Bronchitis is Common and Often Misunderstood
Many people aren’t that aware of the actual anatomy of the lungs. The bronchial tubes have an important job. They are the actual tubes that carry to the air to and from the lungs. Bronchitis is a common and annoying issue that affects multitudes of people every single year!
People with bronchitis know it’s no joke. Coughing is consistent, can be painful and can cough up a thick ugly discolored mucus. Bronchitis very often doesn’t come on its own too. It can come in tandem with a flu or cold to make the overall experience just that much worse. While most people will get bronchitis and then recover without lasting effects, others may seem to consistently and repeatedly get bronchitis. This chronic form is far worse and can be very stubborn to eliminate from your life. This article will focus on common questions about bronchitis and give some basic answers and information for people to build their knowledge base on.
The Six Important Questions About Bronchitis
1: How is bronchitis caused?
A: The cause of bronchitis will depend on the type of bronchitis. Acute versions of bronchitis aren’t particularly complicated. It will be caused by viruses. These are the same viruses that cause the cold, flu and other common issues. Since antibiotics are ineffective on viruses, it’s just a waiting game while you deal with the symptoms. Chronic bronchitis can be caused by various issues as well. People who deal with toxic gases or dust in their workplace may have it. The most common cause however is smoking. People who smoke or live with smokers are very likely to have to deal with chronic bronchitis.
2: What’s the difference between acute and chronic bronchitis?
A: There’s a basic definition for bronchitis for it to become chronic. People need to consistently have their productive cough for a period of three months. Furthermore, should it go away, it needs to return multiple times over a two year period. At times the symptoms for chronic bronchitis may feel much worse than usual. In these cases, it’s very possible that the individual actually has both chronic and acute bronchitis at the same time. The symptoms of each are additive to the other.
3: Are there other symptoms than cough?
A: Coughing and a heavy production of mucus is certainly the trademark symptom of bronchitis. That being said, there are some others that people might feel. Some people may feel very fatigued throughout their day. It’s also possible that some chills or fever may present themselves. Unsurprisingly, the chest area may not feel comfortable and it’s possible that some people can feel shortness of breath.
4: Could bronchitis lead to something worse?
A: In most cases, there are no complications that come from getting bronchitis. The most common is pneumonia, which also affects the lungs. It’s worth noting however that people who get bronchitis on a regular basis may actually be dealing with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and not realize it.
5: How can bronchitis be prevented?
A: The methods of prevention are fairly common. The first is to practice good virus hygiene. Keep your hands clean, avoid sick people and wear a mask if you feel like you’re going to be exposed among crowds. Getting a flu vaccine can help as well to keep that virus from becoming a factor. Chronic can be prevented by quitting smoking if you do already. Checking workplaces for potential hazardous dust or particles is important as well.
6: Can treatment deal with bronchitis?
A: Since bronchitis is viral, treatment is minimal. In most cases, treatment will be entirely aimed at handling symptoms to make sure people can get rest and get through the bout of bronchitis. Medicine to assist with coughing is very common. There could potentially be some other medications given if a person has bronchitis as well as COPD or asthma. These are intended to open the airways and ensure easy breathing.
