Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucosa of the bronchi and bronchioles (small channels through which air circulates from the trachea to the lungs). People who have bronchitis often eliminate thickened mucus by coughing.

Bronchitis can be acute or chronic.

The more common acute bronchitis develops from a cold or other respiratory infection and usually improves after 7-10 days, although the cough may persist for several weeks. It is usually caused by viruses, the same ones that cause colds and/or flu, a situation in which treatment with antibiotics is not indicated (antibiotics are indicated only in the case of infections caused by bacteria).

Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is a more serious condition caused by a constant irritation or inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes. The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking, but air pollution and dust can also contribute to the development of chronic bronchitis.

Whether it is acute or chronic, bronchitis has the following symptoms:

➢ Cough

➢ Production of mucus (sputum) that can be clear, white, gray-yellow or green. Rarely, it can be accompanied by blood

➢ Fatigue

➢ Shortness of breath

➢ Mild fever and chills

➢ Chest discomfort

In addition, in acute bronchitis mild symptoms of the common cold (headaches and/or body pains) may appear, symptoms that improve in about a week (only a sagging cough can persist for several weeks). In chronic bronchitis, however, there is a productive cough that lasts at least three months, a cough that can return over the course of two consecutive years.
Although in some people it can lead to pneumonia, usually a single episode of bronchitis is not a cause for concern. Instead, repeated episodes of bronchitis can be a sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Bronchitis becomes worrying and requires an emergency visit to a specialist physician in the following situations:

➢ It lasts more than three weeks

➢ It affects the quality of sleep

➢ It is accompanied by fever higher than 38°C

➢ It produces discolored mucus

➢ It produces blood

➢ It is associated with wheezing or shortness of breath

The main risk factor is cigarette smoke. People who smoke, active or passive, have a higher risk of developing bronchitis, acute or chronic.

The low resistance of the body, either after a cold or from a chronic condition that compromises the immune system, predisposes to the development of a bronchitis (elders or infants and young children have a greater vulnerability to infections).

The risk of developing bronchitis is higher if daily activity is carried out around some lung irritating agents, such as cereals or textiles or chemical smoke.

Although it seems unrelated, gastric reflux (the movement of gastric contents from the stomach back to the esophagus) can irritate the neck and predispose to the development of bronchitis.

Because in the first days it is difficult to distinguish the signs and symptoms of bronchitis from those of a common cold or pneumonia, for a correct diagnosis it is recommended to perform a chest X-ray, as well as specific tests.

Sputum is the mucus that is removed from the lungs and can be tested to see if there are germs that require antibiotics or not. Sputum can also be tested for signs of allergies.

During spirometry, air is blown into a device called a spirometer that measures the volume of expiratory air. This test checks if there are signs of asthma (a chronic condition in which the airways become inflamed, narrowing periodically) or pulmonary emphysema (a condition that refers to the blockage of the airways).

Most cases of acute bronchitis that are caused by viruses, usually improve with symptomatic treatment (being caused by viruses, antibiotics are not necessary). Antibiotics may be necessary, however, if the specialist physician suspects a bacterial infection.
Symptomatic treatment may include:

➢ Medications for cough, especially when cough affects the quality of sleep

➢ An inhaler or other medication to reduce inflammation and relax narrowed passages in the lungs in the event of allergies, asthma or associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Pulmonary rehabilitation - a program of breathing exercises that takes place under the guidance and supervision of a specialist therapist, a program that aims to improve breathing and increase respiratory capacity during effort.

➢ avoid active or passive smoking, to reduce the risk of bronchitis

➢ insist on washing your hands properly to reduce the risk of a viral infection

➢ a surgical mask will be worn if we expose ourselves to dust or smoke or crowds, especially if there is already a lung condition such as chronic obstructive pulmonary bronchitis (COPD).