Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which lead to the lungs 12. Symptoms associated with the condition are back pain and a chronic cough. Bronchitis is usually cleared up within a few days, but when the condition becomes serious, it could lead to pneumonia 12. The back pain from bronchitis is eliminated when the infection and inflammation of the bronchial tubes is treated 12.

Causes

A common cold can lead to bronchitis in some cases, while breathing in pollution such as cigarette smoke or chemicals also may lead to a case of acute bronchitis 12. Either cause will lead to the same symptoms, including back pain. GERD also leads to bronchitis when stomach acids back up into the esophagus over a period of time 12. This constant irritation can also lead to the painful backache that accompanies the condition.

Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis symptoms can include a sore throat and a cough that may produce a mucous 12. Patients may also experience chest congestion and shortness of breath, which may result in back pain. Much of the back pain occurs with bronchitis when taking a deep breath 12.

Chronic Bronchitis

When a patient has the symptoms of acute bronchitis for three or more consecutive months, chronic bronchitis is diagnosed 12. Tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing, especially in the morning, are some of the symptoms of chronic bronchitis 12. The tightness in the chest that is felt with chronic bronchitis may radiate to the back and cause chronic back pain 12.

Diagnosis

The doctor will determine if bronchitis is the cause of your symptoms based on an examination 12. He will use a stethoscope to hear abnormalities in the lungs and bronchial tubes, and also take a chest X-ray to diagnose bronchitis 12. Blood tests can also determine the virus that may be responsible for bronchitis 12.

Treatment

Over-the-counter medications help relieve the back pain due to bronchitis 12. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to treat the infection of the bronchial tubes that causes the inflammation. Rest and drinking plenty of fluids is prescribed for bronchitis treatment 12. Cough medicine should only be used to treat bronchitis when the cough is affecting your rest 12. A productive cough can bring up the mucous that is causing the infection in the bronchial tubes. Cough medicine suppresses this reaction of the body. Patients with asthma may use an inhaler to open the airways and reduce bronchial inflammation. This treatment can ease difficulty breathing.