Causes
The causes leading to inflammation of the bronchial tubes are different for different diseases. The banal acute bronchitis is caused by a variety of pathogenic agents. Over 90% of cases are viral.
The most common viruses that cause inflammation of the bronchial tubes are adenoviruses or rhinoviruses, which are also responsible for the typical common cold. Influenza viruses are also known to cause inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the context of true influenza or parainfluenza viruses. Rare causes of acute bronchitis are, for example, measles.
The incubation period, which describes the time between infection and the onset of symptoms, is 2-3 days in case of viral genesis. The remaining 10% of acute inflammation of the bronchial tubes is caused by bacteria, the best known representatives being mycoplasma or Bordatella pertussis, the pathogen causing whooping cough. The whooping cough has, however, been greatly reduced by consistent vaccination programs.
It is also possible to get a bacterial superinfection in addition to a viral infection. The infection occurs independently of the pathogen via droplet infection.The smallest droplets that reach the air through the respiratory tract, for example when coughing or sneezing, are sufficient to transmit enough pathogens to cause an infection. These droplets then reach the bronchia of the next person, adhere to the wall and cause the inflammation here.
A weakened immune system favors the occurrence of the disease. In addition, previous diseases of the lungs themselves increase the risk of acute bronchitis. The inhalation of harmful substances is the most important factor in the development of chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes and COPD, which can be described as a consequence of chronic bronchitis.
By far the leading cause is cigarette smoking. 90% of all COPD patients are or were smokers. The smoke contains a large number of toxins that directly damage the tissue, especially the small bronchial tubes, and provoke inflammation.
Due to swelling, increased production of mucus and especially due to a reconstruction of the bronchial wall, these airways become narrower and cause the typical symptoms. Rarely industrial dusts or other toxic gases are responsible. The diagnosis of bronchitis is one of the most common diagnoses in general medical practice.
There are various ways of detecting an acute inflammation of the bronchial tubes. The symptoms of the affected person already give some clues. The barking cough, which is usually accompanied by pain, indicates an inflammation of the bronchial tubes.
The question of sputum as well as the duration of the symptoms gives further indications. If the symptoms persist for many days to weeks, further examinations are indicated, as the acute inflammation of the bronchi usually occurs quickly and subsides after a week. Following the anamnesis, the lungs should be listened to with a stethoscope.
Here the doctor can hear a sharp breathing sound such as whistling or humming, which are signs of narrowing. The other complaints, such as fatigue and fever, are caused by a variety of diseases, but they fit the clinical picture of bronchitis. In most cases this clinical diagnosis is sufficient.
In addition, an X-ray of the lungs can be helpful. In most cases, it is not necessary to detect the pathogen from the coughing up mucus. Only in the case of persistent or very severe symptoms should a pathogen be identified for targeted treatment.
In the case of COPD, in addition to a positive smoker’s history, as well as listening to whistles and humming, the focus is on apparative procedures with which lung function can be precisely determined and the current stage of the disease can be determined. Using a so-called spirometer, the patient is given certain breathing maneuvers to determine various parameters such as lung capacity, resistance and respiratory volume. A central value is the so-called 1-second capacity, at which the patient should inhale as deeply as possible and then exhale as forcefully as possible. With the criteria coughing, expectoration, 1-second capacity and the general ability to work under pressure before the patient experiences shortness of breath, the patient is classified into one of four stages, the fourth being the last stage.
