Bronchitis, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications
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| Bronchitis, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications |
Bronchitis is irritation or inflammation of the walls of the bronchial tubes, the tubes that carry air from the throat to the lungs. Bronchitis can occur in a matter of days, weeks, even months.
Bronchitis is usually characterized by coughing, which is sometimes accompanied by the discharge of phlegm or mucus due to irritation of the bronchial walls. Bronchitis that worsens and is not treated is at risk of causing pneumonia and bronchopneumonia, which is characterized by chest pain, fever, and decreased consciousness.
In general, bronchitis is divided into two types, namely:
1. Acute bronchitis
Acute bronchitis generally lasts 10–14 days. However, people with acute bronchitis can have a cough for up to 3 weeks. Acute bronchitis can happen to anyone, but is more common in children under 5 years of age.
2. Chronic bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis usually lasts for 3 months or occurs several times over 2 years. Chronic bronchitis is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Bronchitis is more common in adults aged 40 years and over.
Symptoms and Causes of Bronchitis
A common symptom of bronchitis is a cough, which can be accompanied by fever, shortness of breath, and a sore throat. In severe cases, coughing can cause chest pain or loss of consciousness.
Causes of bronchitis are divided into two, namely infectious and non-infectious. Bronchitis due to infection can be viral or bacterial. While the causes of non-infectious bronchitis include smoking and exposure to dust or pollution.
In addition, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing bronchitis, including a weak immune system and frequent exposure to harmful substances, such as ammonia.
Bronchitis Treatment and Prevention
Bronchitis treatment is by taking cough medicine with phlegm. In addition, patients are also advised to drink lots of water and get enough rest to help the recovery process.
Bronchitis can be prevented by not smoking, always washing hands after every activity, and always wearing a mask to avoid exposure to harmful compounds.
Causes of Bronchitis
Bronchitis occurs when the bronchi become inflamed. This condition causes the airways to narrow and fill with mucus. The mucus or phlegm collects due to the immune system's response to capture infectious and non-infectious substances that cause bronchitis.
Mucus that collects in the bronchi over time will clog the airways, causing symptoms of shortness of breath. As a result, coughing will occur in response to the patient's body to expel mucus in the airways.
Bronchitis is divided into acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis, as described below:
Acute Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is generally caused by an infection in the bronchi. This infection is most often caused by a virus that causes acute respiratory infections (ARI), such as rhinovirus. Acute bronchitis occurs when ARI does not heal and spreads to the bronchi.
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is caused by long-term inflammation in the bronchi due to exposure to chemicals or cigarette smoke. This condition triggers an inflammatory reaction, which is characterized by the production of mucus in the bronchial walls.
A person who has a smoking habit will experience a continuous inflammatory reaction. This can cause the bronchi to narrow and harden.
Bronchitis Risk Factors
Several factors can increase a person's risk of suffering from bronchitis, namely:
- Smoking or frequent exposure to secondhand smoke (passive smoking)
- Under 5 years old or over 40 years old
- Not getting the influenza or pneumonia vaccine
- Frequent exposure to harmful substances, such as dust, ammonia, or chlorine
- Have a weak immune system, for example due to an autoimmune disease or cancer
- Have other conditions, such as acid reflux disease (GERD)
Symptoms of Bronchitis
The most common symptom of bronchitis is a cough. Cough experienced can be a dry cough or phlegm. In coughing up phlegm, the phlegm that comes out can be white, yellow, or green.
In addition to coughing, people with bronchitis may also experience other symptoms, such as:
- Fever
- Shivering
- Weak
- Hard to breathe
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Breath sounds
- Chest pain when coughing
Symptoms other than cough usually subside within a week, but coughing can persist for weeks or even months afterward.
When to go to the doctor
Generally, the symptoms of acute bronchitis only last for a few weeks. Therefore, consult a doctor if you experience serious symptoms such as:
- Cough lasts more than 3 weeks
- Cough disturbs sleep
- Coughing up blood or dark phlegm
- Fever for more than 3 days with a temperature of 38°C or more
- There is an underlying disease, such as asthma, heart failure, or emphysema
- Cough sounds harsh and cause difficulty speaking
- Cough causes chest pain
- Weight loss for no reason
In general, the above complaints can also be a sign of other conditions, such as asthma, heart problems, cancer, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, do an examination to the doctor to determine the condition suffered and determine the appropriate treatment method.
Bronchitis Diagnosis
Diagnosis begins by asking the patient's symptoms, risk factors, and overall medical history. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination, especially a chest examination. The doctor will also listen to the patient's lung sounds using a stethoscope.
Next, the doctor will perform a series of laboratory tests, namely:
- Blood gas analysis, to determine the oxygen level in the patient's blood
- Blood tests, to detect signs of infection
- Pulmonary function tests, to detect emphysema or asthma, by having the patient inhale and exhale on a spirometer
- Chest X-ray, to see the condition of the patient's heart and lungs
- Sputum examination, to identify the type of bacteria that causes bronchitis
Bronchitis Treatment
Treatment of bronchitis depends on the severity and condition of the patient. In acute or mild bronchitis, symptoms generally subside on their own within a few weeks. However, your doctor may prescribe medication to relieve symptoms, such as:
- Fever and pain relievers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Antitussive or expectorant medications to relieve cough, such as codeine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin, and erdosteine
Meanwhile, to treat bronchitis that is classified as severe, the doctor will prescribe other drugs, in the form of:
- Antibiotics, to treat bronchitis caused by bacterial infections
- Corticosteroids, to relieve symptoms of rapidly worsening bronchitis, especially in chronic bronchitis
- Bronchodilators, to treat shortness of breath by widening the airways
Patients can also make independent efforts to relieve symptoms. Some of the ways this can be done are:
- Drink 8-12 glasses of water per day
- Get enough rest
- Inhaling warm water vapor, to relieve coughs and thin the mucus in the respiratory tract to make it easier to expel
- Avoid cigarette smoke and don't smoke
- Wear a mask when doing activities outside the home, to avoid exposure to harmful substances
Bronchitis Complications
The most common complication experienced by people with bronchitis is pneumonia. This condition is characterized by the following symptoms:
- High fever, sweating and chills
- Chest pain when breathing or coughing
- Cough with phlegm
- Hard to breathe
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Dazed to the point of loss of consciousness
If bronchitis has progressed to this stage, complications that can occur as a result of pneumonia include:
- Blood stream infection (bacteremia)
- Lung abscess
- Purulent lungs (empyema)
- Accumulation of fluid in the lining of the lungs (pleural effusion)
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
There are several efforts that can be done to reduce the risk of developing bronchitis, namely:
- Do not smoke or inhale secondhand smoke.
- Avoid exposure to harmful substances or air pollution by always wearing a mask.
- Get enough rest, especially if you have a cough, runny nose, or fever.
- Take medication as directed by the doctor.
- Eat a balanced nutritious diet.
- Keep clean and always wash your hands with soap and running water after every activity.
- Avoid sharing personal items, especially eating and drinking utensils, with other people.
- Get vaccinated against flu and pneumonia.
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