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The inflammation of the mucous lining of the air passage in the lungs causes bronchitis. The inflammation of these passages called bronchial tubes, increase the production of mucus, which is then coughed up. Bronchitis may be either acute (short term and severe) or chronic (long lasting). The amount of air and oxygen flow into the lungs is reduced due to the heavy blockage.
The acute bronchitis lasts for a few days and generally you have chest discomfort, soreness, fever, shortness of breath, and cough with green sputum. Acute bronchitis can be cured with drugs and antibiotics within weeks. Chronic bronchitis is persistent mucus producing cough that lasts for months at times. These are often characterized by various degree of breathing difficulties. Chronic bronchitis cannot be cured.
The in surge of bronchitis is seen in the colder climate. There are various bronchitis causes like viruses, bacteria, and other particles that cause problems to the bronchial tubes. Respiratory infection due to cold can also be one of the causes of bronchitis. The viruses that commonly cause the flu are the main cause of bronchitis in many people. Influenza A and B virus are the common ones to cause bronchitis.
Second cause of bronchitis are bacteria like Mycoplasma pneumonia that causes pneumonia. But one of the most common bronchitis causes comes from breathing harmful fumes, like tobacco smoke or polluted air. The smoke of cigarette is one of the most popular irritant that causes bronchitis. One need not be a smoker to contract bronchitis, passive smoking can alone cause bronchitis.
A pregnant mother smoking is one of the causes of bronchitis to the unborn child. Exposure to solvents and air pollutants also aids in contracting bronchitis. Chemical fumes from ammonia, strong acids, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide chlorine, or bromine also cause people working in such field with acute bronchitis. Such kind of occupational bronchitis usually lasts only till the person is exposed to the pollutant air and fumes. In rare cases, it can progress to chronic bronchitis.
In many people, bronchitis causes could also be due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This kind of bronchitis happens when the spillage of excess stomach acid, drips into the lungs, usually during sleep. Bronchitis can spread from one infected person to another. It can spread through cough or when the respiratory fluid is touched by another person and if they then touch their own face with it. People with low resistance are also highly likely to catch the infection easily. The severity of the problem depends on the causes. Prolonged bronchitis can cause asthma or pneumonia. The severity of the bronchitis can be reduced with the help of moist air production by humidifier and by staying away from smokers or any irritant.
