Bronchitis - What Can I Do?

Synonyms in the broader sense

Inflammation of the bronchi, COPD

English: bronchtitis

definition

Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi, i.e. the airways within the lungs. A distinction is made between acute and chronic inflammation of the bronchi. The so-called COPD has the worst prognosis (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / bronchitis), which is not reversible and has a significant impact on quality of life and life expectancy.

Therapy / treatment

Acute bronchitis usually heals itself within 8-10 days. For painful dry coughs, codeine preparations can be prescribed by the doctor, especially at night, many patients feel relieved by the cough suppressant, as it helps to get a good night's sleep. This is sometimes the best thing you can do to quickly recover from bronchitis. On the other hand, if the mucus production is too strong, agents to dissolve the mucus can be administered (e.g. Fluimucil). The cough should not be inhibited here, on the contrary: the expectorant liquefies the viscous secretion in the airways, which the patient actively coughs up. In this case, the combined intake of cough suppressants would be counterproductive or dangerous, since without coughing up the mucus it can lead to a jam! However, a lot of fluids and rest are often enough to cure the disease. The Wick Vaporub® cold ointment can also be inhaled if the bronchitis is acute. If the symptoms do not subside after about 5 days, you should consult a doctor.

Chronic obstructive bronchitis, however, requires far more comprehensive therapy and is not curable. For this reason, therapy consists primarily of treating the symptoms and slowing down the progression of COPD as much as possible. First and foremost, therefore, the inhalative Noxious substances Be avoided. In addition, depending on the severity, drugs are administered to widen the bronchi. Either as a long-term therapy or as an acute therapy, should there be an acute deterioration in the breathing situation. Some patients also need oxygen therapy in acute attacks.
Patients with COPD grade 4 need this permanently. In addition, all patients from the 2nd degree of COPD are treated prophylactically with antibiotics. The reason for this is poor lung function, which can quickly lead to pneumonia. This can be life-threatening for COPD patients. In addition, patients from grade 1 of COPD are regularly vaccinated against influenza and pneumococci, since here too the defense mechanisms and tolerance of the lungs are significantly reduced compared to healthy ones.

Antibiotics

Since bronchitis is caused by viruses in the majority of cases, general treatment with antibiotics makes little sense here.
Symptoms, such as a purulent secretion that is coughed up or fever, are also not an absolute indication for the use of antibiotics, as various studies have shown no advantages for symptom-oriented treatment.

Read more about this: Which antibiotics help with bronchitis?

Since antibiotics are used rather uncritically nowadays and promote resistance in bacteria, caution is advised here. However, if a bacterial pathogen is detected, an antibiotic may be necessary. Antibiotics can be used with a proven bacterial cause, especially in the case of a weakened immune system, for example in older people, infants or immunosuppressed people. Antibiotics can also be used if the bronchitis is suspected of developing into pneumonia.
The spectrum of bacteria that can occur in bronchitis ranges from staphylococci to pneumococci and Haemophilus influenzae. A doctor has to decide which antibiotic is then selected for therapy, who then selects it individually for the patient based on the pathogen and with a view to side effects and contraindications.

Read more on this topic: Which antibiotics help with bronchitis?

Home remedies

Numerous home remedies can help relieve symptoms of bronchitis. For example, putting on quark compresses once a day should help. Homemade onion juice also contains ingredients that help to loosen the mucus and thus make it easier to cough up secretions. In addition, the intake of plenty of fluids, especially herbal teas such as sage tea, thyme tea, ribwort or fennel tea, plays an important role. In general, a lot of liquid liquefies the secretion and can therefore be coughed up more easily. In addition, some herbal teas have anti-inflammatory and beneficial properties. Inhalation with herbs or essential oils is also one of the classic home remedies in the treatment of bronchitis. In this way the symptoms are alleviated, the airways are moistened and secretions can be mobilized more easily.

You can inhale with a steam inhaler from the pharmacy, but also "classic" over a pot or bowl. Particularly suitable herbs for inhalation are anise, fennel, mint, chamomile or thyme or, alternatively, the essential oils (peppermint, eucalyptus, thyme) in the form of drops. Another effective home remedy is steam inhalation with saline solution. This supports the cleaning function of the mucous membranes and moisturizes them. Therefore, steam inhalation with table salt is also used as a home remedy for infection prophylaxis. It is also helpful to consume garlic and ginger with food or as tea or warm soup (especially chicken soup). In the case of chronic bronchitis, a visit to the sauna or the use of a red light lamp can be helpful - but in acute infections this can also lead to worsening of symptoms.

