Hollywood Walk-In Clinic Bronchitis Care

Acute Bronchitis Causes

Acute bronchitis typically stems from viral or bacterial infection irritating the bronchial tubes' lining. Common culprits include: 

• Cold and flu viruses like influenza, adenovirus, or rhinovirus
• Bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumonia or Chlamydophila pneumonia
• Environmental toxins - gases, dust, fumes
• Allergens - pollen, pet dander, mold spores

Smoking also increases acute bronchitis risk by harming protective cilia lining the airways. Often misdiagnosed as just a bad cold, acute bronchitis warrants medical attention to prevent complications like pneumonia. Seek treatment at first sign of a wet cough lasting over 5 days.

Acute Bronchitis Symptoms  

Telltale symptoms signaling acute bronchitis include:

• Chest congestion with persistent, productive cough 
• Coughing up thick yellow or green mucus
• Shortness of breath, wheezing or shallow breathing 
• Low-grade fever and chills
• Sore throat, body aches, fatigue and headache
• Chest discomfort 

Notify Hollywood Walk-In Clinic if you experience acute cough and excess phlegm production lasting over a week. Though usually mild, acute bronchitis may evolve into pneumonia without proper care, especially in those with weakened immunity. Getting appropriate treatment accelerates healing.

Acute Bronchitis Test

No tests definitively confirm acute bronchitis, rather doctors make the diagnosis based on assessment of symptoms and listening to your breathing. Be prepared to discuss: 

• Cough duration, character (wet/dry), and mucus amount
• Fever, chills, muscle aches and other flu-like symptoms
• Shortness of breath or wheezing 
• Sinus congestion, post-nasal drip, sore throat
• Recent illness or exposure to others who are sick
• Any worsening or improvement in coughing 

The physician will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope for wheezing, crackling, or diminished breath sounds. We may order chest x-rays or pulse oximetry to evaluate lung function and rule out complications like pneumonia. With classic symptoms, tests are often unnecessary to diagnose acute bronchitis.

Treating Acute Bronchitis

Since viruses cause most acute bronchitis, antibiotics prove ineffective. We tailor treatment to alleviate specific symptoms:

Cough Suppressants - Over-the-counter cough medicines with dextromethorphan or codeine relieve coughing.

Expectorants - Guaifenesin thins mucus so chest congestion clears easier through coughing.  

Inhaled Bronchodilators - Albuterol inhalers open airways and aid breathing during wheezing or tightness.

Anti-inflammatories - Ibuprofen or naproxen eases sore throat, body aches, fever and inflammation.

Cough Drops - Soothe throat irritation and lessen urge to cough.

Humidifier - Moisturizes dry air passages making breathing easier. 

Fluids and Rest - Hydration and extra rest help the body's natural healing process.

Avoid smoking and pollutants during illness and take cough medicine as directed for symptom relief. Most acute bronchitis resolves within 10-14 days with conservative self-care under our guidance. But visit promptly if your condition worsens.

Chronic Bronchitis Diagnostic, Causes and Symptoms

Chronic bronchitis involves long-term inflammation and mucus production, causing cough lasting months or years. Causes include:

• Cigarette smoking - the leading risk factor
• Secondhand smoke inhalation 
• Air pollution exposure
• Dust or chemical fumes in the workplace

Genetics, childhood lung damage or respiratory infections also play a role. Symptoms indicating chronic bronchitis include:

• Ongoing cough producing mucus daily
• Breathlessness with ordinary activities
• Frequent respiratory infections 
• Wheezing or raspy breathing
• Tightness or pain in the chest  

Report any above symptoms persisting longer than a month. Chronic bronchitis greatly raises COPD risk. Seeking timely treatment and stopping smoking are critical.

Diagnosing Chronic Bronchitis 

Proper diagnosis involves assessing symptoms' duration plus complete pulmonary function testing. Diagnostic tools may include:

 Spirometry - measures lung capacity. Obstructed airflow confirms diagnosis.

 Chest imaging - CT scans, MRIs or X-rays reveal airway thickening.

 Sputum analysis - inspects cell changes indicating inflammation.

Discuss accompanying symptoms like fatigue, swelling or heart palpitations which may indicate co-existing illnesses. Love vaping? Unfortunately, studies now link vaping to chronic bronchitis too. Our compassionate providers explain all test results while creating customized treatment plans.

Treating Chronic Bronchitis

No cure exists for chronic bronchitis, but treatment relieves symptoms and improves quality of life. We may prescribe:

• Bronchodilators - expanding airways to improve breathing. 
• Inhaled steroids - reducing airway inflammation.
• Expectorants - thinning mucus so it's easier to cough up.
• Supplemental oxygen - boosting oxygen circulation.

Pulmonary rehabilitation also teaches breathing strategies strengthening lung function. Most importantly, you must quit smoking and avoid lung irritants to prevent rapid progression. With proper compliance to treatment, people manage chronic bronchitis for decades.

Urgent Bronchitis Care  

Battling acute illness or sudden worsening of chronic symptoms? Hollywood Walk-In Clinic provides prompt bronchitis treatment sans appointment. Signs warranting urgent evaluation include:

• High fevers, shaking chills
• Chest pain or tightness 
• Rapid, shallow breathing 
• Blue tinge of nails or lips 
• Confusion or excessive drowsiness
• Little relief from home treatment 
• Symptoms interfering with work/activities

We conduct onsite testing determining if a secondary infection has developed requiring antibiotics or other aggressive interventions. Rely on our bronchitis specialists to stabilize breathing troubles, alleviate coughing, reduce inflammation and prevent complications. We're always available for symptom flare-ups or worrisome changes requiring immediate care.  

Bronchitis often starts with a chest cold due to viral infections. The immune system responds by producing mucus, which leads to coughing as the body tries to expel the virus. Acute bronchitis manifests with symptoms like chest congestion, cough producing thick mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, and low fever. Since viruses cause most acute bronchitis, antibiotics usually won't help though we may prescribe cough suppressants, expectorants or pain relievers for relief.

To diagnose bronchitis, we'll perform a physical examination listening to your breathing. We generally don't need blood tests unless we suspect a secondary infection. The best treatment is to wash your hands frequently, get plenty of rest, and stay hydrated to support your immune system fighting the virus.

Young children are especially susceptible to bronchitis from close contact with sick playmates. Seek medical attention if coughing lasts over a week to ensure proper diagnosis and symptom management. While acute bronchitis resolves in a few weeks, chronic bronchitis involves ongoing inflammation and mucus lasting months or years. Partnering with us for prompt bronchitis care provides relief and prevents complications like pneumonia.

 Whether you're fighting acute or chronic bronchitis, or simply want informed guidance selecting the right over-the-counter remedies, Hollywood Walk-In Clinic has your back. Our empathetic providers aim to minimize bronchitis' impact on health and daily life. Trust us for compassionate, timely bronchitis treatment whenever the need arises. Breathe easy with our support!