Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways to the lungs (bronchial tubes) that often causes a wet cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue, and a mild fever. Bronchitis can show up in two different forms: acute and chronic.
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Acute bronchitis usually develops after a cold or a bout of the flu. Elderly acute bronchitis patients can have a residual cough for a few weeks, but it often improves in about 10 days. Inhaling environmental irritants, like smoke and dust, can also cause acute bronchitis.
Chronic bronchitis is generally more serious and is most commonly caused by cigarette smoking. Patients with chronic bronchitis can have episodes of wet coughs for three months or longer, and episodes can recur for multiple years. Patients can also experience bouts of intensified symptoms, which can create a case of acute bronchitis on top of their chronic condition.
Read on to learn about bronchitis in the elderly, ways to prevent it, and how to treat it depending on your loved one’s condition.
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People over 65 are at a greater risk for bronchitis complications due to weakened immune systems, underlying health issues, and decades of wear and tear on the lungs.
These age-related risk factors make it more difficult for seniors to clear bronchitis and fight off the infection. Chronic cases of bronchitis can then lead to complications from a prolonged cough, causing further damage to the lungs.
Some complications of chronic bronchitis in seniors include the following:
Minimizing exposure to air pollutants (cigarette smoke, dust, fumes, etc.) and avoiding the flu are two of the most important ways to prevent bronchitis in seniors.
Here are some other specific ways to prevent bronchitis in the elderly:
As mentioned above, decades of normal wear and tear on the lungs increases seniors’ risk of developing complications from bronchitis. But a lifetime of exposure to lung-damaging risk factors puts seniors at an even greater risk of developing complications.
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Lung-damaging risk factors to keep in mind include the following:
If your loved one has bronchitis, be proactive and talk to their doctor. They can outline steps to keep your loved one’s airways clear to prevent their symptoms from getting worse. It’s particularly important to seek medical attention if your loved one has underlying conditions, such as heart disease.
For most people, acute bronchitis will improve or resolve within a couple of weeks. Acute bronchitis will not typically need hospital treatment, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Antibiotics are prescribed to 60% to 80% of acute bronchitis patients. But because up to 90% of acute bronchitis cases are caused by viruses, antibiotics are ineffective for the majority of bronchitis cases. However, bacteria can sometimes cause bronchitis, particularly if the patient has other underlying conditions. Antibiotics may then be able to help in the case of bacterial bronchitis.
Here are some ways to manage bronchitis symptoms in seniors:
Seniors with chronic bronchitis may require regular, more intensive treatments to manage severe symptoms, minimize lung damage from coughing, and prevent hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the bloodstream). Treatments for chronic bronchitis in the elderly vary depending on the patient’s condition.
Some treatments for chronic bronchitis include the following:
In rare and extreme cases, seniors with chronic bronchitis may need lung transplants instead of LVRS. If your loved one requires either of these treatments, their medical team will explain the pros and cons of both options, given your loved one’s condition, and can help you and your loved one decide on the best treatment options.
Monitor your loved one’s symptoms and seek help if their symptoms get worse. Senior bronchitis patients should receive medical attention if they experience any of the following symptoms:
Contact one of A Place for Mom’s local senior living experts if your loved one is recovering from a recent medical procedure related to chronic bronchitis. At no cost to you, they can guide you through the benefits of senior rehabilitation centers and nursing homes to accommodate your loved one’s recovery needs. Over the last two decades, our Senior Living Advisors have helped hundreds of thousands of families find care for their senior loved ones.
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Sources:
Cleveland Clinic. (2019, August 12). Bronchitis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2022). Acute bronchitis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2022). Chronic Bronchitis.
Kent, B. D., Mitchell, P. D., & McNicholas, W. T. (2011, March 14). Hypoxemia in patients with COPD: cause, effects, and disease progression. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Dovepress.
Mayo Clinic. (2017, April 11). Bronchitis.
MedlinePlus. (2017, January 2). Acute bronchitis.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022, March 24). Bronchitis.
Wellbery, C. (2005, April 15). Prescribing antibiotics for bronchitis in older patients. American Family Physician.
Worrall, G. (2008, February). Acute bronchitis. Canadian Family Physician.
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