What is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is when the tubes (airways) that carry air to your lungs become irritated and produce too much mucus, making it hard to breathe.

It often happens after a cold or other infection. If it goes away within a week or so, it's called acute bronchitis, like a chest cold. But if it keeps coming back or lasts a long time, it's called chronic bronchitis, which is more serious and can be caused by smoking.1

Types Of Bronchitis

When people talk about bronchitis, they are usually referring to acute bronchitis, which is a condition that causes coughing.

Acute bronchitis is a common illness that many people get at some point. It's like having a chest cold and is often caused by viruses that affect the respiratory system. Usually, it clears up on its own within a few weeks.

Chronic bronchitis is when you have a productive cough (with mucus) most days for at least three months out of the year for two consecutive years. It's more serious because it lasts a long time.

Chronic bronchitis can be a sign of a larger lung problem called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).2

Who Does Bronchitis Affect?

Acute bronchitis is one of the main reasons why people visit their doctor. Anyone can get it, but you're more likely to if you:

  • Smoke or are often around people who do.
  • Have asthma, COPD, or other breathing issues.
  • Deal with GERD, which is when stomach acid flows back into your throat often.
  • Have an autoimmune disorder or another condition that causes inflammation.
  • Spend time around triggers in the air that can irritate your lungs, like smoke or chemicals.2

Acute bronchitis can happen to anyone, but it's seen a lot in young kids, especially those under five years old. It tends to show up more during the winter and usually happens after you've had a cold, sore throat, or the flu.3

Symptoms Of Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis sticks around longer than acute bronchitis.

 

Bronchitis symptoms can be similar to those of other lung problems.

Causes of Bronchitis

Most of the time, bronchitis is caused by a virus, like the common cold. But anything that bothers your airways can bring it on. That includes:

  1. Viruses
  2. Bacteria
  3. Pollution
  4. Smoking4

Bronchitis Risk factors

Complications of Bronchitis

When healthy individuals get over acute bronchitis, they usually don't have lasting breathing issues. But if someone already has lung or heart problems, they might face more serious complications like pneumonia or worsened asthma. Having acute bronchitis multiple times can harm the lungs and lead to a condition called chronic bronchitis, which is more severe.

Kids and older adults are more likely to have problems from bronchitis lung. Others who might be at increased risk of bronchitis are people who have:

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
  • Diabetes
  • Asthma
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Patients who didn’t receive immunization for the flu, pneumonia, or whooping cough.

Here are some complications you should be aware of:

Bronchitis Diagnosis and Tests

In the early stages of illness, it's hard to tell if you have bronchitis or a regular cold. When you see your doctor, they'll listen to your lungs with a stethoscope. Sometimes, they might suggest some tests:


  1. Chest X-ray: This helps check for pneumonia or other serious conditions, especially if you smoke or used to smoke.

  2. Sputum tests: Your coughed-up mucus can be tested for infections that might need antibiotics or for signs of allergies.

  3. Pulmonary function test: You blow into a device called a spirometer to see how well your lungs work, checking for asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis.7

Bronchitis Preventions

To steer clear of bronchitis, focus on preventing colds and flu. Follow these habits:

  • Wash your hands often.
  • Avoid crowded places.
  • Cover your cough to prevent spreading germs.
  • Wear a mask.
  • Get a flu shot yearly.
  • Don't smoke or inhale second-hand smoke.
  • Avoid irritants like dust and chemicals; if you can't avoid them, wear a mask.
  • Eat well and sleep enough to keep your immune system strong.6

Bronchitis Outlook / Prognosis

Patients with acute bronchitis typically recover well. This condition usually resolves on its own in healthy individuals, but it might cause people to miss work or school. In rare cases, severe bronchitis can worsen for those with existing heart or lung issues or other health problems.9

Reference

  1. Mayo Clinic. Bronchitis - Symptoms and Causes [Internet]. Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic; 2017. Available from: Click here
  2. Cleveland Clinic. Bronchitis Symptoms & Treatment [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. 2022. Available from: Click here
  3. Bronchitis [Internet]. NHS inform. Available from: Click here
  4. Bronchitis Symptoms & Treatment [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. Available from: Click here
  5. WebMD. What Is Bronchitis? [Internet]. WebMD. WebMD; 2001. Available from: Click here
  6. What Is Bronchitis? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention [Internet]. EverydayHealth.com. Available from: Click here
  7. Clinic M. Bronchitis - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayoclinic.org. 2017. Available from: Click here
  8. Bronchitis Symptoms & Treatment [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. Available from: Click here
  9. Bronchitis: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology. eMedicine [Internet]. 2021 Jul 12; Available from:Click here