Health Care

by Jack Fisher

Thousands of people develop the symptoms of the debilitating ailment bronchitis each year. Bronchitis can deprive you of the energy you need to go about your daily business, and can also lead to serious damage to your respiratory system. Do not take bronchitis lightly, and examine your symptoms to determine if you are in fact suffering from the beginning of bronchitis. These tips will help you sort out the symptoms that occur during the onest of bronchitis.

If you've had a cold or the flu which have weakened your body's immune system, bronchitis will often follow. A heavy, deep, and persistent cough may well be a symptom of bronchitis and not just a residual of the cold. The cough may be dry, or it may produce thick, green mucus. You'll often find a bronchial cough such as this will continue to bother you for weeks or even months. In addition, hard coughing causes abdominal strain and chest pains. Coughing will interrupt your sleep just when you need to sleep in order to recuperate. Breathing difficulties may also appear causing wheezing and shortness of breath.

If these bronchitis symptoms persist for two weeks or longer or if your fever persists for several days you should see a doctor. He or she will check for signs of pneumonia. You should immediately see a doctor if at any time you cough up blood or see any signs of blood in your phlegm such as a rusty color. If your doctor diagnoses a virus there is little you can do because antibiotics do not fight viruses. In fact, misuse of antibiotics contributes to the development of drug resistant bacteria. You simply need to rest and wait for your body's own defenses to defeat the infection naturally. However you can take medications to relieve the symptoms of bronchitis such as cough and fever.

Advil, Tylenol, and aspirin are three of the most often used medications to treat bronchitis symptoms. However, aspirin is not advised for anyone eighteen years old or younger. A complication known as Reye's Syndrome can occur which could be fatal. Drinking a lot of liquids can help to avoid the dehydration normally associated with fever. It can also relieve an irritated throat from constant coughing. Another treatment for the cough is over the counter cough suppressants.

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