Bronchitis
Bronchitis is inflammation or irritation that occurs in the bronchial tubes, which are the pipes that function to channel air from the throat to the lungs.
These health problems can appear within days, weeks, or even months.
Bronchitis usually begins with a cough, sometimes followed by mucus or phlegm as a result of inflammation in the walls of the bronchi.
Untreated and worsening bronchitis can increase the risk of developing pneumonia with symptoms such as fever, chest pain, and decreased consciousness.
Symptoms of Bronchitis
The most common symptom of bronchitis is coughing. The cough can be dry or phlegmy. In a phlegmy cough, the phlegm that comes out can be white, yellow, or green.
Apart from coughing, bronchitis sufferers can also experience other symptoms, such as:
- Body fever and shivering.
- Hard to breathe.
- Weak.
- Sore throat and dizziness.
- There is a sound when breathing.
- Chest pain when coughing.
Other symptoms that appear besides coughing will generally improve within about a week.
However, coughing can persist for several weeks or even months.
Causes of Bronchitis
Bronchitis occurs due to inflammation of the bronchi. This causes the airways to narrow and become filled with mucus.
This phlegm or mucus accumulates as a form of response from the body’s immunity when it captures infectious or non-infectious substances that cause bronchitis.
Over time, the mucus that accumulates in the bronchi will close and block the respiratory tract.
This will trigger shortness of breath and coughing as the sufferer’s body’s response to help expel mucus.
Broadly speaking, there are two types of bronchitis, namely:
1. Acute bronchitis
Acute bronchitis usually lasts between 10 to 14 days. However, people with acute bronchitis can have a cough for up to 3 weeks.
This type of bronchitis can also happen to anyone but is more likely to attack children under 5 years of age.
Acute bronchitis usually occurs due to an infection that attacks the bronchi. The cause of the infection is the same virus that causes upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), one of which is Rhinovirus.
Well, acute bronchitis will appear if the ARI does not improve and instead spreads to the bronchi.
2. Chronic bronchitis
Meanwhile, chronic bronchitis generally occurs around 3 months or several times in a period of 2 years. Chronic bronchitis itself is included in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD.
This type of bronchitis is more likely to occur in people aged around 40 years or older.
The cause of chronic bronchitis is inflammation that occurs over a long period of time in the bronchi due to exposure to cigarette smoke or chemical compounds.
This can trigger an inflammatory reaction which is known from the presence of mucus on the walls of the bronchi.
People with bad smoking habits will show ongoing inflammatory reactions.
This condition causes the bronchi to narrow and eventually harden.
Risk Factors for Bronchitis
There are several conditions that increase a person’s risk of experiencing bronchitis, such as:
- Being an active or passive smoker.
- Aged less than 5 years or 40 years and above.
- Not getting vaccinated against pneumonia and flu.
- Too much exposure to harmful substances, such as ammonia, chlorine, and dust.
- Weakened body immunity, such as in people with cancer or autoimmune diseases.
- Having other medical conditions, such as GERD.
Diagnosis of Bronchitis
Diagnosis of bronchitis begins by asking about the complaints felt, whether or not there are risk factors and the overall health history of the sufferer.
After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination, especially an examination of the chest area.
In addition, the doctor will listen to sounds from the lungs using a stethoscope.
If necessary, the doctor will recommend further examinations, such as:
- Blood gas analysis, which is carried out to determine oxygen levels in the blood.
- Blood tests, to detect signs of infection.
- Lung function test, to detect the risk of asthma or emphysema. The doctor will ask the sufferer to inhale and exhale through a spirometer.
- Chest X-ray, to observe the health condition of the lungs and heart.
- Sputum test, to help identify the type of bacteria causing bronchitis.
Bronchitis Treatment
Treatment for bronchitis depends on how severe the problem is and the sufferer’s medical condition.
If bronchitis is still acute or mild, symptoms will usually improve on their own over a few weeks.
However, doctors can also prescribe medications to help relieve symptoms, such as:
- Medicines to help relieve pain and fever, such as ibuprofen and paracetamol.
- Medications to help relieve coughs, such as expectorants and antitussives.
Meanwhile, other drugs prescribed by doctors for fairly severe bronchitis, such as:
- Antibiotic drugs to treat bronchitis that occurs due to bacterial infections.
- Corticosteroid drugs to help relieve symptoms of bronchitis that worsen more quickly, especially in chronic bronchitis.
- Bronchodilators help relieve shortness of breath by widening the tubes in the airways.
Sufferers can also carry out independent treatment to help relieve symptoms, such as the following.
- Get enough rest.
- Drink more water.
- Inhaling steam from warm water can help thin mucus in the airways.
- Do not smoke.
- Wear a mask when you have to do activities outside the home to prevent exposure to chemicals.
So, if you or someone close to you has bronchitis, contact this doctor immediately to get the right treatment.
Complications of Bronchitis
A common complication in bronchitis sufferers is pneumonia, with the following symptoms:
- Body sweats, shivers, and fever.
- Chest pain when coughing or breathing.
- Hard to breathe.
- Cough with phlegm.
- The body is tired.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
- Feeling confused to the point of experiencing decreased consciousness.
If bronchitis develops at this stage, possible complications due to pneumonia include:
- Bacteremia or infection of the bloodstream.
- Lung abscess.
- Empyema or lung pus.
- Pleural effusion or accumulation of fluid in the lining of the lungs.
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
Bronchitis Prevention
Some ways that can be done to reduce the risk of bronchitis include:
- Do not smoke or avoid exposure to cigarette smoke.
- Avoid exposure to air pollution and hazardous substances by wearing a mask.
- Get enough rest, especially if you have a cold, fever, or cough.
- Take medication according to your doctor’s advice and prescription.
- Maintain personal and environmental cleanliness.
- Do not share personal items with others.
- Get vaccinated against pneumonia and flu.