You can find information about another home remedy here: Chest wrap

Homeopathy for bronchitis

Homeopathy also offers an alternative approach to the treatment of bronchitis. In this one always tries to see and treat the whole person with their individual living conditions, accompanying illnesses and moods. This is also the reason why there is no general recommendation for taking globules for bronchitis. When choosing the globules, it is taken into account which events trigger a coughing event, whether the cough is dependent on ambient temperature or temperature changes, whether there is a temporal occurrence pattern, whether body position and change in this play a role in relation to coughing. Lifestyle also play a role. When the cough symptoms appear for the first time, Aconitum, Belladonna and Nux vomica, for example, are used. In addition, Byronia, Drosera and Spongia can be used for dry coughs. Ipecacuanha and Pulsatilla are often resorted to for productive coughs.

Read more on this topic at: Homeopathy for bronchitis and cough

When do I need cortisone?

If the extremely reactive airways constantly lead to dry, convulsive coughing attacks and irritable coughs, you can consider taking cortisone by inhalation. The cortisone reduces inflammatory processes and the irritated mucous membranes become swollen. Inhalants containing cortisone require a prescription and should only be taken if recommended and prescribed by a doctor.

Read more on this topic at: Cortisone spray

Treatment of bronchitis with onion juice

For bronchitis, taking onion juice that you have prepared yourself can help relieve symptoms. By regularly taking the valuable ingredients in the juice, the mucus solution and thus the coughing up of secretions is supported. The onion bulb contains sulfur compounds and essential oils that have antibiotic and antiseptic effects, which promote recovery. The ingredients of the onion juice are onions and sugar or honey. The onion juice should be taken several times a day after preparation.

What are signs of bronchitis?

The first signs of acute bronchitis are often a dry, tickly cough that is often accompanied by a runny nose. The pathogens often succeed in spreading further in the body, which is noticeable in other symptoms such as fever and other typical cold symptoms such as sore throat, headache and body aches, hoarseness, fatigue and increased sweating. After a few days, the cough becomes productive and secretions are coughed up. This is often viscous and has a clear to whitish color. If there is a bacterial superinfection of the disease, which is often primarily caused by viruses, the sputum can also take on a yellowish or greenish color. If there are more severe injuries to the mucous membranes, blood can even be coughed up. If blood is coughed up, it should always be checked with a doctor. In some cases of acute bronchitis, the dry cough that initially appears remains and this subsides after a few days.

infection

In most cases, bronchitis is caused by viruses and is contagious. Especially those who have a weakened immune system are particularly susceptible to the various viruses, for example older people or babies. The routes of transmission differ depending on the virus, but in summary one can name the droplet and smear infection and the fecal-oral route of transmission.

In the case of droplet infection, coughing and sneezing are primarily responsible for the scattering of the smallest secretion droplets, which can also reach the airways of others via the air. The radius of propagation by droplets can be several meters. In the case of smear infection, the contagious viruses are transmitted via the hands or contaminated objects. Regular hand washing can counteract infection with the viruses here. The same applies to the faecal-oral transmission route, in which the viruses survive the intestinal passage and are contagious through direct contact. In order to avoid the contagious viruses, one should try to avoid large crowds during the cold season. The bacterial pathogens causing bronchitis can also be contagious through the sputum.

Read more on this topic at: How contagious is bronchitis?

Duration of bronchitis

Acute bronchitis usually has a relatively long duration. The cough lasts an average of three to four weeks, regardless of the cause. In exceptional cases, the inflammation of the lower airways can sometimes last longer. If the cough lasts significantly longer, you should rule out an asthma disease, which can make itself felt in the context and can also be effectively contained with appropriate treatment.

More on this: Duration of bronchitis

When can I start smoking again after bronchitis?

In general, no recommendation can be made as to when you can start smoking again after acute bronchitis, as smoking continues to damage the tissue of the respiratory tract, which is already affected, and thus lengthens the recovery process. Since cigarette smoking is the main cause of chronic bronchitis, the recommendation to stop tobacco consumption and avoid passive smoking also applies here.

