bronchitissymptoms

Chronic bronchitis symptoms are not that different to acute bronchitis symptoms, although chronic bronchitis also involves recurrent infections, coupled with blue lips (from low levels of oxygen) and ankle, feet and leg swelling. The symptoms are also less severe.

Chronic bronchitis is usually caused by damaged airways (the lining of the airways becomes permanently thickened) – either through smoking, or being around polluted environments (chemical fumes etc). The prognosis for people with advanced chronic bronchitis is poor – the damage is usually done and cannot be reversed. Symptomatic relief is all that can be offered. Also, bacteria more easily settle in the thickened lining, meaning you can get more sick and more often. Chronic bronchitis is not fatal in itself, however when coupled with a decline in lung function, it can be fatal.

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus, after a cold or flu, and lasts less than six weeks. Either the virus itself infects the airways, or the airways are more susceptible after a cold or flu and contract an infection. The symptoms are severe but temporary.

Bronchitis can also be caused by a condition called GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (where the stomach acids bubble up into the windpipe, causing irritation and a chronic cough). Your doctor can prescribe medication to help with both the GERD and bronchitis.

Bronchitis can also occur in asthmatics (and is called, somewhat unimaginatively, asthmatic bronchitis), as the airways become damaged from repeated attacks. Both asthmatics and those with chronic bronchitis can develop asthmatic bronchitis. The causes are said to be bronchial hyperactivity, severe childhood respiratory infections and abnormalities of the immune system. The symptoms are the same as chronic bronchitis (wheezing, chest pain, cough, difficulty breathing and increased vulnerability to infections), but the airways can no longer remove the mucous with asthmatic medication. This is commonly treated with antibiotics (to keep serious bacterial infections away), medicines to open the airways and steroids. Asthmatic bronchitis is a type of chronic obstructive airway disease (or COPD).

Whatever the cause or progression, bronchitis symptoms are the same in all people.