Bronchitis

Bronchial diseases affect the bronchi, the large air passages that branch from the trachea into the lungs. These diseases can be inflammatory, infectious, obstructive, or structural, and they often affect breathing, mucus clearance, and lung function.

🩺 Major Diseases of the Bronchi

1. Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchial lining.

🔹 Types:

• Acute bronchitis – usually viral; follows a cold or flu.
• Chronic bronchitis – part of COPD; caused by long-term irritation (e.g., smoking).

🧪 Symptoms:

• Cough (often with mucus)
• Chest discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Low-grade fever (acute)

2. Bronchiectasis

Permanent dilation and damage of the bronchi due to chronic infection or inflammation.

🧪 Causes:

• Repeated lung infections
• Cystic fibrosis
• Primary ciliary dyskinesia
• Immune deficiencies

📋 Symptoms:

• Chronic cough with copious, purulent sputum
• Recurrent infections
• Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
• Crackles and wheezing

3. Asthma

A chronic, reversible airway disease where bronchial hyperreactivity leads to inflammation and narrowing.

📋 Symptoms:

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Cough (especially at night or early morning)

4. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema; involves irreversible airway obstruction.

📋 Symptoms:

• Persistent cough with sputum
• Progressive dyspnea (especially on exertion)
• Wheezing, fatigue

5. Bronchiolitis (in infants and young children)

Inflammation of the small airways (bronchioles), usually caused by RSV.

📋 Symptoms:

• Wheezing
• Cough
• Nasal congestion
• Labored breathing

6. Bronchial Tumors

Benign or malignant growths in the bronchi.

📋 Examples:

• Carcinoid tumors (slow-growing, neuroendocrine)
• Bronchogenic carcinoma (lung cancer arising from the bronchi)

📋 Symptoms:

• Persistent cough
• Hemoptysis
• Wheezing localized to one area
• Recurrent pneumonia

7. Foreign Body Aspiration

Object lodged in a bronchus, causing partial or complete obstruction (more common in children).

📋 Symptoms:

• Sudden coughing/choking
• Unilateral wheeze
• Stridor
• Respiratory distress

🧪 Diagnosis Tools

• Chest X-ray / CT scan
• Pulmonary function tests
• Bronchoscopy
• Sputum analysis or cultures
• Allergy testing (in asthma)

💊 Treatment

Depends on the disease:

🛡️ Prevention Tips

• Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke
• Get vaccinated (e.g., flu, pneumococcal, COVID-19)
• Manage allergies and asthma triggers
• Use proper hygiene to avoid infections