Did you know that acute bronchitis ranks in the top 10 most common outpatient diseases in the United States, affecting 5% of adults every year? Bronchitis is a common respiratory disease that can be acute or chronic depending on the cause. It affects your air sacs that carry air in and out of your lungs. While acute bronchitis gets better on its own after running its course and chronic bronchitis can recur. However, with some prevention techniques, you can prevent bronchitis. Learn what causes bronchitis and how you can prevent bronchitis in this article. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.

Causes for bronchitis

Generally, bronchitis is caused by inflammation occurring in the bronchial tubes, which are pathways for carrying air to and from the air sacs in your lungs. Mucus buildup in the bronchial tubes irritates and leads to bronchitis. There are two types of bronchitis you can develop:

1. Acute bronchitis:

This type of bronchitis occurs when you get a respiratory infection (like the flu, the common cold, or COVID-19) that settles in the upper respiratory tract and irritates your bronchial tubes. Most common causes are viral infections however, in rare cases, it may occur from bacterial infections as well. This mostly happens if you have a disease that persists, if you get a recurrent infection within a short period of time, or if your immune system is weak. Acute bronchitis gets better on its own. Its symptoms don’t last longer than 3 weeks.

2. Chronic Bronchitis:

Chronic bronchitis occurs similarly, but the cause differs from acute bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis occurs when bronchitis gets irritated by environmental toxins like smoke, allergens, chemicals, or dust. Over time, repeated exposure to those substances causes inflammatory reactions in the bronchitis tubes. Inflammation builds up over time, resulting in mucus, and inflammatory cells that narrow or stiffen the tubes.

Smoking is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis, however, other long-term exposure to inhaled toxins/chemicals also causes it as well. For example, people who breathe in toxic fumes in the workplace or at home can develop chronic bronchitis. You’re more likely to develop chronic bronchitis if someone else in your family has a lung condition, especially if you smoke. While you can’t cure chronic Bronchitis, however, by treating the cause you can manage your symptoms well like quitting smoking and avoiding air pollutants by wearing a mask.

Prevention tips

You can prevent bronchitis by avoiding situations that may cause your bronchial tubes to become inflamed. As inflammation can cause different effects on bronchial tubes, the prevention tips also vary between acute and chronic bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis generally occurs from viral infections, so you need to take steps to lower the risk of getting infected. To prevent acute bronchitis, these tips may help:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water properly especially, after using the bathroom, when making something in the kitchen, when coming home from outside, when you meet strangers, etc. In case, water and soap are not available then carry an alcohol-based sanitizer to clean your hands.
• Stay up-to-date with all vaccines, especially common infections like flu and pneumonia.
• Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze with tissue paper or by using your arms, not your hands. And when you get home, remove the piece of clothing, and wash it separately.
• Avoid smoking or secondhand smoke, chemicals, dust, or air pollution because it can make acute bronchitis worse.
• Always maintain your distance from others if you’re sick, if possible.

Remember, you shouldn’t treat acute bronchitis with antibiotics unless the doctor prescribes it. It does more harm than good. If you find yourself sick, then take proper rest and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. This helps you get through the infection before it causes bronchitis. Keep in mind that it is often caused by viral infections, so antibiotics won’t help to treat or prevent it.

To prevent chronic bronchitis, avoid the substances that cause chronic bronchitis. Most cases of chronic bronchitis are linked to smoking, so stopping smoking can significantly reduce the risk. Additionally, you can also follow these tips to prevent chronic bronchitis:

• Quit smoking and avoid situations where you may get exposed to secondhand smoke.
• Reduce the use of aerosol sprays like deodorants and hair sprays since the chemicals inside them can irritate your airway.
• Wear a mask when working in areas where dusty or strong fumes are found like chemical factories. Ensure that you use a mask that is specific to the type of work you’re

Bronchitis is a quite common respiratory disease because it is caused by common viral infections, smoking, and environmental pollutants like fumes, chemicals, etc. However, by following the above-mentioned tips you can use to prevent bronchitis risk factors and stay safe from this disease.

If you need help with bronchitis or any infectious disease, visit our infectious diseases specialists in Brooklyn clinic for proper check-ups and treatment. Our Infectious disease doctors listen to your concerns and treat you accordingly. Get tips on how to stay safe from infectious diseases. Call us on +1-347-384-5690. If you need any information on infections, log on to www.doralhw.org  get a consultation. We have the best doctors that can help you and improve your quality of life.