In contrast to acute bronchitis, which heals after three to four weeks, chronic bronchitis lasts much longer. The duration from which bronchitis is designated as chronic is defined here as the predominant period of three months in two consecutive years. The duration of bronchitis can be influenced less by drugs such as expectorants or antibiotics.

Treatment is more likely to be with means that alleviate the symptoms. The cough can be weakened, but not completely prevented. However, the cough also has a cleansing effect in bronchitis by removing the mucus that is in the bronchial tubes. In this respect, it has a certain positive side effect, even if this symptom can of course be perceived as annoying and painful.

Read more on this topic: Duration of bronchitis

Symptoms

Bronchitis is inflammation of the lower airways. A typical symptom of acute bronchitis is therefore cough, which is supposed to clear secretions from the lower respiratory tract. The secretion usually arises from the inflammation. In the first phase of bronchitis, the cough is quite dry, but then it is usually accompanied by sputum due to the increased production of mucus in the bronchial mucosa.
This means that the coughed up secretion is carried outside. The secretion can be of various consistencies and colors, for example tough and colorless or yellow and purulent. The nature of the sputum can certainly provide conclusions about the stage and cause, such as a viral or bacterial infection, of the bronchitis, but are usually not conclusive. In severe cases, the sputum can even be bloody. At this point at the latest, a doctor should be consulted immediately.

Due to the secretion created by bronchitis, rattling noises can be heard with the stethoscope when coughing and breathing hard. The cough can last three to four weeks and cause muscular chest pain due to the strain. In addition, the inflammatory process can cause pain in the chest and lungs, which appear to be dependent on breathing or coughing. Cold air in particular can be perceived as painful. In addition to coughing as a typical symptom, there may be a general feeling of illness. This includes, among other things, aching limbs and fatigue.

Symptoms of a cold can also play a role in bronchitis, for example runny nose, sore throat and hoarseness. If the bronchitis lasts longer, i.e. over three months, it is called chronic bronchitis. Due to the increased inflammatory reactions and the resulting irreversible damage to the lower airways, the symptoms of acute bronchitis, i.e. cough with sputum, can be supplemented by further symptoms. Symptoms here are thick phlegm, shortness of breath during exertion, an increased breathing rate, a wheezing noise and possibly blue lips and fingertips, as signs of insufficient oxygen saturation in the blood. Since the thick mucus cannot always be coughed up sufficiently, it serves as a breeding ground for bacteria and thus causes frequent infections of the bronchi. Thus, those affected are sick more often and develop an aggravation of the symptoms with the frequent bronchitis.

Read more on this topic: Symptoms of bronchitis

fever

As well as cough, pain behind the breastbone and sputum (yellowish with bacterial infection) when coughing, headache and aching limbs, fever is also one of the typical symptoms of bronchitis. As a rule, however, the symptoms subside after a few days with physical rest without consequences. When the body temperature rises (one speaks of fever from 38 ° C) it is a defense mechanism of the body against pathogens. If the symptoms do not improve at all after a few days, the fever does not decrease or even increases again, a doctor should definitely be consulted.

What you might also be interested in in this regard: How can you lower a fever?

Pain

As well as cough, sputum (yellowish with bacterial infection) when coughing, headache and body aches, pain behind the sternum when coughing is one of the typical symptoms of bronchitis. As a rule, however, the symptoms subside after a few days with physical rest without consequences. In this case, it is important to ensure that you are drinking enough fluids. "Cough suppressants" can be used in the event of an agonizing urge to cough. But it is even better to liquefy the tough mucus by means of expectorant and sufficient drinking so that you can then cough it up better. You should only resort to suppressing the cough if the cough is very dry (unproductive) and the night's rest is severely impaired by excruciating cough attacks.

hoarseness

The first symptoms of acute bronchitis are usually a dry cough, accompanied by a runny nose. In the course of the disease, there may be hoarseness and other typical cold symptoms such as sore throat, headache and body aches. As a rule, symptoms such as hoarseness subside after a few days without any consequences. In the case of hoarseness, the voice should be spared. Drinking warm beverages (e.g. sage tea), sucking cough drops and steam inhalations can also improve the situation. If the hoarseness does not occur as part of an acute cold, lasts for several weeks and leads to voicelessness or if a barking cough occurs in small children, a doctor should be consulted.

