Can chronic bronchitis be treated?

Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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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.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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How to expectorate phlegm in chronic bronchitis

Coughing up phlegm is a common symptom of chronic bronchitis. When patients with chronic bronchitis experience coughing up phlegm, they can initially use medications to expel the phlegm. They may choose some expectorant medications or bronchodilators to help expel the phlegm. If the phlegm is thick and sticky, cough suppressants should be used with caution to avoid affecting the expulsion of phlegm. Additionally, drinking more water and having a lighter diet can also facilitate the expulsion of phlegm. Another method is to use turning and patting on the back to help expel the phlegm. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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COPD and chronic bronchitis differences

COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, also commonly referred to as chronic obstructive lung disease. It is a chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract caused by inhalation of tobacco smoke, other types of smoke, harmful gases, or particulate irritants. This inflammation persists, eventually leading to structural changes in the airways, and symptoms such as coughing up phlegm and difficulty breathing. Chronic bronchitis is diagnosed primarily based on symptoms. Also known as chronic obstructive bronchitis, it is defined by symptoms of coughing, phlegm, or wheezing lasting more than three months per year and persisting for over two years, while excluding other diseases. There is a close connection between chronic bronchitis and COPD. If a patient with chronic bronchitis experiences worsening of their condition characterized by restricted airflow, as identified through pulmonary function tests indicating airflow limitation, they can then be diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. However, if a patient only exhibits symptoms of chronic bronchitis and maintains normal lung function, they cannot be diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease under such circumstances.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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Is chronic bronchitis contagious?

Chronic bronchitis refers to some chronic non-specific inflammation of the bronchial mucosa and surrounding tissues. Its main symptoms are coughing and expectoration, so many people are concerned about the contagion from patients with chronic bronchitis. However, chronic bronchitis itself is not a contagious disease and is not considered for acute infectious disease management. This means that most of the time, it is relatively safe to be in contact with patients suffering from chronic bronchitis. Nonetheless, there are some exceptions, such as certain cases where a chronic bronchitis patient might also be afflicted with mycoplasma infections or certain viral infections, such as H1N1 influenza, H3N2 influenza, or other infections like tuberculosis. In such cases, the chronic bronchitis patient may potentially be infectious.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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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.

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Written by Wang Xiang Yu
Pulmonology
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Is chronic bronchitis treatable?

Chronic bronchitis exists, but before treating it, we must first have a correct understanding of the disease. Chronic bronchitis is a long-term illness that can have a slow onset and may last for decades, with the possibility of acute exacerbations throughout one's life. Moreover, there is no cure for chronic bronchitis yet. Currently, the treatment for patients with chronic bronchitis mainly depends on the stage of the disease and its symptoms. Most of the time, patients are in the remission phase. The primary treatment during this phase involves addressing risk factors. For instance, patients who smoke must quit smoking, as most patients experience significant relief from cough and phlegm after quitting. Additionally, patients with a history of dust exposure or harmful gas exposure should avoid further contact as much as possible. Furthermore, when the condition is stable, patients may engage in physical exercise to improve their physical condition and prevent colds. A small number of patients may experience respiratory infections and repeated aggravations, in which case, consider using immunomodulators or traditional Chinese medicine as adjunctive therapies. Patients with chronic bronchitis may experience acute exacerbations of their condition, meaning an increase in cough and phlegm, or the appearance of purulent sputum that is difficult to expectorate. In these cases, the main treatment method is still anti-infection therapy. Commonly used anti-infection medications include quinolones, macrolides, and cephalosporins. Some patients may experience frequent and severe cough and phlegm, and have difficulty expectorating the mucus. In such cases, mucolytic and cough suppressant medications are required for symptomatic treatment, commonly using drugs such as ambroxol, bromhexine, and eucalyptus menthol. A few patients may also experience wheezing, known as asthmatic bronchitis, which may require the use of anti-asthmatic medications such as aminophylline and various nebulized medications. (Note: The use of specific medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)