Pace Hospitals | Best Hospitals in Hyderabad, Telangana, India

BRONCHITIS TREATMENT

Best Bronchitis Treatment​ in Hyderabad, India | Expert Pulmonology Care

PACE Hospitals is recognized as the best hospital for bronchitis treatment in Hyderabad, Telangana, India, providing expert pulmonology care with a multidisciplinary team of pulmonologists and critical care specialists. We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic bronchitis, ensuring effective relief and long-term management. Our state-of-the-art facilities, 24/7 emergency respiratory care, and cutting-edge minimally invasive procedures ensure quick recovery and improved lung health. 


Bronchitis is a respiratory condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, leading to persistent cough, mucus production, wheezing, chest discomfort, fatigue, and shortness of breath. It can be classified into acute bronchitis, which is commonly caused by viral infections and lasts for a few weeks, and chronic bronchitis, often associated with smoking or long-term exposure to pollutants. At PACE Hospitals, we offer advanced bronchitis treatment in Hyderabad, India, including medications, nebulization therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and lifestyle modifications, tailored to each patient’s condition. 

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Bronchitis diagnosis in Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Bronchitis​ diagnosis

The diagnostic evaluation of bronchitis includes an assessment of the patient's symptoms, medical and social history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests based on the severity of symptoms, age, and any underlying medical conditions.


A general physician or pulmonologist reviews the following to facilitate an accurate diagnosis and effective management. Below is an overview of the diagnostic steps for both acute and chronic bronchitis.


Patient history: A general practitioner can easily identify bronchitis condition in a person by inquiring about symptoms such as cough with mucus production, fever, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest discomfort during cough, tightness in the chest and duration of symptoms.


  • Medical history: The healthcare expert will ask question about recent cold, flu or other medical issues including, asthma, COPD and pneumonia.


  • Social history: The physician inquires about smoking habits and second-hand smoke, as well as recent exposure to lung irritants such as pollutants, dust, fumes, vapours, or air pollution. And also confirms exposure duration.


Based on the above factors, the general physician or pulmonologist differentiates acute and chronic bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis diagnosis

The diagnosis of acute bronchitis depends on the patient’s symptoms, as it is self-limiting condition caused by viral infections and also through bacteria’s hence, early diagnosis helps in managing symptoms and prevent complications. The diagnostic process of acute bronchitis involves:


Acute bronchitis physical examination findings: A healthcare practitioner (general physician or pulmonologist) will do a quick medical exam with a stethoscope to listen any abnormal sounds in the lungs, such as wheezing and rhonchi (gurgling sounds), pharyngeal emphysema (redness in the throat), localized lymphadenopathy (swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, heart rate, breathing rate and oxygen levels.


If vital signs such as breathing and temperature are normal and there is no evidence of pneumonia such as a lung infection, extra tests are not required. However, certain age groups, such as elderly individuals over 75 years, may require additional evaluation.


Lab tests for acute bronchitis


  • Complete blood count: A CBC for bronchitis is suggested if the patient has a fever to confirm signs of bacterial infection or inflammation. In some cases of acute bronchitis, the white blood cell count may be high. These elevated WBC indicate that the body is responding to infection.


  • Multiplex polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR): This test uses nasopharyngeal swabs or throat to detect nearly 23 respiratory infections in a single test. This method helps detect diseases caused by certain bacteria, such as B pertussis (the causative agent of whooping cough), M. pneumoniae, or C pneumonia. 


  • This test detects the genetic material of the bacteria, which helps the healthcare professional to detect the exact cause of infection. This test is usually not suggested in acute bronchitis because viruses cause bronchitis but not bacteria. This test helps in choosing the right treatment.


  • Procalcitonin levels (PCT): Procalcitonin is a serum biomarker that distinguishes bacterial infection from other forms of infection or inflammation because it is the substance produced in the body during bacterial infection. In patients with acute bronchitis, procalcitonin can be used as clinical judgment to guide antibiotic therapy.


