We may also do blood work to check for bacterial infection, and we perform a chest X-ray onsite if needed to confirm a diagnosis of bronchitis. If you do have bronchitis, we determine which type and treat you accordingly.
We can also determine if the infection has spread to air sacs called alveoli in your lungs, causing pneumonia. Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics.
However, for viral infections, we focus on relieving your symptoms by suppressing your cough, reducing inflammation, and opening your airway with an inhaler if necessary so you can breathe more freely. For chronic bronchitis, we concentrate on strengthening your lungs and reducing your body's inflammatory response. We may use oral or IV steroids to help tamp down major inflammatory response in your bronchial tubes and use bronchodilators to help you breathe.
Do you have a cough that won't go away? Call today or schedule your appointment online using the online booking feature. While the holiday season is a great time to relax and recharge, preparing for it can have its own challenges. If you have hypertension, rich eating and seasonal stresses may strain your blood pressure management routine. An inflammation of the bronchial tubes in your lungs, bronchitis is a frequent symptom that accompanies respiratory infections, like the common cold.
Sometimes, bronchitis becomes chronic and it may take more effort to diagnose. This is one way to distinguish bronchitis from other types of respiratory diseases, which often exhibit with a dry cough. Excessive amounts of thick, pus-filled or bloody phlegm can be a sign that the infection has worsened or spread deeper into the lungs. The severe coughing caused by bronchitis can also cause a patient to develop pain in the chest and abdominal muscles.
Some patients may also experience light-headedness or fainting as a result of poor oxygenation during coughing fits. Patients may also exhibit any or all of the following symptoms:. Muscle ache. Sore throat. Nasal congestion. Chest pain and congestion. As bronchitis often develops in individuals who are already sick with a cold or flu virus, many of these symptoms may be present before bronchitis sets in.
If the bronchitis is caused by another source, such as a chemical irritant, many of the symptoms listed above may not be present. Bronchitis and Asthma. People with asthma may have an increased risk of contracting bronchitis due to a weakness in their respiratory tracts.
Asthma targets the bronchial tubes, and frequent asthma attacks an weaken the tissue in the area. Additionally, some patients who do not normally exhibit asthma symptoms may develop them while sick with bronchitis. This is referred to as asthmatic bronchitis. Symptoms of asthmatic bronchitis include tightness in the chest, inability to breathe deeply and occasional or persistent wheezing.
Instead of experiencing severe asthma attacks, most patients with asthmatic bronchitis will have more chronic asthma-like symptoms that may last for the duration of the bronchitis. People with asthmatic bronchitis can get relief from a rescue inhaler or oral steroids. The symptoms generally resolve themselves after successful bronchitis treatment. In some rare cases, bronchitis may trigger more long-term or chronic asthma that must be treated after the bronchitis has been resolved.
Because bronchitis is a collection of symptoms, not a specific disease, many other conditions can present with similar symptoms. Identifying whether a respiratory infection can be treated as pneumonia or requires specific treatment is an important step to recovery. Here are some common conditions that may be confused for bronchitis:. Pneumonia is a bacterial infection of the lungs that causes inflammation and fluid build-up. Bronchitis can be caused by the same bacteria that causes pneumonia.
Pneumonia can also develop secondary to severe bronchitis if a compromised immune system allows pathogens to travel into the lungs. Asthma is a chronic condition that causes the bronchial tubes to constrict. Asthma attacks usually come on quickly and may be triggered by stress or allergens. Bronchitis can cause asthma-like symptoms for the duration of the infection and sometimes for several weeks afterwards.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a chronic condition that causes shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. People with COPD may be at a greater risk of contracting bronchitis and other respiratory diseases due to a weakened immune system. People with chronic bronchitis may be treated for COPD.
Whooping cough is a bacterial infection of the airways that causes persistent and severe coughing. In some cases, the cough may be so severe that patients lose consciousness due to lack of air intake. Gastroesophogeal reflux disease, also called GERD or acid reflux, is a digestive problem that can mimic the symptoms of a respiratory ailment. In GERD, acid travels up the esophagus. This can cause burning, chest pain or pressure and shortness of breath.
Some patients may also cough due to throat irritation. A night cough or cough when lying flat can be hints that you have GERD. Heart disease can also mimic the symptoms of respiratory illness. Having a doctor rule out the above conditions is an important step to properly treating bronchitis.
When a patient visits the doctor with complaints of coughing and chest pain, the doctor will assess you to determine the location and severity of the infection. Questions about your work and home environment and habits may be discussed as well. If a health care providers listens to your chest, they will hear congestion in the bronchial tubes and sometimes wheezing.
Depending on the situation, the doctor may also recommend a chest x-rays to rule out the possibility of pneumonia. If no fluid is detected in the lungs, bronchitis treatment will be recommended; if fluid is detected, the doctor may prescribe additional treatment for pneumonia.
This is especially common in cases where a doctor wishes to rule out COPD as a cause for symptoms. Advanced testing may be in order if the symptoms are unusual or more chronic, such as allergy testing or testing for Cystic Fibrosis. The treatment for bronchitis will depend on the cause of the infection or irritation.
A bacterial infection will require antibiotics to treat effectively. As most cases of bronchitis are viral, however, antibiotics are usually neither necessary nor helpful. Individuals suffering from bronchitis should alleviate as many risk factors as possible to expedite the healing process.
Smokers are encouraged to quit smoking, and any allergens or chemical irritants should be avoided. Taking steps to alleviate these irritants permanently will often prevent chronic bronchitis from developing or worsening. Medication for Bronchitis. Aside from antibiotics for bacterial infections, there are few prescription drugs associated with the treatment of bronchitis.
Severe or persistent symptoms can indicate a more serious case. It is important to see a doctor if:. A person should seek medical advice if they get bronchitis and have an underlying health condition. Prompt treatment can lower the risk of pneumonia developing. Pneumonia is the most common complication of bronchitis. It is more likely to affect people with a weakened immune system.
Therefore, those who are unwell, have had a recent illness, or have an underlying health condition are at a higher risk. The condition is also more likely to affect babies and older adults. Most people should be able to recover from bronchitis and mild pneumonia at home. Plenty of rest is important. Pneumonia can be serious, so a person should seek medical advice if they have symptoms.
Bronchitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the lungs. Here we look at the differences between acute and chronic bronchitis, how long each type….
Home remedies that are recommended to ease bronchitis include using a humidifier, wearing a face mask, drinking warm liquids, and may more. Find out…. Bronchitis and pneumonia are two illnesses that people often confuse because they have many overlapping symptoms. Learn more about the differences…. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
Anyone can develop pneumonia, but certain groups of people…. Some of the symptoms of pneumonia may be manageable at home. This article covers home remedies for pneumonia and when to see a doctor. Learn more here. Can bronchitis turn into pneumonia? Causes and diagnosis Medically reviewed by Angela M. Bronchitis into pneumonia Causes Risk factors Prevention Diagnosis Treatment Seeing a doctor Outlook Bronchitis and pneumonia are two lung infections with similar symptoms.
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