Bronchitis Symptoms in Adults

The bronchial tubes are responsible for transporting air to and from the lungs. But there are certain elements or factors which cause these tubes to suffer inflammation. And when this happens, the condition is known as bronchitis. This condition may be acute or chronic. The acute stage occurs as a result of other ailments such as cold or other respiratory infection. This form is typically milder than the chronic form of bronchitis. Acute bronchitis, in most cases, resolves within a few days, although the affected person may continue to cough for some days even after the condition has subsided. However, the chronic one requires medical attention as it does not improve on its own.

What Indicates the Onset of Bronchitis?

Symptoms which are common with both acute and chronic bronchitis include cough, wheezing, fatigue and slight degree of fever and chills. One classic symptom of bronchitis is the coughing out of mucus which could be clear or white, or even be yellowish-gray or gray in color. The sufferer may complain about shortness of breath, which may worsen even with a mild exertion. Chest discomfort is another symptom which may show up.

In acute bronchitis, the affected person may continue coughing that might linger several weeks even after the condition has resolved. It is also important to take a note of the fact that, affected people do not always produce sputum when they are suffering from this ailment. And there are people who might be hit with chronic bronchitis, without being affected by the acute one.

Apart from the above symptoms of bronchitis in adults, there are a couple of them which might indicate the development of a chronic condition. The symptoms include coughing which gets worse in morning and damp weather and frequent ailments such as cold and flu.

Symptoms of chronic bronchitis last longer, unlike the acute ones. So, with time, if the ailment is left untreated, it will lead to scarring of the bronchial tubes, producing excessive mucus. This further progresses to thickening of the lining of the bronchial tubes, leading to the scarring of the airways.

Treatment

Treatment focuses on managing the symptoms and easing the breathing problems. In case of acute bronchitis, following some simple self-care measures may be enough in treating the condition. These include rest, drinking ample amount of fluids, breathing in warm, moist air and taking over-the-counter medications. In some cases, patients may be put on medications such as antibiotics, medicine for coughs, and other kinds of drugs if patients are also suffering from asthma. Most people benefit by taking up what is known as pulmonary rehabilitation. This is a breathing exercise program, wherein, a therapist help patients to learn techniques of breathing more easily and increase the ability to breathe more.

As a conclusion, a few changes in lifestyle also provide a great deal of help in managing the symptoms of bronchitis. These may include avoiding exposure to irritants, using humidifiers, getting aid of a face mask while outdoors and following slow breathe-in and breathe-out techniques.