Acute bronchitis x-ray

Chest x-ray: Chest X-rays are generally not recommended for detecting acute bronchitis because they frequently show normal. Sometimes, acute bronchitis chest x-ray findings may show minor changes like increased interstitial marks, which refer to bronchial wall thickening and indicate inflammation. A CXR is especially useful in identifying pneumonia from acute bronchitis when infiltrates are present.


Other diagnostic tests for acute bronchitis

Spirometry in acute bronchitis: This diagnostic test evaluates the amount of air a person can breathe in and out and how long it takes to exhale after a deep. It may be beneficial in patients with acute bronchitis because they frequently suffer from substantial bronchospasm, resulting in a significant reduction in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). This often resolves between 4–6 weeks.

Chronic bronchitis diagnosis

Chronic bronchitis is a kind of COPD caused by smoking and long-term exposure to lung irritants. Early detection is essential for effective treatment and prevention of disease progression. The diagnostic procedure for chronic bronchitis is as follows:


Chronic bronchitis physical exam findings

Auscultation is a physical examination that can be used by the healthcare expert to diagnose chronic bronchitis. The symptoms are difficult to notice in most cases of mild to moderate disease. The findings of a general physical examination can be cyanosis (bluish colour in the lips or fingertips), tachypnoea (fast breathing), use of accessory respiratory muscles (using neck and shoulder muscles to help breathe), Hoover's Sign (inward movement of the lower chest during inhalation), swelling in the neck veins, swelling in the legs and feet (peripheral oedema). 


Chest X-ray

The findings of chest radiography show non-specific, but include bronchovascular markings (due to inflammation and airway thickening) and cardiomegaly (often due to right-sided heart failure or cor pulmonale from chronic lung disease). These findings can be seen in chronic bronchitis as well as other lung conditions. Hence, other tests are necessary for accurate diagnosis.


Pulmonary function tests (PFT)

PFTs find out how well the lungs perform by measuring how much air can inhale and exhaled, as well as how quickly one exhales.


PFTs measure lung performance by assessing air intake and exhalation speed.

  • Spirometry: This test can provide information on lung function and capacity, which are important indicators in identifying and treating chronic bronchitis. As chronic bronchitis progresses, the airways in the lungs become inflamed, narrowed and blocked, resulting in reduced lung function and capacity. These are the chronic bronchitis spirometry results.


  • Lung volumes: In addition to spirometry, lung volume can be assessed. Lung volumes are made up of three components including total lung capacity (TLC), residual volume (RV), and functional residual capacity (FRC).
  • RV: Residual volume increases because of air trapped in narrowed airways
  • FRC: Functional residual capacity also increases due to an increase in RV because functional residual capacity includes residual volume and expiratory reserve volume.
  • TLC: Total lung capacity is increased due to hyperinflation of the lungs (expansion of lungs than their normal size) and air trapped in narrowed airways.


  • Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO): The lung's diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) measures how quickly CO molecules pass from the alveolar gas to the haemoglobin of red cells in the pulmonary circulation. To determine DLCO, the patient takes a single breath containing a small amount of carbon monoxide (CO) and retains it for 10 seconds. The breath is then exhaled and tested for CO.


  • DLCO in chronic bronchitis is normal because it mainly affects the airways. Lower DLCO indicates that the disease progresses where chronic bronchitis develops into emphysema, which involves destroying the alveoli walls.


Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Test

An ABG for chronic bronchitis determines the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. It also measures the acidity of the blood. This is known as acid-base balance or pH level. The blood sample is obtained from an artery, which is a blood channel that transports oxygenated blood from the lungs to the body. 


The blood oxygen level in an ABG test indicates how well the lungs transport oxygen from the air into the blood as we breathe in. The carbon dioxide measurement shows how effectively the lungs eliminate carbon dioxide from the blood when breathed out. 


Sputum examination

A sputum culture is a test that detects bacteria or other germs that could be causing a respiratory tract infection. It is unnecessary if the healthcare expert suspects a viral infection.


Sputum can be one of several different colours. Chronic bronchitis sputum colour may vary from clear to yellow, green, and sometimes blood-tinged. The colours can help identify the type of infection one may have or check if a chronic illness has become worse. This allows a healthcare professional to determine the best treatment.


