so, i've had a rough/scratchy throat (complete with the oh-so-sexy i just smoked 12 packs of cigarettes voice) and have been coughing for a week now.  D mentioned yesterday that it sounds like I have bronchitis (he should know, he gets sidelined from this every year.) I went to my parents house yesterday, and the first thing Dr. Bern (aka, mom) said was "I think you have bronchitis" (again, another who suffers from a bout of bronchitis at least once a year.)

that would explain  why i've been coughing like crazy for a week, with no other symptoms usually indicative  of a cold or flu. no sneezing, sore throat, running nose, achy-ness... nope. just coughing. like crazy. So much so that my abs hurt now as if i've been doing crunches or something. i just hope that when i finally stop coughing, i will have a rocking six-pack.

According to webmd, here are the symptoms of acute bronchitis:

• A cough, which is the main symptom of acute bronchitis. It may be dry at first and after a few days may bring up mucus from the lungs. The mucus may be clear, yellow, or green.  Sometimes, small streaks of blood may be present.  (check. and it's clear, thankyouverymuch)


• A mild fever, usually less than 101F. A higher fever may indicate pneumonia. (not sure about the fever. i feel okay and pretty "normal")


• A general feeling of tiredness. (check)


• A sensation of tightness, burning, or dull pain in the chest under the breastbone that usually is worse when breathing deeply or coughing. (check)


• Whistling noises or wheezing when breathing, especially during physical exertion. (check)


• Hoarseness. (check, although this seems to have gotten a little bit better)

Webmd also says "Most cases of acute bronchitis in otherwise healthy people last only 2 to 3 weeks. But more than 20% of people with acute bronchitis have a cough that lasts more than 4 weeks."

I'm hoping that whatever I have is on it's way out soon. *sigh*

here's what webmd says I should to to treat bronchitis:

• Relieving your cough by drinking fluids, using cough drops, and avoiding lung irritants. You may also use nonprescription cough suppressants, which may help you to stop coughing, and expectorants, which may make coughing easier so you can bring up mucus. Research on cough suppressants and expectorants does not show that they stop a cough, but some people might find them helpful.


• Avoiding caffeine and alcohol, which cause you to lose extra fluid from your body and may lead to dehydration.


• Stopping smoking, if you smoke.


• Getting enough rest so your body has the energy needed to fight the infection. Generally, you feel better sooner if you rest more than usual while you have acute bronchitis.


• Using nonprescription medicine, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin, to relieve fever and body aches.


• Breathing moist air from a humidifier, hot shower, or sink filled with hot water. The heat and moisture can help keep mucus in your airways moist so it can be coughed out easily.

So, yeah, I was going to have a great big sale in my shop and a blog giveaway in honor of my birthday this week (shhh...) but I don't think it's going to happen. not this week. I don't want to stress out about it and be up super late getting stuff done.  I might actually listen to D and my mom and rest and relax when i'm home. (i think i just heard some audible gasps!) i know, crazy, right?