What Is Eosinophilic Bronchitis?

If you experience a lingering or chronic cough but no shortness of breath, it may be possible that you have eosinophilic bronchitis.

Eosinophilic bronchitis is an airway inflammation that can lead to a chronic cough. People who experience eosinophilic bronchitis have more white blood cells in their lungs than average.

The condition is sometimes linked to exposure to dust and other environmental toxins. Treatment for the condition includes steroids to reduce the cough. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about eosinophilic bronchitis.

Causes of eosinophilic bronchitis

An exact cause of eosinophilic bronchitis hasn’t been found. Researchers believe that environmental triggers such as dust can sometimes cause the condition. Additional suspected triggers include :

• welding fumes
• formaldehyde
• resin harden

People who are exposed to these triggers on a long-term basis, such as on a job site, are thought to be at an increased risk.

Symptoms of eosinophilic bronchitis

A chronic cough is the primary symptom of eosinophilic bronchitis. Additional symptoms can include :

• coughing spells that last for a long time
• increased white blood cells in the lungs
• an increased cough reflux

An eosinophilic cough lasts for at least 8 weeks in adults and at least 4 weeks in children. Unlike other conditions that affect the lungs, eosinophilic bronchitis does not cause symptoms such as:

• shortness of breath
• a feeling of airway restriction
• increased allergic responses
• mast cells in the airways

Next steps for eosinophilic bronchitis diagnosis

The first step to treatment for eosinophilic bronchitis is a diagnosis from a healthcare professional. They may diagnose eosinophilic bronchitis after they rule out other conditions, such as pneumonia , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) , and other forms of bronchitis . You might have tests such as:

• Imaging: Imaging might include an X-ray , MRI , or both so that doctors can see the inside of your lungs and airways.
• Sputum induction: A sputum induction is a noninvasive test that is done by breathing saline solution through an inhaler. This will allow you to bring up more mucus when you cough. The mucus will then be examined in a lab .
• Bronchial lavage: A bronchial lavage is done to check for fluid in the lungs. It’s done by inserting a tube into the lungs.

Treatment options for eosinophilic bronchitis

The primary treatment for eosinophilic bronchitis is steroids. Typically, these are corticosteroids taken through an inhaler. Some people with eosinophilic bronchitis take corticosteroids through a nebulizer . Oral steroids can also be used to reduce lung inflammation, but this is less common.

The exact treatment course can vary depending on the person and their symptoms. Sometimes, only a few weeks of treatment with steroids are required. Other people with eosinophilic bronchitis will need treatment long term or permanently.

Avoiding environmental triggers can also help treat eosinophilic bronchitis. This includes avoiding dust and‌ other environmental triggers.

Are eosinophilic bronchitis treatments covered by insurance?

Your exact coverage for eosinophilic bronchitis treatment will depend on factors such as your location, insurance plan, and the medications your doctor prescribes. However, steroidal treatments are often covered by insurance.

You can look up your specific coverage by checking your plan information online or by calling to speak with a representative.

It can help to start with the ICD-10 number. This is the number of insurance companies and medical offices use to bill for specific conditions. You can look for eosinophilic bronchitis under ICD-10 code 72.1 for eosinophilia or under code 320.0 for acute bronchitis.

Outlook

The outlook for eosinophilic bronchitis can vary depending on the individual and on factors such as age and overall health.

For some people, eosinophilic bronchitis leads to lasting chronic cough or other complications that require lifelong management. In one study , 66% of people with eosinophilic bronchitis had long-term lung inflammation.

People who develop long-term effects might need to remain on inhaled corticosteroids. Typically, a chronic cough and other symptoms can be very well managed with inhaled corticosteroids. A doctor can develop the best long-term treatment plan for you.

The takeaway

Eosinophilic bronchitis is a type of bronchitis that causes a chronic cough and an increased white blood cell count in the lungs.

Unlike other lung conditions, people who develop eosinophilic bronchitis don’t typically experience symptoms such as shortness of breath.

Healthcare professionals diagnose eosinophilic bronchitis after they rule out other, more common, lung conditions. Treatment can help relieve symptoms and includes treatments, such as steroids and avoiding environmental triggers.