Chapter 3:  Seeking A Doctor’s Help For Bronchitis

 

Depending on the type of bronchitis that you have and its severity determines if you should seek help from a doctor for it.  We’ve talked about when you need to seek a doctor’s help in the last chapter.  But, what happens when you go to visit your doctor?

 

How Diagnosis Happens

 

To determine if you have bronchitis, your doctor will likely listen to your chest.  This helps him to determine what is happening inside by listening for mucus build ups.  In addition, he or she may also do a chest x-ray which will show the inflamed and enlarged air passageways that are likely the problem. 

 

Some doctors will also want a sample of the mucus to determine what type and how much bacteria are in your system.  The sample will consider the amount of bacteria found in the sputum when you cough.

 

Those that are suffering from chronic bronchitis are likely to have additional testing to insure that that is what you are suffering from.

The doctor will do a series of tests that will take into account your symptoms for conditions such as asthma and emphysema.  To do this, a pulmonary function test which is also called a PFT will be used.  During this test, you are told to blow into a device which is called a spirometer.  This determines how much volume of air your lungs have after you take a deep breath and have blown it out. 

 

The test is simple and takes just a minute to perform.  It causes you no pain at all.  In fact, if you have had bronchitis several times in the past year, ask your doctor to perform a pulmonary function test to help to determine if there is a possibility of facing chronic bronchitis.

 

Generally, from these tests, your doctor will be able to rule bronchitis or not.  If you are diagnosised with it, the next step will be to treat it, and if treatment is even needed in your case.

 

Doctors will determine the level of severity as well as the likeliness of treatment that you need.