Bronchitis include a cough that produces mucus (sometimes called sputum), trouble breathing and a feeling of tightness in your chest. Acute bronchitis is most often caused by one of a number of viruses that can infect the respiratory tract and attack the bronchial tubes. Even one puff on a cigarette is enough to cause temporary paralysis of the tiny hair like structures in your lungs, called cilia , that are responsible for brushing out debris, irritants, and excess mucus. Chronic bronchitis is defined by the presence of a mucus-producing cough most days of the month, three months of a year for two successive years without other underlying disease to explain the cough. People who have chronic bronchitis are more susceptible to bacterial infections of the airway and lungs, like pneumonia. Pneumonia is more common among smokers and people who are exposed to secondhand smoke.

Causes of Bronchitis

The common Causes of Bronchitis :

The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking.

Heredity.

Weather changes.

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection but can also be caused by a bacterial infection.

Use of drugs.

Symptoms of Bronchitis

Some Symptoms of Bronchitis :

Vibration in chest when breathing

Fatigue and/or malaise

Headache

Shortness of breath

Wheezing

Mild fever

Coldness

Chills

Mild chest pains

Treatment of Bronchitis

Medicines called bronchodilators that are usually prescribed to treat asthma will help to open the bronchial tubes and clear out mucus.

The best treatment is to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and use an over-the-counter medicine to treat the pain and fever.

People with chronic bronchitis should stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoke.

Medicines called mucolytics which thin or loosen mucus in the airways, making it easier to cough up can also be used to treat chronic bronchitis.

In some cases, the doctor will recommend using a medicine called a bronchodilator that makes breathing easier.

Persistent symptoms and more severe disease are treated with anti-inflammatory medicines called steroids (of the glucocorticoid type) which are given with an inhaler.

Breathing moist air from a humidifier, hot shower, or sink filled with hot water. The heat and moisture can help keep mucus in your airways moist so it can be coughed out easily.