What is the Difference Between Bronchitis and Pleurisy

Bronchitis and pleurisy are two types of lung diseases. Lung disease prevents the lungs from working normally and include airway diseases, lung tissue diseases, and lung circulation diseases. These lung diseases can lead to respiratory failure.

The key difference between bronchitis and pleurisy is their cause. Bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes become irritated and inflamed while pleurisy occurs when the pleural lining becomes irritated and inflamed.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Bronchitis 
3. What is Pleurisy
4. Similarities – Bronchitis and Pleurisy
5. Bronchitis vs Pleurisy in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Bronchitis vs Pleurisy
7. FAQ – Bronchitis and Pleurisy

What is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a condition due to the inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes that carry air to and from the lungs. The signs and symptoms of this condition may include cough, production of mucus, fatigue, shortness of breath, slight fever, chills, and chest discomfort. Acute bronchitis is caused by the viruses such as influenza whereas chronic bronchitis is caused by cigarette smoking, air pollution, dust or toxic gases.

Bronchitis can be diagnosed through physical examination, chest X-ray, sputum test, and pulmonary function test. Most cases of acute bronchitis can get better without treatment. However, in some circumstances, doctors may prescribe medications such as cough medicines, inhalers, medicines that reduce inflammation, open narrowed passages in lungs, and pulmonary rehabilitation to treat bronchitis.

What is Pleurisy?

Pleurisy is a condition in which the pleura, the tissue that separate the lungs from the chest wall, becomes inflamed. It is also called pleuritis. Signs and symptoms of pleurisy may include chest pain that worsens when breathing, shortness of breath, coughing or sneezing, and fever. Pleurisy can be caused by a various conditions and factors such as viral infection (Influenza), bacterial infection (pneumonia), fungal infection, autoimmune disorders (rheumatoid arthritis), lung cancer, pulmonary embolism, tuberculosis, rib fracture, inherited genetic conditions like sickle cell anemia, certain medications, and recreational drugs.

Pleurisy can be diagnosed through physical examination, blood test, chest X-ray, CT scan, ultrasound, and electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). Treatment options for pleurisy are mainly based on the underlying cause. The available treatment options are medications such as NSAIDs, antivirals, antibiotics, lifestyle and home remedies such as taking medications as recommended, getting plenty of rest, and stopping smoking.

Similarities Between Bronchitis and Pleurisy

1. Bronchitis and pleurisy are two different lung diseases.
2. Both conditions can be caused by viral infections (Influenza).
3. These conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
4. They can be treated through specific medications.

Difference Between Bronchitis and Pleurisy

Definition

1. Bronchitis is a lung disease due to the inflammation of bronchial tubes.
2. Pleurisy is a lung disease due to the inflammation of a tissue called pleura.

Symptoms

1. Symptoms of bronchitis include cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose and high temperature.
2. Symptoms of pleurisy include pain in the chest, persistent cough, breathing difficulties, generally feeling unwell and fever.

Causes

1. Bronchitis is caused by viral infection, smoking, dust and toxic gases.
2. Pleurisy is caused by viral infection, bacterial infection, pneumonia, tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, blood clot and cancer.

Diagnosis

1. Bronchitis is diagnosed by physical examination, chest X-ray, sputum test and pulmonary function test.
2. Pleurisy is diagnosed by physical examination, chest X-ray, thoracentesis, and bronchoscopy.

Treatment

1. Bronchitis is treated by antiviral medications, cough medicines, inhalers, medicines that reduce inflammation and open narrowed passages in lungs and pulmonary rehabilitation.
2. Pleurisy is treated by anti-inflammatory medications, pain relievers, antibiotics, managing underlying conditions, raining off the excess fluid and medications to stop the fluid from building up again.

The following table summarizes the difference between bronchitis and pleurisy.

Summary – Bronchitis vs Pleurisy

Lung diseases are mainly three types: airway diseases, lung tissue diseases, and lung circulation diseases. Bronchitis and pleurisy are two different lung diseases. However, bronchitis is an airway disease while pleurisy is a lung tissue disease. Furthermore, bronchitis is due to the inflammation of bronchial tubes in the lungs whereas pleurisy is due to the inflammation of the pleura. This is the summary of the difference between bronchitis and pleurisy.

FAQ: Bronchitis and Pleurisy

1. What are the main symptoms of bronchitis?

• The main symptoms of bronchitis may include runny and blocked nose, chest congestion, a cough that may produce yellow or green mucus, low-grade fever, wheezing or a whistling sound while breathing, and tiredness.

2. What causes bronchitis?

• Acute bronchitis is typically caused by airway inflammation from viral infections such as influenza (flu), whereas chronic bronchitis is caused by smoking, dust and toxic gases.

3. What is the best medicine for bronchitis?

• Glucocorticoids are the best medicines for bronchitis. Glucocorticoids are a type of corticosteroid that may help treat chronic bronchitis by regulating inflammation, suppressing immune reactions, and reducing mucus production.

4. What is the main cause of pleurisy?

• Pleurisy is a condition due to the inflammation of the tissues called pleura, which line the outside of the lungs and the inner chest wall. The most common cause for this condition is a viral infection, though other health issues can be cause it.

5. What is the best treatment for pleurisy?

• The pain and inflammation associated with pleurisy are usually treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen. Occasionally, doctor may prescribe steroid medication too.

Reference:

1. “Pleurisy.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Bronchitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Bronchitis” By BruceBlaus – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Depiction of a person suffering from chest pain” By Myupchar.com (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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