Read more on this topic at: hoarseness

Mucus in the lungs / sputum

Like pain behind the breastbone when coughing and general exhaustion, coughing up phlegm (productive cough) is one of the typical symptoms of bronchitis. The inflammation of the airways leads to the production of mucus. In the case of bronchitis caused by viruses, the coughed-up secretion is whitish-glassy, ​​in the case of a bacterial secondary infection or primarily bacterial bronchitis, the secretion is yellowish, but can also have a greenish color. As a rule, however, the symptoms subside after a few days with physical rest without consequences. If the mucus is very thick and there is also severe pain when coughing up, it is important to ensure that you are drinking enough fluids. The viscous mucus can be liquefied by expectorant mucus, tapping the airways, steam inhalation and sufficient drinking, so that it can then be coughed up better. The loosening of the stuck, viscous secretion plays a major role in the treatment of bronchitis.

You may also be interested in this topic: Pus in the lungs

Shortness of breath

With chronic bronchitis, in addition to chronic coughing and sputum, there is also difficulty breathing. Initially, the shortness of breath only occurs during exercise, later it can also lead to permanent shortness of breath.

incubation period

The incubation time for viruses is around two to seven days, but it depends to a large extent on the particular pathogen. Bronchial disease is often caused by a spreading infection of the upper respiratory tract. The acute disease of the bronchi becomes noticeable a few days after the infection. The first signs are often a dry, dry cough and the onset of a runny nose.

Bronchitis in pregnancy

Since the organism and the immune system are heavily challenged during pregnancy, pregnant women must pay particular attention to their health. If a pregnant woman has bronchitis, the course of the disease should be closely monitored. As a rule, bronchitis is uncomplicated even during pregnancy and does not pose any major risks for mother and child. In case of doubt, a doctor should always be consulted and the symptoms clarified by a doctor.

Many medications that can otherwise be taken without hesitation in self-medication for colds must be avoided in the event of a pregnancy, as this can lead to possible harm to the unborn child. It therefore makes sense to first resort to home remedies such as steam inhalation in order to alleviate the symptoms of the disease and to contact a doctor first before taking any medication. Particularly with synthetic drugs, caution is required during pregnancy, but also with many herbal preparations a doctor should be consulted before taking in order to avoid possible harm to the unborn child by certain substances.

Chronic bronchitis

Permanent bronchitis is due to permanent inflammation of the lower airways. Typical symptoms are a productive cough and bronchial congestion. In addition, there are often typical cold symptoms such as general exhaustion, runny nose and headache. A common cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking. The regularly inhaled toxins damage the lung tissue and the lung cleansing system. This then leads to a swelling of the mucous membranes and the production of a viscous secretion. In addition, other factors that burden the lungs, such as inhaled gases or dusts or frequent infections by bacteria or viruses, can play a role in the development of chronic bronchitis.

Due to a slowly advancing inflammatory process in the bronchi, the disease has a creeping course. The coughing up of secretions only in the morning at the beginning of the illness is often not associated with a chronic illness at the beginning. People who smoke in particular are familiar with the occurrence of a cough and classify this as a "side effect" of their cigarette consumption. A doctor is therefore often only consulted if the symptoms are worse, such as the occurrence of shortness of breath. Treatment is then based on the severity of the disease. The therapeutic goal is then to improve the symptoms and counteract the development of chronic obstructive bronchitis. It is essential not to smoke cigarettes.

Read more on this topic at: Chronic bronchitis

bronchial asthma

Bronchitis usually goes through without complications and only lasts for a few days. However, if bronchitis occurs more frequently than average, i.e. more than 6 to a maximum of 10 bronchitis per year in children or 3 to a maximum of 4 bronchitis in adults, the bronchitis can also be caused by other causes than the "classic" triggers. The most common cause of recurring bronchitis is mild and previously unrecognized bronchial asthma. In the case of an acute attack, this becomes noticeable through coughing and thick mucus; shortness of breath often plays a subordinate role in these patients. Further reasons for recurring bronchitis can be chronic sinus diseases, bronchiectasis, an immune deficiency or even a tumor. Therefore, frequent complaints should always be clarified by a doctor, more specifically by a pulmonologist. Complicated chronic obstructive bronchitis can develop from acute bronchitis after a bacterial superinfection has taken place. Patients who suffer from such bronchitis are at an increased risk of developing non-allergic asthma. There is also the assumption that there is a connection between an infection with the bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae and the development of bronchial asthma.

