Why does acute bronchitis make you feel so tired?

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on February 24, 2025
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Acute bronchitis is very exhausting, and this condition is mainly caused by two reasons.

First, it is due to inflammation. After the infection, it is not necessarily confined to the trachea; it can release cytokines and inflammatory mediators throughout the body. These cytokines and inflammatory mediators can cause inflammatory effects throughout the body, leading many patients to feel sore limbs and fatigue.

Second, during acute bronchitis, there can be a manifestation of relative hypoxia in the body. This is due to the disease, because the trachea itself is responsible for breathing. When there is an issue, the respiratory function will definitely be impaired, so the body will also experience fatigue and weakness due to hypoxia.

All these symptoms are related to bronchitis. Once the symptoms of bronchitis improve, these symptoms can also improve.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Is acute bronchitis contagious?

Acute bronchitis is somewhat contagious, mostly caused by viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, or staphylococci due to inflammatory irritation. It can spread through respiratory secretions and expelled air containing pathogens. If a healthy person comes into contact with these pathogens, they may get infected. Therefore, acute bronchitis can be contagious. It is advisable to promptly disinfect indoor air, drink plenty of water, rest adequately, select sensitive antimicrobial drugs to kill the pathogens, and treat symptoms accordingly.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Can you smoke with acute bronchitis?

It can be definitively said that smoking is prohibited for those suffering from acute bronchitis. Common symptoms of acute bronchitis include coughing and expectoration, and some patients may experience chest tightness and wheezing. Smoking can trigger or exacerbate these symptoms. Firstly, the smoke and heat from smoking can directly damage the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, triggering or worsening symptoms such as coughing and asthma. Additionally, the harmful substances in smoke can also irritate and damage the respiratory tract mucous membranes, exacerbating these symptoms. Therefore, patients with acute bronchitis should quit smoking.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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Can you not exercise with acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis has a relatively rapid onset and occurs fairly frequently. It typically causes clinical symptoms such as fever, cough, sputum, shortness of breath, and wheezing. During an acute episode of bronchitis with fever, it is generally not advisable to engage in strenuous exercise, as the body’s ability to dissipate heat is already compromised due to the fever. Continuing to exercise might lead to a rapid increase in body temperature because intense physical activity enhances heat production while the cooling functions are relatively diminished. Therefore, it is not recommended to exercise during the feverish phase of acute bronchitis. Exercise can be considered when the body temperature returns to normal and other clinical symptoms have significantly improved.

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
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Can acute bronchitis drink alcohol?

For acute bronchitis, it is generally not recommended to drink alcohol. Patients with acute bronchitis are advised to consume a light diet, avoiding spicy, irritating, and greasy foods, and to refrain from drinking alcohol, coffee, and strong tea. Patients with acute bronchitis, especially those who consume large amounts of alcohol, may experience a decrease in immunity and can even develop complications like pneumonia. Sometimes, acute bronchitis can also be accompanied by bacterial infections, and patients might need to take oral antibiotics for treatment. If a patient with acute bronchitis takes cephalosporin antibiotics, it is absolutely necessary to avoid alcohol, as alcohol can interact with cephalosporins and potentially trigger a disulfiram-like reaction, which in severe cases can lead to sudden stopping of breathing and heart function, posing a life-threatening risk. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Hu Bai Yu
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What should not be eaten with acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis generally involves inflammation of the bronchi, typically caused by an acute infection. During this time, it's advised to avoid consuming spicy, greasy, raw, cold, and irritating foods. Additionally, it's important to avoid beverages containing alcohol, carbonated drinks, strong tea, coffee, and alcohol to minimize intake. Also, avoid foods that can cause allergies, such as mangoes, seafood, and insects, to prevent worsening the condition. It's recommended to drink plenty of water to facilitate excretion. Under the guidance of a doctor, actively cooperate with the treatment. During treatment, it's crucial not to smoke or drink alcohol, drink plenty of water, and consume fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement vitamins and enhance immunity, helping the disease to recover more quickly.