Bronchitis Signs - How To Identify Them For Early Diagnosis

All disorders are accompanied by characterisitc signs, including bronchitis, a respiratory disorder that affects the lives of a number of people in different parts of the world. The signs of bronchitis are often mistaken to be cold. However, physicians around the world can make an accurate diagnosis on the basis of the signs of bronchitis described by their patients as well as the findings of laboratory tests.

Bronchitis is of two types--acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis is a milder form that lasts for a few days. On the other hand, chronic bronchitis is a severe, long-lasting condition that requires careful medical attention and treatment. Doctors can easily distinguish between the varieties on the basis of the different signs of bronchitis in the patient.

Signs of Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis bears a lot of resemblance to common cold. The symptoms include severe coughing, low-grade fever, fatigue, pain in the chest and throat, and wheezing.

The signs of chronic bronchitis includes persistent and productive cough, obstruction of the air passages with mucus, breathlessness, fever, chest pain, and several attacks of acute bronchitis. A chronic bronchitis patient suffers from cough especially during the winter. The cough decreases in intensity during the summer.

In many cases, the signs of bronchitis are similar to the signs of other disorders of the respiratory system such as chronic sinusitis. Some of the the common signs are soreness, tightness in the chest, wheezing, malaise, low-grade fever, congestion, chills, sore throat, and breathlessness.

Recognising the signs of bronchitis leads to the correct diagnosis of this condition. Then an appropriate treatment plan can be drawn up to keep this condition under control. If you neglect the signs of bronchitis, it will lead to complications such as chronic bronchitis or even asthmatic bronchitis.

Things to Do and Avoid

To normalize breathing patterns after you are cured of bronchitis, perform aerobic exercises on a regular basis. Bronchitis patients have to exercise a lot even if the exercises are as simple as taking a walk. In addition, you could also try cardio exercises in order to improve your breathing, strengthen your muscles, and achieve a state of calmness.

If you are suffering from bronchitis, acute or chronic, avoid eating dairy food because it encourages the excessive secretion of mucus, which in turn can worsen the infection. You indirectly help the bacteria to grow and multiply in your system when you eat dairy products.

Pepper, garlic, and chicken stock will help you deal with acute bronchitis. These items liquefy the phlegm and make it easier for patients to expel it from their system.

Eucalyptus soothes the irritation in the bronchi and improve respiration.

Warm compresses and hot baths clear the mucus and stabilize the breathing process.

If you are a smoker, quit smoking for good. Avoid smoke from other smokers because this constitutes passive smoking, which is more dangerous than active smoking.

Signs of bronchitis serve to warn the person about its arrival. As soon as you observe signs of bronchitis in your body, visit the doctor. If you detect and treat the disease in its early stages, you can prevent further complications. Take the help of an experienced and reputed medical practitioner.