What are the Possible Causes of Bronchitis?

What Causes Bronchitis?

In order to deal properly with bronchitis we need to understand and — if possible — remove the underlying causes and risk factors. We need to ask: "What else is going on inside the body that might allow bronchitis to develop?"

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Accurate diagnosis of the factors behind bronchitis consists of three steps:

Step 1: List the Possible Causative Factors

Identify all disease conditions, lifestyle choices and environmental risk factors that can lead to bronchitis. Here are five possibilities:

Acute Bronchitis
Lupus (SLE)
Cigarette Smoke Damage
Vitamin A Need
Sarcoidosis

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

Identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

high air pollution exposure

major inflamed cuticles

recurring mouth ulcers

severe vision disturbances

cracked skin

minor joint pain/swelling/stiffness

sensitivity to bright light

painful inguinal nodes

shortness of breath when at rest

unexplained fevers that hit hard

history of candidiasis

multiple swollen cervical nodes

... and more than 40 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of bronchitis:

Cause	Probability	Status
Acute Bronchitis	96%	Confirm
Cigarette Smoke Damage	23%	Unlikely
Sarcoidosis	3%	Ruled out
Lupus (SLE)	0%	Ruled out
Vitamin A Need	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

In the Respiratory Symptoms section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about bronchitis:

Do you have a history of Acute Infectious Bronchitis? Symptoms may include chest pain on coughing, difficulty breathing, mild fever and a cough with mucus. It usually lasts from a few days to weeks.

Possible responses:

→ Don't know
→ No
→ Recurrent problem, but no symptoms now
→ Recurrent problem with current symptoms
→ It is not a recurring problem, but I have it now

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate no history of bronchitis, recurrent bronchitis or acute bronchitis, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Acute Bronchitis

Acute Bronchitis also suggests the following possibilities:

Lupus, SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

Infections of the respiratory tract are common in lupus patients.

Vitamin A Requirement

See the link between Cystitis and Vitamin A Deficiency.

Cigarette Smoke Damage

If you smoke or are around damaging fumes (such as those in certain kinds of factories), you are more likely to get acute bronchitis and to have it longer because your bronchial tree is already damaged.

Sarcoidosis

Most patients initially complain of a persistent dry cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

... and also rule out issues such as:

Acute Bronchitis

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™