Symptons of chronic bronchitis
No one consciously notices his/her breathing unless under exertion or when strenuous activities are being performed.
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The lungs are essential organs in the body but some diseases such as chronic bronchitis may affect the normal function and hinder activities of daily living.
Chronic bronchitis is a condition usually characterised by cough with sputum generally for at least three successive months of each year for at least two successive years.
The condition may result in the individual having a persistent swelling and irritation in the large passageways – leads to the lungs - used for breathing. Individuals who are exposed to irritants such as smoke, fumes, dust etc over a prolonged period of time may develop this condition.
This irritation results in a thickening of the passageway walls, increased production of thick mucus, reduced ability to remove the mucus from the passageways. The changes in the passageways lead to coughing and removal of the mucus in the lungs.
Further changes may also occur such as a narrowing of the passageways making it difficult to breathe.
Your lungs are organs which assists you to breathe normally. There are passages which lead to the lungs and these passageways are lined with mucus in their right amounts.
When there is excessive exposure to irritants such as smoke for a prolonged period of time, the proper function of the lungs are affected and as a result you may have shortness of breath.
Your risk of chronic bronchitis may be increased by certain jobs which may expose you to irritants such as chemical fumes, dust, smoke etc.
What are the risk factors?
The condition is frequent in individuals who are middle aged. Individuals who smoke as well as second-hand smokers are both at risk of acquiring the condition. These irritants eventually cause damage to the lungs and passageways leading to the lungs.
Living in an environment which is air-polluted is also a risk factor for the disease. The cough which goes together with the disease may be ignited by cold weather and conditions that irritate the lungs, for example fumes or smoke.
Other risk factors include:
- Allergies
- Infection in the lungs
- Inhaling toxic substances such as exhaust gas from cars, fumes from charcoal, chemicals, dust etc
What are the symptoms?
In the initial stages, individuals with this condition have a cough with a considerable amount of sputum (mucus from the lungs) being produced without experiencing any breathlessness. The amount of sputum and frequency of the cough varies from individual to individual.
The cough is usually worse after waking up and a lot of discoloured mucus is expelled initially but amount reduces as the day progresses.
As the condition develops, changes in the passageways results in a decrease in the amount of air taken in and the individual begins to have shortness of breath, especially when he/she engages in strenuous activities.
Symptoms may also deteriorate as a result of changes in the environment such as cold weather.
Symptoms vary amongst individuals and includes:
- Increased mucus production
- Wheezing (whistling sound made with breathing) especially breathing out
- Breathlessness either during rest or activities
- Balance challenges and an increased risk of falls
- Changes in weight
- Chest pain
- Exhaustion/fatigue
- Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
How is it diagnosed?
An individual who expels sputum and cough for at least three months out of the year for two successive years may undergo tests to confirm chronic bronchitis or otherwise.
A comprehensive history which involves information about the family, environmental conditions, work or occupational conditions and personal habits such as smoking are obtained.
An accurate and timely diagnosis is vital for management to begin. Diagnostic tests include chest X-rays, spirometry tests (assesses how efficient your lungs are) etc.
The Writer is a Senior Physiotherapist at the 37 Military Hospital.
