In order to deal properly with bronchitis we need to understand and — if possible — remove the underlying causes and risk factors. We need to ask: "What else is going on inside the body that might allow bronchitis to develop?"
Accurate diagnosis of the factors behind bronchitis consists of three steps:
Cause | Probability | Status |
---|---|---|
Acute Bronchitis | 96% | Confirm |
Cigarette Smoke Damage | 23% | Unlikely |
Sarcoidosis | 3% | Ruled out |
Lupus (SLE) | 0% | Ruled out |
Vitamin A Need | 0% | Ruled out |
Do you have a history of Acute Infectious Bronchitis? Symptoms may include chest pain on coughing, difficulty breathing, mild fever and a cough with mucus. It usually lasts from a few days to weeks.
Possible responses:
→ Don't know→ No → Recurrent problem, but no symptoms now → Recurrent problem with current symptoms → It is not a recurring problem, but I have it now |
Acute Bronchitis also suggests the following possibilities:
Infections of the respiratory tract are common in lupus patients.
See the link between Cystitis and Vitamin A Deficiency.
If you smoke or are around damaging fumes (such as those in certain kinds of factories), you are more likely to get acute bronchitis and to have it longer because your bronchial tree is already damaged.
Most patients initially complain of a persistent dry cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath.