Signs & Symptoms of Asthmatic Bronchitis
Asthmatic bronchitis is a type of bronchitis that affects asthma sufferers on a chronic basis. It differs from acute bronchitis, which is typically brought on by exposure to a cold or flu virus. If you suspect you may suffer from asthmatic bronchitis, you will want to look for particular signs and symptoms.
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Causes
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Bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes of the lungs become inflamed and it makes it difficult for air to pass through. Asthma patients are more prone to bronchitis due to the condition's effect on the bronchial walls. When you develop bronchitis and suffer from underlying asthma, you are typically diagnosed with asthmatic bronchitis. If you smoke and suffer from asthma, you increase your risk of asthmatic bronchitis.
Symptoms
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The main sign that a person with asthmatic bronchitis will notice is difficulty breathing. You may find yourself easily short of breath or suffer wheezing attacks. Additional symptoms of asthmatic bronchitis include chest pain and severe cough. When you have bronchitis, you will cough up mucus that can be colorless or yellow or green. A fever and chills is often common in asthmatic bronchitis sufferers as well.
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Frequency
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Sufferers will have an increased frequency of bronchitis symptoms. Chronic bronchitis may suffer from this condition for three months or longer. They may also be more likely to feel symptomatic in the morning hours and in damp weather. The bronchitis symptoms may be more severe for these patients as well when compared to acute bronchitis cases.
Considerations
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The symptoms and signs of asthmatic bronchitis are similar to asthma and bronchitis. Your doctor will use your medical history to determine whether you suffer from chronic asthmatic bronchitis. If your bronchitis does not clear up on its own after a couple of days, you will be evaluated for asthmatic bronchitis.
Treatment
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If you are diagnosed with asthmatic bronchitis, your doctor likely will prescribe a bronchodilator. This inhaler allows you to breathe in medicine that can help open your airways and therefore breathe easier. If the bronchodilator proves ineffective, a steroid may be recommended. In addition to an inhaler, an antibiotic may be given if you have a lung infection along with the asthmatic bronchitis.
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