High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT)

It is a type of advanced CT scan that gives detailed images of the lungs in chronic bronchitis. It helps identify the inflammation of the airways.

✅Bronchitis diagnosis criteria

The criteria for acute and chronic bronchitis differ because they are distinct conditions, although they both involve bronchial tube inflammation. Some of the criteria for diagnosing bronchitis are listed below:


Acute bronchitis diagnostic criteria

The diagnostic criteria of acute bronchitis include:

  • Acute illness lasting less than 21 days or 3 weeks.
  • Cough is the primary symptom.
  • Along with cough, at least one other lower respiratory tract symptom such as sputum production, wheezing, or chest pain).


Chronic bronchitis diagnosis criteria

The diagnostic criteria of chronic bronchitis include:

  • The patient must have a productive cough (producing mucus or phlegm) for at least three months and two continuous years.
  • Fever is unusual in chronic bronchitis.
  • In addition, other lung disorders, such as asthma, must be ruled out.

✅Differential diagnosis for bronchitis

It is essential to consider alternative diseases because other diseases may cause or mimic the same symptoms. An accurate diagnosis is essential for selecting the most appropriate therapy and management plan. Some of them are listed below:


  • Alpha 1 antitrypsin (ATT) deficiency: This ATT can be used as a differential diagnosis for chronic bronchitis because they have similar symptoms, such as coughing with mucus production and shortness of breath, but none of them is triggered by smoking or long-term exposure to irritants. Alpha 1 antitrypsin (ATT) deficiency is caused by a genetic condition, a protein produced by the liver to protect the lungs. If the body fails to produce enough AAT, the lungs are more susceptible to environmental factors like smoking, pollution, or dust. This can cause lung disorders. 


  • Asthma: Asthma and bronchitis have similar symptoms but differing causes. Asthma and bronchitis cause airway inflammation, which swells and makes breathing difficult. Bronchitis can be caused by viruses or environmental factors such as tobacco smoke and pollutants. Asthma is caused by environmental factors such as pollen and dust and genetic alterations.


  • Bacterial pharyngitis: Bacterial pharyngitis and bronchitis are respiratory tract infections. However, they share different symptoms, locations of infection and causes. Bacterial pharyngitis, or strep throat, is an inflammation of the pharynx caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, leading to a sore throat, painful swallowing, and fever. Bronchitis is caused by viruses, lung irritants, and smoking, which lead to cough and mucus production. Bacterial pharyngitis affects the throat, and bronchitis affects the bronchi.


  • Bronchiectasis: Bronchiectasis is a condition in which the airways that carry air into and out of the lungs are damaged, causing them to expand, become loose, and scarred. It causes permanent damage to the airways, whereas bronchitis causes temporary damage.


  • Bronchiolitis: Bronchiolitis is characterized by swelling and mucus buildup in the lung's smallest airways (bronchioles). It is most caused by a viral infection. It mainly affects children under two, with a peak age of three to six months. Whereas bronchitis mainly affects adults, elders and smokers.


  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): It is a common lung disease causing restricted airflow and breathing problems. COPD is an important differential diagnosis of chronic bronchitis because chronic bronchitis is a form of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Only proper diagnostic tests like spirometry can differentiate chronic bronchitis and COPD.


  • Chronic sinusitis: Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses or nasal passages. Chronic sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses or nasal passages that lasts more than twelve weeks. At the same time, bronchitis is a condition that occurs when the lung's airways, known as bronchial tubes, become inflamed, resulting in coughing and mucus production.


  • Influenza: Influenza is a viral disease that spreads to upper and lower respiratory tracts. Influenza A and influenza B viruses cause this viral respiratory disease in humans.


  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): It is a condition in which stomach contents pass backwards into the oesophagus. GERD can irritate the food pipe and develop heartburn and other symptoms such as feeling like food is stuck near the breastbone, nausea after eating, coughing or wheezing.


