Bronchitis

How Do You Know If You Have Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a frustating, uncomfortable lung condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Bronchitis can even be painful. So how do you know if you have bronchitis, and what are your options it fou do?

The goal of this article will be to answer those questions, and to give you information about bronchitis, along with ways of finding relief for bronchitis signs and symptoms if you have them.

How do you know if you have bronchitis? A severe, persistent cough is one of the most common signs and symptoms of bronchitis. Often this is what leads people to seek medical treatment in the first place. Other signs and symptoms of bronchitis are similar to the symptoms of a cold or the flu: fever, muscle aches, sore throat, nasal congestion and more.

Coughing is a one of the most common bronchitis signs and symptoms. Your bronchitis cough bronchitis may be dry or it may have phlegm if fluids are already developing in your respiratory system. An acute bronchitis cough may last two weeks or more. Severe coughing for long periods of time will make your chest sore and abdominal muscles sore and can lead to bruising. In some cases, a bronchitis cough can be severe enough to injure the chest wall or even cause a person to pass out.

Wheezing or shortness of breath are also common signs and symptoms of bronchitis.

What causes bronchitis? Bronchitis is basically an inflammation of the airways in your lungs. When these airways (the trachea and the large and small bronchi) become inflamed, it is difficult or impossible to breathe. Some type of an infection is often what causes bronchitis in adults and children. Usually it is caused by a virus or infection such as influenza (A and B), common colds, or a lung infection. Certain bacteria can cause bronchitis as well as irritations from certain fumes or dust. Tobacco or cigarette smoke is a common cause for many people, especially children.

Types of bronchitis Chronic bronchitis is a form of bronchitis that continues for a long period of time or keeps coming back. The main cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking. The more you smoke, the more likely you'll eventually get bronchitis and it will become chronic bronchitis. Secondhand smoke may also cause chronic bronchitis. Air pollution, infection, and allergies cause chronic bronchitis to become worse. 

Chronic bronchitis is one of several forms of COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma are among the leading lung diseases in the United States.

Acute bronchitis is temporary, and is often triggered by a respiratory infection like a cold or the flu. People with a weakened immune system and anyone with exposure to lung irritants may get bronchitis.

Can bronchitis turn into pneumonia? When you have bronchitis, the mucous lining of your airways will become irritated and swollen, making it hard for sufficient air to pass through to your lungs. In addition, the cells that make up this lining might leak fluids into your lungs and in severe cases, when left untreated it can develop into other conditions such as pneumonia. Also, if you have had pneumonia before, you are at greater risk for getting bronchitis.

Relief for bronchitis What kind of relief for bronchitis is available? Well, most types of bronchitis are caused by viral infections which can't be treated with antibiotics. Usually in such cases doctors can only treat the signs and symptoms of bronchitis until it goes away on its own. But if your bronchitis symptoms are caused by a bacterial infection, then antibiotics are an option.

Avoiding what causes bronchitis is the best option. Tobacco smoke and air pollutions are what causes bronchitis most often. Avoid both if possible.

You can also get some relief for bronchitis symptoms at home by taking Tylenol (acetaminophen), drinking fluids, using a vaporizer, etc. Never allow your bronchitis to go untreated, especially if you see the symptoms are getting worse. Once again, bronchitis can turn into pneumonia.

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