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Cause of bronchitis

Updated: 9/6/2023
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Wiki User

12y ago

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Smoking cigarettes (and exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke) is the main cause of chronic bronchitis. Followed by environmental pollution, some kinds of occupational exposures to chemicals, and various air pollutants (such as sulphur dioxide). The severity of the disease often relates to how much the person was exposed to cigarette smoke/environmental pollution.

It is still possible for people to get bronchitis without any of the risk factors mentioned above.

Acute bronchitis generally follows a viral respiratory infection. At first, it affects your nose, sinuses, and throat and then spreads to the lungs. Sometimes, you may get another (secondary) bacterial infection in the airways.This means that bacteria infect the airways, in addition to the virus.

People at risk for acute bronchitis include:

  • Elderly, infants, and young children
  • People with heart or lung disease
  • Smokers

Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition. It's also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD for short. (Emphysema is another type of COPD.) As the condition gets worse, you become increasingly short of breath, have difficulty walking or exerting yourself physically, and may need supplemental oxygen on a regular basis.

The following things can make bronchitis worse:

  • Air pollution
  • Allergies
  • Certain occupations (such as coal mining, textile manufacturing, or grain handling)
  • Infections
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11y ago
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9y ago

I used to get it after being around smokers for even a half hour. Keep a diary about where you were and your reactions before getting bronchitis. Many times, an allergy sets it off.

---- The main cause of bronchitis is long term exposure to cigarette smoke. However, it can also be caused by long term exposure to other irritants, people who used to work in coal mines often develop bronchitis because of the exposure to coal dust. However, about 90% of cases are caused by cigarette smoke. ---- Bronchitis (inflammation/infection of the breathing tubes in the lungs) can be caused by irritants and allergic reactions as mentioned in prior answers, but also by viruses, fungal infections, and bacteria.
The causes of bronchitis are unclear. What is clear is that bronchitis is defined as a repetitive and persistent cough that goes beyond the scale-intensity and frequency, of a regular cough. There may be no other symptoms or the cough may be accompanied by cold/flu symptoms as well.

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14y ago

Cigarette smoking is the main cause of chronic bronchitis. When tobacco smoke is inhaled into the lungs, it irritates the airways and they produce mucus. People who have been exposed for a long time to other things that irritate their lungs, such as chemical fumes, dust and other substances, can also develop chronic bronchitis.

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13y ago

Chronic bronchitis is a condition of bronchitis lasting longer than 3 months. The main cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking. Chemcial fumes, dust and othe irritants can also cause chronic bronchitis.

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11y ago

Bronchitis is caused by viruses and may happen with a cold

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13y ago

Acute bronchitis is most prevalent in winter. It usually follows a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu, and can be accompanied by a secondary bacterial infection.

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12y ago

smoking is te main cause of Bronchitis

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6y ago

bacteria and virus

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