  • Viral pharyngitis: Viral pharyngitis is a swelling in the throat and below the tonsils that produces discomfort, pain, or scratchiness. It is often called a "sore throat" that develops as part of a viral infection that affects multiple organs, including the lungs and colon. Viruses cause most sore throats.


  • Pulmonary embolism: A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a sudden obstruction of a lung artery. It usually occurs when a blood clot breaks loose and passes across the blood vessels to the lungs. PE is a dangerous illness that can lead to permanent lung damage.


  • Pneumonia: Pneumonia is a respiratory infection that affects one or both lungs. It causes the lungs' air sacs, known as alveoli, to fill with fluid or pus. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can cause pneumonia.


  • Acute sinusitis: Acute sinusitis, or acute rhinosinusitis, is a symptomatic inflammation of the mucosal lining of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses that causes swollen nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, facial pain, pressure, fullness, or both for four weeks or fewer.

✅Goals of Bronchitis treatment

The primary goals of therapy are to


  • Reducing the overproduction of mucus, 
  • Controlling inflammation
  • Lowering cough
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Bronchitis treatment in Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Bronchitis treatment

Bronchitis treatment may vary depending on the types, symptoms and causes. Treatment options for bronchitis are listed below:


Conservative treatment

  • Acute bronchitis treatment
  • Acute bronchitis treatment at home
  • Over-the-counter medicine for acute bronchitis
  • Chronic bronchitis treatment
  • Antibiotics
  • Bronchodilators 
  • Corticosteroids
  • Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors 
  • Antitussives
  • Mucolytics
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation
  • Vaccination


Surgical treatment

  • Bronchial rheoplasty
  • Lung transplantation


Acute bronchitis treatment

Acute bronchitis is usually a self-limiting disease, and its treatment focuses on providing symptomatic and supportive therapies which, are mentioned below:


Acute bronchitis treatment at home

Acute bronchitis can be self-healing by

  • Getting plenty of rest
  • Drinking lots of fluid


Acute bronchitis treatment drugs

  • Bronchodilators: These, also called Beta-2 agonists, are sometimes prescribed to reduce a cough in acute bronchitis. Beta-2 agonists relax the muscles of the airways, allowing them to open up.
  • Analgesic and antipyretic agents: Malaise, myalgia, and fever can be managed with these medicines
  • Steroids: These are administered to reduce inflammation.
  • Antivirals: These medications should be considered for influenza infection. 


Chronic bronchitis treatment

The treatment for chronic bronchitis aims to minimize symptoms, avoid complications, and delay disease progression.

  • Smoking cessation (for smokers): Smoking is the leading cause of chronic bronchitis. As a result, stopping smoking can help reduce symptoms and slow the disease progression.


  • Bronchodilators: These drugs aid in the dilation of the airways and reduce wheezing
  • Short-acting beta-agonists: These are used for immediate relief of symptoms 
  • Long-acting beta-agonists: These medications are used for ongoing symptom control.


  • Corticosteroids: These are mostly used as inhalers to decrease inflammation in the airways and increase airflow.


  • Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors: These medications have both bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory actions, used to reduce inflammation and relax the airways.


  • Antitussives: These are cough suppressants which are used to suppress the cough.


  • Mucolytics: Mucoactive agents help clear mucus from the lungs by breaking it down or reducing its thickness and stickiness.


  • Antibiotics: They are usually preferred in cases of bacterial infection. However, in most cases, these drugs are not required to treat acute bronchitis because a virus typically causes bronchitis, and these drugs are ineffective against viruses. Antibiotics are needed when acute bronchitis has progressed to pneumonia.


  • Oxygen therapy: As the disease progresses, it is difficult to breathe and may require supplemental oxygen. It helps to improve oxygen levels and decreases the shortness of breath.


  • Pulmonary rehabilitation: A program that uses education, dietary counselling, breathing exercises, and other methods to help people breathe better. It reduces shortness of breath and teaches breathing techniques.


  • Vaccination
  • Flu vaccines: Help to prevent respiratory infections, which worse bronchitis
  • Pneumococcal vaccine: It helps protect people from pneumonia, common in people with chronic lung diseases.
  • COVID-19 vaccine: It helps in reducing the risk of chronic illness.


