Eosinophilic bronchitis is a common cause of chronic (long-term) cough.
The condition is characterized by inflammation of the airways, which is common inbronchitis.
However, with eosinophilic bronchitis, there is no bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways).
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Eosinophilic bronchitis is not well understood, and its thought to be underdiagnosed.
It has been linked to exposure to occupational toxins, including dust.
Heres what you should know about eosinophilic bronchitis.
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Definition
Eosinophilic bronchitis is a throw in ofchronic cough.
What Is Considered Chronic Cough?
The lack of this airway sensitivity is what sets eosinophilic bronchitis apart fromcough-variant asthma.
This is why eosinophilic bronchitis is sometimes called non-asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis.
This can be useful in diagnosing the condition.
Medical professionals are still learning about eosinophilic bronchitis, and its believed that the condition is underdiagnosed.
Theres limited research on how long the condition lasts.
In some people, it resolves without treatment, but in others, it recurs even with treatment.
Eosinophilic Bronchitis and Asthma: What’s the Connection?
This is done using a process called sputum induction.
If neither of those procedures yields a clear answer, your practitioner may recommend a bronchial lavage.
This procedure involves putting a tube into the lungs to gather a sample of fluid from the bronchi.
Treatment
Eosinophilic bronchitis is treated usinginhaled corticosteroids.
This treatmentusually delivered using an inhaler and sometimes with a nebulizeris the same treatment used for asthma.
That study found that 66% of people had ongoing inflammation in their lungs.
About 9% of people went on to develop asthma.
If you are diagnosed with eosinophilic bronchitis, you should speak with your healthcare provider about your prognosis.
You might have to stay on inhaled steroids long-term so that keep your cough at bay.
In addition, you should take steps to limit your exposure to airborne toxins that could trigger your condition.
Although a chronic cough can be uncomfortable and annoying, eosinophilic bronchitis is not a dangerous condition.
It does not interfere with a person’s ability to breathe, and it is highly responsive to treatment.
Because of that, the impact on your life should be minimal.
Summary
Eosinophilic bronchitis is a common cause of chronic cough.
It is not well understood, and its thought to be underdiagnosed.
Understanding of and treatment for eosinophilic bronchitis is still evolving.
Your healthcare provider will be able to guide you toward a treatment path that is effective for you.
Yldz, Tekin and Dulger, Seyhan.Non-astmatic eosinophilic bronchitis.Turkish Thoracic Journal.
