What is bronchitis and how does it begin?
Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs that causes coughing. This condition usually begins as an infection in the nose, ears, throat, or sinuses before moving down to the airways.
Questions about Bronchitis
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How long does acute bronchitis last and what causes most cases?
Acute bronchitis typically features a cough lasting around three weeks and is often called a chest cold. In more than 90% of cases, this form stems from a viral infection spread through the air or direct contact.
What are the diagnostic criteria for chronic bronchitis?
Chronic bronchitis carries a stricter definition requiring a productive cough for three months or more per year for at least two years. Many people with chronic bronchitis also have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease known as COPD.
Who first described acute bronchitis and when was it published?
The British physician Charles Badham was the first person to describe the condition and name the acute form as acute bronchitis in his book Observations on the inflammatory affections of the mucous membrane of the bronchiæ published in 1808.
What are the main risk factors for developing chronic bronchitis?
Most cases of chronic bronchitis are caused by tobacco smoking. Chronic inhalation of air pollution or irritating fumes from hazardous exposures in occupations like coal mining, grain handling, textile manufacturing, livestock farming, and metal moulding also serves as a risk factor.