Define bronchitis

If you recently had a cold that turned into a nagging The condition can also cause To know for sure whether your recent illness is acute bronchitis and not an While many cases go away on their own, others require treatment. Learn more about how doctors diagnose and treat bronchitis: How Do I Know Whether it’s Acute or Chronic? First, it’s important to figure out a time line. If you have a Some people with very serious chronic bronchitis have it their entire lives. Others can successfully treat it. You’re more likely to get it if you smoke. This usually requires a combination of • • Avoid things that can irritate your • But those steps are important if you think you have acute bronchitis, too. To learn other ways to treat your cough, see your doctor to find out what’s causing it. Diagnosis of Acute Bronchitis When you see your doctor, be ready to talk about your symptoms in detail. You should be able to answer: • How long have you had your cough? • Are you coughing up mucus? • Is there • Did you ever have a fever or other symptoms, such as chest tightness? • Did you have a cold before the cough? • Are you • Do you have trouble catching your breath? • Have you been around other people who have the same kinds of symptoms? At the appointment, your doctor will go over your symptoms and give you a Tests Here are some of the tests your doctor might order: • Chest X-ray. If you have a fever or had one recently, this can help rule out or confirm • Sputum culture . If your symptoms ...

The first symptoms of acute bronchitis are similar to those of a cold or flu. Typical symptoms These symptoms can include: • • • tiredness • • • feeling cold easily • back and • fever of 100°F to 100.4°F (37.7°C to 38°C) After the initial infection, you’ll probably develop a cough. The cough will likely be dry at first, and then become productive, which means it will produce mucus. A productive cough is the most common symptom of acute bronchitis and can last from 10 days to three weeks. Another symptom you may notice is a change of Emergency symptoms Call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms in addition to the ones listed above: • unexplained weight loss • a deep, barking cough • trouble breathing • chest pain • a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher • a cough that lasts longer than 10 days In many cases, acute bronchitis will go away without treatment. But if you see your doctor because of symptoms of acute bronchitis, they will start with a physical exam. During the exam, your doctor will listen to your lungs as you breathe, checking for symptoms such as wheezing. They’ll also you ask about your coughs — for instance, how frequent they are and whether they produce mucus. They may also ask about recent colds or viruses, and whether you have other problems breathing. If your doctor is uncertain about your diagnosis, they may suggest a • Take OTC nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as • Get a humidifier to create moisture in the air. This can help loos...

Bronchitis is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchi), the air passages that extend from the trachea into the small airways and alveoli. It is one of the top conditions for which patients seek medical care. Signs and symptoms A complete history must be obtained, including information on exposure to toxic substances and smoking. Symptoms of bronchitis include the following: • Chronic bronchitis is defined clinically as cough with sputum expectoration for at least 3 months a year during a period of 2 consecutive years. Chronic bronchitis is associated with hypertrophy of the mucus-producing glands found in the mucosa of large cartilaginous airways. As the disease advances, progressive airflow limitation occurs, usually in association with pathologic changes of When a stable patient experiences sudden clinical deterioration with increased sputum volume, sputum purulence, and/or worsening of shortness of breath, this is referred to as an acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, as long as conditions other than acute tracheobronchitis are ruled out. (See Diagnosis.) Triggers of bronchitis may be infectious agents, such as viruses or bacteria, or noninfectious agents, such as smoking or inhalation of chemical pollutants or dust. Bronchitis typically occurs in the setting of an upper respiratory illness; thus, it is observed more frequently in the winter months. (See Etiology.) Allergens and irritants can produce a similar clinical picture. Asthma can be m...

The sounds a person makes while breathing can be a good indicator of their lung health. Doctors classify these sounds according to their intensity and pitch and whether they occur when breathing in or out. Bronchial breath sounds are loud, harsh breath sounds with a midrange pitch. They can be normal or abnormal, depending on where the sound emanates from and when it occurs in the breathing cycle. This article describes what bronchial sounds are and the features that classify them as normal or abnormal. We also list different types of abnormal breathing sounds along with their associated causes and treatments. Share on Pinterest knape/Getty Images Bronchial sounds, or “tubular sounds,” are the type of sounds that a person may make while breathing. A doctor will use a stethoscope to listen for sounds. They typically emanate from the following areas: • the larynx, or voice box • the trachea, or windpipe • the bronchi, which are the major air passages of the lungs that diverge from the windpipe The two It is normal for a doctor to hear bronchial sounds over the trachea as a person breathes out. However, bronchial sounds emanating from other areas could signal an Normal lung tissue, called pulmonary tissue, contains air, which muffles sounds. However, it is possible for the pulmonary tissue to fill with fluid, and fluid conducts sounds more efficiently than air. As such, hearing bronchial sounds within the lungs themselves could signal fluid in the lungs. Abnormal breathing so...