There are a lot of similarities between chronic bronchitis and acute bronchitis but what causes them is not the same. When you develop chronic bronchitis, it is often because you have acute bronchitis so these two conditions have symptoms that are very much alike. Chronic bronchitis is different because it will stay with you for months or even a year. The most common symptom of this type of bronchitis is coughing up a yellow or green mucus when you have coughing fits. There are additional symptoms as well including trouble catching your breath, feeling like your chest is heavy, and feeling like you are out of breath.
What Causes Chronic Bronchitis?
There are a variety of things that contribute to the development of chronic bronchitis including exposing yourself to small particles in the air that get in your lungs and get infected. People who work in a dusty or dirty area on a regular basis or live in a home that is very dusty or dirty can be at a high risk for this chronic type of bronchitis. People who work in coal mines, for example, are exposed to many small particles of coal dust every day and so they often develop chronic bronchitis. Another group at high risk for chronic bronchitis is people who work with grains. The grains are so small that there are tiny particles that can end up in your lungs.
If you develop acute bronchitis you may end up with chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis may not go away and that is when you are diagnosed with the chronic type of bronchitis. The swollen and inflamed tissues in your lungs do not heal well with chronic bronchitis. People who smoke a lot may believe they are fine and just need to clear their throats but can actually have chronic bronchitis. Any exposure to toxins increases your risks of contracting the disease.
How Can You Treat Chronic Bronchitis?
Chronic bronchitis is much harder to get rid of than acute bronchitis. If you don’t treat your chronic bronchitis, it may be fatal. You will often have to take a prescription drug to treat your chronic bronchitis. You may also need to use an inhaler and you may want to consider things you can do at home to treat the disease. Any treatment you do at home should be cleared with your doctor first, though. If you avoid exposing yourself to smoke, dust and other small particles, as well as all toxins, then you will feel better and heal faster. If you can prevent chronic bronchitis, that is the best thing but sometimes you don’t have that option.
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