Chronic bronchitis

Question 1

What is Chronic Bronchitis ?

Answer 1

• Is a clinical diagnosis. Defined as productive cough that last at least 3months in at least 2 consecutive years. ( Bronchitis usually affects older children and adults, while bronchiolitis is more common in younger children).

Question 2

Symptoms?

Answer 2

• Cough
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Slight fever and chills
• Chest discomfort
• Productive of mucus (sputum), which can be clear, white, yellowish-gray or green in color

Question 3

Causes of Chronic Bronchitis?

Answer 3

• Smoking
• Air pollution
• Toxic gases
• Dust

Question 4

Differential Diagnosis ?

Answer 4

• Cough variant asthma
• Pulmonary tuberculosis
• Eosinophilia bronchitis
• Bronchogenic carcinoma
• Bronchiectasis

Question 5

Treatment/Therapy ?

Answer 5

• Avoid respiratory irritants
• Antibiotics ( in patient with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis)
• Bronchodilator ( ipratropium bromide and theophylline)
• Corticosteroids