Bronchitis is a common issue for both and children. This condition makes it difficult to breathe and causes coughing and wheezing. Here’s some insight into the two types of bronchitis to help you assess your health before heading to the doctor.

Acute Bronchitis

A virus usually causes acute or short-term bronchitis, but it’s occasionally bacterial. People who inhale dust, smoke, or contaminants may incur acute bronchitis due to respiratory irritation.

Older people and babies are the most likely to develop acute bronchitis because they have limited immune systems. Individuals who smoke or inhale secondhand smoke are also at an increased risk.

Acute bronchitis may last for several weeks. Doctors may prescribe pills to limit coughing and make it easier to sleep, or an inhaler to alleviate shortness of breath.

Chronic Bronchitis

Individuals who have chronic bronchitis have wet coughs most days for three months in a year, two years in a row. This ongoing issue occurs when the bronchial tubes limit how much air enters the lungs, causing wheezing and difficulty breathing.

People who have chronic bronchitis are often smokers or have respiratory issues like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Individuals with this condition call their sick periods “flare-ups”, which include severe symptoms of their underlying condition and bronchitis. This long-term issue can worsen when someone is exposed to bacteria or viruses that cause the common cold and respiratory problems. 

Chronic bronchitis treatment centers around reducing discomfort, like improving breathing with inhalers and reducing coughing with suppressants. Reducing smoking and improving air quality to minimize contaminant exposure can help, but people aren’t likely to completely recover from this severe condition.

If you’re concerned about bronchitis, contact the compassionate doctors at Island Hospital in Anacortes, WA. The hospital has been open since 1962, offering personalized services for individuals who need general, pediatric, cancer, rehabilitation, and sleep services. Call (360) 299-1300 to schedule an appointment or visit their website for information on their 190 physicians and to learn why they were voted one of the 100 Top Hospitals in the U.S.