Bronchitis
Bronchitis: inflammation of one or more bronchi
Bronchus: one of the larger passages conveying air to and within the lungs
Chronic Bronchitis: Excessive mucus production with productive cough for at least 3 months a year for 2 successive years. Only a minority of patients with the clinical syndrome of chronic bronchitis develop significant airway obstruction.
Cause: Severitly of disease related to amount and duration of smoking; respiratory infection exacerbates symptoms; Allergies; Pollutants
Hypertrophy ( enlargement or overgrowth) and hyperplasia ( abnormal increase in the number of normal cells in normal arrangement )of bronchial mucous glands
Wide spread inflammation
Distortion
Narrowing of airways, and mucus within the airways produce resistance
in small airways and cause severe ventilation perfusion imbalance
Symptoms:
Wheezing
Coughing
Shortness of breath
Dyspnea (difficulty breathing)
Chronic Bronchitis:
Insidious onset, with productive cough and exertional dyspnea
Colds associated with increased sputum production and worsening dyspnea that take progressively longer to resolve; copious sputum (gray, white, or yellow in color)
Weight gain from edema ( abnormal accumulation of fluid in intercellular spaces of the body)
Cyanosis (a bluish discoloration of skin)
Tachypnea (rapid respiration)
Wheezing
Prolong expiratory time
Use of accessory muscles of respiration
Treatment:
Antibiotic therapy - for infections
Bronchodilators - to relieve bronchospasm and facilitate mucocillary clearance
Adequate fluid intake and chest physiotherapy to mobilize secretions
Ultrasonic or mechanical nebulizer treatments to loosen secretions and aid in mobilization
Occasionally Corticosteroids
Diuretics for edema
Oxygen for hypoxemia (deficient oxygenation of the blood)
Avoidance of smoking and air pollutants
Latest Article: Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis: An irreversible condition marked by chronic abnormal dilation of bronchi and destruction of bronchial walls, this disorder can occur throughout the tracheobronchial tree or can be confined to one segment or lobe. It is usually bilateral, involving the basilar segments of the lower lobes. Bronchiectasis has three forms: Cylindrical...