ACUTE BRONCHITIS
PRESENTED BY:
Asiya Rafique
Ayesha Saddiqa
Saba Nazeer
WHAT IS BRONCHITIS?
• Bronchitis is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial
tubes (bronchi), the air passages that extend from the trachea
into the small airways and alveoli.
TYPES OF BRONCHITIS
• ACUTE BRONCHITIS:
• Acute bronchits is one of the commonest types of lung
infection that leads to a visit to the general physician. It
is more common and deadly in children under the age
of five and in elderly over the age of 50 years.
• This lasts for 2 to 4 weeks and usually responsive to
therapy .
TYPES OF BRONCHITIS
• CHRONIC BRONCHITIS:
• This is different entity and lead to long term damage to
the inner walls of the airways in the lungs. This is part of
a group of lung diseases called chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease or COPD.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
• Acute bronchitis is the result of acute inflammation of
the bronchi secondary to various triggers, most
commonly viral infection, allergens, pollutants, etc.
Inflammation of the bronchial wall leads to mucosal
thickening, epithelial-cell desquamation, and
denudation of the basement membrane. At times, a
viral upper respiratory infection can progress to
infection of the lower respiratory tract resulting in acute
bronchitis.
CAUSES OF ACUTE BRONCHITIS
• Respiratoryly viruses are the most common cause of acute
bronchitis Such as influenza & rhino viruses.
• Cigaretes smoking is indisputable predominant cause of acute
bronchitis.
• Air pollution, dust & toxic gases in the environment are
responsible for acute bronchitis.
• Viruses causes acute bronchitis :
• Influenza A & B
• Rhino viruses
• Respiratory syncytial virus
• Acute Bronchitis usually causes infections & those
• infections caused by:
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Haemophilus influenzae
• Chlamydia pneumoniae
SIGN AND SYMPTOMS
• A complete history must be obtained, including information on
exposure to toxic substances and smoking.
• Symptoms of bronchitis include the following:
• Cough (the most commonly observed symptom)
• Sputum production (clear, yellow, green, or even blood-tinged)
• Fever (relatively unusual, in conjunction with cough, suggestive of
influenza or pneumonia).
• Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea rare.
SIGN AND SYMPTOMS
• General malaise and chest pain (in severe cases)
• Dyspnea and cyanosis (only seen with underlying chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD) or another condition that
impairs lung function)
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Extreme fatigue
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FINDINGS
• Diffuse wheezes, high-pitched continuous sounds, and the use of
accessory muscles (in severe cases)
• • Diffuse diminution of air intake or Inspiratory stridor (indicative of
bronchial or tracheal obstruction)
• • Sustained heave along the left sternal border (indicative of right
ventricular hypertrophy secondary to chronic bronchitis)
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FINDINGS
• Clubbing on the digits and peripheral cyanosis (indicative of cystic
fibrosis)
• • Bullous myringitis (suggestive of mycoplasmal pneumonia)
• • Conjunctivitis, adenopathy, and rhinorrhea (suggestive of
adenoviral infection)
INVESTIGATIONS
• Complete blood count (CBC) with differential
• Procalcitonin levels (to distinguish bacterial from
nonbacterial infections)
• Sputum cytology (if the cough is persistent)
• Blood culture (if bacterial superinfection is suspected)
INVESTIGATIONS
• Chest radiography (if the patient is elderly or physical
findings suggest pneumonia)
• Bronchoscopy (to exclude foreign body aspiration,
tuberculosis, tumors, and other chronic diseases)
• Influenza tests
• • Spirometry
• Laryngoscopy (to exclude epiglottitis)
In bronchitis, the x-ray will show no evidence of lung infiltrates or
consolidation. Occasionally, chest x-ray shows increased interstitial
markings consistent with thickening of bronchial walls.
MANAGEMENT
• • Central cough suppressants (eg. codeine and
dextromethorphan) - Short-term symptomatic relief of
coughing in acute and chronic bronchitis.
• • Bronchodilators (eg, ipratropium bromide and theophylline)
- Control of bronchospasm, dyspnea, and chronic cough in
stable patients with chronic bronchitis, a long-acting beta-
agonist plus an inhaled corticosteroid can also be offered to
control chronic cough.
MANAGEMENT
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)-Treatment of
constitutional symptoms of acute bronchitis, Including mild-
to-moderate pain.
• • Antitussives/expectorants (eg, guaifenesin) Treatment of
cough, dyspnea, and wheezing.
• Mucolytics - Management of moderate-to-severe COPD,
especially In winter
PHYSICAL THERAPY MANAGEMENT
POSTURAL DRAINAGE POSITIONS
ACTIVE CYCLE OF BREATHING TECHNIQUES
(ACBTs)
PHYSICAL THERAPY MANAGEMENT
• Exercises and considerations recommended for those recovering
from acute bronchitis or with chronic bronchitis include:
• Gentle stretching exercises, such as yoga, avoiding downward or
upside-down poses, as these encourage phlegm to travel upwards
• Cardiovascular exercises that promote light, continuous exertion,
including walking or distance swimming.
• Continuing everyday activities or hobbies if possible or as
symptoms lessen, including housework, gardening, dog walks, or
playing golf.
