Signs and Symptoms of Bronchitis

Signs and Symptoms of Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a respiratory disease which refers to the specific physiological condition refers to the resulting from the inflammation of bronchi (Medium and large air ways in the lungs). Bronchi are responsible for carrying the air to the lungs. Bronchitis can be classified in two types- acute & chronic. The main cause for the outbreak of this disease is irritation in the bronchial tube caused by the virus, bacteria and other harmful foreign substances. Acute bronchitis is usually followed by cold & viral infection lasting for a short span of time whereas chronic bronchitis lasts for long time mainly caused by environmental factors.

Chronic bronchitis may finally results into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Many persons are getting affected by this disease as a result of extreme smoking of cigarettes as well as occasional exposure to harmful pesticide. This is disease can only be diagnosed by blood test, chest x-ray and lung function test. Acute bronchitis can be cured without any treatment where chronic bronchitis cannot be cured permanently but medication can give quite relief to the patient suffering from this disease.Doctors may prescribe cough medicine, antibiotics, bronchodilators, anti-inflammatory medicines and glucocorticoid steroids, oxygen therapy, mucolytics, pulmonary rehabilitation program to reduce the effects of this disease as well as temporary cure of the same. 

Flu vaccine and pneumonia vaccine can reduce the chance of being affected from this disease. This disease is a common disease 5% of adults and 6% of children usually suffer from this disease once in year.
               
There is a basic difference between the sign & symptoms of any disease. Symptoms are only felt by the patient whereas the signs can be detected by both the patient and the doctors. Like other diseases this disease also has some unique symptoms though some most people experience occasional symptoms those who suffering from acute bronchitis though some suffer most of the times those who suffering from chronic bronchitis. 

The symptoms of this disease vary from mild to severe which are discussed in the following:

 
  • Low fever &chills:The temperature of the body of the affected person varies from 99°F to 101°F. Presence of chills can also be found.
  • Headache: From mild to severe headache is being felt by the patient which lasts for short to long period also.
  • Blockage of nose &sinus: Blockage of nose & sinus makes the patient feel very much comfortable while breathing.
  • Tightened chest: Tightened chest is only a symptom of this disease which can be felt by the patient but cannot be observed by the doctor. 
  • Fatigue: Fatigue may also appear as a result of this disease.
  • Shortness of breath: Breathing of the patient becomes short due to the uncomfortable feeling in the respiratory tract.
  • Wheezing: The most common symptoms of this disease are the whistling sound appears at the time of taking breath which is known as wheezing. This is found usually found occasionally in the affected persons.
  • Sore throat: Sore throat may also be a prominent symptom for this disease.

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