Signs of Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is classified as a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although chronic bronchitis is treatable, it is a long-term illness that never goes completely away. Patients with chronic bronchitis can experience symptoms for two or three months a year. In order to diagnose chronic bronchitis, physicians use a stethoscope, chest x-ray, lung function test or blood test. Chronic bronchitis might also be suspected by observing the signs that are associated with the illness.
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Coughing
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Coughing is a common sign of chronic bronchitis. This cough produces a thick mucus that is brought up from the lungs. As the chronic bronchitis worsens, the cough will become more severe and will produce large amounts of mucus. During a flare-up, patients can develop a severe cough that can last throughout the entire day and night, interfering with their sleep. An individual with a persistent mucus-producing cough can very easily have chronic bronchitis.
Difficulty Breathing
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Difficulty breathing is often a sign of chronic bronchitis. The inflammation in the lungs associated with chronic bronchitis restricts air passages, making it difficult to get enough oxygen. This can leave a patient feeling short of breath. Shortness of breath can cause an individual to quickly become fatigued after mild activities. Airway constriction can also cause wheezing, which is a whistling sound produced by some chronic bronchitis patients when they breathe in or out.
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Frequent Infections
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Individuals that appear to be "prone to infections" could actually have chronic bronchitis. Patients with chronic bronchitis tend to have an increased risk of developing frequent recurrent lung infections. A severe cough that produces excessive mucus that is yellow or green in color indicates that a patient has an infection along with their chronic bronchitis. Although antibiotics cannot cure chronic bronchitis, they can be used to treat and obtain relief from an accompanying respiratory infection.
Heart Problems
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Although not widely known, certain heart problems can also be a sign that a patient has chronic bronchitis. Pulmonary hypertension or high blood pressure in the lungs can develop as a result of constricting blood vessels that often accompany advanced cases of chronic bronchitis. The right side of the heart ccan then become overworked, causing a patient to experience heart failure as a result. Patients with chronic bronchitis who experience chest pains should inform their doctors.
Causes
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The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking cigarettes. Smoking damages the hair-like cells that line the air passages called cilia, which work to prevent germs from entering the lungs. External irritants are another common cause of chronic bronchitis. Exposure to irritants such as dust, second-hand smoke, pollution, perfume or chemicals can even worsen an existing chronic bronchitis flare-up. Avoiding or minimizing contact with irritants might help to control the severity or frequency of these flare-ups.
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