Bronchitis is the swelling of the covering of your bronchial tubes that carries air to and from the lungs. People with bronchitis frequently cough up condensed mucus. Bronchitis may either be acute or chronic.
Many are often developing from a cold or other respiratory infection. The very common is the acute bronchitis also known as chest cold, which normally improves a few days without lasting effects. If repeated bouts of bronchitis, chronic bronchitis may be experience. Chronic bronchitis requires medical attention. It is a constant swelling or irritation on the lining of the bronchial tubes. It is one condition that includes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD.
Symptoms of Bronchitis
Symptoms for either acute or chronic bronchitis may include the following:
- Cough
- Production of mucus
- Fattigue
- Shortness of breath
- Slight fever and chills
- Chest discomfort
The most common indication of acute bronchitis is hacking cough. It may bring up clear, yellow-grey or greenish phlegm. Other symptoms may include:
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Pains
- Tiredness
- Runny or blocked nose
Having acute bronchitis, cough may last for several weeks after other symptoms have disappeared. Some may encounter shortness of breath or wheezing, because of inflamed airways.
Causes of Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is normally caused by a lung infection. Repetition of occurrences of acute bronchitis that can weaken and annoy bronchial airways can result to chronic bronchitis.
Industrial pollution also can be considered as one of the causes of bronchitis. People who are exposed to dust and fumes, metal molders and coal mining are found to be higher than normal rate among who can get chronic bronchitis.
Treatment for Bronchitis
In supreme cases, acute bronchitis will resolve by itself within a few weeks without the need for cure. For the meantime, drink lots of fluid and get sufficient of rest.
In some cases, the indications of bronchitis can last much longer. If indicators last for at least three months, it’s already known as “chronic bronchitis”. There’s no treatment for chronic bronchitis, but some lifestyle alterations can help ease your symptoms, such as:
- taking a healthy diet can help avoid lung infections
- regular moderate exercise and a healthy diet will help maintain a healthy weight
- prevent smoking and smoky environments
There are numerous medicines to relieve symptoms. Steroids and bronchodilators can “open up” the airways and can be suggested as an inhaler. Mucolytic medicines thin the mucus in the lungs making it relaxed to cough up.