Overview
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways leading into your lungs.
When your airways (trachea and bronchi) get irritated, they swell up and fill with mucus, causing you to cough. Your cough can last days to a couple of weeks. It’s the main symptom of bronchitis.
Viruses are the most common cause of acute bronchitis. Smoke and other irritants can cause acute and chronic bronchitis.
What are the types of bronchitis?
When people talk about bronchitis, they usually mean acute bronchitis, a temporary condition that makes you cough. Some people get bronchitis so often that it’s considered chronic bronchitis.
Acute bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection and goes away on its own in a few weeks. Most people don’t need treatment for acute bronchitis.
Chronic bronchitis
You have chronic bronchitis if you have a cough with mucus most days of the month for three months out of the year. This goes on for at least two years.
If you have chronic bronchitis, you may have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ask your provider about whether you should get tested for COPD.
Who does bronchitis affect?
Anyone can get bronchitis, but you’re at higher risk if you:
- Smoke or are around someone who does.
- Have asthma, COPD or other breathing conditions.
- Have GERD (chronic acid reflux).
- Have an autoimmune disorder or other illness that causes inflammation.
- Are around air pollutants (like smoke or chemicals).
How does bronchitis affect my body?
When your airways are irritated, your immune system causes them to swell up and fill with mucus. You cough to try to clear the mucus out. As long as there’s mucus or inflammation in your airways, you’ll keep coughing.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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