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Bronchitis: Symptoms
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Acute bronchitis usually begins with cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and dry cough. However, the cough soon becomes deep and painful. Coughing produces a greenish-yellow phlegm or sputum (pronounced SPYOO-tum). Phlegm and sputum are substances coughed up from the inflamed airways. They include blood, mucus, dead cells, and other materials. A fever with temperatures of up to 102°F (39°C) are common.
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These two types of bronchitis have different origins, symptoms, treatment and methods for prevention. Acute bronchitis is an infection that is usually treated with rest, liquids and over-the-counter medications. Chronic bronchitis is a feature of continually irritated airways and is common among smokers and workers exposed to environmental irritants. The best treatment for chronic bronchitis is avoiding exposure to the irritant by quitting smoking or wearing protective clothing (e.g., a mask) at work.
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When treated, acute bronchitis normally resolves in one to two weeks without complications, although a cough may continue for several more weeks. The progression of chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, may be slowed, and an initial improvement in symptoms may be achieved. Unfortunately... there is no cure for chronic bronchitis, and the disease can often lead to or coexist with emphysema. Taken together, all forms of COPD are a leading cause of death.
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If you have chronic bronchitis, you might want to experiment with different food choices to see if changes to your diet make any difference in your symptoms. As you do this, keep a careful record of how you are feeling (that is, any changes in your symptoms). For example, try reducing your intake of dairy which may increase mucus production. Also, try eliminating eggs, milk, nuts, food coloring, preservatives, and additives. Try adding onions and garlic.
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In uncomplicated acute bronchitis, the fever and most other symptoms disappear after three to five days. While acute bronchitis typically resolves completely within two weeks, the cough associated with it may persist for several weeks longer. Like any upper airway inflammatory process, acute bronchitis mayincrease a person's likelihood of developing pneumonia. Acute bronchitis is often complicated by a bacterial infection, in which case the fever and a general feeling of illness may persist. The bacterial infection should be treatedwith antibiotics.
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Chronic bronchitis is a major cause of disability and death in the United States. The American Lung Association estimates that about 14 million Americans suffer from the disease. Like acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis is an inflammation of airways accompanied by coughing and spitting up of phlegm. In chronic bronchitis, these symptoms are present for at least three months in each of two consecutive years.
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