Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tube linings that carry air to and from the lungs. People with bronchitis often cough up thickened mucus that sometimes appear discolored. Bronchitis can either be acute or chronic.
Acute bronchitis is very common that is often developed from a cold and other respiratory infections. Acute bronchitis is also called a the “chest cold”. This condition usually improves within a week up to 10 days without any lasting effects except for a cough that may linger for a week.
On the other hand, chronic bronchitis is a more serious condition that causes constant irritation and inflammation to the linings of the bronchial tubes that is often caused by smoking. When you are having repeated bouts of bronchitis, this may be a sign of having chronic bronchitis, which requires medical attention. Chronic bronchitis is also included as one of the conditions included in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What are the Symptoms Of Bronchitis?
Some of the signs and symptoms for both acute and chronic bronchitis may include the following:
· Cough
· Shortness of breath
· Slight chills and fever
· Production of mucus or sputum, which can appear as clear, white, yellowish-gray or green in color, and in some rare cases may also be streaked with blood.
· Fatigue
· Chest discomfort
If you have acute bronchitis, you might be having cold symptoms, such as body aches or mild headaches. While these symptoms may improve within a week, nagging cough may linger for several weeks.
Chronic bronchitis is defined as a productive cough that lasts for at least three months, with recurring bouts for at least two consecutive years. People with chronic bronchitis will likely have periods when cough and other symptoms worsen. During this times, an acute infection may occur on top of the chronic bronchitis.
What are the Causes Of Bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses that cause common colds and flu (influenza). Since antibiotics do not kill viruses, they are not useful in most cases of bronchitis.
The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking, as well air pollution, dust and toxic gases in the environment or workplace.
Treatment for Bronchitis
For most cases of acute bronchitis, it will clear up by itself within a few weeks without the need for treatment. While waiting for it to pass, one should drink a lot of fluids and get plenty of rest.
In some cases, symptoms of bronchitis may last for a much longer time. If the symptoms last for more than three months, this is known as a chronic bronchitis. There is no cure for chronic bronchitis, but there are several medications available to relieve the symptoms. Avoiding smoking and smoky environments is important.
Complications Caused By Bronchitis
One of the most common complication of bronchitis is Pneumonia. This happens when the infection spreads to the lungs, causing fluids to fill up the air sacks inside the lungs. It is estimated that 1 out of 20 cases of bronchitis leads to pneumonia.
People who are at risk of developing pneumonia are the elderly, those who smoke, people with other health conditions such as heart, liver or kidney disease, and those people with a week immune system.
Mild pneumonia, for most cases, can be treated with antibiotics at home. For severe cases, medical assistance is required and may even lead to hospital admission.
How Can Bronchitis Be Prevented
In order to reduce the risk of getting bronchitis, here are some tips you can follow:
· Avoid cigarette smoking
Smoking can increase the risk of chronic bronchitis.
· Wash your hands
By frequently washing your hands, you can reduce the risk of catching viral infections. You can also use alcohol-based sanitizers especially when going outside and in public places.
· Get vaccinated
A lot of cases of acute bronchitis result from influenza virus. Getting a flu vaccine every year can help protect you from getting flu and other viruses and infections. You can also get vaccination that protects against some types of pneumonia.
· Wear a surgical mask
If you have a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, you might want to consider wearing a face mask in public places especially when you are exposed to dust, fumes, and when there are a lot of people, especially when traveling.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms stated above like having a cough for more than three weeks old, or having a fever higher than 100.4 F, or having difficulty in breathing, wheezing, or shortness of breath, consult a medical professional right ahead. You can also visit walk in clinic Brantford for checkups and consultations. There are also online consultation available in the web that you can visit and inquire for your symptoms to give you proper medical diagnosis and advices.