Chronic bronchitis: signs, causes and treatment

Are you experiencing persistent cough with excessive mucus production, wheezing, wheezing and shortness of breath? All these are considered to be the main symptoms of chronic bronchitis, especially if it lasts more than three months. You may also be experiencing frequent respiratory infections such as the flu or colds.

If a case of chronic bronchitis is left untreated, it can lead to more severe symptoms such as weight loss, swollen ankles, swollen feet and legs, and weakness in the lower back muscles. Therefore, it is essential to diagnose and treat chronic bronchitis as soon as possible. Interventional pulmonology and lung transplant specialist Dr Srivatsa Lokeswaran tells us everything there is to know about this condition.

What is chronic bronchitis?

If you have a cough with phlegm production for at least three months a year for two consecutive years, you are more likely to have chronic bronchitis. “Bronchitis is inflammation or swelling of the airways. Chronic bronchitis is secondary to long-term smoking habit. Other causes could be chronic asthma,” says Dr Lokeswaran.

What is the difference between acute and chronic bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis occurs when the airways become inflamed very briefly due to an infection such as viral flu or secondary to allergic inflammation, pollutants, or irritants. It is brief and usually reversible. Chronic bronchitis is a recurring condition.

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Symptoms of chronic bronchitis

Symptoms of bronchitis include the following.

• cough
• Yellow or white sputum production
• Shortness of breath, which is worse on exertion
• snoring
• Fatigue
• headache
• palpitation palpitation
• In advanced cases, poor oxygen levels can cause swelling and blue discoloration of the legs.

Also Read: Bronchitis During Pregnancy: Know If It Harms Your Baby

Causes of chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is caused by irritants that damage the lungs or affect the airways. The most common cause of bronchitis is chronic smoking. “Chemicals during smoking cause inflammation of the airways. The normal hair structures on the airways become sluggish in their action and hence the secretions pile up,” says Dr. Lokeswaran. The glands in the airways start hyperfunctioning by producing excess secretions. The muscles around the airways increase in size and constrict the airways. are tight by suffocation.

Other causes may include overexposure to air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust.

How do you diagnose chronic bronchitis?

Chronic bronchitis is primarily a clinical diagnosis based on symptoms and signs. “We take a detailed pulmonary function test on patients to understand the airway caliber and determine whether oxygen is traveling unhindered in the distal airspace. Their exercise tolerance can be measured through tests such as the 6-minute walk test. Imaging such as a CT scan gives us a better understanding of lung damage and other associated symptoms.” Dr. Lokeswaran said. Sometimes, pressure on the lungs affects the heart, and evaluation of the heart with an ECG or echocardiography is necessary.

How to treat chronic bronchitis?

Treatment for chronic bronchitis usually involves:

1. Bronchodilators

It is a type of medicine that eases breathing. It relaxes the lungs and dilates the airways, causing choking in the airway tubes.

2. Antibiotics

Antibiotics are very useful if there is an infection causing the problem. It is useful when bacterial infection is the root cause.

3. Glucocorticosteroids

It is an anti-inflammatory therapy. It helps reduce inflammation in the airways and is also a great treatment for asthma.

4. Anti-inflammatory drugs

Anti-inflammatory drugs such as phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors can also help treat chronic bronchitis. It helps with symptoms of chronic bronchitis.

5. Mucolytics

These can be used to thin phlegm. These medications help break down mucus so that it can be effectively expelled from your lungs.

6. Oxygen

Oxygen can be used to maintain oxygen levels. It is very useful in chronic bronchitis, especially in cases where oxygen is low due to low lung reserves.

7. Physical rehabilitation

Physical activity and exercise play a vital role in bringing the patient back to normal function.

8. Lifestyle changes

Quitting smoking is the first and most important lifestyle change to implement. Avoid any second hand smoke. Eat well, it helps to strengthen your immune system.

Also Read: Is Bronchitis Difficult For You? 5 Home Remedies to Reduce Symptoms

How to live with chronic bronchitis?

Chronic bronchitis takes time to go away and here are some ways to live with it. “See a pulmonologist who specializes in treating your problem holistically and take medication regularly,” says Dr. Lokeswaran. In addition, regular checks on your lung capacity and enroll yourself in a rehabilitation program to improve exercise capacity.