Bronchitis: Symptoms and Treatments

Bronchitis is a lung condition that occurs when the bronchial tubes become irritated. It causes coughing that is often accompanied by mucous. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is very common and usually resolves in a few days or weeks. It usually results from a respiratory infection, like a cold or the flu, and may be contagious. When bronchitis is a frequent symptom, lasting for at least three months and returning at least two years in a row, it is called chronic bronchitis.

In chronic bronchitis, the airways remain inflamed, which leads to swelling and more music production. Chronic bronchitis is a common symptom for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

1. Coughing spells

Coughing spells are a common symptom of both acute and chronic bronchitis. In acute bronchitis, people experience an acute onset of a persistent cough, with or without mucous. This cough usually resolves on its own over a few weeks. Cough is also the most common symptom of chronic bronchitis. The persistent cough is often what prompts people to seek medical attention.