Bronchitis is an inflammatory disease that leads to inflamed airways of the lungs and fills them with mucus. The airways also swell which causes cough and it is the key symptom of Bronchitis. Pollution and smoke are the main reasons that can cause chronic as well as acute bronchitis.
A chest specialist or pulmonologist helps in controlling bronchitis and other respiratory disorders through proper diagnosis and treatment. You must contact the best chest specialist in Siliguri if you have symptoms of bronchitis such as slight fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, and cough.
When to Visit a Doctor
If you’re suffering from acute bronchitis, then it may cure without consulting a doctor. However, there are certain situations when it can become a serious condition. The symptoms that may direct you to visit a specialist include a chronic cough that is not improving for a long time.
Severe chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and wheezing are also some of the signs of chronic bronchitis or other serious health complication. You may also develop certain sleep disorders such as loud snores and extreme tiredness. In these cases, you must consult a pulmonologist doctor in Siliguri.
Role of a Chest Specialist in Treating Bronchitis
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Early Diagnosis
If you’re facing the symptoms of chronic bronchitis, then visiting a chest specialist will help you in getting an early diagnosis for fast recovery. The specialist will run a few tests for diagnosing the disease and for determining other complications.
The tests might include a chest x-ray, nasal swab, sputum tests, and pulmonary function tests. Blood tests can also be recommended for verifying the overall health and presence of any infections.
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Prescribe Effective Medications
Based on the reports of the tests, the specialist will start an effective treatment with certain medications. There are no specific medications for treating bronchitis but the prescribed medications will help in reducing underlying complications and symptoms.
Some of the medications that can be prescribed by the specialist are bronchodilators, antiviral or anti-inflammatory medications, cough suppressants, and antibiotics.
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Advises Therapy
If the test reports suggest that you’re suffering from chronic bronchitis, then the chest specialist will advise you on effective therapy. One of the most recommended therapies is pulmonary rehabilitation.
This therapy is a breathing exercise that helps in reducing breathing problems for gaining more strength and improves life quality.
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Recommend Preventive Measures
The chest specialist also plays a major role in recommending efficient preventive measures that will help in reducing the risks of bronchitis. The specialist will direct you to drink more fluids and have proper rest.
Quitting smoking can be another recommended measure, where using a steam or humidifier will help in calming down the chronic cough.
Suffering from bronchitis can be painful but the symptoms associated with it become more frustrating. You can take over-the-counter medications for managing the symptoms. However, if the symptoms don’t improve, then you must visit the best chest specialist in Siliguri.
You must always remember that bronchitis turns into a chronic disease because of an underlying condition such as asthma, autoimmune disorders, infections, and other inflammatory diseases. Seeking the guidance of an expert will help in diagnosing the complications successfully.