Bronchitis is a condition in which the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs, become inflamed. This inflammation causes coughing, with mucus production, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis often occurs after an upper respiratory infection and usually goes away within a few weeks. Chronic bronchitis is defined as a productive cough that lasts for at least three months, for two consecutive years.
Many people with bronchitis don’t seek treatment, thinking it will go away on its own. But leaving bronchitis untreated can lead to complications. Let’s look at what can happen if you have bronchitis and don’t get treatment.
Progression of Bronchitis Symptoms
In acute bronchitis, the cough initially may be dry. Within a few days, it progresses to a wet, mucus-producing cough. Other symptoms like sore throat, tiredness, shortness of breath, and mild fever may accompany the cough. Typically, acute bronchitis runs its course over a week or two.
With chronic bronchitis, the inflammation and mucus production continues over months or years. Chronic bronchitis sufferers have recurrent bouts of wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Over time, symptoms may worsen and happen more frequently.
So in both types of bronchitis, the symptoms can persist and worsen without proper treatment. Let’s look at some specific complications that can develop.
Lung Infections
One risk of untreated bronchitis is secondary bacterial or viral lung infections. The lungs contain tubes called bronchi that allow air to pass in and out. Chronic inflammation from bronchitis causes excess mucus production, narrowing of these airways. This is a perfect breeding ground for infections.
Some common lung infections that can result from untreated bronchitis include:
- Pneumonia – infection of the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs. Can be life-threatening.
- Bronchiectasis – permanent lung damage and abnormally dilated bronchi from recurring infection.
- Lung abscess – a pus-filled cavity in the lungs.
These types of infections often require heavy-duty antibiotics or hospitalization. Pneumonia alone causes over 50,000 deaths per year in the United States.
COPD Exacerbations
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It involves narrowing of the airways and reduced airflow over time. COPD flare-ups or exacerbations involve worsening shortness of breath, coughing, and mucus production.
Studies show that about 50-70% of COPD exacerbations are due to bacterial or viral lung infections. So the damaged airways caused by untreated chronic bronchitis put someone at risk for poor COPD control. Frequent COPD exacerbations accelerate the lung damage over time.
Respiratory Failure
Respiratory failure means the respiratory system fails in oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. It can happen acutely or chronically. With chronic untreated bronchitis, the lungs become so damaged that they cannot supply adequate oxygen to the body. Respiratory failure requires quick medical intervention to prevent organ damage and death.
Heart Problems
Having bronchitis long-term can lead to pulmonary hypertension. This is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. It makes the right side of the heart work harder to pump blood through the lungs.
Over time, this can cause right-sided heart failure. The weakened heart has trouble moving blood from the heart to the lungs to pick up oxygen. Fluid can back up in the body’s tissues causing swelling in the legs and abdomen.
Cancer Risk
The chronic lung inflammation and infections related to untreated bronchitis may raise someone’s risk of lung cancer. But more research is needed on the link between bronchitis and lung cancer.
Smoking is the top risk factor for lung cancer. So smokers with chronic bronchitis have an even higher lung cancer risk than nonsmokers with bronchitis.
Mortality Risk
Studies show that bronchitis may raise mortality risk. One study found people hospitalized for acute bronchitis had a 4% higher risk of dying over the following five years. The risk was higher in men and older adults.
For chronic bronchitis, a meta-analysis found it increased mortality risk by 71% compared to the general population. The leading causes of death were cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
So clearly, untreated bronchitis that persists can lead to poorer quality of life and survival. Proper treatment is key to preventing complications.
Treating Bronchitis
Treatment for acute bronchitis focuses on managing symptoms:
- Cough medicine – Expectorants can help loosen mucus, while cough suppressants ease coughing.
- Pain relievers – For fever, headache, and sore throat pain.
- Inhaled bronchodilators – Albuterol opens airways making breathing easier.
- Oral steroids (for severe cases) – Reduce airway inflammation.
- Antibiotics (if bacterial infection) – Treats infection and prevents pneumonia.
- Rest, fluids, humidifier – Helps ease symptoms.
Treatment for chronic bronchitis includes:
- Quitting smoking – Stops progression of lung damage.
- Inhaled steroids – Reduces airway inflammation.
- Bronchodilators – Opens airways and improves breathing.
- Pulmonary rehab – Improves exercise tolerance.
- Oxygen therapy – Treats low oxygen levels.
- Surgery (for severe cases) – Removes damaged lung tissue.
The goals are to open airways, reduce inflammation, treat infections, ease symptoms, and stop disease progression.
Prevention
You can take measures to prevent acute bronchitis from becoming chronic:
- Get the flu shot – Lowers risk of infection that can lead to bronchitis.
- Stop smoking – Avoid cigarette smoke damaging lungs.
- Control asthma – Well managed asthma prevents flare-ups.
- Avoid air pollution – Use a mask on bad air quality days.
- Treat GERD – Stomach acid can irritate airways and cause symptoms.
- Improve immunity – Eat well and get enough sleep.
Keeping the lungs healthy reduces the chances of acute bronchitis turning into a long-term problem.
Conclusion
Bronchitis often improves on its own within a few weeks. But in some, the inflammation and mucus production lingers, raising the risk of complications like lung infections, COPD exacerbations, respiratory failure, heart problems, and even cancer. Leaving bronchitis untreated also negatively impacts quality of life and mortality risk.
The good news is bronchitis generally responds very well to medical treatment. Using inhaled steroids, bronchodilators, oxygen, and sometimes surgery, doctors can open airways, reduce inflammation, and prevent disease progression. Making lifestyle changes like quitting smoking also goes a long way in helping control symptoms.
So if your cough persists for weeks or you experience frequent bouts, see your doctor. With the right treatment approach, you can manage your bronchitis and avoid the damaging consequences of leaving it unchecked. Proper management of bronchitis aims to break the chronic inflammation cycle and give you back your lung health.