Chronic bronchitis
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
Characteristic symptoms are fatigue, wheezing, and cough with thickened mucus, particularly on awakening. Other signs and symptoms include exertional dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, apnea, and rarely hemoptysis.
Management includes smoking cessation, pharmacotherapy, oxygen to treat hypoxemia, pulmonary rehabilitation, and lung surgery (lung volume reduction surgery or lung transplant).
Related topic: Acute bronchitis
Codes
ICD10CM:J42 – Unspecified chronic bronchitis
SNOMEDCT:
63480004 – Chronic Bronchitis
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Last Reviewed:02/06/2018
Last Updated:02/18/2018
Last Updated:02/18/2018
Patient Information for Chronic bronchitis
Overview
Chronic bronchitis is the constant irritation and inflammation of the bronchial tubes. It is characterized as chronic if symptoms last more than 3 months at a time per year for 2 years in a row. Chronic bronchitis is considered a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Who’s At Risk
These factors increase your risk of developing chronic bronchitis:- Cigarette smoking
- Compromised immune system
- Consistent exposure to irritants such as chemical fumes
- Gastric reflux
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms of chronic bronchitis include:- Fatigue
- Productive cough
- Wheezing
Self-Care Guidelines
To help alleviate symptoms avoid smoking and wear masks if you are in areas with pollutants. Use a humidifier to help relieve the cough. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) will help reduce the fever.When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care if you:- Have a cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks
- Have a high fever, over 100.4°F (38°C)
- Have green, brown, or dark yellow mucus
- Experience wheezing or shortness of breath
Treatments
Your health care provider may recommend pulmonary rehabilitation. This is a breathing exercise conducted by a respiratory therapist with the goal of reducing the difficulties associated with breathing.You may also receive suggestions for over-the-counter cough suppressants to help you sleep, and an inhaler, or certain medications to help relieve breathing difficulties.