What is Bronchitis? Its Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

Do a cough that will not go away, a chest that hurts, and the feeling of not being able to breathe after a short walk sound familiar to you? Many Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) do not take these symptoms seriously because they think they are just the result of a long trip, a change in weather, or a stubborn cold. But if you have a cough that lasts for weeks and is accompanied by a bunch of other problems, it might be a clearer sign that you have bronchitis.

In this blog, we will provide information regarding bronchitis, describing its signs and symptoms, and outlining effective treatment options. 

What is Bronchitis?

The bronchial tubes are the airways that carry air to and from your lungs. When they get inflamed, that is what bronchitis is. When these tubes get irritated and inflamed, they swell and make too much mucus, which causes the cough and other symptoms.

There are two main types of bronchitis, and each one has its own set of symptoms:

Acute Bronchitis

It is the most common type. It usually comes from a cold or other respiratory infection and is usually caused by a virus. It usually only lasts a few days to a few weeks, but the cough can last longer. 

Chronic Bronchitis

It is a more serious and long-term condition that lasts from three months to two years and is marked by a persistent and productive cough. Chronic bronchitis is a type of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It is mostly caused by long-term irritation to the bronchial tubes, which can happen from smoking or being around pollutants or irritants for a long time.

How to Tell If You Have Bronchitis?

Bronchitis often starts with symptoms that are similar to those of a cold. However, there are some bronchitis symptoms that will show that the inflammation has settled in your bronchial tubes. Be very careful with these symptoms of bronchitis, especially if they do not go away or get worse:

• A persistent cough is one of the main bronchitis symptoms. At first, it might be dry, but it usually gets worse and makes clear, white, yellowish-grey, or sometimes green mucus (sputum). The cough can be very strong and painful.
• You may also feel tightness, soreness, or burning in your chest, which can get worse when you cough.
• You may also experience shortness of breath (dyspnoea), which is the feeling of not being able to breathe, especially when you are active or even just talking. This is because your airways are narrowed.
• Another signs of bronchitis is the feeling of being tired all over and not having any energy, which is usually because the body is fighting the infection and the effort of coughing.
• You might have a low-grade fever, but it is not as common as with the flu.
• You may also get a sore throat and headache.

When Should You Get Medical Help

As an NRI, you may ignore the sign and symptoms of bronchitis, especially if you have a lot going on in your life. But some symptoms of bronchitis need to be checked out by a doctor right away:

• A cough that lasts longer than three weeks.
• Coughing up blood or mucus that is bloody.
• Sudden chest pain or shortness of breath that is very bad.
• A high fever that does not go down (over 38.5°C or 101.3°F).
• Symptoms are getting worse, especially in people who already have heart or lung problems (like asthma or COPD).
• Wheezing or trouble breathing that makes it hard to sleep or do everyday things.

What Causes Bronchitis? 

Along with understanding bronchitis meaning and the symptoms of a bronchitis, it is also important to know its causes:

Viral Infections

More than 90% of acute bronchitis cases are caused by viruses, like adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, and influenza viruses, which also cause colds and the flu. This means that antibiotics, which kill bacteria, do not work very well for acute bronchitis.

Bacterial infections

In a few cases, bacteria can cause acute bronchitis, or a bacterial infection can happen after viral bronchitis as a secondary problem.

Smoking

Both active and passive smoking are big problems that raise the risk of both acute and chronic bronchitis by a lot.

Air Pollution

Living in places with a lot of particulate matter or industrial pollution can make the bronchial tubes feel bad. This can be especially worrisome for people living in cities where the air quality is bad.

Chemical Fumes or Dust

Being around certain chemicals or dust at work can also cause bronchitis.

Weakened Immune System

People with weak immune systems, like those with chronic illnesses, the elderly, or young children, are more likely to get infections that can cause bronchitis.

Acid Reflux

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can sometimes make the airways hurt and cause a cough that will not go away.

Treatment for Bronchitis: The Road to Recovery

The type of bronchitis and its underlying cause will determine viable treatment for bronchitis. In most cases of acute viral bronchitis, the goal is to relieve symptoms and provide supportive care.

