Characterized by the swelling of the lining of your bronchial tubes, bronchitis is a condition that affects about 3.49% of adults over 35. The bronchial tubes are those carrying air to and from your lungs. Once infected with mucus, they start causing problems which may either result in acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis. People suffering from bronchitis complain of coughing up discolored and thickened mucus and may also suffer from cold, and other pulmonary disorders. The symptoms for acute and chronic bronchitis differ from one another.
For instance, people suffering from acute bronchitis may have other pulmonary issues or infections. Acute bronchitis is also known as chest cold and gets better within a week or 10 days. There are no strong complications or side effects to acute bronchitis. However, one may cough for weeks post recovery.
Chronic bronchitis on the other hand, is a severe condition characterized by regular irritation and swelling of the lining of the bronchial tubes. Chronic bronchitis is often caused due to smoking and can get extremely serious, if not treated on time. If you experience repeated bouts of bronchitis, you may suffer from chronic bronchitis and need medical assistance. Chronic bronchitis is one of the conditions which is a part of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
What are the Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis?
If you have acute bronchitis, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Cough, which may produce discolored phlegm which may be clear, white, yellowish-gray or green in color
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Body aches
However, acute bronchitis symptoms get better in a week or so except for a cough that may continue for many weeks.
What are the Symptoms for Chronic Bronchitis?
The symptoms of chronic bronchitis such as:
- A cough that produces phlegm for at least three months in a year, for two years in a row.
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Fatigue
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Bluish tint to the skin (cyanosis)
Chronic bronchitis is explained by a progressive cough lasting for a minimum of three months, with bouts recurring at least two consecutive years. Considering you share the symptoms mentioned of chronic bronchitis, you’re prone to having periods when your cough or other symptoms get worse. In such a scenario, it is always wise to get medical advice from a healthcare professional.
What are the Causes of Bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is generally caused by viruses, specifically the same viruses causing colds and flu (influenza). Several viruses that are contagious can cause acute bronchitis. Since antibiotics don’t kill viruses, it isn’t recommended to those suffering from acute bronchitis. Viruses are spread from an individual to the other by droplets. When a person infected with the virus coughs, sneezes or talks, and you inhale the droplets, that is when you get infected with bronchitis. Other common causes of chronic bronchitis are cigarette smoking, air pollution, dust and toxic gases.
When To See a Healthcare Professional?
Contact your healthcare professional if you’re coughing up blood, experiencing much worse shortness of breath or wheezing, and also noticing symptoms like looking pale and feeling very weak, having blue-tinged lips or nails, or struggling to think straight.
- with external cues such as darkness and a timely bedtime. Napping has the potential to affect the quality of sleep at night.
- Workout Regularly: Exercising regularly can enhance not only the quality of sleep but the duration as well. It is important to note that exercising immediately before sleeping should be avoided as it has a stimulating effect on the body. You may exercise three hours before you decide to sleep.
- Prevent Activities in Bed Before Bedtime: Your bed isn’t a place for working, balancing the checkbook, watching television or taking calls. Limiting the bed to sleep helps you make that space restricted to rest. The rest of activities simply increase your alertness and make you experience difficulty in falling asleep.
- Avoid Eating or Drinking Anything Before Bed: Snacking before bed or having a late dinner can make your digestive system active and keep you awake and restless. In case you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) or heartburn, it becomes even more essential that you prevent eating or drinking before bedtime because this has the potential to make your symptoms worse. Moreover, drinking a lot of fluids and overhydrating yourself before bed can overwhelm your bladder and make you visit the bathroom more than usual, disrupting your sleep.
- Turn your Sleeping Environment into a Comfort Space: The temperature, lighting and noise, all play an essential role in helping you sleep at night. Your bed should be comfortable and neat, and there should be no noise or disruption in your surroundings. All these factors can help you fall asleep on time.
By incorporating these seven strategies into your routine, you’ll be well on your way to achieving a more restful and rejuvenating sleep, leaving you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.