{"id":951,"date":"2017-06-27T07:50:48","date_gmt":"2017-06-27T07:50:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=951"},"modified":"2021-03-12T16:03:22","modified_gmt":"2021-03-12T16:03:22","slug":"9-common-symptoms-bronchitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/9-common-symptoms-bronchitis\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Common Symptoms of Bronchitis"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Bronchitis describes an inflammation of swelling of the bronchial tubes, AKA the bronchi. These are the air passages that run between the mouth and the lungs and as such, bronchitis can cause difficulty breathing. It is not actually the tubes themselves that become inflamed however but rather the lining of the bronchial tubes.<\/p>\n

Those with bronchitis can suffer a number of different symptoms that we will look at here, including difficulty breathing and getting oxygen into the lungs.<\/p>\n

There are actually two different kinds of bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is caused by viruses and you will likely have experienced it when you\u2019ve had a cold or flu. It can also sometimes be caused by exposure to irritants that directly cause the linings of the bronchial tubes to become inflamed and irritated. Common culprits include tobacco smoke, dust, fumes, pollution and others.<\/p>\n

The other kind of bronchitis is \u2018chronic bronchitis\u2019. We don\u2019t typically tend to describe a cold or flu as bronchitis, seeing as this is just one symptom of the cold or flu among many. Thus, the term bronchitis will most often refer to its chronic form, whereby the airways have become permanently damaged and this then causes continuous coughing and other symptoms.<\/p>\n

In this post, we\u2019ll take a look at some of the symptoms of both kinds of bronchitis, so that you can identify whether you have the condition or whether you perhaps are suffering with a different complaint.<\/p>\n

1. \u00a0Persistent Coughing<\/h3>\n

The most common symptom of bronchitis is a consistent coughing<\/a>. This can last from several weeks to several months (in the case of acute bronchitis) and will often be a hacking cough which will bring up mucus.<\/p>\n

Persistent coughing can in itself cause a number of other unwanted side effects, if it causes you to strain for example or if you further irritate your throat and bronchial tubes. Throat sweets and other medications might be used to treat this symptom, while inhaling steam can also be useful to settle the area.<\/p>\n

Along with the coughing it is common to hear or feel rattling or wheezing when breathing. This is caused by the air escaping through a narrower passageway, as well as the mucus that might be moving freely inside the lungs and the throat.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. \u00a0It Gets Worse in the Cold<\/h3>\n

Those with chronic bronchitis<\/a> will experience this cough on a permanent basis. However, they might notice that certain things make the matter worse and that it tends to be worse a couple of times a year. The cold in particular is likely to exacerbate the condition and make coughing worse.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth checking in with your doctor if you have a persistent cough that won\u2019t go away \u2013 it might be asthma or pneumonia.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. \u00a0Sore Throat<\/h3>\n

Even when you aren\u2019t coughing, you are likely to experience a sore throat<\/a>. This is from the inflammation and the irritation affecting the bronchial tubes, as well as from the constant coughing and hacking which can gradually make the matter worse.<\/p>\n

Of course, it is important to try and minimize this coughing as far as possible, though that is sometimes easier said than done!<\/p>\n

\"\"4. \u00a0Breathlessness<\/h3>\n

If you struggle to ascend the stairs without gasping for air, or if you feel like you can never quite get a proper intake of air, then this could also be a symptom of bronchitis. The role of the bronchial tubes is of course to take air to the lungs and so when they become inflamed, they might become partially blocked.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, you might find that mucus<\/a> makes its way into the lungs, thereby causing a rattling sound and making it hard to fill them with air.<\/p>\n

\"\"5. \u00a0Swelling<\/h3>\n

If you are experiencing the acute form of bronchitis, then you may also have an infection<\/a> that is causing the problem.<\/p>\n

In this case, it\u2019s likely that the lymph nodes will be affected and these might become swollen and inflamed as well. The job of the lymph nodes is to filter harmful substances from the body and combat germs and infections.<\/p>\n

You can feel this inflammation by feeling just under the jaw on the left and right sides around the neck.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. \u00a0Fatigue<\/h3>\n

Fatigue<\/a> can come from a few places and especially in the case of an infection (acute). Whenever the body fights an infection, it needs to allocate its resources.<\/p>\n

This means that more energy is going to go toward the immune system, to help it fight the infection. In turn, that means less energy left to do other things, so you\u2019re likely to feel lethargic.<\/p>\n

You might also notice the effects of being low on oxygen. We\u2019ve seen that this condition can leave you breathless and this can also extend generally to your performance in a range of tasks.<\/p>\n

\"\"7. \u00a0Brain Fog<\/h3>\n

If you are suffering from an acute case of bronchitis, then you might notice that you have brain fog.<\/p>\n

This is once again due to the body fighting the infection, but this time the interaction is a little different. You see, the body will try and drive out an infection at least partly through inflammation<\/a>. Swelling helps to protect and area and it hinders the free movement of viruses around the body.<\/p>\n

However, inflammation can also affect the brain through pro-inflammatory cytokines. This can leave you with brain fog and a disinterest in your usual tasks. You might also find you get confused easily and that you are generally unable to hold your concentration for long.<\/p>\n

Another issue here is once again a lack of oxygen to the brain, which is required for pretty much every function that goes on in there!<\/p>\n

\"\"8. \u00a0Fever<\/h3>\n

Again, for those that are suffering from acute bronchitis, it is common to experience many symptoms that come from the infection rather than the bronchitis itself.<\/p>\n

