2. Chronic bronchitis is a chronic inflammation of thebronchi in
the lungs . 3. It is defined clinically as a persistent cough
thatproduces sputum and mucus, for at least threemonths per year in
two consecutive years. 4. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Bronchitis may be
indicated by a cough thatproduces sputum (also known as a
productivecough), shortness of breath ( dyspnea ) andwheezing. 5.
DIAGNOSIS A physical examination will often reveal diminishedbreath
sounds, wheezing and prolonged exhalation. A variety of tests may
be performed in patientspresenting with cough and shortness of
breath: 6. Pulmonary Function Tests or spirometry A chest X-ray
that reveals hyperinflation; collapseand consolidation of lung
areas would support adiagnosis of pneumonia A sputum sample showing
neutrophil granulocytes(inflammatory white blood cells) and
cultureshowing that has pathogenic A blood test would indicate
inflammation (asindicated by a raised white blood cell count
andelevated C-reactive protein). Damage caused by irritation of the
airways leads toinflammation and leads to neutrophils being present
7. TREATMENT Smoking cessation is of benefit as cigarette
smokeparalyzes the cilia comprising the mucociliaryescalator.
Antibiotics Bronchodilators 8. ISSUE IN ECUADOR chronic bronchitis
are highly prevalent diseases.Studies designed to analyze the
economic impactof these diseases in Latin American countries
havenot previously been published. In the present studywe analyzed
the direct health care costs of treatingpatients with exacerbations
of chronic bronchitisand COPD inArgentina, Brazil, Colombia,
Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela, applying the real cost of
drugsand medical acts in those 7 countries to the patternof
treatment and outcomes obtained from a studycarried out in primary
care settings in Spain.
