The term Bronchopathy refers to an alteration of the bronchi of any nature or cause.
The bronchi are the structures that allow air to pass between the trachea and the lungs, which is why they are exposed to various substances and microorganisms from the environment that enter the body through the airway.
Although the causes are many, inflammation of the bronchial tubes produces constant symptoms, among which are a cough that can be dry or productive, shortness of breath and chest pain when coughing. Bronchial problems can occur at any age, however they are more common in babies and young children as well as in older adults.
Disorders that can affect the bronchi are of various types.
Infections Infections are the disorders that most frequently affect the bronchi causing the disease known as Bronchitis, these can be acute or chronic. The main agents involved are viruses and bacteria, mainly one known as Mycoplasma pneumoniae. In children under two years of age, infections usually affect the smallest bronchi called bronchioles, causing the condition known as bronchiolitis, children with this disease are at high risk of becoming asthmatic in the future.
Obstruction. The airway can become obstructed by the presence of secretions, tumors or foreign bodies, sometimes when the obstruction is complete and the passage of air is not possible, the collapse of the portion of the lung that is after the obstruction occurs, this collapse is known as atelectasis.
Bronchospasm The bronchi have a cylindrical shape, they are made up of cartilage and muscle rings, faced with environmental factors such as dust, volatile substances, temperature changes, use of medications, allergic reactions, physical exercise or some microorganisms, this muscle is capable of reacting by contracting it. which reduces the diameter of the bronchus limiting the passage of air. This is the mechanism that produces shortness of breath in people with asthma.
Dilatation. In chronic diseases of the bronchi such as EBPOC (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) occurs the deformity of the bronchi known as bronchiectasisThese are nothing more than dilations of part of the bronchi in the form of sacs in which secretions accumulate that can become superinfected causing acute bronchitis and pneumonia in these patients. The main cause of bronchial damage in people with EBPOC is due to cigarette smoking.
