Chronic bronchitis symptoms

Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 09, 2024
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Chronic bronchitis is also known as "old chronic bronchitis." From the name, it can be inferred that its cough and expectoration last for a long time and its onset is slow, which can manifest as acute exacerbation. The main symptoms of chronic bronchitis are cough and expectoration, either with or without wheezing. The cough in chronic bronchitis usually occurs in the morning, meaning that the cough is more pronounced upon waking up. The sputum is generally white, sticky, mucoid, or frothy, and may occasionally contain streaks of blood but generally is not associated with coughing up blood. In addition to coughing and expectoration, a small number of patients may experience wheezing or shortness of breath. In cases where the wheezing is more pronounced, it is also referred to as asthmatic bronchitis.

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Written by Liu Xiao Li
Pulmonology
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Symptoms of chronic bronchitis

The symptoms of chronic bronchitis primarily include coughing, expectorating phlegm, or accompanied by wheezing. Coughing generally occurs mainly in the morning, with bouts of coughing or expectoration during sleep. The sputum is white, viscous, or serous foamy, and is more prevalent in the morning. Getting up or changing body position can stimulate expectoration. In patients with prominent wheezing symptoms, it is referred to as asthmatic bronchitis, and some may also develop bronchial asthma. However, the presence of emphysema can manifest as shortness of breath after labor or activity. If the condition persists for three months each year, for two consecutive years or more, it can be clinically diagnosed as chronic bronchitis.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Chronic Bronchitis Nursing Measures

Chronic bronchitis is a chronic inflammation of the respiratory system, which tends to be prolonged and recurrent. For those suffering from this disease, it is primarily important to quit smoking, which is a crucial preventive measure against acute attacks of chronic bronchitis. It is also essential to control occupational or environmental pollution to avoid the irritation of harmful gases such as dust and smoke. Additionally, it is advisable to strengthen the body through regular exercise, enhance immunity, and increase cold resistance. It is recommended to wash the face with cold water all year round to enhance the skin's ability to prevent and fight diseases. During the flu season, getting a flu vaccine to prevent the onset of a cold, reinforcing dietary hygiene, and enhancing health education is also advised.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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The difference between acute bronchitis and bronchitis

What is the difference between acute bronchitis and bronchitis? Generally speaking, in terms of the duration of the disease, bronchitis can be classified into acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is a type of bronchitis. It is often caused by infections, physical and chemical factors, allergies, etc. Patients may experience fever, cough, and expectoration, and the duration usually lasts 2 to 3 weeks. In the case of chronic bronchitis, the course of the disease is longer, with symptoms such as repeated coughing, expectoration, and wheezing, and the symptoms persist and do not improve.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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How to cure chronic bronchitis completely?

At present, there is no cure for chronic bronchitis, and most treatments are mainly aimed at alleviating its symptoms. The treatment is mainly divided into two parts, one is the treatment during the acute exacerbation phase, which means that if a patient with chronic bronchitis experiences acute worsening of symptoms such as coughing and expectoration, or if accompanied by wheezing, fever, etc., then the main treatment methods might include anti-infection measures, expectorants to relieve cough, or treatments to alleviate wheezing. Most patients with chronic bronchitis are likely in the remission phase most of the time, and the primary treatment during this phase is initially to address factors that might trigger chronic bronchitis, such as insisting that patients who smoke quit smoking, and for those who have been exposed to dust or smoke, it is crucial to resolve triggering factors and avoid contact with harmful gases or inhalation of harmful particles. The next step is to enhance physical fitness and prevent colds. Chronic bronchitis patients can engage in appropriate physical exercise based on their condition, and those who suffer from long-term recurrent infections might consider pursuing immunotherapy.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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Causes of Chronic Bronchitis

The causes of chronic bronchitis are not yet very clear. It is currently speculated that it may be the result of multiple factors interacting over a long period. The factors most closely associated with the occurrence of chronic bronchitis primarily include smoking, cigarette smoke, dust, and irritants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, chlorine, ozone, etc. Additionally, some infectious factors may also be somewhat related to the occurrence of chronic bronchitis, with the most common possibly being infections by mycoplasma, bacteria, or viruses. Furthermore, chronic bronchitis may be related to age, climate, and other factors. Overall, the triggers of chronic bronchitis are not very clear at present, and it is advised to eliminate these risk factors as much as possible if present.