Side Effect: Bronchitis

What is Bronchitis?

• Bronchitis is a condition that occurs when there is irritation and swelling in the lung airways.
• Acute bronchitis is a temporary condition that lasts for a few weeks.
• Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition where symptoms persist for more than 3 months and occur multiple times over the course of at least 2 years.

What does Bronchitis look like?

Bronchitis can cause a range of symptoms including:

• coughing
• wheezing
• chest tightness
• shortness of breath
• production of mucus or sputum.

These symptoms can vary in severity and duration depending on the type and cause of bronchitis. You may also notice:

• fever
• chills
• headache
• muscle pain
• general fatigue

Who gets Bronchitis?

• Acute bronchitis is typically caused by viral infections but may also be caused by bacterial infections or inhalation of dust, allergens, or chemical fumes.
• Patients with chronic lung disease are often prone to repeated cases of acute bronchitis.
• Chronic bronchitis is largely caused by smoking, but air pollution and other environmental exposures may play a role in non-smokers.
• Patients with cancer are also at a higher risk of bronchitis because cancer and cancer treatments often weaken the immune system.

How to prevent Bronchitis

To help prevent bronchitis it is important to minimize exposure to irritants and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This can include:

• avoiding smoking, secondhand smoke, and air pollution
• getting regular exercise
• eating a balanced diet

How to treat Bronchitis

• Treatment for bronchitis may involve antibiotics, inhaled bronchodilators, and inhaled or oral corticosteroids depending on the type and severity of the condition.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol®), or ibuprofen (Advil®), Motrin®), can be used for pain relief and fever reduction. It is also important to rest and stay hydrated.