8 Bronchitis Symptoms

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the small airways called bronchi (mucus membranes of bronchi, to be more specific). If not treated adequately it may spread further into the lungs causing pneumonia in some cases. However complications are rare in adults that are in good overall health. The most common causes of bronchitis are infectious agents such are bacteria, viruses and fungi. Non-infectious causes, such as smoking, pollution, coldness, and allergens, are also common. Acute and chronic form of bronchitis differ. Acute bronchitis can clear in seven to ten days, whilst a chronic bronchitis episode can last for months if untreated. Chronic bronchitis needs professional medical attention since it rarely resolves on its own. Bronchitis symptoms fall into two categories: unspecific and organ-specific. Fatigue and fever are unspecific symptoms, which means they do not indicate a specific disease, but rather signal that something isn’t quite right. Organ-specific symptoms include chest discomfort, cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing. When these occur, it means that the respiratory system is facing a health issue. 1 Chest discomfort. Patients usually refer to it as a “feeling pressure all over the chest.” It occurs due to the increased airflow resistance (narrow airways). Chest discomfort is a particularly unpleasant symptom which some patients misinterpret as a heart attack. This symptom is often accompanied by wheezing which will be described later. Luckily, chest discomfort subsides in the first few days after the onset of acute bronchitis. In chronic patients, it rarely occurs at rest, however increased physical activity usually triggers the symptom. 2 Fatigue. Although unspecific, fatigue occurs days before other symptoms set in. With chronic bronchitis, it can last for weeks before other symptoms “show up.” It can sometimes be the only sign of chronic bronchitis. Fatigue occurs due to inadequate tissue oxygenation. In other words, the body needs enough oxygen to produce sufficient amounts of energy. In the case of an impaired respiratory function, oxygen levels drop, and we feel exhausted. As soon as the respiratory function goes back to normal, fatigue slowly subsides, and the patient feels better. More symptoms on next page.... 3 Fever. Fever is another unspecific symptom often present in bronchitis. As the body temperature increases, fatigue and other symptoms intensify. Typically, the body temperature is slightly increased in the case of viral bronchitis (up to 38°C) but with bacterial infection it may go above 38°C. With acute bronchitis, fever may last from 3-7 days. Chronic bronchitis rarely causes increased body temperature. 4 Wheezing. Wheezing in otherwise healthy individuals is most likely caused by bronchitis (acute episode). The excessive amount of mucus in the lungs and narrowed airways cause distinctive breathing sound that resembles high pitch buzzing. In chronic pulmonary diseases (including chronic bronchitis) and tobacco users, it is almost always present. In severe cases, the respiratory function can be severely impaired because of wheezing. 5 Cough. As the bronchi reacts to allergen, it secretes significant amount of mucus in an attempt to “wash away” the cause (virus, bacteria, allergen, or any other), which results in a large amount of mucus accumulated in the airways. The cough reflex helps to “clean up” the lungs, but with bronchitis it can be so severe that it interferes with the patient’s quality of life. In the beginning, it is a nonproductive cough (it does not produce sputum). Later on (sometimes a week or two after all other symptoms subside), it turns into a productive cough. 6 Mucus. Translucent or white, foamy watery mucus is a characteristic of viral infections and allergic reactions. In case of bacterial bronchitis, the mucus is thick, smelly, yellow/green/ brown. Sometimes blood can be found in the spit, and it's recommended to see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. To make the mucus easier to drain from lungs, it is essential to drink plenty of fluids (water or tea). 7 Shortness of breath. As the mucus piles up, the airflow through the lungs becomes inefficient. Also, airways are narrowed down because of inflammatory spasm. Consequently, you may feel a shortness of breath. Some patients refer to this “like breathing through the straw.” The symptom is very unpleasant, and patients sometimes become anxious believing they could suffocate. Shortness of breath (particularly in case of chronic bronchitis) is not always apparent- sometimes it occurs only during physical activity. 8 Runny nose. Similar to the bronchi, as the epithelium of the nose cavity reacts to allergen, virus or bacteria, it secretes significant amount of mucus in an attempt to “wash away” the cause. In the case of allergies and viral infections, nose secretion is clear, watery, or foamy. In case of bacterial infection, nose secretion is yellow, green or brown, often smelly and thick. Some people experience nose congestion (inability to breathe through the nose). In such cases, using nasal decongestant is necessary to avoid complications such as middle ear inflammation or sinusitis. Keep in mind that nasal decongestants should not be used for more than seven days. 9 Watery eyes. Watery eyes are one of the most distinctive signs that something is happening in the upper respiratory tract. This is because the nasal cavity and eyes are connected with a tiny canal known as “nasolacrimal canal.” Its function is to drain the tears to the nasal cavity. If the channel is blocked, tears can’t be drained. The nasolacrimal channel is the reason why people get a runny nose while crying. Watery eyes are quite often the first sign that occurs hours before other symptoms kick in.

3 Fever

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