Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis

Sometimes, for an individual with chronic bronchitis, the physical manifestations will swiftly get worse all of a sudden. This is known as an acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, otherwise known as AECB. Most patients that expire from chronic bronchitis unexpectedly die during an attack of AECB, hence an individual suffering from an attack of AECB needs medical attention immediately to increase the patient’s chances of surviving the attack.

What Occurs During AECB?

Throughout an AECB, the previously abnormally narrow air sacs in the lungs become even thinner, and an increased amount of denser mucous is secreted. The condition will result in a person’s breathing to be particularly labored. This can occur alongside a slight fever, chills and cold, and a sense of weakness in the knees. If the unexpected acute exacerbation is due to infectious bacteria, the mucus expelled at expectoration may potentially be spotted with blood, or tinted with a brighter than regular green or yellow. If the person is suffering from fever, and has noticed blood in his/her mucus, there is a possibility the attending doctor will take a chest x-ray to make sure that pneumonia is not the underlying root of the symptoms.

What Commonly Triggers AECB?

AECB are usually triggered by any of the following:
-Bacterial or viral infections (e.g. cold, flu)
-Air pollutants that aggravate the lungs (e.g. smoke, fumes, dust)
-Rapid changes in weather

To stay clear of AECB, a patient with an acute form of bronchitis is encouraged to avoid visiting areas with heavy air pollution, to obtain pneumonia and flu injections, and to keep a proper nutrition to protect the immune system from infection causing agents.

If you are suffering from AECB, you are advised to get hospital care immediately. This condition has been proven to cause other conditions, and a number of cases are admitted to the hospital every year due to complications arising from AECB. If you are suffering from AECB, remember to stay calm. Keep your breathing as steady as possible, and steadily phone your physician for counsel. Since AECB can attack unpredictably without any noticeable signs, it is always best to keep any prescribed inhalants within reach in emergency situations. Remember to check with your doctor, and confirm that these inhalers are safe to take during an attack of acute exacerbation, to avoid any additional complications. Try lying on your back with a humidifier turned on, or jumping in a warm shower to help you breath and decrease the symptoms of AECB.
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