Bronchitis
Type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Inflammation of tracheobronchial tree and excessive production of mucous cough; are usually associated with an upper respiratory tract infection and smoking (probably in those genetically predisposed).
Acute: short term; recover in several days; mostly viral
Chronic: longer lasting; caused by a constant irritation like smoking; associated with COPD
Clinical features – cough; may have sputum
DDx: asthma; COPD; GERD; heart failure; pulmonary embolism
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
We have not yet got to this page. We will eventually. Please contact us if you have something to contribute to it or sign up for our newsletter or like us on Facebook and Instagram or follow us on Twitter. |
Page last updated:
Comments are closed.