Bronchial tubes are organs that carry oxygen and carbon dioxide to and fro from your lungs and when there is any inflammation or swelling in the lining of these tubes, it causes bronchitis. Bronchitis develops due to many causes ranging from common cold to acute respiratory infection. The tiny airway passage of the lungs gets blocked due to bronchitis leading to breathing problems.
In case if it becomes chronic (serious) it can cause serious irritation of the lining of these tubes and mainly this condition happens due to repeated smoking. Acute bronchitis does not need any treatment but chronic type needs medical treatment. Bronchitis can be fully cured with corticosteroid medications and by using bronchodilators.
Types :
There are 2 types of bronchitis namely acute and chronic bronchitis :
Acute bronchitis is not much serious one which may last for few days to couple of weeks. Often there is no need to take medication and it is enough if you use humidifiers to clear the block in the airway of lungs.
Chronic bronchitis may last for months or even years and this can lead to asthma or other serious lung problems. You should take regular treatment to overcome the symptoms of chronic bronchitis.
Symptoms :
Some of the common signs of bronchitis are repeated cough, mucus (phlegm) secretion, discomfort in chest and mild fever. It can cause difficulty in breathing and fatigue. Nagging cough is the worst symptom of bronchitis which can be there for several weeks even after the airway becomes clear. You need to see your doctor if the cough lasts for more than 2 weeks causing disturbance in sleeping and if you have fever and yellowish mucus discharge often. For some people it may cause wheezing making them unable to breathe normally.