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Bronchitis
Overview:-
Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways of the lungs (bronchi), which causes them to become inflamed. The main symptom of bronchitis is a cough, which may bring up yellow-grey mucus. Bronchitis may also cause a sore throat, wheezing and a blocked nose.
Anyone can be affected by bronchitis, although smokers and people who work with substances that can irritate the lungs, such as grains or textiles, are more likely to get it.
Types:
Bronchitis is usually a mild and self-limiting condition. Self-limiting means that it clears up by itself, usually within a couple of weeks. This is known as acute bronchitis as it lasts for only a short period of time.
However, in some cases, the damage caused by the infection of the bronchi can become permanent, causing the condition to be more severe and long lasting. If the infection lasts longer than three months, it is known as chronic bronchitis.
Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis:-
Hacking Cough
A tight feeling in the chest
Breathlessness
Wheezing
Sore throat
Slight fever and chills
Headaches
Blocked nose and sinuses
Aches and pains
Symptoms of Chronic Bronchitis:-
- Cough is very severe or lasts longer than three weeks
- Having a constant fever for more than three days
- Cough up mucus streaked with blood
- Develop rapid breathing (more than 30 breaths a minute) or chest pains
- Become drowsy or confused
- Have had repeated bouts of bronchitis
- Having an underlying heart or lung condition, such as asthma, emphysema (damage to the small airways in the lungs), Congestive heart failure (weakness in the heart that leads to fluid in lungs) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (long-term lung damage)
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