First discovered and named in 1808, bronchitis has been around for ages. Most people experience bronchitis symptoms at some point in their lives. Bronchitis is often confused with other ailments. It is beneficial to learn about the bronchitis symptoms and recognize them, for proper treatment.

What is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory system where the lung’s bronchial passageway becomes inflamed. The aggravated membrane grows thicker, narrowing or closing off the small airways in the lungs. The result is breathless coughing bouts with dense phlegm. Bronchitis comes in two varieties, acute and chronic. Those with asthma also experience pain in the bronchial lining tubes if they obtain the disease. Phlegm and a hacking cough that accompany an upper respiratory infection are often caused by acute bronchitis. Sometimes it is caused by bacteria; however, the infection is mostly viral in origin. After the initial infection, the lungs mucus membrane will return to normal after a few days. Acute bronchitis is a common occurrence in adults and children.

If a person is in relatively good health, the condition is effectively treated without a doctor’s attention and the bronchitis symptoms are easily gone away. It is advisable to see a doctor if coughing up blood or if experiencing persistent, severe symptoms. Also, a medical professional should monitor the disease, if there is a risk of heart problems.

Chronic bronchitis is a frequently reoccurring long-term disorder needing medical treatments.

Causes of Bronchitis

Generally speaking, acute bronchitis is caused by a viral lung infection 90% of the time and a bacterial lung infection the remaining 10%. on the other hand, several factors are cause chronic bronchitis. When the bronchial airways are weakened by repeated bronchitis attacks, chronic bronchitis can result. Another culprit of chronic bronchitis is air pollution. People who are continually exposed to fumes and dust like metal molder, coal miners, and grain handlers have a higher rate of chronic bronchitis than normal. The most prominent cause is long term cigarette smoking. Heavy smoking irritates the bronchial tubes and creates extra mucus. A high concentration of sulfur dioxide in the air can react with air pollution, causing an increase in the chronic form.

People with a high risk of bronchitis include:

• Those exposed to secondhand smoke

• Smokers

• Individuals with weak immune systems

• Infants and the elderly

• Those with GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease)

• People exposed to triggers at work such as ammonia, bromine, chemical fumes, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, strong acids and sulfur dioxide.

Bronchitis Symptoms

The following bronchitis symptoms are related to Acute bronchitis:

• A hacking cough

• White, yellow or green phlegm occurring 24-48 hours after a cough

• Chills or a fever

• Tightness and soreness in the chest

• Slight pain under the breastbone when breathing deeply

• Occasional shortness of breath

The following bronchitis symptoms are related to Chronic bronchitis:

• A persistent cough for three months to a year lasting a period of more than two years in a row

• The presence of green, yellow or white phlegm

• Wheezing and/or breathlessness.

- Your cough interferes with regular activities, interrupts sleep, or leads to persistent chest pains. The air sacs could be damaged.

- If your symptoms continue over a week and your mucus becomes thicker, dark or turns bloody.

- Those with a preexisting heart or lung problems or are HIV positive. A respiratory infection will leave weakened immune systems vulnerable for a more serious disease like pneumonia.

- There is difficulty in breathing.

Bronchitis vs Pneumonia

Both bronchitis and pneumonia are ailments of the respiratory system. They affect the lungs, bronchial tubes, pleural cavity and upper respiratory tract. Though they share some common symptoms, there is a serious difference between the two diseases.

Not recognizing whether the condition is pneumonia or bronchitis can lead to improper treatment. Medication can control bronchitis, while pneumonia is serious, it is difficult to treat. Here is a simple breakdown of the differences between the conditions that sometimes it is difficult to know if there are bronchitis symptoms or something else:

Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi tubes that carry air to the lungs. There are two types, acute and chronic. Coughing is the main symptom of both health problems. Acute bronchitis often develops after a cold. The symptoms gradually improve in a few days though the cough can remain for weeks. With chronic bronchitis, the cough lasts around for months. Chronic bronchitis could develop into a more serious illness called COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Usually, the lungs filter germs from the air to prevent infection from breathing. Bacteria and germs can reach the lungs if it is a strong strain or the immune defenses are down. The lung’s air sacs fill with fluid and thus causing breathing problems. Since pneumonia can quickly turn life-threatening, it is important to recognize the bronchitis symptoms and call a doctor.

Of the two, pneumonia is more concerning. Acute bronchitis involves the inflammation of the tubes that carry air in the lungs. It is a common infection usually occurring in the winter. These bronchitis symptoms can be treated in a few days and completely resolve in a few months. Pneumonia is more serious. The infection involves the deeper tissue around the bronchial tubes. The infection can spread into the blood and spread throughout the entire body. This is a very dangerous condition that is possibly fatal.

The symptoms differ in several ways. Acute bronchitis symptoms are mild. There may be a low fever, condition, slight wheezing and a cough. The temperature rarely rises above 101 degrees Fahrenheit. With pneumonia, the fever is higher, there is shortness of breath, shaking chills, chest pain and sever muscle aches.

Seasonal influenza is another condition that is mistaken for pneumonia. With the flu, muscle aches and chills are pronounced however chest pain and shortness of breath is typically not present.

Treating Bronchitis

When do you feel doubts, the best thing you can do is to call a doctor. A physician can listen to the lungs to detect pneumonia and confirm the condition with a chest x-ray. Since acute bronchitis is not causes by bacteria, an antibiotic is not necessary. Pneumonia can be caused by either one. A doctor can order sputum samples to determine the type of organism causing the symptoms. When bacteria are the cause, an antibiotic treatment is required. Hospitalization may be necessary in extreme cases.

Now that you know to recognize the various bronchitis symptoms, be careful with your health and always, always listen your personal doctor and follow the treatment methods he suggest.