What to Do for Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a common condition that develops from a cold, flu or respiratory infection. Bronchitis occurs when the lining of the bronchial tubes become inflamed. The function of the bronchial tubes is to carry air to and from the lungs. An individual can have either acute or chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is a serious condition that requires medical intervention. Acute bronchitis, on the other hand, is more manageable and improves within a few days or weeks.The main goal for treating bronchitis is to reduce breathing difficulty and ease symptoms.

Avoid Irritants

• Cigarette smoke is one of the most common causes of acute bronchitis. Those who are exposed to chemical fumes at work or in some cleaning products at home are also prone to developing bronchitis. Once symptoms appear, like coughing, wheezing or low-grade fever, the first step to easing discomfort and allow for a quick recovery is to avoid cigarette smoke, stay away from all cleaning products and take a few days away from the workplace if fumes from ammonia, chlorine, sulfur dioxide or other irritants are in the air.

Reduce Symptoms

• A relentless cough drives most of us to the pharmacy to buy cough medicine for instant relief. Suppressing your cough, however, is not the recommended treatment--especially for bronchitis. Mucous brought up by coughing helps remove irritants from the lungs and air passages. If a cough prevents an individual from sleeping, or starts causing only slight discomfort in the chest, an over-the-counter cough suppressant will help you sleep more comfortably without eliminating the cough altogether. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Motrin or Advil can help relieve pain from a sore throat and bring down a fever. An expectorant like Mucinex will loosen the mucous and make coughing more successful in expelling irritants from the lungs and airways. For a dry throat, cough drops will help relieve itchiness and irritation.

Improve Breathing

• Loosening the mucous in the airways helps relieve a cough. Using a humidifier with warm water will moisten the air and help relieve some bronchial symptoms. Also, some people with chronic bronchitis may not realize that they breathe too quickly. Try taking a deep breath, then slowly releasing the air through the mouth while pursing your lips (hold lips as if you're whistling.) Repeating this exercise will increase the air pressure in your airways.