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Chronic bronchitis is the inflammation or swelling of the air passageways
(bronchi) in the upper respiratory system. This is usually accompanied
by the excessive production of mucus. Chronic bronchitis can manifest
as many different symptoms, and is often hard to diagnose because
the symptoms are so similar to other diseases that affect the lungs
and respiratory system. Today, one in twenty Americans currently
suffers chronic bronchitis. Even though the number has been steadily
falling since the 70s, the number of patients suffering from chronic
bronchitis still concerns doctors as it is often fatal. Below are
some common signs and symptoms of chronic bronchitis:
Coughing - Coughing caused by chronic bronchitis is usually
first noticed in the early morning, just after waking up. The individual
may cough for several hours after waking up. As the disease progresses,
this coughing will last for longer into the day, and in some cases
never goes away.
Shortness of Breath - This occurs in most people suffering
from chronic bronchitis. The shortness of breath may be aggravated
by overworking or even just mild activity. As the disease progresses
the shortness of breath may even come from simply walking a short
distance, or walking down some stairs.
Respiratory Infections - Chronic bronchitis is often the
cause of respiratory infections. Because more mucus is produced
by the body in those suffering from respiratory infections, this
makes the upper respiratory system very damp and warm. This can
be a breeding ground of sorts for infection, and makes infections
very hard to treat once they are contracted.
Fatigue - Fatigue is often experienced by individuals suffering
from chronic bronchitis. They become tired just after waking, or
other random times throughout the day. This is because the amount
of oxygen in their blood is significantly less than those who don't
suffer from the disease.
Swelling of the Legs and Ankles - Because chronic bronchitis
can often lead to further complications, due to a lack of oxygen
in the blood, it may cause the skin to turn blue or the extremities
to swell in the later stages of chronic bronchitis. Swelling of
the legs is also an indication of congestive heart failure, so individuals
experiencing this symptom should see a doctor right away.
To grab a copy of Amy's Free Chronic Bronchitis eBook, and read
more articles related to Chronic
Bronchitis Signs and Symptoms, please click
here to visit her chronic bronchitis website.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com:
Chronic Bronchitis Signs and Symptoms
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