Bronchitis causes
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Bronchitis Main page |
Overview
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi (medium-size airways) in the lungs. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and may present as cough with sputum that last several days or weeks (10 days). Other symptoms like shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and sore throat can also be found. Chronic bronchitis is not necessarily caused by infection and is generally part of a syndrome called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); it is defined clinically as a persistent cough that produces sputum (phlegm) and mucus, for at least three months in two consecutive years. In late stages, the disease may present with blue discoloration of body (cyanosis) and difficulty in breathing (dyspnea).Bronchitis can be caused by different sources for instance, air pollutant, allergies and Infections with these agents like (Respiratory syncytial (sin-SIH-shull)virus (RSV), Adenovirus, Influenza, Parainfluenza
Causes
Acute bronchitis generally follows a viral respiratory infection. At first, it affects your nose, sinuses, and throat and then spreads to the lungs. Sometimes, you may get another (secondary) bacterial infection in the airways. This means that bacteria infect the airways, in addition to the virus.
Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition. People have a cough that produces excessive mucus. To be diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, you must have a cough with mucus most days of the month for at least 3 months.
Chronic bronchitis is one type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD for short. (Emphysema is another type of COPD.
The following things can make bronchitis worse:
- Air pollution (Pollutants (airborne chemicals or irritants))
- Allergies
- Certain occupations (such as coal mining, textile manufacturing, or grain handling)
- Infections (Respiratory syncytial (sin-SIH-shull)virus (RSV), Adenovirus, Influenza, Parainfluenza)
References