Different Types of Chronic Bronchitis - Essay Example

Different Types of Chronic Bronchitis Abstract Bronchitis refers to a severe infection of the lungs and bronchial tubes; the condition can become chronic due to inhalation of pollutants and cigarette smoking. There are two types of bronchitis, acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis is a bronchitis that is short-lived; it lasts about two weeks and people usually recover with no permanent damage. Its symptoms include coughs, wheezing, fever, chills and shortness of breath. Chronic bronchitis on the other hand is a more serious form of bronchitis. It is characterized by a cough that occurs every day with sputum production that lasts at least three months. People suffering from chronic bronchitis experience certain complications such as respiratory failure, pneumonia, dyspnea, emphysema and their mortality rates are higher. Chronic bronchitis can easily be prevented by not smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke, as well as pollutants such as too much dust. Many argue that the recurrent incidences of acute bronchitis can most definitely lead to the development of chronic bronchitis. Methods of treatment include use of steroids and bronchodilators, as well as PDE4 inhibitors. Alternative treatments include antibiotics, pulmonary rehabilitation, supplemental oxygen therapy, home remedies and over-the-counter cough suppressants. Keywords: Bronchitis, Acute Bronchitis, Chronic Bronchitis, Smoking Introduction According to the Marshall Cavendish Corporation, “bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, the main airways in the lungs” (2008, p. 128). Bronchitis can be acute or chronic. Chronic bronchitis is one of the major forms of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). It is more serious than acute bronchitis. According to Arcangelo and Peterson (2006) “chronic bronchitis is productive cough and sputum production for 3 months per year for at least 2 years, and an acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis is defined as worsening of respiratory symptoms such as cough, sputum and dyspnea” (p. 327). Arcangelo and Peterson (2006) add that chronic bronchitis may be caused by a number of abnormalities of the bronchial mucosa. Chronic bronchitis patients are vulnerable to respiratory infections. This is due to the irritating substances they inhale and due to the fact that the substances are chronic, they lead to impaired mucociliary clearance. As nonciliated metaplastic cells replace ciliated epithelium and the mucous secreting goblet cells become proliferated, the result is impaired mucociliary clearance (Arcangelo & Peterson, 2006). Chronic bronchitis mostly affects adults and it is mostly found in men than in women; this is due to the fact that men have a habit of smoking unlike women. There are several risk factors that people should put into consideration in order to understand the disease. First is that the most predominant cause of the disease is cigarette smoking which is a respiratory irritant. In fact, eighty to ninety percent of chronic bronchitis cases are as a result of cigarette smoking (Jacoby & Youngson, 2005). The number of cigarettes smoked and the age of a smoker are determinant factors in development of chronic bronchitis; this is because older smokers and those who smoke a lot of cigarettes in a day have higher chances of acquiring the illness. For those who quit smoking, chances of acquiring chronic bronchitis remain high, especially compared to nonsmokers; nevertheless, compared to a scenario where they could still be smokers, overall chances of acquiring the disease are reduced. Second, occupational dust, fumes and environmental pollution also contribute to the development of the disease. According to Arcangelo and Peterson (2006), “cold damp climates can provoke acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis; hypersecretion of mucus in patients with asthma has also been shown to yield symptoms of chronic bronchitis” (p. 327). Discussion Chronic bronchitis is a degenerative disease that has many causes. According to MedicineNet (2013), although there are many causes of chronic bronchitis, the primary cause is cigarette smoking. According to statistics, almost half of smokers develop chronic bronchitis while a quarter develop emphysema. Chronic bronchitis can also be caused by the inhalation of many other irritants for instance, solvents, industrial pollutants and smog. Chronic bronchitis may also be caused by bacterial and viral infections associated with acute bronchitis, especially in people who experience recurrent bouts after coming in contact with infectious agents. Chronic bronchitis may also develop as a result of intrinsic disease processes, such as acquired or congenital expansion of the bronchioles, genetic susceptibility to bronchitis especially in some families, deficiencies in the immune system, asthma, congestive heart failure and cystic fibrosis (MedicineNet, 2013). Chronic