Bronchitis Specialist

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a condition that occurs when your bronchial tubes, which carry air to your lungs, become inflamed. When your bronchial tubes become infected, they can swell, causing mucus to build up. These symptoms can make it difficult to breathe.

In most cases, bronchitis develops because of a respiratory infection or cold virus. It often lasts 7-10 days. Chronic types of bronchitis, however, are usually due to exposure to environmental irritants like dust in the air, pollution, or smoking.

What are the symptoms of bronchitis?

Bronchitis causes a variety of symptoms similar to a common cold. These often include:

• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Headaches and body aches
• Wheezing, chest discomfort, or congestion
• Fatigue, fever, and chills
• Mucus production and cough

When you have a cough associated with bronchitis, it can last a long time as your bronchial tubes try to heal. When a cough doesn’t go away it can indicate a more serious health condition, such as asthma or pneumonia.

How is bronchitis diagnosed and treated?

Bronchitis can be challenging to diagnose because its symptoms are so similar to a common cold. However, Dr. Oza is an experienced internal and family medicine specialist with advanced training in treating these conditions.

During your appointment at Oza Family Care and Wellness Center, Dr. Oza conducts a comprehensive physical exam, discusses your medical history, and reviews your symptoms. He might also perform a spirometry breathing test to measure how well your lungs can fill and empty of air.

Depending on your symptoms, Dr. Oza might also order a chest X-ray to look for other lung problems, like pneumonia. For your convenience, Dr. Oza and his team provide full diagnostic services on-site, including blood work.

Viral infections cause most forms of bronchitis, so the first step of treatment involves rest and proper self-care. To ease your bronchitis symptoms and cough, Dr. Oza might prescribe a nebulizer inhaler, steroid injections, or other medications that open narrow passageways in your lungs and reduce inflammation.

For more information on bronchitis treatments, call Oza Family Care and Wellness Center or schedule an appointment online today.