Your doctor may prescribe a medicine called a bronchodilator to treat your chronic bronchitis. This medicine dilates (or opens) the airways in your lungs and helps you breathe better. Show This medicine is usually inhaled (breathed in) rather than taken as a pill. An inhaler is the device used to get the medicine into your lungs. It’s important to use your inhaler the right way, so you get the most from the medicine. Your doctor will show you how to use your inhaler. If you have severe shortness of breath, your doctor may also prescribe other medicines (such as medicines that help thin mucous) for you to take in pill form. If your symptoms don’t get better with these medicines, your doctor may prescribe steroids. You can take steroids either as an inhaler or in pill form. Will antibiotics help chronic bronchitis? In general, antibiotics can’t help chronic bronchitis. You may need antibiotics if you get a lung infection along with your chronic bronchitis. If you have a lung infection, you may cough up more mucus. This mucus may be yellow or dark green. You also may have a fever, and your shortness of breath may get worse. What about oxygen therapy? Because of the damage from chronic bronchitis, your lungs may not be able to get enough oxygen into your body. Your doctor may prescribe oxygen if your chronic bronchitis is severe, and medicine doesn’t help you feel better. If your doctor prescribes oxygen for you, be sure to use it day and night to get the most benefit. Oxygen can help you breathe better and live longer.
ABOUT CAUSES DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT NEXT STEPS
Bronchitis is inflammation of the breathing tubes. These are the airways called bronchi. This inflammation causes too much mucus production and other changes. There are different types of bronchitis. But the most common are acute and chronic. Chronic bronchitis is long-term inflammation of the bronchi. It's common among smokers. People with chronic bronchitis tend to get lung infections more easily. They also have episodes of acute bronchitis, when symptoms are worse. To be classified as chronic bronchitis:
People with chronic bronchitis have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is a large group of lung diseases that includes chronic bronchitis. These diseases can block air flow in the lungs and cause breathing problems. The 2 most common conditions of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Chronic bronchitis is not caused by a virus or bacteria. Most experts agree that the main cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. Air pollution and your work environment may also play a role. This is especially true if you also smoke. Bronchitis symptoms often happen with other lung diseases such as:
Below are the most common symptoms of chronic bronchitis. But each person may have slightly different symptoms. Symptoms may include:
People with chronic bronchitis often have a cough and make mucus for many years before they have shortness of breath. Chronic bronchitis may cause:
Other symptoms may include:
The symptoms of chronic bronchitis may look like other lung conditions or health problems. See your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Your healthcare provider will take a complete health history and do a physical exam. Your provider may order the following tests: Pulmonary function tests
These tests help to measure the lungs’ ability to move air in and out of your lungs. The tests are often done with special machines that you breathe into. They may include: Spirometry. This test uses a spirometer device to see how well your lungs are working. It's one of the simplest, most common pulmonary function tests. It may be used for any or all these reasons:
Peak flow monitor. This test measures the fastest speed you can blow air out of your lungs. Inflammation and mucus in the large airways in the lungs narrow the airways. This slows the speed of air leaving the lungs. It can be measured with a peak flow monitor. This measurement is very important in telling how well your disease is being controlled. Arterial blood gas
This blood test is used to check the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood. It also measures the acidity of your blood. Pulse oximetry
An oximeter is a small machine that measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. To get this measurement, a small sensor is taped or clipped onto a finger or toe. When the machine is on, a small red light can be seen in the sensor. The sensor is painless, and the red light does not get hot. Chest X-ray
This test makes pictures of your internal tissues, bones, and organs, including the lungs. It helps find out if you have other lung conditions or diseases. CT scan
This imaging test uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to make images of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays. Other tests
You may have other tests, such as a blood test or sputum test to check eosinophil levels. You may also have screening for a condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD).
Treatment for chronic bronchitis is aimed at treating the causes and symptoms. It may include:
During each doctor's appointment, your provider will check how well you:
Key points about chronic bronchitis
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
Medical Reviewer: Allen J Blaivas DO Medical Reviewer: Ronald Karlin MD Medical Reviewer: Daphne Pierce-Smith RN MSN © 2000-2022 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. |