Bronchitis is a respiratory disease in which there is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchi (airway passages of lungs). This causes breathlessness and cough spells. If there is productive cough which lasts for three months or more in a year for at least two years it is chronic bronchitis. It is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The airways to the lungs are inflamed and produce lots of mucus which partially block them and cause breathlessness. The condition reduces the lung capacity drastically and may also cause respiratory failure. This has a huge impact on the quality of life of the person. Smoking, air pollution, dust, chemicals, etc. can cause chronic bronchitis. People who continue to smoke may severely damage their lungs.
The main identified cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking. Your bronchial tube or airway is lined with glands that produce mucus. This mucus is a medium for trapping infectious agents, dust particles and pollutants that might harm the airway and lungs. When you smoke cigarettes, the harmful chemicals and irritating agents present in tobacco damage the lining of the bronchial tube, causing the glands to overproduce mucus. To expel this excessive mucus, your body triggers cough. In people who smoke excessively, the cycle of overproduction of mucus and the body’s effort to get rid of it continues over a long period of time.
Here are some other reasons you could develop chronic bronchitis
Certain factors put you at a higher risk of developing chronic bronchitis. Here are a few of them
The most common symptom of bronchitis is persistent cough. But to eliminate the possibility of other respiratory infections, check out if you’re also suffering from the following symptoms of bronchitis.
Medically, chronic bronchitis is differentiated from common cough based on the duration for which the cough lasts. The presence of productive cough (cough with expectoration or phlegm) for at least 3 months in a year over 2 years or more is called chronic bronchitis. Here are some tests your doctor might recommend you to take:
Chronic bronchitis reduces the lung capacity drastically and may also cause respiratory failure. This has a huge impact on quality of life of the person. People who continue to smoke may severely damage their lungs. Therefore, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is essential.
The goal of treatment in chronic bronchitis is to relieve symptoms, avoid complications and slow down the progression of the disease. Here are some medicines you may be prescribed:
Chronic bronchitis reduces the lung capacity drastically and may also cause respiratory failure. This has a huge impact on the quality of life of the person. People who continue to smoke may severely damage their lungs. There is a possibility for a person suffering from bronchitis to acquire a secondary infection like pneumonia. Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia.
Here are some measures you can take to prevent chronic bronchitis
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This is commonly known as 'Chronic Bronchitis', and is a progressive disease.
Do you have persistent cough? Know whether it's due to bronchitis. Here are the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of bronchitis.
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Have you been ignoring your cough since a long time? You have high chances of suffering from chronic bronchitis. Find out why.
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Asthma, Emphysema And Bronchitis are chronic inflammatory lung diseases that cause swelling in the airways.
The theme of World COPD Day 2021 emphasizes the fact that there is never a more important period to focus on the lung health.
Chronic respiratory diseases are a major cause of disability and death across the world. However, the contribution of pulmonary tuberculosis as a causative factor of chronic respiratory disease is often ignored.
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and is responsible for the deaths of millions of people around the world. It may also increase your risk of many other serious health complications.
If you are suffering from this lung disorder, it is time to modify your diet and stay away from these foods to help yourself cure your condition.
This is commonly known as 'Chronic Bronchitis', and is a progressive disease.
Do you have persistent cough? Know whether it's due to bronchitis. Here are the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of bronchitis.
Why dry, persisting cough should not be neglected and what causes bronchitis.
Have you been ignoring your cough since a long time? You have high chances of suffering from chronic bronchitis. Find out why.
Bronchitis
Education and moderate alcohol linked to lower lung disease!
Smog choking Delhiites, ruining their health
