What Does Bronchitis Look Like? A Visual Guide to Bronchitis Symptoms

What Does Bronchitis Look Like? Visual Guide to Bronchitis Symptoms

Bronchitis is a respiratory condition that causes inflammation in the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to and from your lungs. There are two main types of bronchitis:

Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes become infected, usually due to a virus. It lasts around 1-3 weeks before resolving.

Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is defined as a productive cough that lasts for 3 months or more per year, for at least 2 years. It's commonly caused by irritants like cigarette smoke.

Both types cause similar coughing and mucus symptoms. But chronic bronchitis is an ongoing disease, while acute bronchitis resolves on its own. Let's explore the visual symptoms of bronchitis and how to find relief.

What Does Coughing Look Like With Bronchitis?

Coughing is the most common symptom of bronchitis. At first, the cough may be dry and unproductive. After a few days, it typically produces thick mucus or phlegm.

Coughing brings up the excess mucus from the lungs and bronchial tubes. This mucus often looks like yellow, green or brown sputum when coughed up into a tissue or sink.

The coughing fits can be tiring and painful. Coughs are often worse at night and after physical effort. Severe bouts can last for minutes and temporarily limit oxygen flow.

What Does a Bronchitis Cough Sound Like?

The coughs are frequently forceful and hacking initially. As more phlegm develops, they may take on a wet, rattling sound as mucus moves through the airways.

How Long Does the Cough Last?

In acute bronchitis, the cough often lasts 1-3 weeks but can persist for up to a month. For chronic bronchitis, the cough is present most days for at least 3 consecutive months per year.

What Does Mucus Look Like With Bronchitis?

Thick mucus production is another visual sign of bronchitis. The extra mucus develops as the body tries to remove the lung infection or irritants.

Mucus Color

Mucus from bronchitis may appear:

• White or gray early on
• Yellow or greenish as the infection progresses
• Brownish or blood-tinged if bronchial tubes are very inflamed

Mucus Texture

The mucus is often thick and sticky. It may be:

• Thin and watery initially
• Thick and gluey as more mucus is produced
• Difficult to cough up at times

How Long Does Mucus Production Last?

Mucus usually lasts as long as the cough, around 1-4 weeks for acute bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis involves a mucus-producing cough present for months at a time.

What Does Wheezing Sound Like With Bronchitis?

The inflamed airways can make breathing difficult and trigger audible wheezing or whistling sounds as you inhale and exhale.

Wheezing occurs when airflow becomes partly blocked by mucus and swelling in the bronchial tubes. The narrower passageways force air through faster, causing that whistling noise.

When Does the Wheezing Improve?

Wheezing should gradually subside over days to weeks as the infection or irritation clears and inflammation decreases. Seek medical treatment if wheezing is severe or becomes worse instead of better over time.

What Does Chest Congestion Feel Like With Bronchitis?

Bronchitis often causes chest congestion, making your chest feel full, tight or heavy. This happens as inflammation narrows the airways and excess mucus clogs them.

You may feel like you can't take a deep breath. Shallow breathing doesn't allow the lungs to fully expand and clear out mucus.

Does Bronchitis Cause Chest Pain?

Severe bouts of coughing can cause chest pain or discomfort. The congestion itself may also create chest tightness and aching.

Seek emergency care if you have sharp or stabbing chest pains, pressure, or discomfort that radiates to the jaw, neck or arms.

What Other Cold and Flu Symptoms Occur?

Bronchitis often arises due to a cold or flu virus. So you may experience associated symptoms like:

• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Fever

These upper respiratory symptoms tend to improve within a week. But the cough lingers as the deeper bronchial tubes remain inflamed.

When to Seek Emergency Treatment

Most cases of acute bronchitis resolve on their own within a few weeks. But see a doctor right away if you experience:

• High fever above 101F
• Fast breathing or heart rate
• Blue tint to lips or nails
• Confusion or dizziness
• Unrelenting chest pain

These require prompt medical care and may indicate pneumonia or another serious condition.

Diagnosing Bronchitis

To diagnose bronchitis, a doctor considers your symptoms and performs a physical exam. They often use a stethoscope to listen for wheezing and abnormal breath sounds.

In some cases, tests may include:

• Chest X-ray Checks for pneumonia or other lung issues
• Sputum test Sputum is analyzed to identify any infections
• Pulmonary function tests Measure how well lungs inhale and exhale air

Treating Bronchitis

Treatment focuses on managing symptoms for acute bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis requires controlling underlying causes like smoking.

Home Remedies

For acute coughs, you can try:

• Cough drops or throat lozenges
• Steam inhalation to loosen mucus
• Cough suppressants
• Expectorants to clear mucus
• Chest rubs containing menthol or eucalyptus
• Staying well hydrated
• Humidifier use
• Rest and sleep

Medications

Doctors may prescribe:

• Bronchodilators like albuterol to open airways
• Cough medicine with guaifenesin and/or dextromethorphan
• Antibiotics if caused by a bacterial infection
• Inhalers with steroids to reduce inflammation

Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) can ease sore throat, headaches, fever and body aches.

Lifestyle Changes

For chronic bronchitis, quitting smoking is essential. Other steps include:

• Avoiding airborne irritants
• Treating heartburn if present
• Getting regular exercise
• Practicing good hygiene
• Getting vaccines like the flu shot

Preventing Bronchitis

You can reduce your risk of developing bronchitis by:

• Washing hands often to avoid infections
• Avoiding cigarette smoke
• Not smoking
• Getting enough rest
• Eating a healthy diet high in antioxidants
• Exercising regularly
• Avoiding irritants like dust, fumes, aerosols

When to See Your Doctor

Consult your doctor if acute bronchitis symptoms don't improve after a week or if you experience recurring bouts. Also seek care if you have other medical conditions like heart or lung disease.

Let your doctor know if you have risk factors for chronic bronchitis like smoking, exposures to lung irritants, or a family history of COPD.

With appropriate care, acute bronchitis usually resolves without complications. Chronic bronchitis requires diligent management but can often be controlled with lifestyle changes and medication.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.