Read more on this topic at: bronchial asthma

Bronchitis in babies

In a baby, bronchitis particularly affects the small bronchi and is known as "bronchiolitis". Here too the viruses play a major role as the cause, especially RSV, the so-called respiratory syncytial virus. Babies mainly get sick between the ages of three and six months and have a cough with mucus production for around two to three weeks. Since the airways are smaller in a baby, the swelling of the bronchial mucous membrane caused by bronchitis, together with the accumulating mucus, has a much more significant effect on the diameter and is therefore more dangerous than in adults.

The consequence of this is that the air flow through the airways and the gas exchange are reduced. A doctor should ideally be clarified. As a therapy, it has proven to be effective to give the glucocorticoid dexamethasone and adrenaline, since this effectively increases the airway diameter and reduces the inflammation. If bacterial pathogens are detected, an antibiotic can also be given that is pathogen-specific and not harmful to the child. However, this should be clarified by a doctor.

Read more on this topic at: Bronchitis in the baby

Diagnosis

The basic diagnosis of bronchitis includes a detailed medical history and physical examination. Specifically, of course, checking lung function. Acute bronchitis presents the typical picture of a viral infection and often leads to harsh breathing sounds. If a whistling or humming sound can be heard, this indicates a narrowing of the airways (obstructive bronchitis). As a rule, no shadows are seen in the X-ray image as long as there is no pneumonia. If COPD is suspected, the question of inhaled noxae such as cigarette smoke or dust exposure at the workplace is sometimes the most important question.

Other important indicators of COPD are family history, other previous illnesses, weight loss and the number of acute exacerbations in the last year. As described above, the obstruction of the lungs can be heard with a whistling and buzzing sound. The level of oxygen deficiency in the body can be measured by determining the blood gases. Very quiet or weakened breathing sounds over certain sections of the lungs indicate an existing emphysema. In order to be able to confirm the exact diagnosis of COPD, a pulmonary function test is essential. The minute volume, the inhalation and exhalation volume and the remaining volume in the lungs can be measured. These volumes are typically lengthened or shortened depending on the severity and extent of the COPD.

The six-minute walk test is part of the advanced diagnostics. Healthy people can walk over 500m in 6 minutes. From severity 3 of COPD, this distance is shortened to approx. 200m. In younger patients, it is important to check for alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor deficiency. A deficiency in this enzyme also leads to clinical symptoms of chronic obstructive bronchitis, but has a completely different cause and is relatively easy to treat by substituting the enzyme.

causes

The causes of bronchitis are mostly viral pathogens. Mostly, an infection is due to the adenovirus or the rhinovirus. Also the Myxoviruses, to which the influenza virus belongs, are not infrequently the cause of bronchitis. The whooping cough pathogen or mycoplasma are in rarer cases causing an infection of the lower respiratory tract.

In addition to viral infections, bacterial infections can also occur, for example caused by staphylococci, pneumococci and Haemophilus influenzae. However, the viral causes are much more common. The bacteria come into play especially when the self-cleaning function of the lungs no longer works properly due to the viral bronchitis and can no longer remove the mucus in the bronchi. This is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. In some cases, the bacterial infection can spread to the lungs.

In addition to infectious causes, substances that irritate the airways can also trigger bronchitis. This includes smoke and liquids, such as gastric juice. Asthmatics are predestined for bronchitis due to the impairment of the lower airways. Causes of chronic bronchitis are, in addition to those mentioned above, nicotine consumption, this manifests itself as a so-called "smoker's cough".

Bronchitis from an allergy

Allergies can manifest themselves in different ways in different organs. In addition to the conjunctivitis of the eyes (Conjunctivitis) also includes inflammation of the bronchi (bronchitis) to the common allergic diseases. Other typical symptoms of allergies are allergic rhinitis (allergic rhinitis), hay fever (pollen allergy or pollinosis) or allergic asthma. Food allergies can also lead to inflammation of the mucous and conjunctiva and narrowing of the bronchi with shortness of breath and coughing.

