Am I Suffering from Bronchitis
Health and Wellness » Respiratory Care in India »There are many common symptoms of respiratory diseases like pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, etc. which can definitely confuse you. Common signs like cold and cough that stay for a long time can make you think, 'Am I suffering from bronchitis'. If you have any doubt about it and find more signs other than cold and cough, then you must visit your doctor immediately to stop it from getting worse.
Respiratory disorders like bronchitis and pneumonia show quite similar symptoms like wheezing while breathing, cough and mucus production more than usual. To find the difference between these two can be quite difficult. It is necessary to get the proper diagnosis from a doctor as any of these if left untreated can be very harmful.
Before knowing, 'Am I suffering from bronchitis', you must know exactly what bronchitis is. It is respiratory swelling, causing the bronchial tubes to get irritated and secreting overproduction of mucous. It is a contagious disease which can spread through the infection either by viral or bacterial. It is more common among children.
Types of Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is a common type of bronchitis; it is developed through the common viruses that cause cold. It is also caused due to more consumption of tobacco, exposure to dust or chemical fumes. This situation is known as gastro esophageal reflux disease that results to such type of bronchitis.
Other bronchitis type is chronic bronchitis which is a serious type where the bronchial tubes lining get permanently swollen and thickened. It is one of the serious medical cases that need medical attention; it is mostly caused due to smoking. It is also the result of environmental factors like pollutants or dust in hoe, toxic gases or air pollution.
Symptoms and Causes
Symptoms of bronchitis are visible for nearly 2-3 weeks. However, sneezing and coughing can continue for some more weeks. It can be contagious during the first week. Bronchitis is the result of viruses like influenza, rhino virus and adenoviridae.
Other Signs of Bronchitis
- If you are suffering from bronchitis, you may get productive cough which can be yellow or green in color. It is the basic sign of the infection. You may also find blood while coughing.
- Usually, people who suffer from such disease feel like their chest is swollen or inflamed.
- The voice of the patient becomes harsh which can make it obvious that there is some problem with the lungs.
- Other symptoms like wheezing sound while breathing, having flu and fever for most of the time with an infection is usually the initial signs of this disease.
Am I Suffering from Bronchitis?
To know if you have bronchitis, you have to perform certain tests advised by the doctor. If you have chronic bronchitis, you have to perform pulmonary function tests. Though this type of disease is usually incurable, its signs can be controlled.
In the season of winter, you can get acute bronchitis especially if you have had upper respiratory tract infection. In acute bronchitis, airways connecting the windpipe to the lungs get swollen. If you get fever, immediately visit the doctor to ensure that you don�t have pneumonia.
- In case if you smoke or have more consumption of tobacco, then you are more likely to develop this disease. It is advisable for you to quit smoking.
- If you get cold and cough which stays for a long time accompanied by fever, then you are likely to suffer from bronchitis.
- People who are at more risk of getting this disease are elderly, teens and young children or anybody having a weak immune system.
- Drinking lots of fluid is anyhow good for the body; it does not harm your body and keeps you away from any kind of diseases. It is advised to increase your water intake which can help you lose phlegm and give productive coughing.
Bronchitis Treatment
Treating bronchitis is possible only when you take some steps from your side as well. You must take as much rest as possible. Your doctor will advise you to take some antibiotic and medicines for cough.
Other than this, get some changes in lifestyle and maintain good habits like cleaning your hands before meals, after using washroom, getting flu and pneumonia vaccines and avoiding smoke and staying away from sick people. If you still have a doubt on, �Am I suffering from bronchitis�, then make sure you consult your doctor.