The lining of your bronchial tubes, which transport air to and from your lungs, become inflamed when you have bronchitis. Bronchitis patients frequently cough up thicker mucus that may be colored. Chronic or acute bronchitis are both possible.
Acute bronchitis is a very common condition that frequently results from a cold or other respiratory illness. A persistent irritation or inflammation of the bronchial tube lining characterizes chronic bronchitis, a more dangerous illness that is frequently brought on by smoking.
Acute bronchitis, often known as a chest cold, typically goes away without leaving any residual symptoms, though the cough may remain for weeks.
But if you get bronchitis more than once, you can develop chronic bronchitis, which calls for medical intervention. One of the conditions included in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is chronic bronchitis.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of either acute or chronic bronchitis may include:
- Cough
- production of blood-stained mucus (sputum), which can be clear, white, yellowish-gray, or green in color on rare occasions.
- Fatigue
- breathing difficulty
- little fever, chills
- Uncomfortable chest
You can experience cold symptoms like a minor headache or body aches if you have acute bronchitis. Although these symptoms often go away in about a week, you can have a persistent cough for several weeks.
A productive cough that lasts at least three months and recurs for at least two years in a row qualifies as chronic bronchitis.
There may be times when the cough or other symptoms of chronic bronchitis get worse. You might have chronic bronchitis at such periods in addition to an acute infection.
When to visit a doctor
- If you cough, visit a doctor more than three weeks long
- Prevents you from falling asleep
- Has a temperature that is more than 100.4 F (38 C)
- Produces murky mucous.
- Creates blood
- Is connected to wheeze or breathlessness
Causes
Viruses, mainly the same viruses that cause the flu and colds (influenza), are typically the cause of acute bronchitis. Since viruses are not killed by antibiotics, they are ineffective in treating bronchitis in the majority of cases.
Cigarette smoking is the most frequent cause of chronic bronchitis. The illness can also be exacerbated by dust, poisonous gases, and air pollution at work or in the surroundings.
Risk elements
The following factors raise your risk of developing bronchitis:
Tobacco smoke. Both acute and chronic bronchitis are more common in those who smoke or who live with a smoker.
Minimal resistance. This could be the result of another acute disease, such a cold, or a persistent ailment that impairs your health.
Immunological response. Infants, young children, and older adults are more susceptible to illness.
Encountering irritants at work. If you work with specific lung irritants, such as grains or textiles, or are exposed to chemical fumes, your risk of having bronchitis is higher.
Stomach reflux. Repeated episodes of excruciating heartburn can irritate your throat and increase your risk of bronchitis.
Complications
Even though a single bout of bronchitis typically doesn’t require medical attention, in certain cases it might result in pneumonia. However, recurrent bronchitis may indicate the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Prevention
To reduce your risk of bronchitis, follow these tips:
- Avoid cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke increases your risk of chronic bronchitis.
- Get vaccinated. Many cases of acute bronchitis result from influenza, a virus. Getting a yearly flu vaccine can help protect you from getting the flu. You may also want to consider vaccination that protects against some types of pneumonia.
- Wash your hands. To reduce your risk of catching a viral infection, wash your hands frequently and get in the habit of using alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
- Wear a surgical mask. If you have COPD, you might consider wearing a face mask at work if you’re exposed to dust or fumes, and when you’re going to be among crowds, such as while traveling.
