Bronchitis | Medtick
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Bronchitis

What is it?

An infection of the upper lung airways the bronchi making them irritated and inflamed ( that results in an inflammatory response) causing the lungs to narrow and produce more mucus in order to remove the causing agent.

Acute bronchitis

(Symptoms maybe more severe than chronic bronchitis)

  • Short-term illness caused by an infection lasting a few days or weeks
  • Cough (cough can linger for several weeks, even after the infection that caused it is treated and gone)
  • Short-term illness
  • Low-grade fever
  • Sneezing and runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • It normally occurs during the winter months where infections can spread easily.

Chronic Bronchitis

Symptoms maybe less severe than an acute bronchitis episode.

  • Symptoms caused by long term exposure to chemical and irritants.
  • Long-term lasting from at least three months within two consecutive years
  • Chest tightness or pain
  • Persistent fatigue
  • Swelling of ankles, feet, and (sometimes) legs (related to heart complications of bronchitis)

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Diagnosis test

  • Clinical examination (especially in productive cough for longer than 3 months)

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verywellhealth

Others:

  • Blood Tests
  • Pulmonary Function Tests
  • Viral testing
    • RT-PCR tests
    • Rapid antigen detection test (RIDT)
    • Immunofluorescence assay
  • Pulse oximetry
    • Detect oxygen levels
  • Chest x-ray
  • Sputum Tests
  • Test for pneumonia
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can be used under medical supervision, however Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs is not recommended in asthma or asthma type symptoms. Check with your Medical doctor/Pharmacist when one can have any type of fever reducing medication to make sure it suitable for you.

Cause

Acute bronchitis

Syndromes 

Chronic bronchitis

More likely to get a long term condition if ones bronchi (main airway at the upper part of lungs) become damaged and exposed to:

  • Smoking
  • Pollution
  • Dust
  • Fumes
  • Irritants
  • Passive smoking
  • Emotion (i.e. laugh too much continuously)

Symptoms

Symptoms do vary depending on how serious the condition:

  • Irritated, depressed, anxiety and/or panic attacks (due to limited on what one can do physically and emotionally)?
  • High temperature greater than 38°C, 100°F or over greater than 72hours, chills and sweats?
  • Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
  • Have initially a persistent dry cough which has now become a chesty cough with yellow/green and/or blood stained phlegm?
  • Dry cough longer than three weeks?
  • Short of breath and/or breathing difficulties/ takes effort to breathe?
  • Sore throat longer than seven days or more/ regularly clearing the throat?
  • Tight chest?
  • Wheezing?
  • Early morning ‘smokers cough’?
  • Coughing up blood?
  • Regular and reoccurring chest infections?
  • Aching chest muscles from coughing?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for ambulance if have or develop:

This condition can cause:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Bronchitis in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • Medical News Today

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  • EveryDay Health

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  • Pharmaceutical Journal (Professional level)

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  • NHS

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  • WebMD

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  • Cleveland Clinic

    Pushing the Standards of care.

  • Mayo Clinic

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  • Drugs.com

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  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

    NORD is dedicated to supporting education, elevating care, advancing research, and driving policy for rare diseases.

  • Verywell Health

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  • Nathnac

    Travel health guidance for health professionals advising travellers and for travellers going overseas from the UK.

  • DR Axe

    Health and fitness news. Recipes, Natural Remedies

  • Better health - NHS

    Healthy changes start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, drink less alcohol, get active or quit smoking, you have access to lots of free tools and support through Better Health. You can also find simple ways to lift your mood with Every Mind Matters.

    There has never been a better time to kickstart your health. Let’s do this!

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