Bronchitis

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What Is Bronchitis?
Bronchitis (pronounced: bron-kite-uss) is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, the airways that connect the trachea (windpipe) to the lungs. This delicate, mucus-producing lining covers and protects the respiratory system, the organs and tissues involved in breathing. When a person has bronchitis, it may be harder for air to pass in and out of her lungs than it normally would. 

When you breathe in, small, bristly hairs near the openings of your nostrils filter out bits of dust, pollen, and other airborne particles. Bits that slip through become attached to the mucous membrane, which has tiny, hair-like structures called cilia (pronounced: sill-ee-ya) on its surface. 

Under a microscope, cilia look like wheat swaying in the wind. The cilia move rhythmically back and forth, creating an upward current that directs the trapped particles up through the trachea (windpipe) and into the throat. When you swallow, most germs that have gotten this far are transported to the stomach, where they die or pass harmlessly out of the body. But sometimes germs get through the cilia and other defense systems in the respiratory tract and can cause illness. 

Bronchitis can be acute or chronic. An acute medical condition comes on quickly and can cause severe symptoms, but lasts only a short time (no longer than a few weeks). Acute bronchitis is most often caused by one of a number of viruses that can infect the respiratory tract and attack the bronchial tubes. Infection by certain bacteria can also cause acute bronchitis. Most people have acute bronchitis at some point in their lives.

Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, can be mild to severe and is longer lasting - from several months to years. With chronic bronchitis the bronchial tubes continue to be inflamed and irritated over time. Many people who have chronic bronchitis are smokers - in fact, 80% to 90% of chronic bronchitis is due to smoking.

People who have chronic bronchitis are more susceptible to bacterial infections of the airway and lungs, like pneumonia. Pneumonia is more common among smokers and kids who are exposed to secondhand smoke. 

What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
Acute bronchitis often starts with a dry, irritating cough that is triggered by the inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes. Other symptoms may include:

• cough that brings up thick white, yellow, or greenish mucus 
• headache 
• generally feeling ill 
• chills 
• fever (usually mild) 
• shortness of breath 
• soreness or a feeling of tightness in the chest 
• wheezing (a whistling or hissing sound with breathing)

Chronic bronchitis is most common in smokers, although people who have repeated episodes of acute bronchitis sometimes develop it. Except for chills and fever, a person with chronic bronchitis has most of the symptoms of acute bronchitis on most days of the month, for months or years. 

A person with chronic bronchitis often takes longer than usual to recover from colds and other common respiratory illnesses. Wheezing, shortness of breath, and cough may become a part of daily life. Breathing can become increasingly difficult.

People with asthma can have bouts of bronchitis that may come on suddenly in which they have chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, and difficulty exhaling (breathing out). In a severe episode of asthmatic bronchitis, the airways can become so narrowed and clogged that breathing is very difficult.

What Causes Bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses, and it may occur with or following a cold or other respiratory infection. These germs can be spread from person to person by coughing or when one person touches respiratory fluids from an infected person and then touches her mouth, nose, or eyes. 

This is why hand washing helps to prevent the spread of many of the germs that cause bronchitis - especially during cold and flu season. Being around tobacco smoke, chemical fumes, and other air pollutants for long periods of time puts a person at risk for developing chronic bronchitis. 

Some kids and teens who seem to have repeated bouts of bronchitis with coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath may actually have asthma.