Bronchitis is a common respiratory illness that causes inflammation and irritation of the bronchial tubes. The main symptoms of bronchitis are cough, production of mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort. Getting out of breath can certainly occur with bronchitis due to the inflammation and excess mucus production. However, the severity and duration of shortness of breath depends on the type of bronchitis.
Acute Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is a temporary form of bronchitis that lasts less than 3 weeks. It’s often caused by a viral respiratory infection like the common cold or flu. With acute viral bronchitis, the linings of the bronchial tubes become inflamed and produce excess mucus. This inflammation and excess mucus causes coughing spells and difficulty breathing deeply.
You may experience shortness of breath or feel winded with minimal activity like walking, going up stairs, or light household chores. Wheezing may also occur when breathing. The degree of breathlessness depends on the severity of the inflammation and mucus buildup. Those with mild cases may only experience mild breathlessness, while severe inflammation and mucus can cause significant shortness of breath.
The good news is acute bronchitis is short-term, so the breathing difficulties typically improve within a week or two as the infection resolves and inflammation decreases. However, the cough may linger for up to a month after other symptoms have improved.
Treatment
Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and can help relieve shortness of breath:
- Cough suppressants can reduce coughing spells
- Expectorants can help loosen mucus so it’s easier to cough up
- Inhaled bronchodilators open airways and ease breathing
- Oral steroids decrease inflammation in more severe cases
- Breathing exercises and activity pacing can help manage breathlessness
With proper rest and care, acute bronchitis typically resolves on its own without complications. Just be sure to see your doctor if symptoms persist more than 3 weeks or worsen.
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is defined as a productive cough that lasts for 3 months or more per year for 2 consecutive years. It’s commonly caused by long-term exposure to lung irritants, most often cigarette smoke. Chronic bronchitis causes persistent inflammation and excess mucus in the airways, leading to frequent bouts of acute bronchitis.
Symptoms are similar to acute bronchitis but tend to be more constant and severe. Shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness are characteristic of chronic bronchitis. You may feel winded with minimal physical exertion due to restricted airflow from inflammation and mucus accumulation. The shortness of breath tends to get worse over time as lung function declines.
Chronic bronchitis also increases the risk of lung infections, which can suddenly worsen breathing difficulties. It’s important to see your doctor if you experience rapidly worsening shortness of breath. This could signal a secondary infection like pneumonia requiring antibiotics.
Treatment
While acute bronchitis usually improves on its own, chronic bronchitis requires treatment to reduce symptoms and prevent complications. Options may include:
- Bronchodilators to open airways
- Inhaled steroids to reduce inflammation
- Oral steroids during flare-ups
- Antibiotics for bacterial infections
- Pulmonary rehabilitation exercises
- Oxygen therapy if hypoxemia (low blood oxygen) develops
Treatment can help improve breathing capacity but isn’t a cure for chronic bronchitis. Lung damage and symptoms tend to be progressive over time. Stopping cigarette smoking is essential to prevent further lung injury.
When to See Your Doctor
See your doctor if you experience the following:
- Shortness of breath lasts more than a week
- Difficulty breathing interferes with daily activities
- Fever above 101 F
- Coughing up bloody or rust colored mucus
- Wheezing or chest tightness doesn’t improve with bronchodilator inhaler (albuterol)
- Symptoms worsen or return after improvement
These signs could indicate a more serious illness like pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or asthma. Prompt medical treatment is needed for these conditions.
Home Care
You can manage mild to moderate bronchitis breathing problems at home with the following:
- Rest and avoid strenuous activity
- Stay well hydrated
- Use a humidifier
- Take cough medicine as needed
- Do pursed lip breathing and relaxation techniques
See your doctor if symptoms don’t start to improve within a week or worsen despite home treatment. Call 911 if you develop severe shortness of breath, wheezing, confusion, or bluish lips.
Conclusion
Bronchitis often causes shortness of breath due to airway inflammation and excess mucus production. The degree of breathlessness depends on whether acute or chronic bronchitis is present. Acute bronchitis typically leads to mild shortness of breath for 7-10 days. Chronic bronchitis causes persistent shortness of breath that tends to worsen over time without treatment.
Seeking prompt medical attention is important if you experience rapidly worsening breathing problems to rule out secondary infections or other pulmonary disease. With proper care, acute bronchitis should resolve on its own while chronic bronchitis can be managed with lifestyle changes, medications, and breathing therapies.