How serious is bronchitis?
Bronchitis is a medical condition that arises due to the action of infectious bacteria in your bronchi (airways of lungs), causing irritation and inflammation. Difficulty in breathing and thick mucus build-up are common among bronchitis patients. Cases of bronchitis are ranked from less severe to extreme, depending upon the severity and tenure of symptoms. Each category has its respective treatments and precautions.
Acute Bronchitis – A Mild Case
In mild cases of bronchitis, the condition is often referred to as ‘chest cold’. Caused by a virus, and not usually from bacterial infections, the resulting condition constitutes what is commonly called ‘Acute Bronchitis’. The common symptoms include wheezing sounds while breathing, chills, nagging cough, runny nose, exhaustion, shortness of breath, and sore throat. Usually, you can use non-prescription medications to relieve the symptoms in this case. It is best to consult your physician if the symptoms do not mitigate.
Chronic Bronchitis – An Alarming Condition
Prolonged symptoms of bronchitis add up to graver concerns and account for ‘Chronic Bronchitis’. This is a serious and alarming condition as compared to Acute Bronchitis. Its symptoms lead to permanent damage if these persist for more than 3 months or if the condition reoccurs continuously. Doctors use Bronchodilators and other similar drugs to ease breathing and minimize swelling. This irreversible illness needs prescribed medication to slow down the progression of the disease. In extreme cases, excessive oxygen or complete lung transplant may be necessary to ameliorate the symptoms. The probability of chronic bronchitis is greater among individuals with weaker immune systems.
A Stitch in Time Saves Nine!
It is essential to curb the initial symptoms to avoid intense scenarios. Doctors can mitigate acute cases of bronchitis easily, but the chronic form of the disease can be very dangerous. In worst cases, lungs may damage or even fluid may start filling up in the air sacs inside them. You should give up smoking and follow proper hygiene to prevent the damage.
Take expert advice if you encounter any of the abovementioned symptoms. Timely action can avert chronic Bronchitis.