Surgical Bronchitis Treatment

Bronchitis surgery may be the next step when various therapies fail to relieve severe bronchitis symptoms. Few endoscopic and surgical treatments for bronchitis include:


  • Bronchial Rheoplasty: An endoscopic technique for treating chronic bronchitis that uses electrical fields to remove the mucosa in the airways and decrease the production of mucus.


  • Lung Transplantation: A process that replaces an infected lung with a healthy one. For individuals whose symptoms worsen irrespective of various therapies

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Bronchitis Treatment


  • What causes bronchitis?

    Acute bronchitis frequently occurs due to viral infections that induce airway inflammation, such as the common cold, influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or COVID-19. Occasionally, a bacterial infection may trigger acute bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is caused by cigarette smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke, older age, exposure to fumes or specific types of dust, biological history of COPD, and history of respiratory disorders such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, or bronchiectasis. 

  • Can bronchitis lead to death?

    Yes, bronchitis and its complications can lead to the majority of deaths, and it is also considered one of the major causes of incapacity for work (feeling hard to job or work).

  • How can bronchitis be prevented?

    Bronchitis prevention includes avoiding smoking and lung irritants, getting vaccinated, frequently washing hands, avoiding close contact with others, eating a healthy diet, and getting plenty of rest. 

Is bronchitis viral or bacterial?

Bronchitis is typically caused by a virus, although it may also be caused by bacteria. Viruses cause 85% to 95% of acute bronchitis cases in healthy persons. The most frequent viruses include rhinovirus, adenovirus, influenza A and B, and parainfluenza virus, while bacteria are typically commensals. Bacteria can induce bronchitis in persons with underlying medical conditions.

Why do patients with chronic bronchitis get blue bloaters?

As the airways get irritated, mucus accumulates, making it difficult for patients to breathe. This lack of oxygen can cause cyanosis, which is a blue colouration of the skin, lips, or nails, resulting in blue bloaters.

Can inhaler help bronchitis?

Yes, inhalers can help, especially in chronic bronchitis. Bronchodilators (which widen the airways) are used as inhalers to treat lung conditions that cause the airways to narrow.

Does cold air make bronchitis worse?

Yes, cold air worsens bronchitis because it is dry air. It can irritate the airways if bronchitis is present, leading to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Therefore, keep yourself warm.

Can acid reflux cause bronchitis?

Acid reflux may lead to throat discomfort, postnasal drip, hoarseness (a change in the quality or pitch), recurring cough, chest congestion, and lung inflammation, which leads to bronchitis.

Why bronchitis causes fever?

Fever can occur with bronchitis because fever is a sign of the body's immune response to the infection. A low-grade fever caused by bronchitis lasts three to five days.

Can bronchitis cause pink eye?

Yes, bronchitis can result in pink eye due to adenoviruses. These viruses can cause a variety of conditions, including bronchitis and pink eye (conjunctivitis). Adenoviruses are extremely contagious and can be spread through cough or sneeze droplets.

Can acute bronchitis come back?

This temporary condition can reoccur in up to one-third of cases. It is commonly caused by viral and is extremely contagious. Most people recover in a few weeks.

Can bronchitis cause asthma?

A history of wheezing and coughing is associated with asthma. Two out of three patients who experienced bronchitis at least twice in five years had asthma.

Is bronchitis upper or lower respiratory?

Bronchitis is a lower respiratory tract infection that results in inflammation of the bronchi or airway passages in the lungs. 

Does bronchitis cause prolonged expiration?

Yes, both chronic and acute bronchitis cause prolonged expiration because it narrows the airways, which makes it hard to exhale.

Bronchitis Symptoms & Causes | Bronchitis treatment in India | what is bronchitis​
By Pace Hospitals November 15, 2024
Bronchitis is a condition that causes inflammation in the lungs, leading to persistent coughing and difficulty breathing. Learn about Bronchitis symptoms, causes, treatment options, and prevention techniques.

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