This document provides an overview of chronic bronchitis, including its definition, causes, pathophysiology, clinical features, investigations, treatment, and prevention. Chronic bronchitis is defined as inflammation of the bronchial tubes resulting from excessive mucus secretion that can narrow the airways. The main cause is cigarette smoking. Symptoms include wheezing, breathlessness, cough, and excess mucus production for at least 3 months per year. Treatment involves bronchodilators, glucocorticoids, and physiotherapy to improve lung function and reduce exacerbations. Prevention focuses on quitting smoking, breathing moist air, exercise, and avoiding irritants.
3. DEFINITION:
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes that
results in excessive secretion of mucus into the tubes ,leading to the tissue
swelling that can narrow or close off bronchial tubes.
People with chronic bronchitis will eventually leads to develop
emphysema.
4. CAUSES:
The main cause is cigarette smoking.
Other cause may include;inhaled irrittants ,such as smog, industrial
pollutants and solvents.
Viral and bacterial infections.
Underlying disease processeses, such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.
Genetic factors associated with copd, it is a deficiency in alpha-1-
antitrypsin.
5. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY:
Chronic bronchitis is thought to be caused by over production and
hypersecretion of mucus by goblet cells.
Epithelial cells lining the airway response to toxic ,infectious stimuli by
realeasing inflammatory cytokines.
During an acute exaceberation of chronic bronchitis mucous membrane
becomes hyperemic and edematous with diminished bronchial mucociliary
function.
This in turn leads to the airflowimpedement because of luminal obstruction to
small airways .
The airways became cogged by debris and this further increases the irritation.
The characteristic cough of bronchitis is caused by the copious secretion of
mucous in cronic bronchitis.
6. CLINICAL FEATURES:
Increased exaceberation rate
Accelerated decline in lung function
Common symptoms are;
wheezing ,particularly breathing out
breathlessness when resting active
tight chest
cough
producing more mucus or phlegm than usual
These symptoms would be persistent for atleast 3 months a year to be
considered chronic bronchitis.
7. INVESTIGATIONS:
BLOOD TEST : This is to see if your symptoms could be due to anemia ,or
to see if the symptoms are due to the gentic marker alpha-1-antitrypsin
deficiency.
CHEST X RAY
SPUTUM CULTURE : Bacterial or viral infections are to be suspscted is
indicated .
Additionally,pulmonary lung function test
CT Scan-
8. TREATMENT:
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT:
Bronchodilators: increasing the airway lumen, increasing
ciliary function and increasing mucous hydration.
Glucocorticoids: Reduce inflammation and mucus production .
PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT:
Improve exercise tolerance .
Reduce exacebrations .
Assists in sputum clearance.
Increase thoracic mobility and lung volume.
9. PREVENTION:
Breaths in warm ,moist air to ease coughs and loosen the mucus in the
airwys.
Quit smoking immediately.
Physical activity to strengthen and help breathing.
Avoid air borne chemicals and dust with appropriate masks.