Chronic bronchitis etiology

Written by Wang Xiang Yu

Pulmonology

Updated on September 01, 2024

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The etiology of chronic bronchitis is not very clear at present, and it is now believed to be caused by the long-term interaction of various factors. The most closely related factors are harmful gases or particles that act on the respiratory tract for a long time, causing damage to some structures of the respiratory tract, such as cigarette smoke, fumes, dust, irritating gases, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc. These physicochemical factors cause damage to the airways. Additionally, some infectious agents, such as bacteria, mycoplasma, or viral infections, along with some immune-related factors, are believed to play a certain role in the development of chronic bronchitis.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu

Pulmonology

3min 18sec

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How to treat chronic bronchitis?

How to treat chronic bronchitis, first of all we need to know that chronic bronchitis can be divided into two phases, one is the remission phase, the other is the acute exacerbation phase. Since most patients are in the remission phase most of the time, that is, their symptoms of cough and expectoration are relatively stable, more or less the same every day, with no significant change in the amount and nature of the sputum, no purulent sputum, no significant increase in sputum, and no fever or other symptoms of infection. In such cases, the first step in treating chronic bronchitis patients is to target some possible causes of their condition, such as smokers must quit smoking. Most chronic bronchitis patients experience some relief in cough and expectoration after quitting smoking. Furthermore, some patients' chronic bronchitis may be due to exposure to dust or irritant gases. It is crucial to avoid contact with these harmful gases as much as possible. In addition, patients in a stable condition should engage in physical exercise, enhance their physical fitness, and prevent colds. Some chronic bronchitis patients who frequently suffer from respiratory infections can consider using immunomodulators or some traditional Chinese medicine to regulate immunity and enhance resistance. Additionally, since chronic bronchitis can acutely exacerbate, which means the patient’s condition has changed, their cough and expectoration frequency may increase, the amount of sputum may increase, or there may be some purulent sputum, or fever and other symptoms. In such cases, the primary treatment may still be infection control, commonly using antimicrobial drugs, often referred to as anti-inflammatory drugs. The types of anti-inflammatory drugs are numerous, the most common ones include penicillin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, amoxicillin, and some cephalosporins. In such cases, it is necessary to choose medication under the guidance of a doctor. Additionally, in these situations where the patient’s cough and expectoration are worsened, and sputum increases, medications for cough suppression and expectoration, commonly known as expectorants and cough relievers, are also needed. There are some proprietary Chinese medicines, such as licorice preparations, and Western medicines such as bromhexine and ambroxol as well. Moreover, a very small portion of patients may experience wheezing, meaning some patients might also have symptoms like chest tightness and shortness of breath. In such cases, it would be necessary to use bronchodilators under the guidance of a doctor, such as theophylline or doxophylline, and these medications must be used under medical supervision.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu

Pulmonology

2min 27sec

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Is chronic bronchitis treatable?

Chronic bronchitis exists, but before treating it, we must first have a correct understanding of the disease. Chronic bronchitis is a long-term illness that can have a slow onset and may last for decades, with the possibility of acute exacerbations throughout one's life. Moreover, there is no cure for chronic bronchitis yet. Currently, the treatment for patients with chronic bronchitis mainly depends on the stage of the disease and its symptoms. Most of the time, patients are in the remission phase. The primary treatment during this phase involves addressing risk factors. For instance, patients who smoke must quit smoking, as most patients experience significant relief from cough and phlegm after quitting. Additionally, patients with a history of dust exposure or harmful gas exposure should avoid further contact as much as possible. Furthermore, when the condition is stable, patients may engage in physical exercise to improve their physical condition and prevent colds. A small number of patients may experience respiratory infections and repeated aggravations, in which case, consider using immunomodulators or traditional Chinese medicine as adjunctive therapies. Patients with chronic bronchitis may experience acute exacerbations of their condition, meaning an increase in cough and phlegm, or the appearance of purulent sputum that is difficult to expectorate. In these cases, the main treatment method is still anti-infection therapy. Commonly used anti-infection medications include quinolones, macrolides, and cephalosporins. Some patients may experience frequent and severe cough and phlegm, and have difficulty expectorating the mucus. In such cases, mucolytic and cough suppressant medications are required for symptomatic treatment, commonly using drugs such as ambroxol, bromhexine, and eucalyptus menthol. A few patients may also experience wheezing, known as asthmatic bronchitis, which may require the use of anti-asthmatic medications such as aminophylline and various nebulized medications. (Note: The use of specific medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu

Pulmonology

1min 18sec

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How to cure chronic bronchitis completely?

At present, there is no cure for chronic bronchitis, and most treatments are mainly aimed at alleviating its symptoms. The treatment is mainly divided into two parts, one is the treatment during the acute exacerbation phase, which means that if a patient with chronic bronchitis experiences acute worsening of symptoms such as coughing and expectoration, or if accompanied by wheezing, fever, etc., then the main treatment methods might include anti-infection measures, expectorants to relieve cough, or treatments to alleviate wheezing. Most patients with chronic bronchitis are likely in the remission phase most of the time, and the primary treatment during this phase is initially to address factors that might trigger chronic bronchitis, such as insisting that patients who smoke quit smoking, and for those who have been exposed to dust or smoke, it is crucial to resolve triggering factors and avoid contact with harmful gases or inhalation of harmful particles. The next step is to enhance physical fitness and prevent colds. Chronic bronchitis patients can engage in appropriate physical exercise based on their condition, and those who suffer from long-term recurrent infections might consider pursuing immunotherapy.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu

Pulmonology

1min 31sec

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Chronic bronchitis chest X-ray manifestations

Patients with chronic bronchitis may have completely normal chest X-rays or lung CT scans in the early stages, meaning that if a patient exhibits symptoms of chronic bronchitis, such as coughing and expectorating for more than three months continuously or over two consecutive years, they can still be diagnosed with chronic bronchitis even if their chest X-ray appears normal. Additionally, as chronic bronchitis progresses over time, some patients may develop thickening of the bronchial walls or interstitial inflammation in the small bronchioles and alveoli, etc. These conditions can manifest on chest X-rays as coarse, disordered lung textures in a net-like or strip-like pattern, or as patchy shadows, which are generally more evident in the lower fields of both lungs. Observing these changes on a chest X-ray can assist in diagnosing chronic bronchitis. Furthermore, as the disease progresses, some patients with chronic bronchitis may develop into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary heart disease, and corresponding changes might be observable on chest X-rays. Additionally, patients with chronic bronchitis often experience acute exacerbations or concurrent infections, which may lead to patchy exudates visible on the chest wall.

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Written by Hu Bai Yu

Pulmonology

1min 31sec

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Chronic Bronchitis Clinical Characteristics

Chronic bronchitis often presents with symptoms of coughing, which are long-term, recurrent, and progressively worsen. Coughing is a very prominent manifestation of this condition. For mild cases, symptoms typically flare up during the winter and spring seasons, especially noticeable upon waking in the morning, with less coughing during the day. In the summer and fall, the coughing may lessen or disappear. In severe cases, patients may experience coughing throughout the year. It's crucial to take note and, under a doctor's guidance, use corresponding anti-inflammatory and anti-infection medications, along with cough suppressants and expectorants to alleviate symptoms. Another characteristic is the presence of phlegm, typically white mucous sputum or serous foamy sputum. It's advised to use expectorants for treatment. During treatment, avoid smoking and alcohol, and maintain a light diet. Additionally, if there are symptoms of asthma or wheezing, it may be necessary to take medications to alleviate these symptoms. (Note: The answer is for reference only; medication should be administered under the guidance of a professional physician and should not be taken blindly.)