| Bronchitis is a common respiratory disease | | | | According to the triggers of the disease, |
| that involves inflammation and often | | | | bronchitis can also be categorized into |
| infection of the bronchial mucosal membranes. | | | | infectious and non-infectious bronchitis. |
| The symptoms generated by bronchitis vary | | | | Non-infectious bronchitis is generally the |
| according to the causes and the seriousness | | | | result of prolonged exposure to chemicals, |
| of the disease. Judging by the intensity and | | | | cigarette smoke and pollutants. Allergens |
| the duration of the disease, bronchitis can | | | | (pollen, dust particles) are also triggers of |
| be either acute or chronic. | | | | non-infectious bronchitis, causing the |
| | | | disease to reoccur on a regular time basis. |
| Acute bronchitis has a rapid onset and | | | | Infectious bronchitis involves infection with |
| generates intense symptoms. However, most | | | | microorganisms and its generated symptoms are |
| people with acute bronchitis respond well to | | | | usually more intense. Common infectious |
| specific treatments and are usually recovered | | | | agents responsible for causing this type of |
| quickly and permanently, with minimal risks | | | | bronchitis are bacteria, viruses, mycoplasmas |
| of relapse. Acute bronchitis is very common | | | | and fungal organisms. |
| among children and thus it is also commonly | | | | |
| referred to as "childhood bronchitis". This | | | | Acute bronchitis is often associated with |
| type of bronchitis may last from a few days | | | | bacterial or viral infections. The disease is |
| to 2-3 weeks. Acute bronchitis is highly | | | | commonly acquired in the flu seasons and it |
| treatable and it rarely leads to | | | | generates symptoms such as: dry or |
| complications. However, in the absence of | | | | low-productive cough, chills, low or moderate |
| medical treatment, acute bronchitis may | | | | fever, sore throat, chest discomfort and |
| eventually become chronic, or it can further | | | | pain, wheezing and difficulty breathing. With |
| lead to pulmonary diseases (pneumonia, | | | | appropriate treatment, the symptoms of acute |
| emphysema). | | | | infectious bronchitis are quickly alleviated |
| | | | and the disease can be completely overcome |
| Unlike acute bronchitis, chronic forms of the | | | | within a couple of weeks. |
| disease generate persistent, recurrent | | | | |
| symptoms. Although the clinical | | | | Chronic bronchitis is usually the result of |
| manifestations of chronic bronchitis are less | | | | mistreated or untreated previous respiratory |
| intense, this type of disease is very | | | | diseases. This type of bronchitis often |
| difficult to treat. Even if patients with | | | | occurs when the bronchial mucosal membranes |
| chronic bronchitis respond well to specific | | | | become inflamed and infected multiple times |
| medical treatments, they often experience | | | | over a short period of time. Chronic |
| relapse after completing their prescribed | | | | bronchitis is usually the consequence of |
| course of medications. Chronic bronchitis can | | | | exposure to both infectious and |
| last for around three months, regularly | | | | non-infectious agents. The occurrence and the |
| reoccurring on the period of two years or | | | | progression of chronic bronchitis are |
| even more. Chronic bronchitis often involves | | | | strongly influenced by smoking, which |
| the lungs, and it can lead to serious | | | | augments the symptoms of the disease and |
| pulmonary diseases. In fact, chronic | | | | slows down the healing of the respiratory |
| bronchitis is one of the most commonly | | | | tissues and organs. Chronic bronchitis |
| diagnosed types of chronic obstructive | | | | generates symptoms such as highly productive |
| pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic bronchitis | | | | cough, pronounced difficulty in breathing, |
| has a very high incidence in smokers and it | | | | shallow breathing, wheezing, chest discomfort |
| is also known as "the smokers' disease". | | | | and pain. |
| | | | |