When the airways within your lungs become inflamed, the result is chronic bronchitis. The discomfort you feel can prompt relentless coughing spouts that can influence mucus production, wheezing, chest pain, as well as shortness of breath.
Read on to learn more about living with chronic bronchitis.
Acute Bronchitis vs. Chronic Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis tends to evolve out of a respiratory infection, like a cold. This type of bronchitis will depart after about a week or two and you’ll go back to normal.
Chronic bronchitis is a more severe ailment that takes shape over time. Your symptoms may fluctuate, but they’ll never go away 100%. When your bronchi (lungs) become inflamed for prolonged periods of time, sticky mucus accumulates within the airways, which leads to long-term breathing difficulties.
Chronic bronchitis is one of the lung diseases that is included in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Luckily, there are a variety of treatment options accessible to assist you in regulating your symptoms and make it easier for you to breathe.
Details About Chronic Bronchitis
COPD is an umbrella term that refers to multiple lung ailments. Your physician may call your disease either chronic bronchitis or COPD.
A primary cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. There are other factors that can influence this disease, such as the following:
- Air pollution exposure
- Exposure to dust
- Exposure to toxic gases
Chronic bronchitis is more likely to develop in people who have a family medical history of bronchitis.
In order for your doctor to diagnose you with chronic bronchitis, you’ll be monitored for a cough that produces mucus, doesn’t go away for at least three months, and occurs several times over a period of no less than two years. In order to be tested for the condition, you’ll likely need to endure pulmonary function exams, chest X-rays, or CT scans.
Although there is no known cure for chronic bronchitis, you still have many treatment options to assist in the management of your symptoms. Treatment options include:
- Bronchodilators to open your airways
- Steroids to decrease inflammation
- Oxygen therapy
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
Let Us Help
If you’d like to hire a lawyer to help you obtain the disability benefits you need, our attorneys at Dabdoub Law Firm are here to help. Our team is highly skilled in the realm of disability insurance law and we’ve helped many other people in situations just like yours obtain the benefits they deserve. Don’t hesitate to contact our firm with your case right away. Your health is nothing to gamble on. After all, you’re only awarded one body in this life—it’s up to you to take care of it.
Call Dabdoub Law Firm today at (800) 969-0488 to speak with an attorney about your case.
