t may be acute (for a short time) or it may be chronic (for a long time). “Acute bronchitis” is mainly caused by Viruses (90%) but also by bacteria (10%) and it is characterized by high secretion of sputum and inflammation of air passages. “Chronic bronchitis” is mainly characterized by frequent cough for more than three months in 2 chain years. Smokers are more likely to develop chronic bronchitis. Other causes include air passage irritants are more often. If emphysema (breath shortening) occurs along with chronic bronchitis than it may lead to “Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease” (COPD).
Causes of Bronchitis:
According to bronchitis Wikipedia, more often causes of bronchitis are viruses (flu viruses), bacteria (Mycoplasma pneumonia), smoking and air passages irritants like air pollutants.
Risk factor:
Smokers are easy victim for chronic bronchitis. Seniors, children and infants are more commonly hit by acute bronchitis.
Diagnostic tests:
Bronchitis can be diagnosed by “pulmonary infection test” , by x-ray of chest , by bacterial culture test (for bacterial causes) and by the oxygen level test with the help of “pulse oximetry”.
Treatment:
- Rescue inhaler use (Albuterol sulfate and derivatives inhalers)
- Antibiotics (If the cause is bacteria, usually not)
- Use of steam & humidifier
- Quit smoking
- Rest
- More frequent intake of fluids
- Aspirin (not for children)
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