The bronchitis caused by viruses

Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane in the bronchi, mainly caused by viruses. The large bronchial tubes are often affected and viral bronchitis occurs together with rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane), pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat) or laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx) as part of a "normal" cold. The viruses that cause around 90 percent of bronchitis are predominantly adeno, influenza, parainfluenza and rhinoviruses. Typical of viral bronchitis is the occurrence of cough (with tough, whitish-glassy expectoration) and fever together with a reduced general condition, headache and body aches. If the mucous membrane has already been damaged by a virus infection and there is cellular damage, it is also easier for bacteria to settle on the already attacked mucous membrane and to spread there. If this is the case, one speaks of a so-called "bacterial superinfection". In such a case, the use of antibiotics is necessary in terms of treatment.
In the case of purely viral bronchitis, antibiotic treatment is not effective and therefore not necessary. In the treatment of viral bronchitis, adequate fluid intake is important. Cough removers can be used for excruciating coughs (Antitussives) and expectorants are taken. As a rule, the disease proceeds without complications and heals on its own if you take physical care. In immunocompromised, lung diseases or elderly people, the disease can last longer and more complications can occur. In babies, certain viruses (respiratory syncytial viruses or RSV for short) can cause a type of bronchitis, bronchiolitis. The course of the disease can be rapid, be accompanied by extreme shortness of breath and high fever, and require medical care in the intensive care unit.

For more detailed information, we recommend our website: Viral Bronchitis - You Should Know That!

What you might also be interested in in this regard: Antiviral drugs

How can I tell the difference between bronchitis and pneumonia?

While bronchitis affects the mucous membranes of the large bronchi, pneumonia (or pneumonia) causes damage to the alveoli and lung tissue. The spectrum of pathogens is also very different, which can also lead to different symptoms. While viruses play a major role in the infection in bronchitis, pneumonia can also be triggered by viruses or fungi, but the majority is caused by bacteria.

Read more on this topic at: How do I recognize pneumonia?

Depending on the age group and immune status of the patient, different strains of the pathogen play an important role in pneumonia. Acute bronchitis often begins with a dry, tickly cough, which can then turn into a productive cough. The secretion is whitish-glassy and, if bacteria come into play in addition to viruses, can become yellowish or greenish. In addition, there are cold-like symptoms such as runny nose, headache and possibly (not very high) fever. Breathing difficulties are usually not very pronounced. For pneumonia (Pneumonia), especially if they are difficult and caused by bacteria, cough with sputum (yellow to greenish secretion) plays a major role. Which symptoms occur depends heavily on the pathogen. But there is often a high fever with sweats and chills, rapid breathing and shortness of breath, fatigue and painful breathing. With some pathogens (atypical pathogens such as mycoplasma, legionella, chlamydia or viruses) the course can also be insidious, with only a slight fever and a dry cough. Whether it is acute bronchitis or pneumonia can only be determined by a doctor. Since the therapies also differ, it is strongly recommended that you consult a doctor if you have symptoms.

Read more on this topic at: Signs of pneumonia

Epidemiology

Acute and chronic bronchitis are among the most common diseases of the lower respiratory tract.
About 15% of men and 10% of women suffer from chronic bronchitis. COPD is by far the most common obstructive airway disease in Germany. It is estimated that around 4% of adults have COPD grade 1-4. Grade 0 means chronic bronchitis that does not yet require medication, while grade 4 has a very poor prognosis and is dependent on long-term oxygen therapy and a lung transplant.

The tendency for COPD is increasing. At the moment, significantly more men than women are affected by chronic obstructive bronchitis. COPD is currently the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Acute bronchitis is caused by viruses in over 90% of cases and is a common disease in children and adults. On the other hand, bacterial acute bronchitis is very rare and occurs in only about 10% of cases. A bacterial superinfection on the basis of a viral infection is much more common.

Summary

While acute bronchitis is a common and relatively uncomplicated clinical picture, chronic obstructive bronchitis has a very strong influence on quality of life and life expectancy. Acute bronchitis is mainly characterized by a barking cough and a general feeling of illness and malaise. Because acute bronchitis usually viral there is no adequate therapy.

This is usually not necessary. The disease limits itself. COPD, on the other hand, is a disease of the lungs that has to be taken seriously. As a rule, inhalation noxious substances such as smoking or exposure to dust are the reason for the development of COPD. Transformations of the lung epithelium occur which are no longer reversible. Correspondingly, COPD is a progressively progressive pulmonary dysfunction, the prognosis of which is primarily related to further exposure to inhalation noxae.
The progression of the disease can be alleviated by giving up smoking or other negative influences on the lungs. Other comorbidities and the general condition of the patient also have a major influence on the prognosis of chronic obstructive bronchitis.