Bronchitis can be divided into the mostly more harmless acute bronchitis and the more serious chronic bronchitis. While the acute bronchitis is mostly triggered by an infection of the respiratory tract, the cause of chronic bronchitis is mostly smoking or prolonged inhalation of pollutants.
What is bronchitis?
Bronchitis is often caused by viruses during a cold. The typical sign is an irritating cough, which after a while turns into a cough with sputum. The term bronchitis comes from the ancient Greek, and means translated: bronche = throat, itis = inflammation). A distinction is made between acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. In a protracted, and not properly cured bronchitis is to the danger of pneumonia not to be underestimated.
Causes
Causes of chronic bronchitis
The causes of chronic bronchitis are mostly the inhalation of pollutants from the air, here are quite particularly smokers at risk. Also in various professions, the risk of this is given, for example, in mining by inhaling dust. Other causes are pollutants from the environment due to pollution, as well as frequent infections of the respiratory tract. Causes of acute bronchitis
Causes of acute bronchitis are usually the attack of viruses of various kinds, in very rare cases, bacteria can also be a cause of acute bronchitis.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Acute bronchitis often announces itself by an infection of the upper respiratory tract. The mouth, nose and throat are particularly affected. At the beginning of the disease, there is fever, chills and other flu-like symptoms. Accompanying symptoms are rhinitis, sneezing, difficulty swallowing and a burning sensation in the throat. Typical of viral infections, there are usually muscle and joint complaints, and bone pain can also occur in isolated cases. After infection, the typical bronchitis symptoms are added to these complaints, i.e. sore throat and dry cough, which is accompanied by sputum as the infection progresses. The secretion may change in texture and color as the bronchitis progresses. At the beginning it is whitish-mucilaginous, in the later stages it often becomes yellowish-greenish. Blood admixtures in the secretions indicate severe disease that should be examined by a physician. When mucus production is severe, breath sounds change and are increasingly whistling or humming. The cough is usually rasping or rattling. Bronchitis makes the bronchi much more sensitive to external stimuli as it progresses. As a result, there is an increased incidence of very painful coughing, which often occurs in attacks. Independently of the cough, there is also pain behind the sternum during the acute phase of the disease. In a severe course, shortness of breath and weakness may be added.
Course
Course of the disease acute bronchitis
If no particular complications occur, acute bronchitis usually lasts no longer than eight to ten days. Especially in healthy people with a strong immune system, no complications should occur here. If, contrary to expectations, the course is prolonged, one should in any case consult the family doctor. Symptoms are in most cases: Symptoms of colds, a busy voice, scratching in the throat, increased discharge, difficult breathing, headache and pain in the limbs. Usually, after two to three days, there is a painful cough with whitish to yellowish, in case of bacterial cause, greenish sputum. In addition, there is a fever of about 38 to 40 degrees, as well as a burning sensation behind the breastbone. Course of disease of chronic bronchitis:
The course of chronic bronchitis varies greatly, mainly depending on how quickly the causative pollutants (smoking, toxic gases and vapors, dust) are found and avoided accordingly. If one continues to be exposed to the pollutants, there is a great risk that the heart and lungs will be massively affected.
Complications
Acute bronchitis usually heals without consequences. However, in the elderly, smokers, or patients with a reduced immune system, the disease may develop into chronic bronchitis; as a result, pneumonia and other complications may develop. In severe cases, chronic obstructive bronchitis develops, which is associated with inflammation, purulent sputum, and shortness of breath.In addition, bronchial spasm and bronchial obstruction, a pathological narrowing of the bronchi, may occur. In a severe course, chronic complaints develop, such as cough and sputum, which never completely subside. Complications increase as the disease progresses and are associated with a shortened life expectancy. Less serious is bronchopneumonia, which can occur as a result of a weakened immune system. Complications of such pneumonia include fever symptoms and worsening of general condition, and respiratory distress, which may cause cyanosis, tachycardia, and confusion. Lung abscesses may also develop as a result of bronchopneumonia, contributing to the worsening of general condition. No severe complications usually occur during treatment of bronchitis.
When should you see a doctor?