For acute bronchitis, the treatment includes:

• Take rest, as it is important to give your body time to heal.
• Drink a lot of fluids, like water, clear broths, and warm tea, to thin mucus and make it easier to cough up.
• Take pain relievers like paracetamol, which can help with fever, aches, and general discomfort.
• If you have a bad, dry cough that keeps you from sleeping, a cough suppressant might help. But in most cases, it is better to let a productive cough help clear mucus.
• Use a humidifier or steam inhalation, as it can help calm irritated airways and make mucus less sticky.
• Stay away from things that can irritate your lungs, like cigarette smoke, air pollution, and other things that can hurt your lungs.

For chronic bronchitis, the treatment includes:

• Using bronchodilators, which are inhalers that open up the airways and can help with wheezing and shortness of breath.
• Quitting smoking
• Taking steroids to help you with airway inflammation.
• Taking oxygen therapy for people who have very low blood oxygen levels.
• Taking pulmonary rehabilitation. It is a program that includes exercise, education, and nutritional advice to help your lungs work better and improve your quality of life.
• Getting a flu shot and a pneumonia shot every year as a way to keep things from getting worse.

Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Lungs

If you travel a lot or live in different places, taking preventive steps to protect yourself can greatly lower your risk of getting bronchitis.

• Do not smoke. This is the most important thing you can do to stay healthy. Also, do not breathe in secondhand smoke.
• Wash your hands often. Good hand hygiene helps stop the spread of viral and bacterial infections.
• Get your flu shot every year, and talk to your doctor about the pneumonia shot, especially if you are over 65 or have other health problems.
• Wearing a mask can help keep out irritants and germs when the air is very dirty or when the flu or cold season is at its worst.
• Minimise your exposure to irritants. If you work with dust or chemical fumes, make sure the area is well-ventilated and wear protective gear.
• Make your immune system stronger by living a healthy life with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and enough sleep.

Wrap Up

Bronchitis, especially the acute form, is a common respiratory problem that can make your daily life very difficult because of the constant cough and pain. You can make sure that you get the right treatment and recover more quickly by knowing the bronchitis symptoms, telling the difference between it and a cold, and getting medical help right away. Being aware of your body's signals and taking care of your health is very important for everyone, especially those who live in different parts of the world but have strong ties to their roots.

As you deal with the ups and downs of living abroad and going home often, taking care of your health becomes a top priority. This is where it really pays off to have thought ahead and gotten full health insurance for NRIs. If you need immediate medical attention for acute bronchitis while in India or ongoing care for more chronic respiratory problems, having the right policy in place guarantees that you can get quality healthcare without out-of-pocket expenses. Do not let worries about your health get in the way of your peace of mind. Safeguard yourself with our health insurance plans today, and make sure you are covered no matter where life takes you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is bronchitis contagious

   Yes, acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses, and it can be contagious because the virus can spread through respiratory droplets when someone coughs or sneezes. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is not contagious because it is mostly caused by long-term irritation of the airways, such as smoking.

2. When should I go to the doctor for a cough?

   If your cough lasts longer than three weeks, is very bad, brings up blood, or is accompanied by a high fever, severe chest pain, or worsening shortness of breath, you should see a doctor right away, especially if you already have lung or heart problems.

3. Do antibiotics work for bronchitis?

   Most cases of acute bronchitis are caused by viruses, so antibiotics do not usually work. A doctor will only give them to you if they think you have a bacterial infection or have already confirmed it. Using antibiotics the wrong way can make them less effective.

4. Can pollution in the air make you get bronchitis?

   Yes, being around air pollution, dust, or chemical fumes for a long time can make the bronchial tubes inflamed and raise the risk of getting both acute and, more importantly, chronic bronchitis.

5. What is the difference between bronchitis and pneumonia?

   Bronchitis is when the bronchial tubes get inflamed, and pneumonia is when the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs get infected and inflamed. Pneumonia is usually worse than bronchitis and can even kill people, especially those who are already sick.

6. Is it possible to stop bronchitis?

   You cannot stop every case, but you can lower your risk a lot by not smoking, washing your hands often, getting the flu and pneumonia vaccines, and staying away from things that irritate your lungs, like air pollution.