Bronchitis Symptoms

Bronchitis symptoms

        A difference should be made between chronic bronchitis and acute bronchitis each having its own causes and symptoms. Each type of bronchitis requires a certain type of treatment. The main bronchitis symptom is cough with production of mucus. This cough manifests each day for at least 3 months per year, 2 years in row. At the beginning the cough appears in the morning but with time it becomes permanent. In chronic bronchitis the lips and the skin may appear blue. Some people may experience weight loss as shortness of breath makes eating difficult, also abnormal lung signs and swelling of the feet which may be due to cor pulmonale.

       Cough and sputum production persists and the person experiences shortness of breathing. The inflammation of the bronchi can make a person who suffers from chronic bronchitis to cough up blood. The person may also have headaches especially in the morning because breathing decreases during sleep, this being another of the many bronchitis symptoms.

Bronchitis symptoms cough

       When the person contacts a lung infection the amount of sputum increases and the cough intensifies. The sputum changes its color from clear or white to yellow or green. When dealing with chronic bronchitis the respiratory infections such as flu and cold are very frequent.

       The symptoms of acute bronchitis are: difficulty in breathing, fatigue, violent cough that can be dry or with production of mucus which in its turn can be white, yellow or green. Color change shows that the cells associated with inflammation have moved into the airways and are coloring the sputum. Cough is considered to be the main bronchitis symptom. The dry cough appears in the first days and then it becomes productive. In extreme cases the expectoration is accompanied by small amounts of blood. The cough can be so severe that can prevent the person from sleeping.

Regular bronchitis symptoms

• low grade fever that persists
• chills
• noisy breathing
• chest pain
• muscle aches

        A high quantity of phlegm production may indicate that the lower respiratory tract and the lungs may be infected. Some bronchitis signs are similar to asthma. Bronchitis symptoms usually appear at 3-4 days after the infection and even after the disease has been cured the irritation can persist causing symptoms, one can continue coughing up to a month.

Other bronchitis symptoms

• voice change
• throat clearing
• loss of appetite and weight
• ankle swelling
• wheeze
• very often the sensation of post nasal drip.

        Infectious bronchitis begins with the symptoms of common cold: runny nose, sore throat, fatigue and chillness, which is why it is usually associated with a simple cold. Some cases of acute bronchitis may develop into pneumonia so if the fever persists or increases and you have serious problems breathing you should see a doctor. Breathlessness and hypoxia are uncommon unless there is coexistent cardio respiratory disease, or a concomitant pneumonia. It is advisable that you go to a doctor in case of any bronchitis symptoms outlined above. You must see a doctor if the fever persists, if the caught lasts more than a month and if you spit blood. In these cases it is highly probable that you suffer from pneumonia.