Bronchitis
Type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Inflammation of tracheobronchial tree and excessive production of mucous cough; usually associated with an upper respiratory tract infection and smoking (probably in those genetically predisposed).
Clinical features – cough; may have sputum
Complications – cor pulmonale, pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular hypertrophy, acute respiratory failure
Treatment – stop smoking; avoid air pollutants; antibiotics (if recurrent infections); bronchodilators; chest physiotherapy; nebuliser treatments; corticosteroids
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