Chronic bronchitis is a chronic, nonspecific inflammation of the trachea or bronchial mucosa and surrounding tissues. Its main symptoms include cough, sputum production, and possibly wheezing. It can last for more than three months each year, or even for more than two consecutive years. Of course, it's necessary to rule out other diseases causing the cough, sputum, and wheezing. Patients should go to the hospital as soon as possible for a more comprehensive examination and receive appropriate treatment based on the results. During the remission period of chronic bronchitis, no special medication is generally needed. Patients can quit smoking, avoid inhaling harmful gases or particles, strengthen their constitution, prevent colds, get vaccinated against influenza and pneumonia, and use immune-boosting drugs such as thymosin, which can help reduce the incidence of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and tracheitis. Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis are often caused by bacterial infections and require the use of anti-infective and expectorant medications. Bronchodilators can be used if wheezing is present.
Is emphysema caused by infection?
Emphysema is a respiratory disease caused by long-term smoking and dust pollution, leading to pathological changes in lung structure. As the disease progresses, shortness of breath after exertion becomes increasingly severe. Clinical symptoms include cough, sputum production, chest tightness after exertion, asthma, and difficulty breathing. In later stages, complications such as respiratory failure and pulmonary heart disease may occur.
X-ray of obstructive emphysema
Severe chronic diffuse obstructive emphysema shows significant radiographic changes, characterized by: increased translucency in both lungs, minimal changes in translucency during expiration and inspiration, sparse and straight alveoli and lung markings, a barrel-shaped chest, widened anteroposterior diameter, widened intercostal spaces, obstructed diaphragmatic position, significantly reduced lung movement, widened intersternal spaces, and narrowing of the neocortical sternal region. Localized obstructive emphysema, on the other hand, presents with increased translucency in specific lung areas depending on the location of bronchial obstruction. Initially, there may be no changes in the chest or diaphragm. Bronchial foreign bodies are often accompanied by mediastinal shift. Localized emphysema can be a manifestation of early bronchial tumors and should be investigated with physical examination and bronchography to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment. The diagnostic limitations of radiographic imaging for obstructive emphysema are limited.