Bronchitis is of two varieties – acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis lasts for anywhere between one to three weeks, post which most symptoms disappear. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, lasts for at least three months and occurs recurrently for a minimum of two years. The latter condition is serious for it tends to impede routine functioning in severe cases.
With both acute and chronic bronchitis, the symptoms are largely so similar. There are some typical signs and symptoms of this condition, on the appearance of which, one should consult a physician as soon as possible.
1. Coughing Spells
The most defining symptom of bronchitis is continual coughing spells. The coughs are usually short and weak, though recurrent in incidence. They are caused due to the constriction of the bronchial passage, caused by the irritation and swelling of mucus membranes. Often patients’, victim to acute bronchitis, do not seek and receive speedy medical attention for they take the symptoms to imply common cold or cough. Though it is usually rest, fluids and in some cases cough medication that physicians prescribe, it is best if the condition is detected early, so as to prevent the possibility of contracting chronic bronchitis.
2. Phlegm
In typical cases, the hacking cough is accompanied by phlegm production. The phlegm usually begins to appear after 24 to 48 hours since the onset of coughing. It may be white, yellow or green, though in very severe cases, it may be streaked with red blood too. In the latter situation, immediate medical attention needs be sought. However, in normal cases, cough with phlegm is better for it lessens the discomfort. Otherwise, dry cough calls for the prescription of cough suppressants (so as to prevent disruption of sleep in most cases).
3. Chest Discomfort
Often patients of bronchitis, especially chronic bronchitis, complain of discomfort in the chest region. Some experience constriction and heaviness, while others feel pain below the breastbone on taking deep breaths. In case of acute bronchitis, doctors usually recommend the anti-inflammatory pain killers that are prescribed for common colds and cough; they seem to do the needful. In case of chronic bronchitis, suitable medication for long term relief and stability is prescribed to relieve the pain.
4. Wheezing
A common symptom of both acute and chronic bronchitis, wheezing is characterized by a whistling sound on exhaling. It is the constriction of the airways that causes this sound and although alarming, it subsides as the coughing spells do. In severe cases however, wheezing occurs in tandem with breathlessness, signalling much swelling of the mucus membranes. In such cases, doctors recommend using inhaled bronchodilators for relief. Those suffering from chronic bronchitis are alerted of aggravation of their condition when wheezing begins. They carry inhalers at all times, in case of an emergency.
5. Breathlessness
As mentioned before, breathlessness may also be experienced by bronchitis patients. It is usually in the more severe cases of acute bronchitis and aggravated state of chronic bronchitis that this occurs. Exertion and incessant coughing spells mostly precede the onset of breathlessness. When this begins to happen, doctors typically recommend the usage of inhaled bronchodilators which clear the airways immediately, thus allowing an adequate supply of oxygen to reach the lungs. If one is suffering from such severe bronchial disease, they should have their inhaler handy at all times.
6. Low Grade Fever
Many bronchitis patients, particularly children, tend to get a low grade fever alongside other symptoms. This is because when the disease is of acute nature, the cause is either viral or bacterial. When the potency of the virus or bacteria is high enough to not only affect the lungs but also hamper general immunity, patients’ get a fever. The fever can be treated with suitable drugs or antibiotics, based on the diagnosis of the physician consulted. If the fever shoots up and crosses 100F however, it is a cause for concern and emergency medical attention is required at the earliest.
7. Chills
Chills are mostly experienced in patients who also contract fever which in itself is not a typical symptom. In the few cases where low grade fever occurs, patients may feel tingles running up their body, causing the sensation of uncomfortable coolness, felt in spurts. Fortunately, the chills recede as the fever dies down, which usually does after a couple of doses of medication. In severe cases however, the fever and chills together can cause a patient to be bedridden, feeling weak and lethargic due to their condition.
8. Runny Nose
This is a symptom that is typically observed in children suffering from either form of bronchitis. They not only have cough and phlegm, but also liquidy mucus running down their noses. The condition is not particularly alarming as long as it does not cause blockage of nasal passage during sleep. Runny noses, however, do not remain so for the entire duration of illness. In most cases, once the coughing spells begin to get lesser in number and intensity, such and other little discomforts also begin to subside.
9. Difficulty in Breathing
While breathlessness usually has a trigger such as exertion or prolonged coughing, difficulty in breathing implies an enduring impediment to taking in air. This usually occurs in patients of chronic bronchitis, whose bronchial airways are majorly blocked. If left untreated, their condition only worsens over time, thus leading to a situation wherein breathing becomes difficult. Often this is realized when taking breaths begins to cause tightness and pain in the chest region and physicians then prescribe inhaled or oral steroid for clearing passages and oxygen supplementation.
10. Fatigue
Patients of both acute and chronic bronchitis sometimes complain of fatigue. Though there is no particular reason for such tiredness, it is perhaps the exertion due to coughing and the general disease-related lowering of energy levels. As and when the patients’ recover, the fatigue is also alleviated and energy levels return to normal. Like with several other diseases, fatigue is not a defining symptom of the condition but a mere physiological by-product of illness in general.
The aforementioned signs and symptoms should alert an individual to the possibility of having contracted bronchitis. Even as they are very similar to those of common cough and cold, bronchitis is more serious because recurrent episodes of the acute variety may lead to a chronic condition. Thus, it is advisable that when these signs begin to appear, a physician be consulted to determine the nature of the infection, so as to prevent the potentiality of chronic bronchitis.
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