what is bronchitis

Acute Bronchitis Prevention - Chronic Bronchitis Signs and Symptoms

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Chronic bronchitis is the inflammation or swelling of the air passageways (bronchi) in the upper respiratory system. This is usually accompanied by the excessive production of mucus. Chronic bronchitis can manifest as many different symptoms, and is often hard to diagnose because the symptoms are so similar to other diseases that affect the lungs and respiratory system. Today, one in twenty Americans currently suffers chronic bronchitis. Even though the number has been steadily falling since the 70s, the number of patients suffering from chronic bronchitis still concerns doctors as it is often fatal. Below are some common signs and symptoms of chronic bronchitis:

Swelling of the Legs and Ankles

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Because chronic bronchitis can often lead to further complications, due to a lack of oxygen in the blood, it may cause the skin to turn blue or the extremities to swell in the later stages of chronic bronchitis. Swelling of the legs is also an indication of congestive heart failure, so individuals experiencing this symptom should see a doctor right away.

Shortness of Breath

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This occurs in most people suffering from chronic bronchitis. The shortness of breath may be aggravated by overworking or even just mild activity. As the disease progresses the shortness of breath may even come from simply walking a short distance, or walking down some stairs. Using great confidence in ourselves, we endeavored to write such a long article on Bronchitis Signs Symptoms. Such is the amount of matter found on Bronchitis Signs Symptoms.

• Coughing - Coughing caused by chronic bronchitis is usually first noticed in the early morning, just after waking up.
• The individual may cough for several hours after waking up.
• As the disease progresses, this coughing will last for longer into the day, and in some cases never goes away.
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• Fatigue - Fatigue is often experienced by individuals suffering from chronic bronchitis.
• They become tired just after waking, or other random times throughout the day.
• This is because the amount of oxygen in their blood is significantly less than those who don't suffer from the disease.

Respiratory Infections

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Chronic bronchitis is often the cause of respiratory infections. Because more mucus is produced by the body in those suffering from respiratory infections, this makes the upper respiratory system very damp and warm. This can be a breeding ground of sorts for infection, and makes infections very hard to treat once they are contracted. This can be considered to be a valuable article on Bronchitis Coughing. It is because there is so much to learn about Bronchitis Coughing here.

Chronic bronchitis is a pain in the side of nearly 8 million people in America alone. 'Chronic bronchitis is the inflammation or swelling of breathing passageways and an over-production of mucus that result in expectoration of phlegm. 'There are several different steps you can take to prevent the contraction of chronic bronchitis as well as acute bronchitis.'It is important that cough remedies in good health, exercise often and eat healthy. 'The best way to stay disease-free is to remain as healthy as possible and help your body fight infections, diseases and viruses.

Wash and Sanitize Your Hands Often

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Diseases and bacteria most commonly enter your body through your mouth via your hands. 'Bacteria is most likely to enter your body through finger foods, but if you bite your nails, or often have your hands come into contact with your mouth you may be at a higher risk. 'Make sure to wash your hands after any bathroom visits, before meals, and after touching door handles. 'Hand sanitizer is available at nearly any grocery store, and is very effective at killing germs and bacteria. 'Sanitizers are also very convenient.

Avoid Bacteria-Filled Situations

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It is best to avoid public bathrooms altogether, but if it is necessary to use one, make sure to wash your hands before you leave. 'Also be sure to use a hand towel when exiting to avoid touching the door handle. 'Germs and bacteria thrive on door knobs and handles and are easily transferred to your hands.

Stop Smoking, and Avoid Secondhand Smoke   Smoking is the number one cause of chronic and acute bronchitis (not to mention lung cancer). 'If you currently smoke, your best bet is to consult your physician for different methods of breaking the habit. 'There are numerous over the counter remedies including gum, lozenges and patches that may aid you in quitting smoking. 'If none of these options have helped you quit, there are several prescription drugs that help with this. 'Avoid secondhand smoke as well. 'If you live with individuals who smoke, ask them to step outside for their cigarettes if they could.

Wear a Mask Around Irritants

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Wearing a mask around irritants such as dust is a great way to reduce added stress on your lungs. 'It is a great idea to wear a mask whenever practical, and you should wear a mask whenever you are dealing with dangerous chemicals, or any time you will be working in an area where large amounts of dust may be in the air. 'Avoiding air pollution and irritants reduces your risk for contracting both acute and chronic bronchitis. Thinking of what to do upon reading this article on Bronchitis Acute? Well you can very well use the information constructively by imparting it to others.

Consult your Doctor About Pneumonia Shots   Although a pneumonia shot should be considered anyway, especially if you are over 65, it is a great step towards preventing chronic bronchitis as well. 'Certain pneumonia shots are also recommended for children under the age of 2, and from children from 2 to 5 who are at a higher risk for pneumonia. 'Side effects of the shot are generally minor and include a mild soreness or swelling at the injection site. Reading all this about Bronchitis Pain is sure to help you get a better understanding of Bronchitis Pain. So make full use of the information we have provided here.