What is Bronchitis?
Bronchitis is a respiratory disease. In this, the bronchial tubes become inflamed due to infection. The bronchi are the passageways that allow air to move in and out of your lungs. People who have the problem of bronchitis, often thick mucus comes out in their phlegm.
There are two types of bronchitis:
Acute Bronchitis: This is a short-term infection that inflames the windpipes in the lungs and fills them with mucus. Its effect lasts for several weeks.
Chronic bronchitis: There is a persistent irritation of the bronchial tubes, often caused by smoking. It can last for months or even years. Chronic bronchitis is much more severe than acute bronchitis.
How common is bronchitis?
This is extremely common. It can affect patients at any age. You can reduce your chances of getting a disease like bronchitis by reducing the risk factors. Consult your doctor for more details.
What are the symptoms of bronchitis? (Symptoms of Bronchitis)
The initial symptoms of bronchitis include a cold, chills, dry cough, headache and muscle aches. Usually these symptoms start getting better on their own in a few weeks.
However, the symptoms of chronic bronchitis last for 3 months. The common symptoms of chronic bronchitis are mentioned below –
chronic cough
blood in mucus
Tiredness
breathlessness
fever
Pain in chest
There are many other symptoms of bronchitis, which cannot be mentioned here. If you have any questions about the side effects of bronchitis, consult your doctor.
Symptoms of Bronchitis
If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or nearest hospital immediately –
Fever
weight loss for no reason
severe and whooping cough
cough for more than 10 days
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
When should I see my doctor?
Most cases of bronchitis do not require medical treatment, but if you have the above symptoms for a long time, it could be a sign of a serious condition.
If you have any of the below mentioned problems, you should contact your doctor –
If symptoms last for more than three weeks.
Constantly burning with fever.
Colorless mucus discharge.
Cough with blood.
Breathlessness.
Know the reason for this-
What causes bronchitis? (Cause of Bronchitis)
Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus infection. These viruses are the ones that cause cold and flu.
In this regard, Dr. Mrinal Sarkar, Director and Head, Pulmonology, Fortis Hospital Noida says that the most common cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. However, air pollution, dust and toxic gases in the environment or workplace can also worsen cases of chronic bronchitis. Viral Infection – In 85 to 95 percent of cases of youth, bronchitis is caused by a viral infection. Bronchitis develops from the common cold or flu virus.
Bacterial Infection - In very rare cases, bronchitis caused by a viral infection takes the form of bacterial bronchitis. In this condition the person gets an infection due to bacteria. The main bacteria affecting it include Mycoplasma pneumonia and Chlamydia pneumonia.
Allergy - Breathing in allergenic substances such as smoking, pollution or chemical air can lead to inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which later takes the form of bronchitis.
Lungs problem - Patients suffering from asthma or other lung diseases are most prone to bronchitis.
What factors can increase my risk of bronchitis?
The main reasons for increasing its danger are:
If you smoke a lot.
It affects the weak immune system quickly.
In addition to infants and young children, elderly people are more prone to this infection.
If you work in a chemical factory.
There may be an increased risk of gastric reflux due to
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