Causes of Bronchitis and Risk Factors
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the respiratory tract that carries air to and from the lungs. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic, which can be caused by several things. Knowing the exact cause can help you get the right bronchitis treatment and avoid bronchitis complications. Check out the reviews of what causes bronchitis below.
What causes bronchitis?
If you have bronchitis, the cells that line the bronchi become infected. The infection usually starts in the nose or throat, then progresses to the bronchial tubes.
When the body tries to fight infection, the bronchial tubes swell. This is what then causes you to cough up phlegm, or sometimes a dry cough.
The swelling then narrows your airways. As a result, the air flow is obstructed. Finally, symptoms of bronchitis appear, such as wheezing (wheezing), chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
The causes of bronchitis can be explained by type, namely acute and chronic. Check out the following explanation.
Acute bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes that occurs for a short time. The cause of bronchitis usually occurs due to a viral infection and can heal on its own.
Acute bronchitis is rarely caused by a bacterial infection. Viruses that commonly cause acute bronchitis are:
- Rhinovirus
- Enterovirus
- Influenza A and B
- Parainfluenza
- Coronavirus
- Human metapneumovirus
- Respiratory syncytial virus
About 95% of acute bronchitis in healthy adults is viral in origin. However, some cases of bronchitis suggest that allergies, irritants, and bacteria can also be the cause. The irritation in question usually occurs due to inhalation of smoke, polluted air, dust, and so on.
Quoted from American Family Physician, only 1-10% of cases of acute bronchitis are caused by bacteria. Although rare, here are the types of bacteria that cause acute bronchitis:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Chlamydophila pneumoniae
- Bordetella pertussis
Acute bronchitis is a contagious disease. That’s why, whenever you start coughing, it’s important to cover your nose and mouth with an elbow or handkerchief, aka practicing cough etiquette.
You should also avoid touching your face and wash your hands regularly with soap and running water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This is because of the virus and the bacteria that cause acute bronchitis can be spread by touch (such as a handshake) and by polluting the air that other people breathe.
Chronic bronchitis
In contrast to acute, chronic bronchitis is inflammation that lasts more than 3 months over a period of 2 years. This condition can develop over time. Inflammation continues and causes mucus, inflamed cells, and narrow or stiff ducts.
It makes it difficult for you to breathe. Chronic bronchitis is often thought to be part of a serious condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
There are many causes of chronic bronchitis, but the most common cause is exposure to secondhand smoke, whether active or passive. The irritants you breathe into the respiratory tract, such as smog, industrial pollution, and toxic chemicals can also cause chronic bronchitis.
What are the risk factors for bronchitis?
The following factors can increase your risk of developing bronchitis:
1. Smoking
People who smoke or live in close proximity to smokers have a higher risk of developing acute or chronic bronchitis. Smoking is the most common cause of bronchitis. However, bronchitis can also occur in those who don’t smoke
Quoted from US department of Health and Human Services, women who smoke may be more at risk of bronchitis than men who smoke. Those who are older and often exposed to secondhand smoke also have a higher risk of developing bronchitis.
Journal published by Respiratory Medicine states that as many as 50% of smokers show symptoms of chronic bronchitis. One in five of them get COPD. In people who quit smoking, the risk of causing chronic bronchitis and COPD can decrease within 10 years, to that of people who don’t smoke.
2. Consuming alcohol
Apart from smoking, another factor that can cause bronchitis is consuming alcohol. Drinking alcohol to excess can increase your risk of developing bronchitis and impair lung function in general.
Alcohol abuse can also double your risk of developing bronchitis.
3. Low socioeconomic status
Published journal US Department of Health and Human Services mentioned that bronchitis and persistent cough were closely related to smoking, alcohol consumption and poor socioeconomic status.
Meanwhile, European Respiratory Journal has also published studies showing a relationship between the type of work and the level of education on the risk of developing bronchitis. The study suggests that a lower level of education creates an increased risk of developing chronic bronchitis.
The effects of poverty that affect nutritional status have also been shown to increase the risk of infection and development of lung diseases, including bronchitis, in infants and children.
4. Weak immune system
A weak immune system may be caused by another acute illness, such as a cold or a chronic condition that affects your immune system. The elderly, infants and young children are at higher risk for infections, including bronchitis.
American Lung Association mention that your immune system can fight the infection that causes bronchitis. However, a weakened immune system or other acute conditions can inhibit this natural process.
5. Environment with poor air quality
You are at greater risk of bronchitis if you work in an environment that can irritate your lungs, such as processing grain, textiles, or other chemicals.
Inhalation of hydrogen sulfide can affect lower breathing by causing symptoms ranging from coughing, shortness of breath, to bronchial or lung bleeding. At higher concentrations, these chemicals can cause bronchitis and fluid buildup in the lungs.
Research in Finland described Respiratory Medicine mentioned that chronic bronchitis was three times more common among farmers, even though they were less dependent on smoking. The incidence of chronic bronchitis is also higher in people who work on animal farms than in wheat farms.
6. Gastric acid reflux
Not only breathing problems, stomach pain due to acid reflux can also irritate your throat and put you at increased risk of developing bronchitis. GERD can also be one of the causes of acute bronchitis when stomach acid enters the respiratory tract.
Immediately consult yourself if you experience a cough that doesn’t get better for more than two weeks and feel a bitter liquid in your mouth. These symptoms may be a sign that you have GERD.
7. Do not do vaccines
The influenza virus is the main cause of acute bronchitis. Therefore, getting an annual flu vaccine will help you avoid the virus. Some vaccines that can protect you from pneumonia might also help prevent bronchitis.
The flu vaccine and pneumonia vaccine are recommended especially for adults over 65 years old, children under 2 years old, pregnant women, and long-term healthcare residents.
Hello Health Group and Hello Sehat do not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please check our editorial policy page for more detailed information.
Bronchitis – Symptoms and causes. (2020). Retrieved 18 June 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bronchitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355566#:~:text=Bronchitis%20is%20an%20inflammation%20of,be%20either%20acute % 20or% 20chronic.
Publishing, H. (2020). What causes acute bronchitis? – Harvard Health. Retrieved 18 June 2021, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/what-causes-acute-bronchitis
Learn About Acute Bronchitis. (2020). Retrieved 18 June 2021, from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/bronchitis/learn-about-bronchitis
Singh, A., Avula, A., & Zahn, E. (2019). Acute Bronchitis. Statpearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448067/
Widysanto, A., & Mathew, G. (2020). Chronic Bronchitis. Statpearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482437/
Bronchitis | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). (2020). Retrieved 18 June 2021, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/bronchitis
Kinkade, S., & Long, N. (2016). Acute Bronchitis. American Family Physician, 94 (7), 560-565. Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1001/p560.html#sec-1
Chronic Bronchitis. (2004). American Family Physician, 69 (10), 2445. Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0515/p2445.html
Gorguner, M., & Akgun, M. (2010). Acute Inhalation Injury. The Eurasian Journal Of Medicine, 42 (1), 28-35. doi: 10.5152 / eajm.2010.09
(2020). Retrieved 18 June 2021, from https://studenthealth.ucf.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2017/03/acute-bronchitis1.pdf
Sisson, J. (2007). Alcohol and airways function in health and disease. Alcohol, 41 (5), 293-307. doi: 10.1016 / j. alcohol.2007.06.003
