Bronchitis
By definition, bronchitis stands for an inflammation of the bronchial tree.  It can be divided into an acute bronchitis, which is caused by bacteria or viruses and which lasts for a few days or weeks and chronic bronchitis, a long lasting productive cough that can last for at least three months to a couple of years. 

In bronchitis, the lining of the bronchial tree in the larger bronchial tubes become inflamed and begin to produce excessive mucus.  The cough is present to get rid of the excess mucus. 

Acute Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis manifests itself as an inflammation and infection of the medium sized airways of the lungs.  If it worsens, it can become pneumonia.  Bronchitis that is acute is often caused from viruses or bacteria that affect the lungs.  Sufferers cough and produce sputum in order to get rid of the infection.  Shortness of breath and wheezing is also a factor of the disease.

One makes the diagnosis of acute bronchitis because of clinical evaluation and occasionally by microbiological means. The treatment involves the use of antibiotics if it is suspected to be bacterial bronchitis and bronchodilator therapy to improve breathing. 

The cause of acute bronchitis is as a result of various pathogens.  Usually the actual pathogen is not determined. Other times, it is found to be respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, rhinovirus and related pathogens.  

Symptoms of acute bronchitis are a loose cough, chest pains, wheezing, shortness of breath, fever, tiredness or malaise.  When adenovirus is involved in the bronchitis, systemic and gastrointestinal findings are noted as well.  The cough can last up to three weeks longer than the infection itself. 

Diagnosis
Acute bronchitis is found by physical exam, revealing decreased breath sounds, prolonged expiration, decreased breath sounds and wheezing.  Chest X Rays show increased inflation of the lungs and areas consistent with pneumonia.  A sputum evaluation shows inflammatory white blood cells.  Blood test shows an elevated C-reactive protein and an elevated white blood cell count. 

Bronchitis Treatment
Because most situations of acute bronchitis are caused by viruses, it will disappear on its own without antibiotics and antibiotics will do nothing to change the course of the disease.  Studies show that antibiotics reduce the disease symptoms by only a half a day.  Smokers should stop smoking both before and during the course of the disease.

  Over the counter antihistamines are considered worse for acute bronchitis.  They thicken the mucus secretions and make it more difficult to cough up the secretions. The antihistamines cause bacteria to be retained by the lungs.  Using antihistamines that also contain an expectorant can be even worse because mucus is promoted and becomes thick. 

Expectorants alone can promote the flushing of mucus and bacteria out of the lung.  One method of treatment is to use the antioxidant glutathione, which is diminished in many forms of lung disease. The dose is given by means of bronchioalveolar lavage. 

Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis may or may not be caused by an infection and is generally related to COPD. It is defined by the presence of a cough which is productive of sputum and which lasts at least three months over the course of two years. 

The symptoms of the disease include a productive cough, dyspnea and frequent wheezing.  The mucus is often yellowish or green but may be orange in color, depending on which pathogen is involved in the disease.

Causes
The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is tobacco smoking.  Long term fume inhalation is also a cause of chronic bronchitis.

Diagnosis
Doctors diagnose chronic bronchitis by physical examination, revealing wheezing, prolonged expiration and the sounds of mucus in the lungs.  Tests can be performed such as a pulmonary function test or a chest XRAY, which will reveal hyperinflation of the lungs and some areas of collapse of the lung.  Blood tests reveal inflammation such as increased white blood cells. 

The treatment includes antibiotics to take care of any bacterial infection, bronchodilators to open the bronchial tree, corticosteroids to cut down on inflammation and stopping smoking, an important part of keeping chronic bronchitis at bay.