Bronchitis
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SmartClinic Urgent Care
Urgent Care located in West Covina, CA & Santa Clarita, Canyon Country, CA
Bronchitis can have you feeling exhausted, congested, and concerned about your respiratory health, but the experts of Smart Clinic Urgent Care have solutions to relieve your symptoms and put your mind at rest. At the West Covina and Santa Clarita, California, locations, the medical professionals have abundant experience diagnosing and treating bronchitis. Did you know that bronchitis can impair your respiratory system, and it might be a sign of an underlying condition like COPD? Call Smart Clinic Urgent Care or walk-in today.
Bronchitis Q & A
What is bronchitis?
Bronchitis is a condition involving inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes that transport air to and from your lungs.
Bronchitis can be acute or chronic, and it often develops from a respiratory infection or a cold. Acute bronchitis typically resolves in about a week.
If you have symptoms and a cough that lasts at least three months, with recurring bouts that occur for at least two consecutive years, you have chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is one of a multitude of conditions under the umbrella of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What are the symptoms of bronchitis?
Some of the symptoms and signs of bronchitis are:
- Fever and slight chills
- Chest discomfort
- Cough
- Mucus production, which can be clear, white, yellowish-gray or green in color
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Body aches
In rare cases, you might have mucus streaked with blood, which could be a cause for concern. It’s always best to visit Smart Clinic Urgent Care for an evaluation and treatment if you have any questions, symptoms, or concerns.
What causes bronchitis?
Viruses, often the same viruses that cause colds and flu (influenza), usually cause acute bronchitis.
Cigarette smoking commonly causes chronic bronchitis. Other factors that might increase the risk of developing bronchitis include:
- A weakened immune system
- Gastric reflux
- Air pollution
- Dust
- Toxic gases
Bronchitis can lead to pneumonia in some cases. Pneumonia is an infection resulting in inflammation of the air sacs in one or both lungs. Pneumonia can make it difficult to breathe and vary from mild to life-threatening.
Smart Clinic Urgent Care provides excellent and convenient in-office testing and treats a range of respiratory conditions, including asthma, COPD, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
How is bronchitis treated?
Your provider diagnoses bronchitis with a discussion of your symptoms and current health, a physical exam, a review of your medical history, and any necessary testing, such as a chest X-ray and blood work.
In most cases, a virus causes bronchitis, so antibiotics aren’t effective. If bacteria are involved, your provider might prescribe antibiotics to fight the bacteria. They might also recommend an inhaler or allergy medicines, cough medicine, anti-inflammatories, and healthy lifestyle changes.
Avoid lung irritants by wearing a mask when in polluted air or when exposed to irritants, such as strong household cleaners. You should also avoid smoking. Practice good hygiene and wash your hands, and get vaccinated from the influenza virus, and some types of pneumonia.
Breathe easier with peace of mind when you seek prompt, personalized, and quality medical care you deserve for bronchitis. Walk-in, call or click to visit Smart Clinic Urgent Care.
