Subscribe
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis chest X-ray manifestations
Patients with chronic bronchitis may have completely normal chest X-rays or lung CT scans in the early stages, meaning that if a patient exhibits symptoms of chronic bronchitis, such as coughing and expectorating for more than three months continuously or over two consecutive years, they can still be diagnosed with chronic bronchitis even if their chest X-ray appears normal. Additionally, as chronic bronchitis progresses over time, some patients may develop thickening of the bronchial walls or interstitial inflammation in the small bronchioles and alveoli, etc. These conditions can manifest on chest X-rays as coarse, disordered lung textures in a net-like or strip-like pattern, or as patchy shadows, which are generally more evident in the lower fields of both lungs. Observing these changes on a chest X-ray can assist in diagnosing chronic bronchitis. Furthermore, as the disease progresses, some patients with chronic bronchitis may develop into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary heart disease, and corresponding changes might be observable on chest X-rays. Additionally, patients with chronic bronchitis often experience acute exacerbations or concurrent infections, which may lead to patchy exudates visible on the chest wall.
Chronic bronchitis auscultation characteristics
Most patients with chronic bronchitis, for the most part, show no abnormalities upon lung auscultation. This means their breath sounds are relatively clear, without diminished or enhanced breath sounds, nor any dry or wet rales typically heard. This is the case for the majority of patients; however, a small number of patients during acute exacerbations might present with some dry or wet rales at the back or the base of the lungs. Moreover, these rales may disappear after the patient coughs, indicating that in chronic bronchitis, the sounds heard upon auscultation can change and are not constantly present. You might hear dry or wet rales one moment, and after the patient coughs or receives treatment, these sounds could potentially alleviate. Additionally, if a patient with chronic bronchitis starts to wheeze or develops asthma, they might exhibit sounds such as wheezing or prolonged expiration.
Chronic bronchitis radical cure medication
First, we still need to know what chronic bronchitis is. The medical definition of chronic bronchitis is chronic non-specific inflammation of the trachea, bronchial mucosa, and surrounding tissues. Here, we emphasize the chronic process, and the diagnostic criteria generally require that the condition persists for more than three months each year, for two consecutive years or more. Since the definition of the disease strongly emphasizes the chronic process, we must understand this disease and accept this fact. The symptoms of chronic bronchitis can last a long time and may recur throughout a person's life. So far, we have not found a cure for chronic bronchitis. Therefore, patients with chronic bronchitis do not need to believe those false advertisements, nor should they pursue a cure for chronic bronchitis and use antibiotics long-term, as these are not advisable approaches.
Can chronic bronchitis be treated?
Chronic bronchitis, commonly known as "chronic obstructive bronchitis," is treatable. The primary symptoms of chronic bronchitis are coughing and expectoration. If the disease occurs for more than three months each year, for two consecutive years, while excluding other organic diseases, chronic bronchitis can be diagnosed. Treatment for chronic bronchitis is divided into two parts. During acute exacerbations, which typically present with worsened coughing and expectoration, increased sputum volume, or the presence of purulent sputum and possibly accompanied by wheezing and fever, the main treatment is anti-infection. The primary medications for anti-infection are antimicrobial drugs, which include macrolides, quinolones, cephalosporins, etc. Additionally, treatment can be aimed at alleviating symptoms of coughing and expectoration and might include expectorants and cough suppressants, such as ambroxol. For wheezing, medications like aminophylline or nebulized treatments may be necessary. Most of the time, patients with chronic bronchitis are in a remission phase. The primary treatment here initially involves addressing known triggers, such as insisting smokers quit and minimizing exposure to dust or harmful gases at work. Chronic bronchitis patients are encouraged to exercise moderately, strengthen their physique, and prevent colds. For patients who experience repeated respiratory infections, vaccination or immune modulators, such as BCG, may be considered. Always follow a physician’s guidance regarding specific medication use.
Is chronic bronchitis hereditary?
The etiology of chronic bronchitis is not very clear at present. It is considered that many factors work over a long period to cause chronic bronchitis. The most common factors include long-term irritation from harmful gases and particles, such as cigarette smoke, smog, dust, irritating gases like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc., as well as infectious factors. There might also be a certain relationship with the occurrence of chronic bronchitis, but so far, no close relationship has been found between chronic bronchitis and genetics, and there is no evidence to prove that chronic bronchitis is a hereditary disease.
Chronic bronchitis etiology
The etiology of chronic bronchitis is not very clear at present, and it is now believed to be caused by the long-term interaction of various factors. The most closely related factors are harmful gases or particles that act on the respiratory tract for a long time, causing damage to some structures of the respiratory tract, such as cigarette smoke, fumes, dust, irritating gases, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc. These physicochemical factors cause damage to the airways. Additionally, some infectious agents, such as bacteria, mycoplasma, or viral infections, along with some immune-related factors, are believed to play a certain role in the development of chronic bronchitis.