Chronic Bronchitis Causes

What is chronic bronchitis?

Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition whereby the airways that transport air in and out of the lungs are permanently inflamed and narrowed. The narrowing of the airways can occur as a result of damage to the lung tissue, mucus blocking part of the airway, and the lining of the airways becoming inflamed¹. Unlike asthma, where there are recurrent symptoms, chronic bronchitis is persistent, and treatment which involves the use of inhaled medication helps to open the airways partially. Asthma symptoms occur when there is a certain trigger, such as pollen. As the symptoms of chronic bronchitis and asthma are similar, it is vital to keep track of how frequently your symptoms arise and whether or not you are coughing up mucus. 

Symptoms of chronic bronchitis

The main symptoms of this illness can be one or multiple of the following^1.2:  

• Coughing daily 
• A cough that produces phlegm (mucus)
• Breathlessness 
• Wheezing 
• Shortness of breath during day-to-day activities 

If you seem to have any of these symptoms persistently, it is highly advisable to make an appointment with your GP in order to formulate a treatment plan. 

Causes of chronic bronchitis

It can be argued that the causes of chronic bronchitis are largely similar to that of general respiratory problems. Some of the causes for this condition can include: 

Smoking

In a study conducted in 2012, it was deduced that smoking was the primary risk factor for 34.6% of the participants, who then later went on to develop chronic bronchitis.² Smoking can be linearly correlated to chronic bronchitis and has a high incidence rate. Cigarette smoke contains an array of toxic chemicals (carcinogens) which are absorbed in the alveoli (tiny air sacs present in the lungs) at varying rates according to the nature of the tobacco and the volume of puffs.³  In essence, the more smoke that is inhaled, the higher the rate of carcinogens damaging the linings of the alveoli that transport oxygen in and carbon dioxide out. Over time, the body’s coping mechanism to the mass amount of carcinogens is to cause the glands of the bronchi (tubes that direct airflow to the lungs) to enlarge or inflame in order to allow more air to be transported.³

Exposure to second-hand smoke

Second-hand smoke (passive smoking) is caused by inhaling the chemicals released through smoking. In essence, this causes damage to the bronchi to the same extent as smoking over a long duration. Constant exposure to these chemical irritants can increase your risk of developing serious lung conditions. 

Pollution

Air pollutants can be both outdoors, notably in diesel, and indoors through tobacco smoking or irritants in the workplace. In a research conducted in 2016, a correlation was drawn between air pollutants provoking the lungs to further inflame and damage.⁴ The study suggests that people with chronic bronchitis should be aware of the air quality in their area and take extra steps, such as limiting time spent outdoors when the air quality is poor.⁴

Upper respiratory tract infection

If upper respiratory tract infection (cold, laryngitis, sinusitis) is left untreated, it can lead to complications such as chronic bronchitis and respiratory failure. In order to manage this condition, antibiotics should be taken in accordance with a doctor’s prescription in order to reduce the risk of developing bronchitis.

Tips on how to quit smoking

Smoking is an addictive behaviour that usually has a long duration and can be difficult to manage once started. Foremost, in order to quit smoking, you must come to an understanding that this will benefit both your physical and mental health in the long run.

The tips on how to quit smoking are the following:

1. Discuss with friends and family your plan to quit smoking and how they can support you. 
2. Book an appointment with a GP/doctor. 
3. Download the ‘Smoke-free app’ that gives tailored support and advice for a four-week period ⁵
4. Formulate a treatment plan. This is usually Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and can help overcome the urge to smoke through patches, gums, or inhalers. There is an array of varying NRTs to try, and you should find the one that works best for you, although it is suggested to use a combination of two different forms (e.g., the patch and the gums).⁵
5.  Keep a diary as to when you feel the urge to smoke and how you are progressing each day.⁵
6. Remind yourself why you want to quit smoking.⁵
7. Be aware that quitting can come with withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms should be discussed with you during the initial appointment with your GP.⁵  Typical withdrawal symptoms can include an increased craving to smoke as well as an increased level of anxiety.⁶

These tips should proceed after a consultation with a health professional as it is an addiction, and it is recommended that medical advice should be sought out in order to fully quit smoking. The process of quitting can also affect your mental health, and it is, therefore, essential to seek out support groups in your local area. 

Conclusion

Chronic bronchitis is a condition which affects the lung’s airways. The primary symptom is a persistent cough that produces mucus and breathlessness. Some of the causes can be environmental due to pollution levels and habits such as passive and active smoking. There are various methods to plan the quitting process.  Whether you have symptoms of chronic bronchitis or would like to quit smoking, it is advised to seek the correct medical advice.