It is normal to have a cough every now and again, even if it is not a symptom belonging to the family of common viruses. Sometimes, however, a cough may be a symptom of something long-lasting.
If there is anything worse than the common chest infection, it would have to be chronic bronchitis. This is a disease that primarily affects the lungs. Bronchitis is when the airways inside the lungs (called bronchi) swell due to infection or some other trigger. The windpipe is also affected, producing symptoms of its own.
Bronchitis can be experienced in three ways – once in one’s life, occasionally, or chronic. In any case, it is important to recognise the signs of bronchitis and seek treatment.
Chronic Bronchitis Symptoms
The first sign of bronchitis is a general cough. The cough may start off dry but will gradually contain phlegm. Phlegm is a sign that the mucus lining of the airways is leaking fluids in response to infection. Coughing is a natural attempt to clear the airways of the build up of phlegm.
Other bronchitis symptoms include fatigue, occasional chest pains, wheezing, chills and fever. The phlegm produced by coughing is normally yellow or green in colour, and can sometimes be pink or red if small amounts of blood are present.
There is an important difference between bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. A one-off incident of bronchitis usually clears up in response to treatment. The coughing eases and phlegm production abates with time (normally within a few weeks). Chronic bronchitis tends to be diagnosed if coughing fits become persistent for at least three months in any 24-month period.
Chronic Bronchitis Treatment
Smoking is a leading cause of chronic bronchitis. Should the smoker continue to smoke cigarettes and use other tobacco substances, the condition may be prolonged by the habit. If smoking ceases, the symptoms of chronic bronchitis tend to be significantly mitigated.
Trials of antibiotics are prescribed for chronic bronchitis, but such treatments haven’t been as promising as expected. Long-term use of antibiotics is undesirable and is not recommended.
Recognising Chronic Bronchitis and Managing it
Chronic bronchitis sufferers tend to experience persistent coughing fits that may remain despite a number of trials of antibiotics over the years. Since the condition is primarily caused by smoking, the best thing sufferers should do is try to quit cigarette smoking or any other form of substance abuse, including illicit drugs inhalation. Treatment for chronic bronchitis is normally aimed at mitigating the symptoms as much as physically possible.
Asthmatics appear to be especially prone to bronchitis.
Sources:
The Reader’s Digest. (1989). Medical Question & Answer Book. Surry Hills: Reader’s Digest Association Far East Pty Ltd.
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