Topic : Bronchitis

Prepared by
Sefatul Ferdous
Roll : 28
B.Sc. in Post Basic Nursing
Session : 2020 – 2021
Khulna Nursing College, Khulna
 Bronchitis

Introduction

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry

air to and from your lungs. People who have bronchitis often cough up
thickened mucus, which can be discolored. Bronchitis may be either acute or
chronic. Often developing from a cold or other respiratory infection, acute
bronchitis is very common. Chronic bronchitis, a more serious condition, is a
constant irritation or inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, often due
to smoking. Acute bronchitis, also called a chest cold, usually improves within a
week to 10 days without lasting effects, although the cough may linger for
weeks. However, if you have repeated bouts of bronchitis, you may have
chronic bronchitis, which requires medical attention. Chronic bronchitis is one
of the conditions included in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Definition
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes, often as a result of a
cold or other viral infection. Smoking is also a common cause of chronic
bronchitis.
or
inflammation of the bronchial tubes, characterized by coughing, difficulty in
breathing, etc, caused by infection or irritation of the respiratory tract

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Symptoms
For either acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis, signs and symptoms may
include:
 Cough
 Production of mucus (sputum), which can be clear, white, yellowish-
gray or green in color — rarely, it may be streaked with blood
 Fatigue
 Shortness of breath
 Slight fever and chills
 Chest discomfort
If you have acute bronchitis, you might have cold symptoms, such as a mild
headache or body aches. While these symptoms usually improve in about a
week, you may have a nagging cough that lingers for several weeks.

Causes
 Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses, typically the same viruses
that cause colds and flu (influenza). Antibiotics don't kill viruses, so this
type of medication isn't useful in most cases of bronchitis.
 The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. Air
pollution and dust or toxic gases in the environment or workplace also
can contribute to the condition.

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Risk factors

Factors that increase your risk of bronchitis include:

 Cigarette smoke. 
People who smoke or who live with a smoker are at higher risk of both
acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis.

 Low resistance. 
This may result from another acute illness, such as a cold, or from a
chronic condition that compromises your immune system. Older adults,
infants and young children have greater vulnerability to infection.

 Exposure to irritants on the job. 

Your risk of developing bronchitis is greater if you work around certain
lung irritants, such as grains or textiles, or are exposed to chemical
fumes.

 Gastric reflux. 
Repeated bouts of severe heartburn can irritate your throat and make
you more prone to developing bronchitis.

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Diagnosis
During the first few days of illness, it can be difficult to distinguish the signs
and symptoms of bronchitis from those of a common cold. During the physical
exam, your doctor will use a stethoscope to listen closely to your lungs as you
breathe.
In some cases, your doctor may suggest the following tests:
 Chest X-ray. A chest X-ray can help determine if you have pneumonia
or another condition that may explain your cough. This is especially
important if you ever were or currently are a smoker.
 Sputum tests. Sputum is the mucus that you cough up from your lungs.
It can be tested to see if you have illnesses that could be helped by
antibiotics. Sputum can also be tested for signs of allergies.
 Pulmonary function test. During a pulmonary function test, you blow
into a device called a spirometer, which measures how much air your
lungs can hold and how quickly you can get air out of your lungs. This
test checks for signs of asthma or emphysema.

Treatment
Most cases of acute bronchitis get better without treatment, usually within a
couple of weeks.

A. Medications
Because most cases of bronchitis are caused by viral infections,
antibiotics aren't effective. However, if your doctor suspects that you
have a bacterial infection, he or she may prescribe an antibiotic.
In some circumstances, your doctor may recommend other medications,
including:

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  Cough medicine. If your cough keeps you from sleeping, you might try
cough suppressants at bedtime.
 Other medications. If you have allergies, asthma or chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), your doctor may recommend an inhaler
and other medications to reduce inflammation and open narrowed
passages in your lungs.

B. Therapies
If you have chronic bronchitis, you may benefit from pulmonary
rehabilitation — a breathing exercise program in which a respiratory
therapist teaches you how to breathe more easily and increase your ability
to exercise.

Medical Management
 Antiviral medications. If your bronchitis is caused by the flu, your
healthcare provider might prescribe an antiviral medication, like
Tamiflu®, Relenza® and Rapivab®. ...

 Bronchodilators. ...

 Anti-inflammatory medications. ...

 Cough suppressants. ...

 Antibiotics. ...

 COPD/asthma treatment.

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Nursing Management:
 Encourage mobilization of secretion through ambulation,
coughing, and deep breathing.
 Ensure adequate fluid intake to liquefy secretions and prevent
dehydration caused by fever and tachypnea.
 Encourage rest, avoidance of bronchial irritant, and a good diet to
facilitate recovery.
 Instruct the patient to complete the full course of prescribed
antibiotics and explain the effect of meals on drug absorption.
 Caution the patient on using over-the-counter cough
suppressants, antihistamines, and decongestants, which may
cause drying and retention of secretions. However, cough
preparations containing the mucolytic guaifenesin may be
appropriate.
 Advise the patient that a dry cough may persist after bronchitis
because of irritation of airways. Suggest avoiding dry
environments and using a humidifier at bedside. Encourage
smoking cessation.
 Teach the patient to recognize and immediately report early signs
and symptoms of acute bronchitis.

Complications
Pneumonia is the most common complication of bronchitis. It happens when
the infection spreads further into the lungs, causing air sacs inside the lungs to
fill up with fluid. 1 in 20 cases of bronchitis leads to pneumonia.
People at an increased risk of developing pneumonia include:
 elderly people

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  people who smoke
 people with other health conditions, such as heart, liver or kidney disease
 people with a weakened immune system
Mild pneumonia can usually be treated with antibiotics at home. More severe
cases may require admission to hospital.

Prevention
To reduce your risk of bronchitis, follow these tips:
 Avoid cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke increases your risk of chronic
bronchitis.
 Get vaccinated. Many cases of acute bronchitis result from influenza, a
virus. Getting a yearly flu vaccine can help protect you from getting the
flu. You may also want to consider vaccination that protects against
some types of pneumonia.

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  Wash your hands. To reduce your risk of catching a viral infection,
wash your hands frequently and get in the habit of using alcohol-based
hand sanitizers.
 Wear a surgical mask. If you have COPD, you might consider wearing
a face mask at work if you're exposed to dust or fumes, and when you're
going to be among crowds, such as while traveling.

Conclusion
Bronchitis is a respiratory tract infection that irritates the airways within the
lungs. Coughing, congestion, and shortness of breath are some of the most
common symptoms.
Most people recover from bronchitis in less than 10 days, although some
bronchitis symptoms, such as coughing, may linger for a few weeks. People
who do not show signs of improvement after 3 weeks should see a doctor. The
doctor will carry out tests to see if their symptoms are due to bronchitis or
another health condition.