Bronchitis is the infection of the upper respiratory system, usually of the bronchi. The bronchus is the member that lines the air tubes that lead to the lungs. When the bronchus becomes infected and swells up. We have difficulty breathing; that's what we call bronchitis.
Bronchitis can be from a cold or flu. Cool air can also lead to bronchitis, as well as breathing in polluted air. Bronchitis usually has the same symptoms as other respiratory problems, namely coughing, sore throat, difficulty breathing, and yellowish or greenish mucus.
These symptoms can lead to either acute or chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is when the patient has it for a couple of weeks before it disappears. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is harder to deal with because it's like the patient has acute bronchitis over and over again. It takes people two or so years to recover from chronic bronchitis, while others never do.
Another symptom that you have to watch out for is wheezing, which is produced when the walls of the bronchial tubes contract. This is called the bronchospasm and it makes it harder to breath and cough. Bronchitis can be dangerous, especially when left untreated for a long time. If you think you have the symptoms, then you should go to the doctor immediately for treatment and medicines.
Smokers are more likely to develop chronic bronchitis than other people because of the damage that smoking does to the lungs. Smoking already makes it hard for the lungs to take in air. Couple that with bronchitis and it can be lethal for smokers.
Bronchitis is easily treatable, though recovery takes a while. Just make sure that you get yourself checked by the doctor when you see your skin turning blue, or when you feel that it's getting increasingly difficult to breathe.
Your Popup Blocker Must Be Off