Inflammation
Bronchitis stems from an inflammation of the bronchial tubes that bring air in and out of the lungs. Acute bronchitis can develop from the common cold or other respiratory infections. Chronic bronchitis is far more serious, resulting in constant irritation or inflammation to the bronchial tubes and is often caused by smoking. Acute bronchitis may last for only a few days, according to the Mayo Clinic. Repeated bouts with bronchitis may reveal you have chronic bronchitis. The cough from acute and chronic bronchitis can be accompanied by shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue, fever and chest discomfort. Treatment for bronchitis usually includes rest, the drinking of lots of fluids, using cough suppressants and taking aspirin. Antibiotics may be prescribed by your doctor to help clear up any viral infection.
Exposure
Other measures may be taken to speed up recovery from acute bronchitis or to control the symptoms of chronic bronchitis. These measures include avoiding exposure to irritants in the air, including tobacco smoke and using a humidifier in the room. The warm, moist air from a humidifier helps loosen mucus in the airways and relieves coughs. People most at risk for acute bronchitis include the elderly, infants and young children. Smokers and people with heart or lung disease are also at risk. Inhalers or other medications to reduce inflammation may be prescribed for people who have asthma or suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Breathing exercise programs are often recommended for people with chronic bronchitis. A respiratory therapist will help the patient learn to breath more easily and increase the ability to exercise. Taking deep breaths, then slowly breathing out through the mouth while pursing the lips is a technique that increases the air pressure in the airways.
Lung Damage
People with chronic bronchitis are advised to quit smoking. The damage to the lungs can be reversed if it is caught early enough. The chances for recovery are poor for patients with advanced chronic bronchitis. People who have had bouts of bronchitis should take measures for prevention. That includes no smoking, getting a yearly flu vaccine, reducing exposure to air pollution and washing hands frequently to reduce the chance of catching and spreading viruses. The goal of therapy for chronic bronchitis is to slow the progression of the disease, provide relief of symptoms and prevent complications, according to the University of California, San Francisco. Bronchodilator medications are used to relax and open the air passageways. Inhaled steroids can also be used to relieve symptoms, but can cause side effects over time, including high blood pressure and weakened bones. Oxygen therapy may be prescribed. Many patients with chronic bronchitis find it difficult to breath on their own. Different devices are used to provide oxygen and they can be used at home. Surgery may be necessary to remove small wedges of damaged lung tissue.
