicted with chronic bronchitis should avoid common lung irritants like smoke and pollen. Besides quitting smoking, the consumption of nutritious foods is also important to reduce the severity of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.