This includes a fever<\/a>, which can leave you feeling very tired, lethargic and hot. You might experience chills and cold sweats and struggle to regulate your temperature.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s crucial that you drink plenty of fluids at this time but don\u2019t worry \u2013 a fever is actually a sign that your body is fighting the infection and doing so successfully. The aim isn\u2019t to try and prevent or stop the fever then, but rather just to manage this symptom and to make sure that it doesn\u2019t lead to dehydration or other unwanted side effects.<\/p>\n

\"\"9. \u00a0Risk Factors<\/h3>\n

While not symptoms, it is important to consider the risk factors when trying to make a diagnosis.<\/p>\n

If you suspect that you may have chronic bronchitis, then chances are that this will have been caused by long term damage to the lungs and the throat. In particular, it is common for this to be the result of smoking tobacco for a long time, which can cause constant serious damage and irritation.<\/p>\n

Likewise, construction work can cause you to breath in a lot of dust and a lot of sawdust in particular. It\u2019s also common for this to be a result of living in a very polluted area, or of working with toxic substances.<\/p>\n

In the case of acute bronchitis, then chances are that the condition will occur alongside other symptoms such as those caused by a flu<\/a> or a cold, or that you will have engaged in an activity that could have led to irritation \u2013 such as going into a loft with insulation for instance.<\/p>\n

\"\"10. Headache<\/h3>\n

Bronchitis infections disrupt the absorption of oxygen<\/a> into red blood cells. The inflammation of the bronchial tubes and alveoli means that there\u2019s less oxygen entering blood cells, reducing the flow of oxygen to the brain. As a result, affected individuals may find that they experience headaches \u2013 especially upon waking in the morning.<\/span><\/p>\n

This symptom is one of the first signs of anemia, and affected individuals should seek treatment from their doctor. Your physician will prescribe antibiotics that kill the bacteria and return you to health. However, headache may also occur as a side-effect of coughing symptoms. <\/span><\/p>\n

Constantly coughing takes its toll on your lungs, throat, and brain as well. <\/span><\/p>\n

Persistent coughing may cause a headache that occurs when you cough, lasting for several minutes after that. Soothe your coughing symptoms with cough syrup to reduce the inflammation in your throat, airways, and lungs. After a few hours, you\u2019ll notice that your headache symptoms begin to decline.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"11. Insomnia<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s challenging to fall asleep when you want to cough every 5-minutes. As a result, patients with bronchitis may find that they experience bouts of insomnia<\/a>. When we sleep, our brain clears the neural pathways of toxins accumulated during the day. A lack of sleep, or insufficient sleep, results in some of these toxins remaining in the neural pathways, resulting in symptoms of headache and brain fog.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s vital that you receive enough sleep to help your body deal with the recovery process. If you find that you can\u2019t get to sleep because of your cough, try using a diffuser. Add some tea tree oil drops to the water in the diffuser and leave it to run while you sleep. The infused steam will help you breathe easier, reducing coughing symptoms, helping you fall asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

If left untreated and unmanaged, insomnia can progress into various other physical and mental health disorders, including the development of autoimmune diseases, such as adrenal fatigue.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"12. Shortness of Breath<\/h3>\n

This classic symptom of bronchitis shows up due to congested airways and alveoli.<\/a> You may find that you struggle to catch your breath walking up the stairs to your doctor\u2019s office. Symptoms of shortness of breath may increase as the disease progresses, and decline in a few days after receiving antibiotic treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, in some cases, shortness of breath can become severe. Bronchitis infection can happen to anyone exposed to the bacteria \u2013 but it\u2019s especially prevalent in people who choose to smoke. Smoking can exacerbate symptoms of shortness of breath, and since smokers are addicts to their habit \u2013 they find it difficult to stop smoking, even when the disease is at its height, and their lungs feel terrible.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, smokers who persist with their habit almost always end up developing chronic bronchitis \u2013 which can last for months. As a result, they intensify shortness of breath symptoms, and often experience a reduction in quality of life, as they need to rest frequently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"13. Brain Fog and Confusion<\/h3>\n

The reduction in oxygenated blood as a result of bronchitis infection creates numerous health issues with circulation and its effects on the body. When the brain doesn\u2019t receive enough oxygen<\/a>, the patient may feel lightheaded and dizzy. If left unmanaged and untreated, they may start to experience feelings of brain fog and confusion.<\/span><\/p>\n

These symptoms leave the patient unable to think clearly or concentrate. As a result, they often slip into a state of fatigue and tiredness. Unfortunately, the coughing symptoms make it hard to sleep, and as a result, mental health begins to decline rapidly. This lack of oxygenated blood to the brain also takes its toll on your mood, and the brain fog exacerbates these symptoms of confusion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Affected individuals need to seek treatment from their physician. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to kill off the bronchitis bacteria and return your respiratory system to good health. You\u2019ll notice that the confusion and brain fog starts to lift the day after starting a course of medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"14. Progression to a Chronic State<\/h3>\n

Most people who experience bronchitis infection visit their doctor for an antibiotic prescription, and their symptoms begin to reduce over the course of 48-hours drastically. In most cases, you\u2019ll be able to beat the infection<\/a> in a matter of days, and after a week, you\u2019ll be feeling fine.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, people who smoke tobacco products, such as cigarettes and pipe products make it hard for their lungs to cope with the additional stress and inflammation caused by the inhalation of smoke into the infected lungs. As a result, the infection tends to spread, and they experience intense symptoms, well after the virus clears the body. <\/span><\/p>\n

You can track the development of chronic bronchitis by looking at the changes in your mucus production. At first, the mucus starts yellow, then turns green, and eventually ends up as thick, brown clumps that you spit up after bouts of coughing. This sign signals that the bacterial infection is progressing, and failing to stop smoking at this point could result in severe harm to your respiratory system.<\/span><\/p>\n\r\n

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