What Are The Causes Of Bronchitis?

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

By Crystal Sharon

Have you ever suffered from bronchitis? You must know all about the chest discomfort, the coughing, the excess mucous, and the difficulty breathing. One of the most widespread respiratory problems in America is acute bronchitis.

Although anyone can get acute bronchitis, people over the age of 50 are more prone to it. You get acute bronchitis when the bronchial tubes get inflamed.

This results in an overproduction of mucous. Normally mucous acts a protectant, but when there is too much of it, airways can become obstructed.

Causes of bronchitis vary, but viral infections are by far the most common cause of acute (short-term) bronchitis.

The normal viruses that trigger acute bronchitis include adenovirus, influenza virus, Para influenza virus, corona virus, Coxsackie's virus, enterovirus, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus.

Bacterial infections can also be one of the causes of bronchitis, although viral infections more often trigger bronchitis than bacteria. Examples of bacteria that can trigger bronchitis include Branhamela catarrhalis, Bordatella pertussis, Bordatella parapertussis, Haemophilus influenza, streptococcus, and pneumonia.

On rare occasions, bronchitis can be caused by an organism that carries the properties of both a virus and bacteria, called mycoplasmas. If this is ever the case, the bronchitis symptoms are severe and come on quickly. Some mycoplasmas can be deadly. The few that are known to cause bronchitis include mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Legionella.

Fungi infections can also be one of the causes of bronchitis. Cocciodioides immitis, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Histoplasma capsulatum, Candida albicans, and Candida tropicalis are some of the more common ones. Bronchitis triggered by fungal organisms produces effects that are more mild and less serious.

Pollen, dust, chemicals, smoke, pollutants, and second-hand smoke can also bring on a case of bronchitis. These causes usually trigger rather mild symptoms of bronchitis, though.

When bronchitis is caused by these factors, the treatment you get usually helps you deal with the symptoms. By reducing or eliminating the irritants in your environment (if possible) will also help alleviate some of your bronchitis issues. Cough suppressants for decongestion will also help open the airways.

Hopefully, learning about these causes of bronchitis has informed you why you may be experiencing bronchial problems.

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