Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic Bronchitis

Overview

What is chronic bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an inflammation (or irritation) of the airways in the lungs. Airways are the tubes in your lungs that air passes through. They are also called bronchial tubes. When the airways are irritated, thick mucus forms in them. The mucus plugs up the airways and makes it hard for air to get into your lungs.

Bronchitis causes a cough that produces mucus (sometimes called sputum), trouble breathing and a feeling of tightness in your chest.

"Chronic" means that the condition last a long time. Chronic bronchitis is bronchitis that lasts longer than 3 months. Chronic bronchitis often occurs with emphysema, and together these diseases are called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Causes & Risk Factors

Whatcauses chronic bronchitis?

Cigarette smoking isthe main cause of chronic bronchitis. When tobacco smoke is inhaled into thelungs, it irritates the airways and they produce mucus. People who have beenexposed for a long time to other things that irritate their lungs, such aschemical fumes, dust and other substances, can also develop chronic bronchitis.

Diagnosis & Tests

Howdoes my doctor know if I have chronic bronchitis?

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms: Are youcoughing up mucus? Are you having trouble breathing? Does your chest feeltight? How long have you had these symptoms? Do you smoke cigarettes? How manycigarettes do you smoke each day? How many years have you been smoking? Haveyou been breathing in other things that can irritate your lungs?

If your doctor thinks you have chronic bronchitis, you maybe tested to find out if your lungs are damaged. You might have a pulmonaryfunction test to see how well your lungs are working. During this test, youbreathe into a machine that measures the amount of air in your lungs. Yourdoctor may also order blood tests and a chest X-ray.

Treatment

Canmedicine treat chronic bronchitis?

Yes. Your doctor may prescribe a medicine called abronchodilator to treat your chronic bronchitis. This medicine dilates (oropens) the airways in your lungs and helps you breathe better.

This medicine is usually inhaled (breathed in) rather thantaken as a pill. An inhaler is the device used to get the medicine into yourlungs. It's important to use your inhaler the right way, so you get the mostfrom the medicine. Your doctor will show you how to use your inhaler.

If you have severe shortness of breath, your doctor may alsoprescribe medicine (such as theophylline) for you to take in pill form.

If your symptoms don't get better with these medicines, yourdoctor may prescribe steroids. You can take steroids either with an inhaler orin pill form.

Willantibiotics help chronic bronchitis?

In general, antibiotics cannot help chronic bronchitis.Antibiotics may be needed if you get a lung infection along with your chronicbronchitis. If you have a lung infection, you may cough up more mucus. Thismucus might be yellow or dark green. You also may have a fever and yourshortness of breath may get worse.

Whatabout oxygen therapy?

Because of the damage from chronic bronchitis, your lungsmay not be able to get enough oxygen into your body. Your doctor may prescribeoxygen if your chronic bronchitis is severe and medicine doesn't help you feelbetter. If your doctor prescribes oxygen for you, be sure to use it day andnight to get the most benefit from it. Oxygen can help you breathe better andlive longer.

Whatelse can I do to help my lungs?

Exercising regularly can strengthen the muscles that helpyou breathe. Try to exercise at least 3 times a week. Start by exercisingslowly and for just a little while. Then slowly increase the time you exerciseeach day and how fast you exercise. For example, you might begin exercising bywalking slowly for 15 minutes 3 times a week. Then, as you get in better shape,you can increase your walking speed. You can also increase the length of timeyou walk to 20 minutes, then 25 minutes, then 30 minutes. Ask your doctor forhelp creating an exercise plan that's right for you.

An exercise program called pulmonary rehabilitation may helpyou improve your breathing. Pulmonary rehabilitation is often given by arespiratory therapist (a health care worker who knows about lung treatments).Your doctor may refer you to the pulmonary rehabilitation program at your localhospital.

A breathing method called "pursed-lip breathing"may also help you. To do this, you take a deep breath and then breathe out slowlythrough your mouth while you hold your lips as if you're going to kiss someone.Pursed-lip breathing slows down the fast breathing that often comes withchronic bronchitis. It may help you feel better.

Complications

Whatare possible complications of chronic bronchitis?

Chronic bronchitis increases your risk of lung infections,so be sure to get a flu shot every year. Also, get a pneumococcal vaccinationevery 5 to 6 years to protect against pneumonia.

A note about vaccines

Sometimes the amount of a certain vaccine cannot keep up with the number of people who need it. More info...

Prevention

Whatcan I do to help my breathing and reduce my coughing?

If you smoke, the most important thing you can do is tostop. The more smoke you breathe in, the more it damages your lungs. If youstop smoking, you'll breathe better, you won't cough as much and your lungswill begin to heal. You'll also reduce your chance of getting lung cancer. Askyour doctor to help you stop smoking.

Try to avoid other things that can irritate your lungs, suchas aerosol products like hairspray, spray deodorant and spray paint. Also avoidbreathing in dust or chemical fumes. To protect your lungs, wear a mask overyour nose and mouth if you are using paint, paint remover, varnish or anythingelse with strong fumes.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

  • How do you know what's causing mychronic bronchitis?
  • What health risks are associated withchronic bronchitis?
  • Am I at risk for emphysema or chronicobstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
  • What medicines will help relieve mysymptoms?
  • What lifestyle changes should I make athome to help relieve my symptoms?
  • Is it safe for me to exercise? Whatkind of exercise should I do?
  • What vaccines do I need?

Source

Chronic Bronchitis: Primary Care Management by JM Heath, MD; R Mongia, MD (American Family Physician May 15, 1998, http://www.aafp.org/afp/980515ap/heath.html)

7/15/9