Chronic Bronchitis Signs And Symptoms

Chronic Bronchitis Cough

Bronchitis comes in two basic forms: acute and chronic.

Chronic bronchitis symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of acute bronchitis. The major difference is longevity. Chronic bronchitis symptoms can last a lifetime (and often do). You get chronic bronchitis because of long term smoking or exposure to environmental pollutants, chemicals, dust in the air and so on. Chronic bronchitis is considered to be a form of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Acute bronchitis symptoms are temporary because the disorder often follows a respiratory condition like a cold or influenza. It lasts a few days to a few weeks, and then your respiratory system and lungs get back to normal.

What causes chronic bronchitis signs and symptoms? Bronchitis, both in the chronic and acute forms, occurs when the lining of the bronchial tubes become inflamed and irritated. The bronchial tubes are the air passages which transport air to and from your lungs.

Chronic bronchitis signs and symptoms do not go away because the bronchial tubes have been inflamed and irritated for so long that the lining becomes scarred. This scarring results in the following symptoms.

Mucus - When you have chronic bronchitis, your respiratory system will produce mucus that you expel when you cough. This mucus is generally white or greenish-yellow in color.

Coughing - Chronic bronchitis is often accompanied by a chronic bronchitis cough. This cough is more frequent in the morning and in damp weather. The generally accepted definition of a chronic bronchitis cough states that you have to have a cough most days for at least three months out of each year for two consecutive years. The truth is, most chronic bronchitis sufferers cough every day.

Respiratory infections - You tend to have other respiratory infections like colds or influenza more often than other people.

Breathing difficulties - you'll find yourself wheezing occasionally. Shortness of breath, even after mild exertion, is typical. Similarly, you're likely to become tired faster than other people.

Other signs and symptoms of chronic bronchitis may include a mild fever and chills.

Some people say they have occasional chest discomfort.

Your signs and symptoms will sometimes intensify. This usually means you have another type of respiratory or lung infection at the same time.

Chronic bronchitis requires medical attention to make sure it doesn't get any worse. You should seek medial attention if:

• You cough so much or so intensely that it interferes with your sleep.
• You notice you have a low grade fever (higher than 101 F or 38.3 C) that lasts for more than 3 days.
• If you find yourself becoming easily tired, short of breath, or wheezing, especially after mild physical activity.

If you already have heart disease, circulatory or lung disease, including asthma, emphysema or congestive heart failure. This makes you more vulnerable to developing complications from bronchial infections.

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