What Helps When You Have Bronchitis?

Bronchitisrefers to the inflammation of the air-carrying tubes in thelungs(bronchioles). The condition is often associated with persistent, naggingcoughswithmucus. The condition often starts as an infection of the nose, throat, ears, or sinuses that later moves to the bronchi.

Bronchitiscan be acute or chronic:

• Acute bronchitis: It is a short-term condition. It is usually caused by a viral infection.Smokingmay initiate or worsen the symptoms. Bacterial infection may occasionally cause acutebronchitis. Acute bronchitis usually goes away in a week or two. The symptoms may at times last for three weeks.
• 慢性支气管炎: It is less common compared with acute bronchitis. It is defined ascoughproductive of sputum, lasting for three months of the year for at least two consecutive years. It may block the airflow in the lungs and is classified as a type ofchronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseorCOPD. Chronic bronchitis may begin ascoughand inflammation caused by arespiratory infectionor illness, exposure to tobacco smoke, or other irritants in the air.

Bronchitis is usually caused by viral infections. It may occasionally result due tobacterial infections. Certain conditions such asasthmaandobesitymay make a person more likely to get bronchitis.

Smokers更有可能得到支气管炎。风险是relatively higher in female smokers than in male smokers.

A history of childhood lung diseases is associated with a high risk of bronchitis.

Exposure to environmental pollutants, dust, and second-hand smoke increases the risk of bronchitis.

People who haveallergies,gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD, a type of digestive disorder that occurs when acidic stomach juices or food and fluids back up from the stomach into the food pipe), or a family history of bronchitis are more likely to get bronchitis.

The commonest symptom of bronchitis is a persistent cough with mucus production. Other symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Feverthat is usually low grade
• Wheezing(a high-pitched, coarse whistling sound when a person breathes)
• Feeling sick or having alack of energy
• Chest discomfort orpain

Acute bronchitis may becontagiousbecause it is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. You may get the infection from the affected person when they sneeze or cough. You may also get the infection if you touch a contaminated object and then touch your face without washing your hands.

慢性支气管炎is usually not contagious because it results from a long-term irritation of the airways.