What are the symptoms of bronchitis?
BY READERS DIGEST
1st Jan 2015 Health Conditions
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, the tubes leading from the throat to the lungs, usually as a result of infection or irritation. The bronchial tubes swell up, and the cilia–tiny hairs lining the respiratory tract–become paralysed.
Symptoms of Bronchitis
Short-lived cases of bronchitis are usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection, though they can also be brought on by allergies. Symptoms include the following:
- Mucus accumulating in the cilia, the tiny hairs lining the respiratory tract, forcing you to cough heavily.
- Shortness of breath and wheezing.
- You may also experience aching, sweating, chills, fatigue and a raised temperature.
Symptoms generally go away after 10 days. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, can last a lifetime. Most chronic bronchitis is caused by smoking, though it can arise from long-term exposure to dust. There are remedies and cures available to help relieve your symptoms and to keep the mucus loose so it can be released. Find out how to treat bronchitis.
ACUTE BRONCHITIS
See your doctor if your cough is interfering with your sleep or your normal routine, breathing is difficult, you have a fever, or are coughing up blood or yellow or green phlegm. Bronchitis can lead to pneumonia. You should also call the doctor if you think your child has bronchitis, or if you are older and get bronchitis straight after another illness.
