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Bronchitis initial appearance may start off or look like common cold like. Symptoms last longer than usual. Can be acute or may last for long time. Nagging Cold and cough inflame bronchial tubes that cause difficulty in breathing. Wheezing and trouble catching breath can happen in some cases. Sometimes leads to pneumonia when not treated on time. Smoking increases the risk factor, but chances of developing the disease in nonsmokers is noticed often.

Common Causes:

• Use to tobacco or similar products
• Vapors from e-cigarettes
• Viruses (cold or influenza)
• Bacterial Infection
• Exposure to dust or fumes or other such environmental presence
• Exposure to chemicals and pesticides
• Have allergies that can lead to asthma
• Genetic factors
• GERD or history of lung related issues
• Weak immune system

Appearance & Diagnosis:

Bronchitis happen when a virus, bacteria, or irritant particles cause inflammation in the bronchial tubes.

Acute:  Appears quick and sudden and follows a similar pattern of viral infection and generally fades off within specific duration. Can show up with Chills and body aches and may experience flu like onset.

Chronic: More serious and usually long-term condition where symptoms present for more than two months or never disappear. Can start off like acute but persist or reoccurs frequently. Ongoing sickness in majority of cases. A kind of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

Consult a doctor for a physical examination to listen for uncommon sounds in lungs and breathing patterns. Discuss symptoms and duration of the sickness.

Precautions, Treatment & When to see the Doctor:

Usually people can recover with:

• Rest
• Anti-inflammatory drugs (Prescribed or OTC)
• Lots of intake of clear fluids (mainly water)
• OTC allergy medications
• Home remedies like cool-hot vaporizing
• Incorporate healthy habits and lifestyle changes and exercise
• Avoid smoking

However, one should seek medical assistance if experiencing the following:

• Fever, cold and flu like symptoms
• Nagging cough that lasts more than 2-3 weeks and no signs of getting better
• Mucus and traces of blood
• Difficulty breathing and tightness in chest
• Dizzy, drowsy or confusion in some cases

If any of the above and have lung or heart issues, please walk-in to AFC Urgent Care at Warrington between the hours of 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM on weekdays and 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM on weekends where we are always staffed with a doctor. AFC urgent Care also has digital x-ray and an in-house lab that gives immediate results. AFC Urgent care serves Bucks County and the adjacent areas around Warrington, Chalfont, Doylestown, Hatboro and Horsham

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