Do you also have this cough and wheezing? Let's talk about bronchitis!

Do you feel like you've been coughing a little more these days? Maybe you've also been feeling a little nauseous. It's normal for us to feel a little scared at times like these. So today we're going to talk about a disease that is common among many people, but we need to be aware of it. That is bronchitis. Let's take a simple look at what it is, why it occurs, what are the symptoms, and how to take care of it.

What is bronchitis? Let's understand it very simply!

Simply put, bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, the large tubes that connect our lungs. These tubes are called bronchial tubes. Think of them as the airways that connect our windpipes and carry air to both lungs. Inside these tubes is a very thin membrane. This membrane produces a substance called mucus. This mucus helps to keep the respiratory system moist and to filter out dust and other foreign objects.

Now, this is what happens when bronchitis develops:

• The lining of the respiratory tract becomes swollen, red, and allergic.
• This makes it a little more difficult for air to enter and exit the lungs.
• That delicate membrane becomes more stimulated and starts producing more mucus than normal. This is why we cough and cough up mucus.

The main and most common symptom of bronchitis is a persistent cough .

There are two main types of bronchitis!

Yes, bronchitis can be divided into two main types. They are:

1. Acute Bronchitis

This is the type we see most often.

• This can start very suddenly.Sometimes symptoms may come back a little more often.
• But the good news is, this usually doesn't last more than a few weeks.
• Most of the time, acute bronchitis is caused by a viral infection. There are many types of viruses that can affect our respiratory system and infect these airways.
• Very rarely, some bacterial infections can also cause acute bronchitis.
• Many of us have probably had acute bronchitis at some point in our lives. Maybe you remember having a cold and then having a cough for a few days? It's like that.

2. Chronic Bronchitis

This is very rarely seen among children.

• Its symptoms can range from mild to severe. It can also last for a long time – from a few months to even years.
• The main and most powerful cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking .
• In this condition, the airways are continuously inflamed and irritated, resulting in a lot of mucus being produced over a long period of time.
• People with chronic bronchitis are at increased risk of developing bacterial infections of the lungs and respiratory system, such as pneumonia .

What are the symptoms of bronchitis?

Now let's see what symptoms appear when bronchitis develops. This may be slightly different from the two types mentioned earlier.

Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis:

It often starts with a dry, irritating cough caused by swelling of the lining of the airways. Later, symptoms such as:

• Coughing up thick, white, yellow, or sometimes green mucus.
• Feeling short of breath , like you're gasping for breath, like you're gasping for breath.
• Chest pain or tightness, a feeling of being squeezed .
• Weezing (Wheezing – This is a condition where you hear a "whooshing" or "whistling" sound from your chest when you breathe.
• Headache .
• Feeling of discomfort and lifelessness throughout the body.
• Fever and chills.

Symptoms of Chronic Bronchitis:

This is a little different.

• When you get common respiratory illnesses like colds and flu , it takes longer than usual to recover.
• Wheezing, shortness of breath , and coughing may occur almost every day .
• Breathing may gradually become more difficult over time.

Imagine, you have a friend who is constantly coughing and wheezing. Even if he gets a cold, it takes a long time to get better. That's what happens with chronic bronchitis.

Why do we get this disease called bronchitis?

Okay, now let's see what the reasons are for this.

Causes of Acute Bronchitis:

It is often caused by a virus. It can occur during or after a cold or other respiratory infection. Here are some ways this virus can be spread:

• When someone with bronchitis coughs or sneezes, droplets containing germs are released into the air. If someone nearby breathes in that air, the disease can spread.
• If you touch a surface contaminated with respiratory fluids (saliva, sputum, etc.) of an infected person and then touch your own mouth, eyes, or nose with that same hand.

Things that increase the risk of developing chronic bronchitis:

This is mainly influenced by our lifestyle and environment.

• Smoking: This is the main and most serious cause. Even smoking for a short period of time can increase the risk.
• Exposure to secondhand smoke:That means living in an environment where people smoke, even though you don't smoke.
• Long-term exposure to chemical fumes and other air pollutants: This risk is higher for people in certain workplaces or those living in areas with high air pollution.

Doctor, how do you accurately diagnose bronchitis?

If you think you have symptoms of bronchitis, it's best to see a doctor. This is how a doctor usually diagnoses the condition:

• First, they will examine you and ask about your symptoms.
• Then , the doctor will listen to your chest with a stethoscope. This will help you determine if there is any wheezing or if there is any tightness in your chest.

In most cases, no special tests are needed to confirm acute bronchitis. However, in some cases, your doctor may order the following tests:

• Chest X-ray: This is done to rule out other serious conditions, such as pneumonia.
• Sometimes a breathing test called spirometry may be done. This is to check for a condition like asthma. Because if some children frequently have bronchitis-like symptoms (coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing), it may actually be asthma.

What do we do for bronchitis? What are the treatments?

Well, now let's see how to treat this.

Doctors do not prescribe antibiotics for acute bronchitis caused by a virus.Remember, antibiotics only work against bacterial infections, not viruses.

Children and young adults with acute bronchitis often get better with home care. The doctor recommends the following:

• Drink plenty of fluids (water, soup, fruit juice, etc.). This will help thin the mucus and make it easier to cough up.
• Get plenty of rest. Giving your body rest helps it heal faster.

For older children or teenagers, the doctor may give you an over-the-counter cough syrup or a prescription cough medicine to reduce your cough .

Also, sometimes bronchodilators (also used for asthma) may be prescribed. These medications help to open up the airways, making it easier to breathe. These medications are usually given through an inhaler or a nebulizer.

Now, if someone has chronic bronchitis, they should stay as far away as possible from things that stimulate and irritate their airways.

• If someone smokes, they should stop completely. Remember, smoking is the cause of more than 80% of cases of chronic bronchitis.
• Smokers take longer than others to recover from acute bronchitis and other respiratory illnesses.

What can we do to prevent bronchitis?

“It’s better to prevent illness than to suffer from it after it occurs, right?” So, there are a few simple things we can do to protect ourselves from bronchitis:

• Wash your hands often and thoroughly: This can help prevent the spread of many of the germs that cause bronchitis, especially during cold and flu season. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If anyone in your family smokes, encourage them to quit. It's good for their health , as well as yours .
• Protect children from secondhand smoke, regardless of whether they have bronchitis or not. This smoke increases their risk of viral infections and increased mucus in the respiratory tract.

Most Important: Things to Remember (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so we've talked a lot about bronchitis today. In conclusion, here are some of the most important things you need to remember:

• Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways. The main symptom is a cough.
• Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus and will resolve in a few weeks. Drink plenty of water and rest.
• Chronic bronchitis is long-term, and the main cause is smoking. It is essential to avoid smoking.
• Antibiotics are ineffective for bronchitis caused by viruses.
• If the cough does not subside after several days, if you have difficulty breathing, or if you have a high fever, be sure to see a doctor.
• Stay away from smoking and cigarette smoke.
• Wash your hands often.

Remember, your health is in your hands. It is very important to be aware of these symptoms, seek timely treatment, and take steps to protect yourself from diseases. If you have any concerns, don't be afraid to talk to a doctor.

Good health to you all!