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Bronchitis: Chronic Bronchitis
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Bronchitis is an inflammation of the trachea and bronchial tree. Bronchitis may be either acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis may be caused by viral or bacterial infections and is often preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection. Acute bronchitis may ... result from irritation of the mucous membranes by environmental fumes, acids, solvents, or tobacco smoke. Bronchitis usually begins with a dry, nonproductive cough. After a few hours or days, the cough may become more frequent and produce mucus.
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Bronchitis is a breathing disorder that causes a cough and often accompanies a cold. It usually passes quickly. Most people have had acute bronchitis by the time they are adults and have suffered no permanent damage to their lungs. However, bronchitis which becomes chronic (long-lasting) can damage the lungs. According to the SC Office of Research & Statistics, 13,360 people were seen in SC emergency rooms for bronchitis in 2004 at an average cost of over $3,000 per visit. Learn how to recognize bronchitis, and what you can do to avoid developing chronic bronchitis.
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Bronchitis can have causes other than infection. Bronchial wall inflammation can occur in asthma or can be secondary to mucosal injury in an acute event, such as smoke or chemical fume inhalation. This inflammation can ... result from chronic toxic exposure, such as cigarette smoking. It is important to realize that when underlying inflammation is present, such as in asthmatics or smokers, infective agents are likely to cause more severe cough and wheezing.
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Bronchitis occurs when the air passages in your lungs become inflamed. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is usually due to a viral infection – such as a cold – that starts in your nose or sinuses and spreads to the airways. Acute bronchitis usually lasts a few days, although you may have a cough for weeks afterward. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, occurs most often in people who smoke and, together with emphysema, is known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic bronchitis is characterized by a productive (wet) cough that is persistent.
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Bronchitis can be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viral or bacterial infection. It may ... be caused by irritation from environmental fumes, acids, solvents, or tobacco smoke. A dry, nonproductive cough is often the first symptom of bronchitis. Within a few hours or days, coughing caused by bronchitis will start to produce noticeable amounts of mucus. If a bronchitis cough and/or fever persist for seven or more days, a doctor should be consulted for treatment.
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Bronchitis may be either an acute or chronic disorder and frequently involves the trachea as well as the bronchi (tracheobronchitis). The acute stage of the disease often is an extension of an upper respiratory infection which is usually viral in origin. Causes other than infectious agents are physical and chemical irritants that are inhaled in air polluted by dust, industrial fumes and powdered feeds. The important clinical signs indicative of bronchitis are cough and the ease of stimulating a cough by compression of the trachea, and bronchial tones on auscultation of the base of the lungs. At necropsy the case may be classified as catarrhal, eosinophilic, fibronecrotic, purulent or ulcerative.
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Chronic Bronchitis