Usually, bronchitis heals within a few days or weeks and does not require a trip to the doctor. This is the case as long as the symptoms do not worsen, no shortness of breath sets in and the feeling of illness is kept within limits. However, if the bronchitis lasts longer than two weeks, a visit to the doctor is indicated. A secondary infection or migration of the infection to other parts of the respiratory system should be clarified. The doctor should also be consulted if shortness of breath occurs. In such cases, chronic bronchitis with damage to the respiratory tract may occur. The same applies if high fever is added. Since secondary infection of the bronchial tubes with bacteria becomes more likely as the bronchitis persists, medical attention is necessary. Antibiotics must be used to prevent further damage to the airways. A visit to the family doctor is usually sufficient. Special attention should be paid to young children. For example, they are more prone to cramps triggered by coughing, which impairs the development of the bronchial tubes. A trip to the doctor should be made if the child visibly spasms, exhales with a whistling sound or develops a high fever. Older people should not wait two weeks to see a doctor either. Their bronchial tubes are mostly weaker and therefore bronchitis can manifest more quickly.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of acute bronchitis:
Nasal drops, inhalation, baths, drinking plenty of fluids, strengthening the general immune system, bed rest if necessary, painkillers if needed should help. In severe cases, a family doctor should also be consulted. Treatment of chronic bronchitis:
Treatment is the same as for acute bronchitis. In addition, for example, if smoking is the cause, absolute smoking ban. It is also helpful to get plenty of exercise in the fresh air. Regular inhalation over a longer period of time is also necessary in this case. Especially in the case of chronic bronchitis, treatment is also carried out through physiotherapeutic breathing exercises. However, once the chronic inflammatory process of bronchitis has begun, it is almost impossible to cure it completely. Since smoking is by far the most common cause of chronic bronchitis, the best prevention is not smoking. Chronic bronchitis is also often treated with endurance exercises such as cycling, or walking on level ground, that is, with moderate exertion. In addition, chronic bronchitis also requires instruction in the use of medication. Oxygen may be added here as a preventive measure. Abundant fluid intake is also required in chronic bronchitis, as this promotes mucus clearance. The therapy of chronic bronchitis is often supported by the prescription of tapping massages. Medication is administered here in the form of special agents that dilate the bronchial tubes, as well as antibiotics. If the cause of chronic bronchitis is not smoking, it should be considered, if necessary, to change the place of residence to humid and salty areas (North Sea, Baltic Sea). In any case, the treatment of chronic bronchitis should be accompanied by a physician.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis of bronchitis is basically good for people with a healthy immune system. The disease is usually treated on an outpatient basis. With early medical care, the administration of medications results in rapid relief of symptoms. Within a few days, the state of health improves considerably.An existing cough heals more slowly, so that the patient is often only completely free of symptoms after 1-2 weeks. If the bronchitis is prolonged, the healing process is prolonged. In addition, the risk of developing chronic diseases increases. Patients at risk include people with existing lung disease, a weakened immune system, or people of advanced age. If left untreated, pneumonia can lead to a life-threatening condition as well as death of the patient. Additionally, untreated bronchitis carries the risk of bacterial infection. The secondary infection significantly worsens the general health condition and can trigger further complications. Older people or those who are already ill have an increased overall risk of various complications in bronchitis and must be prepared for a prolonged healing process. There is a risk of permanent tissue damage to the lungs or obstruction of some areas of the lungs. This results in impaired breathing and increases the risk of mental illnesses such as an anxiety disorder.
Follow-up
Follow-up care is not usually necessary for bronchitis. However, if symptoms of the disease, such as difficulty breathing or a dry, irritating cough, are still present after a period of six weeks, it is advisable to see your family doctor or a specialist. In this case, there is a risk of chronic bronchitis. In older patients, those with a weakened immune system, and COPD patients, a checkup is not always mandatory, but often advisable nonetheless. In children, there are usually no complications. Bronchitis heals quickly in them, so there is usually no need for follow-up or medical examinations. For all those affected, general rest is the most important measure after bronchitis. Physical and mental overexertion should be avoided. Depending on the severity of the illness and the general health of the affected person, in some cases it is advisable to postpone activities associated with stress, such as exams or travel. In addition, affected individuals should not expose themselves to severe temperature fluctuations. Care should also be taken to maintain high humidity levels in the weeks following the illness. Therefore, living spaces should not be overheated. Since the immune system is weakened by bronchitis, the risk of infection with infections should be reduced, especially in the cold season.
This is what you can do yourself
Bronchitis is very treatable at home. Numerous home remedies can be used against the strong cough. Fundamentally important is physical rest, so that the body can adjust to the healing process. In addition, an increased fluid intake should be ensured, since with accompanying fever is increased transpiration. A tea mixture of sage, thyme and ribwort plantain helps against the strong irritation of the cough – this acts as a natural cough suppressant. Thyme and sage are astringent and antibacterial in their action. Sage can also be sucked in the form of pastilles to relieve existing hoarseness. If there is an accompanying fever, it is beneficial to get through it in a controlled manner. It is the most effective healing response of the body. A fever-reducing agent can be taken before going to bed. Caution is advised here, especially in children, as there is a risk of nocturnal febrile convulsions if the fever is high. Otherwise, calf compresses can be applied or whole-body cooling in the bathtub to gently lower the temperature. Homeopathy also offers several preparations for supportive treatment. These include Aconita, Belladonna or Nux Vomica for the first cough. Causticum is a natural cough suppressant. Spongia, Drosera and Bryonia are recommended for dry cough, Pulsatilla for productive cough. If there is no improvement after three days, the fever is persistently high, pain or bloody sputum is added, sufferers should consult their family doctor.