What are the symptoms of chronic bronchitis?

Chronic bronchitis often occurs in late autumn and early winter. The main symptoms are cough, sputum, asthma, etc., and the symptoms will recur. The disease occurs every year, and there is a three-month outbreak period each year. The symptoms are relatively mild in the early stages, and will be alleviated in spring and summer. The progression of the disease is very slow. So, what are the specific symptoms of chronic bronchitis?

1. Symptoms often develop slowly and the course of the disease is long. Some patients have a history of acute respiratory infections such as acute bronchitis, influenza or pneumonia before the onset of the disease, and develop this disease due to prolonged illness. The main symptoms are chronic cough, sputum production and shortness of breath or wheezing. Symptoms are mild at the beginning, but as the disease progresses, acute attacks become more frequent and symptoms become more severe due to repeated respiratory tract infections, especially in winter.

(1) Cough: In the early stage, the cough is more severe in the morning and lighter during the day. In the late stage, it is also obvious at night. There are often coughing attacks before going to bed, accompanied by sputum. This is caused by congestion and edema of the bronchial mucosa and accumulation of secretions in the bronchial cavity. As the disease progresses, the cough persists all year round.

(2) Coughing up phlegm: The phlegm is more likely to be discharged in the morning. The phlegm is usually white, mucous or serous and foamy, and may occasionally contain blood. This is mostly due to a sluggish cough reflex during sleep at night, accumulation of phlegm in the airway cavity, and stimulation of phlegm discharge due to changes in body position after getting up in the morning. When an acute attack is accompanied by bacterial infection, the amount of sputum increases and the sputum becomes viscous or purulent.

(3) Shortness of breath and wheezing: These symptoms are usually not obvious in the early stages of the disease. As the disease progresses and is combined with obstructive pulmonary emphysema, shortness of breath of varying degrees will gradually appear, especially after physical activity. Patients with chronic bronchitis combined with asthma or the so-called asthmatic chronic bronchitis often experience wheezing symptoms, especially during acute attacks, and are often accompanied by wheezing.

2. There are usually no abnormal signs in the early stage, or scattered dry and wet rales can be heard at the bottom of the lungs. The rales may disappear after coughing and expectoration. During the acute attack period, the number of lung rales may increase, and the number depends on the condition. Patients with chronic bronchitis and asthma may experience widespread wheezing and prolonged exhalation during acute attacks. Patients in the late stage often have signs of emphysema due to concurrent emphysema; see the section on obstructive pulmonary emphysema.

Severe chronic bronchitis may lead to heart disease, so everyone must take it seriously, as this disease is also very torturous. Patients must quit smoking, which is a very important measure, and strengthen exercise to enhance the body's resistance. Patients should also adjust their diet and eat more garlic and white radish to relieve gas. I wish everyone a speedy recovery!