A bronchial cough is typically associated with a bout of bronchitis. This is a common disease and is reported quite frequently by GPs. Bronchitis can be a serious infection and needs attention from a qualified healthcare provider. To understand how the cough develops and what to do about it, take a short read of the following information.

The bronchi are the main airways in your lungs, which branch off on either side of your windpipe (trachea). They lead to smaller and smaller airways inside your lungs, known as bronchioles.

The walls of the bronchi produce mucus to trap dust and other particles that could otherwise cause irritation.

Most cases of acute bronchitis develop when an infection causes the bronchi to become irritated and inflamed, which causes them to produce more mucus than usual. Your body tries to shift this extra mucus through coughing.

Smoking is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis. Over time, tobacco smoke can cause permanent damage to the bronchi, causing them to become inflamed and leading to a bronchial cough.

Common symptoms of bronchitis

Here are some of the most common symptoms of bronchitis;

Fatigue: Some bronchitis patients have a feeling of exhaustion or lack of energy.

Shortness of breath: Trouble breathing or feeling out of breath, especially during physical activity is very common for these patients.

Fever and chills: Though not common, some people may have a mild fever and chills.

Chest discomfort: Chest tightness or chest pain is often felt, which may get worse with deep breathing or coughing.

Production of mucus (sputum): The mucous can originate from the lungs which is unlike the postnasal drip.

Slight fever and chills: Fever is common; however, not everyone will have a fever.

Wheezing: A whistling sound when breathing is sometimes noticed, especially on exhaling.

Bronchitis is acute or chronic, and the symptoms may differ slightly from one type to the other. Acute bronchitis, frequently due to viral infections, usually lasts for a few days to a few weeks, while chronic bronchitis is a more severe condition that is a part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Chronic bronchitis lasts for months, with repeated bouts occurring for at least two years. If your symptoms of bronchitis are persistent, you should consult your doctor for the correct diagnosis and treatment.

Complications

Pneumonia is the most common complication of bronchitis. It happens when the infection spreads further into the lungs, causing air sacs inside the lungs to fill up with fluid. 1 in 20 cases of bronchitis leads to pneumonia.

People at an increased risk of developing pneumonia include:

• elderly people
• people who smoke
• people with other health conditions,
  such as heart, liver or kidney disease
• people with a weakened immune system

Mild pneumonia can usually be treated with antibiotics at home. More severe cases may require admission to hospital.

Who is affected

Acute bronchitis is one of the most common types of lung infection and is one of the top five reasons for GP visits.

Acute bronchitis can affect people of all ages but is most common in younger children under the age of five. It is more common in winter and often develops following a cold, sore throat or flu.

Complementary therapies

A number of treatment options are available for treating the infection and these treatments will depend upon the severity of the disease. Most importantly, don’t ignore the symptoms if they continue or worsen. As a nagging hacking cough is often associated with bronchitis, this is something you can manage by taking recommendations from your GP or pharmacist. There are many over-the-counter preparations including numerous cough medications and also pain relievers.

Seek new ways to deal with a bronchial cough

Should you decide to explore complementary approaches, there are Australian-made herbal medicines and remedies available. These products are either single herbs or contain multiple herbal ingredients all of which have a traditional history of use for bronchial cough and relief of flu symptoms.

Always speak to your healthcare provider before embarking on any form of complementary.