There are many different bronchial problems that can develop, both long term and short term. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, bronchitis, bronchial pneumonia and lung cancer are diseases that develop from problems in the bronchi. The bronchial tubes are responsible for bringing air to the lungs. Bronchial problems, regardless of their cause or severity, lead to shortness of breath and cough.
COPD is a progressive lung condition that is most common in people who are middle-aged or older. According to the National Institute of Health, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. The most common cause of COPD is cigarette smoking, but it can also be the result of exposure to pollution, chemical fumes, or dust. Symptoms of COPD include a cough that produces a large amount of mucus, a feeling of tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
Asthma is another type of common bronchial problem. According to the National Institute of Health, more than 22 million people in the US have asthma. It is a chronic lung condition that causes the bronchial tubes to narrow and become inflamed. Wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing are symptoms of asthma. Asthma symptoms are often worse at night or in the early morning. Severe asthma symptoms require emergency care and can be fatal. The medical community has effective ways to control asthma, although there is no cure for the condition.
Bronchitis develops when the bronchi become inflamed. The inflammation may be the result of a temporary condition, such as developing along with a cold or flu. This is called acute bronchitis and lasts between two and 10 days, although the cough can persist for weeks. Chronic bronchitis is the term used for symptoms of bronchitis that last three or more months a year, for two or more years. Both acute and chronic bronchitis share symptoms, including cough with mucus, wheezing, low-grade fever, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
Bronchial pneumonia is a condition that develops when patches of infection spread to multiple locations in one or both lungs. It is different from traditional pneumonia, which is an infection that is concentrated in a single area of the lung. Bronchial pneumonia develops more frequently in the very young and older population. It is more common in people who have a compromised immune system. Most often, bronchial pneumonia develops due to a bacterial infection, but it can also be caused by a virus. Symptoms include cough, with or without mucus, chest pain, rapid or shortness of breath, fever, weakness, and sweating.
Lung cancer is one of the most serious bronchial problems. Lung cancer usually develops first in the bronchial lining of the lungs and has no early symptoms. As the tumor grows slowly, over several years, it begins to cause problems in the bronchial tissue and symptoms develop. Chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, weight loss, and fatigue are symptoms of lung cancer. Risk factors for developing lung cancer include smoking, asbestos exposure, and a family history of cancer.
Bronchial problems are challenging because they affect the body's ability to transport oxygen. This not only causes chest pain and trouble breathing, but also problems like fatigue, headaches, and loss of appetite. Bronchial problems also cause discomfort, as the bronchial tubes are responsible for the production of mucus, so problems with the bronchial tubes can lead to excess mucus.