Bronchitis causes and Bronchitis symptoms

Bronchitis Causes

Bronchitis, as the name implies, is inflammation of the bronchial tubes and the varied pathophysiology for the same could involve many factors. Bronchitis causes can be elicited mostly through a thorough clinical history however use of X-rays and other imaging can be helpful. Chronic bronchitis is grouped under chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) along with emphysema.

Known associations include :
1. Infections
2. Allergies
3. Smoking

Although bronchitis causes have been understood to a fair extent, it is by far a very common condition in countries where the climate is cold and dry.

Bronchitis Symptoms

Since the disease concerns the upper respiratory tract, bronchitis symptoms are discernible in acute bronchitis and the chronic bronchitis. Although symptoms may vary based on the duration of the disease with chronic bronchitis usually recurring twice or thrice a year depending on the season. The primary symptom of bronchitis is a cough that stays for weeks.

Chief complaints are :
1. Chronic cough
2. Shortness of breath
3. Nasal Congestion
4. Wheeze
5. Sore throat

A routine chest x-ray can light up any pathology with the bronchial tubes or the upper respiratory tract leading to the bronchitis symptoms in the presenting patient.