Bronchitis

Bronchitis

Bronchitis affects roughly 8.6 million people in the US alone. There are 2 types of Bronchitis and each one is deadly in its own right. It is an acute lung disease that causes a build up of mucus in the lungs. It kills about 457 per every 100,000 people which is roughly .5% of the population. In this article, the details of the two most common types of bronchitis will be covered.

Acute Bronchitis

Acute Bronchitis, otherwise known as a chest cold, happens when the airways of the lungs expand and produce mucus. This causes a disturbance in breathing and leads to fits of coughing and asthma. It is temporary and lasts for about 3 weeks. A viral infection is commonly one of the causes of acute bronchitis. Most of the time, they are the same viruses that cause colds and the flu. It can also be caused by inhaling small particles that irritate the respiratory system. Dusts, allergies, and powerful fumes, like cigarette smoke and factory fumes, are examples of these. Acute bronchitis can also happen to individuals who have chronic sinusitis, allergies, or swollen tonsils and adenoids. It can be fatal in persons who have lung or heart illness. Pneumonia is another type of side effect that could be fatal. Acute bronchitis is usually treated within the body without any sort of medical intervention needed. Some shots can be taken to lessen symptoms and to prevent it from happening again.

Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is long-term inflammation of the bronchi, which are the airways of the lung. It is common among smokers or other people who have used vapes, etc. People with chronic bronchitis have weaker lungs and their lungs get infected much easier compared to the lungs of a healthy individual. Sometimes, they have periods of acute bronchitis where their symptoms get much worse than normal. Chronic bronchitis is described as having a cough for at least a quarter of the year for 2 years in a row. Chronic Bronchitis, unlike Acute Bronchitis, isn't caused by a virus or bacteria. It is instead caused by smoking with air pollution and the environment playing a significant factor as well. It can be treated by quitting smoking and staying away from smoke in general.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bronchitis is a lung disease which leads to congested airways and patients have trouble breathing. Bronchitis leads to a buildup of mucus in the lungs and can lead to coughing with or without phlegm. The number of cases of bronchitis has increased over the course of the decade and it is speculated to increase even further. One of the main reasons for this is due to the increasing pollution and chain smokers.