How to Cure Bronchitis Fast

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an upper respiratory disease whereby there is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes, which are responsible for carrying air into and from the lungs. The general sign of bronchitis is a cough accompanied by the production of thick mucus which may be discolored. 

Bronchitis can either be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis also known as a chest cold, usually occurs when the airways of the lungs swell accompanied by the production of mucus in the lungs. This usually lasts for about 3 weeks.¹ Chronic bronchitis on the other hand is a long-term. This happens when the bronchi (airways of the lungs) have been inflamed for a long time. People with chronic bronchitis cough and produce mucus for at least 3 months in a year consecutively for two years.² When infected with chronic bronchitis, it becomes very easy to get other lung infections.

Symptoms - acute vs chronic

Both acute and chronic bronchitis result in airways being constricted and coughing. As a result of that, it is difficult to breathe and get an adequate oxygen supply. However, there exist some differences in the symptoms of both chronic and acute bronchitis.

Symptoms of acute bronchitis include coughing with or without the production of mucus, soreness of the chest, general feeling of tiredness, mild body and headache, watery eyes, and sore throat.³ On the other hand, chronic bronchitis is manifested by coughing often referred to as smokers’ cough, a cough accompanied by mucus, wheezing, and chest discomfort. 

Chronic bronchitis may cause disability, frequent severe infections of the airways, narrowing and plugging of the bronchi, and breathing problems. Other signs may include bluish fingernails, lips, and skin due to lower oxygen levels, swollen feet, heart failure, and wheezing and cracking sounds with breathing.²

Causes and risk factors

Causes of bronchitis can also be grouped into whether it is acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is caused by viruses. Sometimes bacteria can also cause acute bronchitis.³ Chronic bronchitis on the other hand is not caused by viruses or bacteria. Most experts have agreed that the main cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. Furthermore, air pollution and irritants at work can also contribute to chronic bronchitis.²

Treatment and management

Medication  

Usually, most cases of acute bronchitis get better without requiring any treatment within a few weeks. Because bronchitis is mostly caused by viruses, antibiotics are not effective in their treatment. However, if it is established that bacteria are responsible, then antibiotics may be prescribed. Depending on some circumstances, the doctor may prescribe some medication such as cough medicine to suppress cough while you sleep. If you suffer from allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OPD), and asthma, the doctor may prescribe an inhaler and other medications to reduce inflammation and open the airways of the lungs that have been narrowed.⁴ 

Rapid relief for acute bronchitis

Some self-care measures that can be taken to feel better with bronchitis include:⁴

• Avoiding lung irritants such as smoke: Wearing a mask may help when the air is polluted or when you’re exposed to lung irritants such as household cleaners with strong fumes and paints.
• The use of a humidifier: Steam relieves cough and helps open blocked airways by loosening mucus that blocks the airways. However, the humidifier must be properly cleaned to avoid the growth of bacteria and fungi which may be other sources of infection. 
• Wearing a facemask outside: Consider wearing a cold air facemask outside if cold air worsens your cough and causes shortness of breath. 

Longer term treatment for chronic bronchitis

Has no cure though some treatments may help relieve the symptoms, make the process of the disease slower and improve one’s ability to say active. Some treatments to prevent complicated chronic bronchitis include:⁵

• Lifestyle changes: The most effective lifestyle change that one needs is to quit smoking or even getting secondhand smoke from smokers nearby.
• Change in eating habits: on the recommendation of a doctor, one needs to change eating habits to that which meet their nutritional needs.
• Antibiotics: for those infected with bacterial bronchitis.  
• Oxygen therapy: Oxygen therapy helps you breathe better and may be used all the times at certain times. 
• Pulmonary rehabilitation: this is a program that is aimed at helping people with chronic breathing problems which include, exercising programs, disease management training, nutritional counseling, and psychological counseling. 
• Lung transplant: at the last resort one needs a lung transplant. 

When should I seek medical attention?

Face with acute bronchitis, you may want to see either a general practitioner or a family doctor. In case of chronic bronchitis, you may be referred to a pulmonologist, a doctor who is specialized in lung diseases. If you have any of the following, then you need to see a doctor.¹

• Temperature that is higher than or equal to 100.4oF
• Cough that is accompanied by bloody mucus
• Breathing problems or shortness of breath 
• If the symptoms stay for more than 3 weeks 
• Bronchitis with repeated episodes 

Note that before you visit a doctor for medical attention, there somethings that you should consider such as:²

• You should know the reason why you are seeking for medical attention and the outcome you expect.
• Have all the questions whose answers you seek handy 
• Have someone accompany you to the hospital so that he/she can ask questions on your behalf if you can’t do it by yourself and endeavor to remember all the doctor says.
• Write down anything new that has been prescribed by the doctor such as any new treatments, diagnoses, or instructions.
• Ask about other ways by which your condition can be treated 
• Find out why a particular test or procedure has been documented and the meaning of the results of that test.
• Ask what will happen to you if a particular test or procedure is not taken as recommended 
• Ask if there will be any follow-up appointment and if there will be one, write the dates, the time, and the purpose of the visit.
• Whether your healthcare provider can be contacted at any time for further clarifications.

Summary

Bronchitis is the inflammation of the airways of the lungs called the bronchi. Bronchitis can either be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis lasts for a few weeks and is manifested by cough and the production of mucus. Chronic bronchitis on the other hand lasts for about 3 months a year for at least two consecutive years. Acute bronchitis is caused primarily by viruses or bacteria while chronic bronchitis is caused mostly by smoking.

Acute bronchitis caused by viruses or bacteria can easily be treated by antibiotics. Nevertheless, chronic bronchitis cannot be treated by antibiotics, rather they can be treated by home remedies such as the use of steam, wearing of face masks, and avoiding smoke or lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, change in eating habits, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, and lung transplant in worst case scenario. In cases when your temperature is above 100.4^oF, cough with the production of bloody mucus, repeated episodes of bronchitis, symptoms last greater than three days and you have breathing problems or shortness of breath, it is recommended that you seek medical attention.

However, before seeking medical attention, you have to know clearly the reason for seeking the attention, be able to record all instructions given by the doctor, and the reason for any new drug, procedure, or test. You also be able to know what you expect from the visit and whether there will be an opportunity to contact the physician if the need arises at any point in time.