bronchitis clinically presents itself in three forms; simple, mucopurulent and obstructive chronic bronchitis (McConnell, 2007). Simple chronic bronchitis is characterized by hyper-secretion of mucus. For patients with this form of chronic bronchitis, their cough is productive. Mucopurulent chronic bronchitis is characterized by irregular or persistent mucopurulent sputum. Patients with this form of chronic bronchitis have sudden attacks of asthma-like wheezing. Obstructive chronic bronchitis is characterized by obstruction of airways. Patients with this form of chronic bronchitis consistently wheeze and their airways are obstructed. The symptoms of chronic bronchitis vary according to the duration and extent of infection. Symptoms include: Constant coughs and production of sputum. This is the most significant symptom of chronic bronchitis. These can occur every day and last for a minimum period of three months. The constancy and amount of sputum production and severity of coughing vary among patients. In regard to the color of sputum, it may be green, yellow, blood-tinged or clear. Shortness of breath, which is also known as Dyspnea. The more serious chronic bronchitis is, the more a patient experiences shortness of breath. Shortness of breath in infected patients usually occurs after they perform activities and this usually occurs together with coughing. Wheezing which results from partial obstruction of airways. People with chronic bronchitis often experience headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, nasal congestion and sore throats. Chest pains may result from severe coughing and when the symptoms become more frequent or serious, this condition is referred to as exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (MedicineNet, 2013). For chronic bronchitis diagnosis, health care professionals diagnose it based on the medical history and diagnostic tests of an individual. By diagnosing patients, health care professionals are able to detect airflow obstruction, which is signaled by prolonged exhalation during breathing, as well as wheezing. Treatment for chronic bronchitis is slow and continuous, especially given that it is more serious than acute bronchitis. Treatment helps in reducing symptoms of the disease and preventing complications. According to Rosdahl and Kowalski (2008), “untreated, the disease may progress until the bronchioles of the lungs are permanently damaged, or it may lead to asthma, emphysema, or heart failure” (p. 1314). According to MedicineNet (2013), avoiding any contact with second-hand tobacco smoke and ceasing smoking are the best treatments for chronic bronchitis. However, patients usually reject and ignore this prescription. For those who ignore the simple prescription, steroids and bronchodilators are used. Examples of bronchodilators include Anticholinergic drugs, salmeterol and albuterol (MedicineNet, 2013). salmeterol and albuterol expand the inner airways of the bronchioles by relaxing the smooth muscles that surround them. Steroids are designed to reduce inflammation on the bronchi. This in turn reduces the amount of secretions produced and swelling of the bronchioles leading to reduced obstruction of airways, hence better airflow. In cases of excessive mucus production and bronchitis, PDE4 inhibitors are used. There are other alternative treatments such as antibiotics, pulmonary rehabilitation which includes a combination of graded physical exercise and education, supplemental oxygen therapy, home remedies and over-the-counter cough suppressants, which may be helpful in reducing cough symptoms (MedicineNet, 2013). Conclusion Chronic bronchitis is a serious form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Due to the fact that the disease develops gradually, most people disregard a chronic cough, which is the most significant symptom of the disease. Chronic bronchitis can be highly evaded by simply avoiding any contact second-hand tobacco smoke and ceasing smoking of cigarettes. Majority should be encouraged to stop smoking as continuation will cause lung damage. Good control of asthma may also prevent chronic bronchitis from developing. Reference List Arcangelo, V. P. & Peterson, A. M. (Eds.). (2006). Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice: A Practical Approach, Volume 536. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Jacoby, D. B. & Youngson, R. M. (Eds.). (2005). Encyclopedia of Family Health. New York: Marshall Cavendish Corporation.  Marshall Cavendish Corporation. (2008). Diseases and Disorders, Volume 1. New York: Marshall Cavendish Corporation. McConnell, T. H. (2007). The Nature of Disease: Pathology for the Health Professions. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. MedicineNet. (2013).Chronic Bronchitis. Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/chronic_bronchitis/article.htm. Rosdahl, C. B. & Kowalski, M. T. (Eds.). (2008). Textbook of Basic Nursing. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.   Read More