What is Bronchitis?
Bronchitis, also referred to as chest cold, is the inflammation in the lungs, commonly referred to as chest cold. Bronchitis can occur as a viral illness like the common cold, or a more severe condition.

Bronchitis can also be caused by exposure to chemical irritants, smoke, or bacteria. Typical symptoms associated with bronchitis include:

cough
phlegm
feeling tired
However, these are also symptoms of other illnesses, so getting the right diagnosis is vital.

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How Bronchitis Affects Your Lungs
The bronchial tubes that carry air deep into your lungs can get irritated, causing the inner lining to swell and grow thicker. When this happens, it makes the breathing passages to become narrow. These irritated membranes also discharge extra mucus, which coats and blocks the small airways. Coughing spells is being triggered in an effort for the body to clear out these secretions.

Symptoms of Bronchitis
Symptoms of bronchitis includes:

Productive cough that persists for several days to weeks. Wheezing sounds when breathing
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Tightness or dull pain in the chest
Unusual fever
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Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis often develops about three to four days after a cold or the flu. It may start with a dry cough, then after a few days the coughing spells may bring up mucus. Most people get over an acute attack of bronchitis in two to three weeks, although the cough can sometimes linger on for four weeks or more. However, if you are healthy, your lungs will return to normal after you’ve recovered from the initial infection.

Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is a severe condition that occurs when you have a cough with phlegm on most days for at least three months in a year. Chronic bronchitis causes your lungs to become a breeding ground for bacterial infections and may require ongoing medical treatment. It’s one form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD – a lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe properly). The “smoker’s cough” is sometimes a sign of bronchitis and COPD.

Illnesses that Mimic Bronchitis
The symptoms of bronchitis are often the same as other conditions, such as pneumonia, asthma, common cold, allergies, influenza, sinusitis, and even gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and lung cancer. Endeavor to contact your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis.

Causes of Acute Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is more common in winter or cold season, and nine out of 10 cases are caused by a virus. Irritants like smog, dust, chemicals in household cleaners, tobacco smoke, and fumes can trigger symptoms.

Causes of Chronic Bronchitis
Smoking is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis. The less common cause of this condition is exposure to dust and toxic gases at places of work. Air pollution can aggravate symptoms for people with chronic bronchitis.

Smokers and Bronchitis
It would be difficult for a smoker who gets acute bronchitis to recover properly because even one puff on a cigarette can cause temporary damage to the cilia (tiny hair-like structures) in the airways that brush out irritants, debris, and excess mucus. Prolonged smoking causes irreversible damage and increases the odds of chronic bronchitis. This can lead to increased risk of lung infection and irreversible damage to the lung. It is best to quit smoking, contact your doctor on ways to help you quit.

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How is Acute Bronchitis Diagnosed?
To diagnose acute bronchitis, your doctor will examine how your symptoms have developed over time and through a physical inspection. Your doctor will use a stethoscope to listen for any abnormal sounds produced within your lungs when you inhale and exhale.

How is Chronic Bronchitis Diagnosed?
To diagnose chronic bronchitis, your doctor will ask you questions about your medical history, conduct a physical exam, and pulmonary function test. Pulmonary function tests like spirometry measure how well the lungs are functioning. A chest X-ray may also be conducted.

Treatment for Acute Bronchitis
To treat acute bronchitis, you will be advised on making some lifestyle changes such as getting enough rest, drinking lots of fluids, avoiding smoke and fumes. A non-prescription pain reliever may help with body aches. An expectorant may be prescribed to help loosen mucus so it can be more easily coughed up or an inhaled bronchodilator medicine to open your airways.

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Treatment for Chronic Bronchitis
You must quit smoking if you have chronic bronchitis related to smoking. With your doctor’s recommendation, you can get a pneumococcal vaccine and an annual flu vaccine. Treatment may include bronchodilators and steroids (inhaled or by mouth).

Treatment for Chronic Bronchitis and COPD
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the two main forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Doctors may prescribe bronchodilators, which are drugs that help open constricted airways. Oxygen therapy helps improve the breathing pattern of some people and a pulmonary rehab program can enhance your quality of life. Quit all forms of smoking to stop further deterioration of your lung.

When to Call the Doctor
Consult your doctor if you:

Have a cough lasting more than four weeks
Feel breathless
Cough up blood
Have a fever greater than 101 F (38 C)

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Preventing Bronchitis
The best ways to decrease your risk is:

Don’t smoke or allow others to smoke in your home
Avoid colds
Stay away from things that irritate your nose, throat, and lungs, such as dust or pets.

Source: http://healthdiary365.com/bronchitis-all-you-need-to-know/