Bronchitis Symptoms in Adults

Every time when you breathe in, air comes into your mouth and nose. It goes down your throat and then into bronchial tubes. These tubes should be always open so that air reaches your lungs, and the oxygen passes into the blood and then to your tissues.

In case the airways become inflamed, air has difficulty reaching your lungs. In fact, with less air incoming, you may lack oxygen. You may cough and wheeze in a try to draw in more air through tightened passageways.

Asthma and bronchitis are two main inflammatory airway conditions. Thus, asthma is actually an inflammatory condition leading to tightening of your muscles around your airways plus swelling that make airways narrow. Bronchitis is an airways inflammation that is caused by bacterial or viral infections. And chronic bronchitis can be caused by prolonged exposure to various environmental irritants like tobacco smoke, chemicals or dust. When these two conditions coexist, it's called asthmatic bronchitis.

Asthmatic Bronchitis Triggers

There are a lot of triggers that may cause the release of various inflammatory substances. Typical asthmatic bronchitis triggers are: tobacco smoke, chemicals, pollution, allergens (pollen, dust, mold, pet dander, and food/food additives such as MSG), exercise, some medications (beta-blockers and aspirin), bacterial or viral infections, weather changes (cold weather) and strong emotions (crying or laughing)

Asthmatic Bronchitis Symptoms

The asthmatic bronchitis symptoms are a mixture of the symptoms of asthma and bronchitis. You may undergo all or some of the next symptoms: wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough and excess mucus production. Also, bronchitis can be caused by a bacteria or virus, which is contagious. Though, chronic asthmatic bronchitis usually is not contagious.

Asthmatic Bronchitis Treatments

The treatments of asthmatic bronchitis are the same as the treatments used to heal bronchitis and asthma, and may include:

1. Inhaled corticosteroids. The long-acting bronchodilators utilized together with various inhaled corticosteroids. These bronchodilators last for about 12 hours. Those including formoterol start their action within several minutes, while those including salmeterol take about 45 minutes to start their action.
2. The short-acting bronchodilators, like albuterol, help to open the airway and give short-term relief. The rescue medications are perfect for healing sudden symptoms of asthma. The inhaled bronchodilators action begins within several minutes after inhaling and lasts for 2-4 hours. These bronchodilators are used 15-20 minutes before exercise in order to avoid exercise-induced asthma.
3. Theophylline or cromolyn.
4. Leukotriene modifiers.
5. Combination inhalers that are handheld devices delivering asthma medication straight to the airways include both a bronchodilator and a steroid.

Bacterial respiratory infection can be healed with antibiotics.

Besides, treatment involves avoiding various asthma triggers by keeping the following tips:

1. You should wash your bed blankets and linens in hot water.
2. Vacuum and dust regularly.
3. Utilize a HEPA air filter at home.
4. Keep your pets away from your bedroom.
5. Don't smoke, and attempt to avoid other people smoking.