Bronchitis Symptoms

Bronchitis: Introduction

Bronchitis is a condition whereby there is swelling that occur in your bronchi or bronchial tubes (the tubes which carry the air you breathe into your lungs). Bronchitis can be acute (of short duration) or chronic (long term).

What are the Bronchitis Symptoms?

Chronic bronchitis can cause cough that produces excessive amounts of mucus. This cough (with the mucus) has mostly existed for a period of three months or more.

Chronic bronchitis is a type of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Some factors that may worsen your signs of bronchitis include allergy, air pollution, exposure to hazardous chemicals and infections.

The common symptoms for bronchitis may include:

• Headache
• Mucus-producing cough (yellow-green may indicate bacterial infection)
• Chest pain (or tightness)
• Mild fever
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing

You may experience dry, persistent cough that can go on for many weeks even after many of the acute bronchitis symptoms have cleared up (following acute bronchitis treatment).

Bronchitis signs and symptoms (Chronic) with complications:

• Swelling that can occur in your leg, feet and ankle.
• The lips appear blue colored due to low oxygen supply to the body.
• Respiratory infections reoccur frequently.

Intake of antibiotics is not recommended in this condition as acute bronchitis is caused due to virus and mostly self heals on its own in a week’s time.

Acute bronchitis is caused by viral respiratory infection. Initially, your nasal passage, sinuses and throat get affected from where it further spreads to your lungs. In some cases, there is a secondary bacterial infection affecting your airways, in addition to the viral infection.

Old people, infants and small children are particularly at risk of an acute bronchitis infection. Those affected with lung or heart disease, as well as frequent smokers are also at an increased risk.

Nonetheless, you can try to get relief from symptoms of bronchitis by taking enough rest, inhale steam, drinking plenty of water and quit smoking.