BRONCHITIS
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry air to
and from your lungs. People who have bronchitis often cough up thickened mucus,
which can be discoloured.
Bronchitis may be either acute or chronic.
Acute bronchitis also called a chest cold, usually improves within a week to 10
days without lasting effects, although the cough may linger for weeks
Chronic bronchitis, a more serious condition, is a constant irritation or
inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, often due to smoking.
SYMPTOMS: -
Chronic bronchitis fills your airways with thick mucus. The small hairs that normally
move phlegm out of your lungs are damaged. That makes you cough. As the disease
goes on, it’s harder for you to breathe.
Other signs of chronic bronchitis may include:
Cough, often with mucus
Wheezing
Tight chest
Shortness of breath
Feeling tired
Your symptoms may be worst in the winter when humidity and temperatures drop.
CAUSES: -
Cigarette smoking is by far the No. 1 cause of chronic bronchitis. More than 90% of
people with the disease smoke or used to smoke. Other things that raise your chances
for it include:
Second-hand
Dust
Certain fumes, like hairspray if you work in a hair salon or house paint if
you’re a building contractor
Air pollution, welding fumes, engine exhaust
Coal, fire smoke
DIAGNOSIS: -
Your doctor will ask about your smoking history and listen to your lungs with a
stethoscope. You may take tests, including:
Pulmonary function tests: This is a series of measurements of how much air your
lungs can hold while breathing in and out.
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry air to
and from your lungs. People who have bronchitis often cough up thickened mucus,
which can be discoloured.
Bronchitis may be either acute or chronic.
Acute bronchitis also called a chest cold, usually improves within a week to 10
days without lasting effects, although the cough may linger for weeks
Chronic bronchitis, a more serious condition, is a constant irritation or
inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, often due to smoking.
SYMPTOMS: -
Chronic bronchitis fills your airways with thick mucus. The small hairs that normally
move phlegm out of your lungs are damaged. That makes you cough. As the disease
goes on, it’s harder for you to breathe.
Other signs of chronic bronchitis may include:
Cough, often with mucus
Wheezing
Tight chest
Shortness of breath
Feeling tired
Your symptoms may be worst in the winter when humidity and temperatures drop.
CAUSES: -
Cigarette smoking is by far the No. 1 cause of chronic bronchitis. More than 90% of
people with the disease smoke or used to smoke. Other things that raise your chances
for it include:
Second-hand
Dust
Certain fumes, like hairspray if you work in a hair salon or house paint if
you’re a building contractor
Air pollution, welding fumes, engine exhaust
Coal, fire smoke
DIAGNOSIS: -
Your doctor will ask about your smoking history and listen to your lungs with a
stethoscope. You may take tests, including:
Pulmonary function tests: This is a series of measurements of how much air your
lungs can hold while breathing in and out.
