About Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a condition that is caused by inflammation of the tubes in a person lungs. These tubes are called airways because air passes through them.They may also be referred to as bronchial tubes. When a person develops chronic bronchitis, he may experience uncomfortable respiratory symptoms.

Identification

In chronic bronchitis, a person's airways become inflamed, causing thick mucus to develop within them. The mucus causes problems in the airways, blocking them and making it harder for the person to get air into his lungs. This leads to symptoms that may include a productive cough, which means it produces mucus, difficulty breathing and an uncomfortable, tight feeling in the person's chest.

Time Frame

Some people develop bronchitis that only lasts for a short period of time. Bronchitis is described as chronic when it lasts for longer than three months. Often, a person develops chronic bronchitis in conjunction with another type of illness, such as emphysema. When a person develops both chronic bronchitis and emphysema, she is said to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, referred to as COPD.

Misconceptions

Many people think chronic bronchitis is something you can catch, like a cold. However, there are many things that may cause a person to develop it. Among them is cigarette smoke. When a person smokes cigarettes, the tobacco is inhaled into his lungs. In turn, his lungs may become irritated and begin to produce the mucus that marks chronic bronchitis. Additionally, a person may develop the condition when he is exposed to things that irritate his lungs for a longer time. For example, a person who has long-term exposure to chemical fumes may develop chronic bronchitis. According to the Mayo Clinic, even such things as prolonged exposure to airborne dust may lead to the condition.

Considerations

To diagnose chronic bronchitis, a doctor typically evaluates a patient's symptoms, looking for such effects as a productive cough, breathing issues and tightness in the chest. He will also ask questions about lifestyle habits, such as cigarette smoking and whether or not the patient has been inhaling anything that might irritate the lungs. If it seems that the person may have the condition, he may be given a pulmonary-function tests to evaluate lung efficiency. The test requires a person to breathe into a machine that evaluates the amount of air in his lungs. Additional tests may include blood work and chest x-rays.

Prevention/Solution

Chronic bronchitis may be treated with a broncholidator, which is a medication that works to open the airways and help the patient to have an easier time breathing. Usually, this type of medication is inhaled using a special device called an inhaler. For patients who are experiencing extreme difficulty breathing, a doctor may also prescribe medicine in a pill form. Additionally, steroids, either inhaled or in a pill form, may be used when chronic bronchitis symptoms don't go away after other treatment.