When It Hurts to Breathe: Dealing with Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a painful respiratory disease marked by inflammation of the medium-sized airways, or bronchi, that lead from the mouth and nose to the lungs. In some cases it may also occur when the trachea, or windpipe, becomes infected.

Bronchitis is diagnosed as either acute or chronic, depending on the various symptoms and longevity. Acute bronchitis' effects usually last several days to a few weeks. Chronic bronchitis, however, can occur over several months in a two-year period.

Adults and children alike get bronchitis, with children also susceptible to the condition known as bronchiolitis. Among very young babies, repeated bronchitis may indicate the onset of asthma. The elderly are also at risk, especially following a long cigarette smoking habit or in conjunction with other respiratory diseases.

Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is caused in about fifty percent of all cases by viral or bacterial infiltration of the bronchial tissues. Certain viruses known to result in bronchial inflammation include the influenza A and B viruses, the rhinovirus, and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The bacteria mycoplasma pneumoniae, commonly known as "walking pneumonia," is another leading instigator.

Acute symptoms occur usually following a sinus infection, a bout with the common cold or influenza, and other situations where the respiratory system is already constrained. Breathing unhealthy pollutants and irritants from the air can cause bronchitis; among these, cigarette smoke is among the most harmful to the bronchi. Chemical fumes, mold and dust, and particulate matter also place the respiratory system at risk.

Typical symptoms of acute bronchitis include wheezing caused by the inflammation of the bronchial airways, coughing and chest pains, and sore muscles. Extreme and extended coughing brought on by the inflammation may cause feelings of lightheadedness, dizziness, and abdominal aches. Fevers and sinus congestion left over from the original flu or common cold can sometimes linger through the acute bronchitis infection.

Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic Bronchitis is a form of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD. It's most often characterized by mucus discharged through an irritating, "phlegmy" cough. It is not acute in that the symptoms do not clear up after two or three weeks but linger on instead, with recurrent bouts spread out over three months in two consecutive years.

Symptoms of chronic bronchitis include wheezing, expectorating cough, chest pains, and persistent fatigue. Patients suffering from chronic bronchitis are also at higher risk for other respiratory diseases such as pneumonia. The most common cause is cigarette smoking, though viral and bacterial infections in certain cases play a part.

Emphysema, the other leading form of COPD, shares many symptoms with Chronic Bronchitis, so much so that doctors are sometimes challenged to distinguish between the two. Some researchers believe as many as 24 million Americans suffer some form of COPD.

Diagnosing Acute and Chronic Bronchitis

In most cases, a doctor will perform a simple chest exam to determine the patient's efficiency in breathing and normal respiratory operations (principally delivering oxygen to the body.) An X-ray exam and blood tests may also be considered necessary.

In potentially chronic cases, the doctor may order any of a number of Pulmonary Function Tests, which measure lung efficiency and strength. The most common is called Spirometry and measures the lungs' speed and volume of air that is inhaled and exhaled. A patient breathes into a spirometer as hard as they can for as long as they can manage. The final results are graphed and analyzed.

Treatment and Prevention

Because acute bronchitis usually clears up on its own, many sufferers choose to ride out the symptoms instead of seeking medical advice. Nevertheless, doctors can prescribe a bronchodialator to alleviate the inflammation and open the afflicted airways. In cases where the condition is caused by bacterial infection, some antibiotics may also be prescribed. Smoking can extend the inflammation and slow the body's healing process.

In some extreme cases a trip to the emergency room or hospital may become necessary. Prolonged difficulty breathing, expectorating blood, greenish phlegm or rusty sputum are also calls for immediate medical attention.

Studies by the American College of Physicians indicate treating severe chronic bronchitis with medicines typically associated with asthma, such as bronchodilators and corticosteroids, will meet with success in certain instances. Other research shows some antibiotics may also provide treatment.

Using some over-the-counter medications can actually worsen symptoms. The chemicals work to thicken mucus and create a warm, thick atmosphere in which bacteria can flourish.

Guaifenesin is a drug that assists in the breaking down and expectoration of phlegm and mucus from the chest and throat. Its brand names include Mucinex, Fenesin, and Robitussin. These drugs are sold either through prescription or over the counter, and have varying degrees of success.

Stopping smoking while infected or – better yet – ceasing cigarette use altogether is probably the single effective bronchitis treatment and deferment available.

Bronchiolitis And Children

Children under two years of age may suffer from bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the smaller passageways that connect the airways and lungs. Bronchiolitis is most often caused by RSV, although parainfluenza (otherwise known as the croup) and other viruses are also sometimes responsible.

Bronchiolitis typically affects babies around six months old and is more common among boys and children who attend day care centers. Its symptoms are strongly similar to those of the common cold: runny nose, sneezing, a mild fever, and coughing. Wheezing and difficulty breathing usually present themselves after a day or two. The symptoms usually last around 12 days. Hospitalization is rarely necessary. Because bronchiolitis is a viral infection, antibiotic treatment is not applicable.

Because bronchiolitis is very contagious, it's most often transmitted by touch, either from an infected child or from a contaminated object. Keeping children in a clean, well-sanitized environment is essential for preventing transmission. Treating bronchiolitis is largely a matter of making the child comfortable and hydrated. Humidifiers and saline drops are sometimes used to thin or weaken the mucus buildup.

Children who develop bronchiolitis are more likely to develop asthma later in childhood. Premature babies, babies with weakened immune systems, and children who were not breastfed are all at higher risk, as well.

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