Simple acute bronchitis vs serious chronic bronchitis know the difference

Detroit Metro has been dealing with the cold and flu season for several months. Hospital emergency rooms are frequently inundated with flu patients that have progressed to a different illness called Acute Bronchitis. Bronchitis is an inflammation in the lungs. It can be miserable but usually minor.

When the bronchial tubes become inflamed, the inner lining becomes swollen, narrowing the breathing passages. This also causes an increase in secretions that sometimes fills the small airways, creating more difficult breathing for the patient. Typically bronchitis develops 3-4 days after a cold or flu and usually lasts 2.-3 weeks.

There is a worse condition known as Chronic bronchitis. Doctors are suspicious of this when the patient has a cough with phlegm for at least three months in a year., for two years in a row. This is a serious condition that makes the lungs a perfect breeding ground for bacterial infections and may require ongoing medical treatment and chronic antibiotic therapy and steroid usage. Bronchitis is one form of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD which is a serious debilitating respiratory disease.

Doctors say that a smoker is going to have a much harder time recovering. Even one puff on a cigarette can cause more damage to the already inflamed bronchials. Which can lead to increased risk of infection and permanent lung damage. Bottom line. Don't smoke.

If you find yourself with these symptoms or you know you have Acute or especially chronic Bronchitis. You may wish to seek a specialist or pulmonologist. Pulmonologists in Detroit, Michigan is a great place to start.