Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs, which are responsible for transporting oxygen to and from the lungs, causing symptoms such as dry cough or phlegm, wheezing, fever and shortness of breath.
Bronchitis can be caused by respiratory infections, such as a cold, flu or COVID-19, as in the case of acute bronchitis, or smoking, exposure to dust, pollen or air pollution, in the case of chronic bronchitis.
If bronchitis is suspected, it is recommended to consult a pulmonologist so that a complete evaluation can be carried out and treatment can be recommended, which may include the use of medication, such as bronchodilators, antibiotics, corticosteroids or antitussives.
Bronchitis symptoms
The main symptoms of a bronchitis crisis are:
- Dry cough or phlegm;
- Clear, yellow or green phlegm, which may also contain blood, in some cases;
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
- Chest pain;
- Wheezing in the chest when breathing;
- Low fever;
- Tiredness.
In the case of acute bronchitis, the person may also experience symptoms similar to a cold or sinusitis, such as sore throat, runny nose, head or body pain, and blocked nose. Learn about other symptoms of bronchitis.
Symptoms of childhood bronchitis
Symptoms of childhood bronchitis may include a dry cough or cough with mucus, vomiting, runny nose, back and chest pain, irritability, low-grade fever and chills, and sore throat.
Online symptom test
If you want to assess your risk of bronchitis, select the symptoms shown in the following test:
This test should only be used to identify the possible risk of bronchitis and, therefore, should not replace consultation with the doctor, who is responsible for confirming the diagnosis and indicating appropriate treatment.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of bronchitis is made by a pulmonologist based on the person’s symptoms, health history and physical examination during the consultation, which includes the assessment of oxygen saturation, heart rate, temperature and respiratory rate.
If you want to confirm your risk of bronchitis, make an appointment with the pulmonologist closest to you:
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To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will also request imaging tests, such as a chest X-ray, sputum test, blood test, spirometry or lung function test, to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as flu, whooping cough and pneumonia.
Possible causes
The most common cause of bronchitis, especially acute bronchitis, is infections caused by viruses, such as flu, colds and COVID-19, or by a bacterial infection, which can increase the volume of the bronchi and the production of more phlegm, decreasing the airflow into the lungs and making breathing difficult.
Smoking is another common cause of bronchitis, because exposure to cigarette smoke causes constant irritation in the bronchi, leading to the development of chronic bronchitis. Furthermore, exposure to dust, pollen or air pollution can trigger allergic and chronic bronchitis.
Is bronchitis contagious?
Bronchitis is contagious when it is caused by viruses or bacteria, as in the case of the acute form of the disease. Chronic and allergic bronchitis are not contagious.
Types of bronchitis
The types of bronchitis vary mainly depending on the cause and duration of this condition, including:
- Acute bronchitis: It is usually caused by inflammation of the airways caused by infections such as cold, flu, respiratory syncytial virus or COVID-19. This type of bronchitis lasts up to 2 weeks;
- Chronic bronchitis: This type of bronchitis is mainly caused by smoking and the symptoms last for 3 months or more during the year.
In addition, there is also allergic bronchitis, an inflammation in the airways caused by exposure to substances such as pollen, dust mites, animal hair or mold, for example, causing coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, excess mucus and discomfort in the chest. chest.
How the treatment is carried out
Acute bronchitis usually improves without treatment within a few weeks. However, in some cases, the pulmonologist may recommend the use of medications, physiotherapy, diet, oxygen therapy and home remedies.
1. Medicines
Some medications that may be prescribed by your doctor are:
- Analgesicssuch as dipyrone or paracetamol, to relieve fever;
- Anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, for headaches and body aches and reduce bronchial inflammation. However, ibuprofen or other types of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should not be taken by people who have asthma, as it can worsen symptoms;
- syrups, such as guaifenesin, ambroxol, dextromethorphan and clobutinol, to reduce dry cough and help eliminate phlegm. Check out other syrups for bronchitis;
- Mucolyticssuch as acetylcysteine or bromhexine, to make phlegm more fluid, facilitating its elimination;
- Antibiotics for cases of bronchitis caused by bacteria;
Furthermore, in case of chronic bronchitis, the doctor may also recommend the use of bronchodilators such as salbutamol or ipratropium bromide, to open the bronchi and facilitate breathing, and corticosteroids that can be used orally or in pumps, to control inflammation. of the bronchi.
Read too: 8 remedies for bronchitis (what to take and home options)
2. Physiotherapy
In some cases, especially chronic bronchitis, the doctor may recommend physiotherapy sessions to help increase breathing capacity and eliminate secretions, through manual techniques, use of breathing devices and breathing exercises.
3. Diet
During the bronchitis diet, it is recommended to prioritize foods rich in zinc, vitamin A and vitamin C, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that strengthen the immune system, helping to reduce the duration and prevent bronchitis attacks. Find out what your bronchitis diet should be like.
4. Oxygen therapy
Oxygen therapy is a treatment that consists of administering oxygen through a catheter, mask or cannula, when blood oxygen levels are low, to ensure oxygenation of the body’s tissues, helping you breathe better.
Read too: Oxygen therapy: what it is, types, what it is for and care
5. Home remedies
Some home remedies, such as guaco tea, watercress syrup with pineapple and ginger tea, may be recommended to complement the treatment of bronchitis. This is because these home remedies have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and expectorant properties, relieving coughs and diluting secretions.
Read too: 10 home remedies for bronchitis
Care during treatment
Some precautions that are important during the treatment of bronchitis are:
- Take medications at the correct times as advised by your doctor;
- Do not smoke to reduce bronchial irritation;
- Rest;
- Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, juices and teas, to thin the phlegm, making it easier to eliminate.
Additionally, you can also use a humidifier or breathe in water vapor while showering to help dilute and eliminate phlegm.
Is bronchitis curable?
Acute bronchitis has a cure. Chronic bronchitis has no cure, however, treatment helps to alleviate the symptoms of this condition, slow the progress of the disease and improve the person’s quality of life.
How to prevent bronchitis
Some tips that help prevent bronchitis are:
- Quit smoking;
- Avoid exposure to smoke, air pollution and cigarette smoke from other people;
- Get the flu and COVID-19 vaccine;
- Maintain a healthy diet.
In addition, it is also recommended to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
