Ways To Treat Bronchitis
Bronchitis is a type of respiratory issue often caused by infections, illnesses, or exposure to pollutants. When the bronchial tubes are repeatedly irritated, their lining can get inflamed, causing a thick, hacking cough to develop. Individuals with bronchitis may cough up mucus, feel fatigued, have chest pain, or develop a fever. It may take up to a few weeks for the symptoms to improve with acute bronchitis, and bronchitis may develop into a chronic condition if the lungs are severely damaged from smoking. If you or a loved one has bronchitis, there are a few things you can do to reduce the severity of symptoms and boost comfort.
Drink Plenty Of Fluids
A lot of treatment for bronchitis is similar to the treatment for the common cold or flu that may have caused bronchitis to develop in the first place. Patients must drink lots of fluid to keep their body as hydrated as possible. Proper hydration will reduce blood pressure and make the blood thinner, so it cuts down on inflammation in the tiny capillaries surrounding the bronchial tubes. Hydration is also helpful because it thins the mucus the body is producing, which may make it easier to cough out the mucus clogging airways and making it hard to breathe. Even if you are not a fan of water, it is important to drink plenty of clear fluids. You may find it easier to keep down herbal teas, clear broths, electrolyte beverages, or fresh fruit juices. However, avoid anything with excessive sugar or caffeine. High sugar levels make inflammation worse, and caffeine is a diuretic that can make the body lose water.
Increase Rest Levels
When the body is fighting off an infection or illness, it needs all the rest it can get. If you try to deal with bronchitis while still working all day and barely getting enough sleep, recovery may take a lot more time. It is important to take it very easy when recovering from bronchitis. If possible, skip work and school and relax at home for several days. At the very least, make sure you are getting over eight hours of sleep each night. Being properly rested will help to strengthen the immune system and reduce chronic inflammation throughout the body. It might seem boring to spend all day lying around, but you will find it is actually fairly easy to increase rest when you are sick with bronchitis. The illness tends to cause fatigue, so patients will most likely end up napping more than usual anyway.
Manage Symptoms With Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Unfortunately, not all types of bronchitis can be fought off with a few weeks of rest and recuperation. Smokers and individuals with other lung conditions may end up developing chronic bronchitis. Having bronchitis for the rest of your life might sound unpleasant, but there are still treatments you can try to make it easier to breathe. One of the most effective therapies is pulmonary rehabilitation. This breathing exercise program involves a therapist walking their patient through breathing exercises that strengthen the lungs and teach the patient how to compensate for impaired breathing caused by bronchitis. Patients may start out sitting down with oxygen while doing very gentle movements, but over time, the therapist will help patients do more vigorous activities. Pulmonary rehabilitation can be so effective that it even helps individuals do things like run without feeling too winded.
Use A Humidifier
A humidifier can be very soothing for individuals who feel discomfort with each breath. Humidifiers add both moisture and warmth to the air around you. This makes the air easier to breathe in without pain. Unlike cold, dry air, the air produced by a humidifier is very gentle on the airways. When you use a humidifier, you can reduce discomfort while also keeping harsh air from further harming sensitive bronchial tubes. Humidifiers also help with mucus because the moist and warm air helps to loosen and thin out any mucus lingering in your airways. This lets you quickly cough up the mucus instead of hacking over and over for hours. Of course, it may be impossible to always be in a room with a humidifier, but it is at least a good idea to have it running at night. This will help reduce symptoms and let you get a good night's rest.
Avoid Lung Irritants
Many cases of bronchitis are caused by exposure to irritants like tobacco smoke or caustic chemicals. If you get bronchitis, it is imperative to avoid damaging your bronchial tubes further. Wear an air filtration mask if you are going to be exposed to outdoor pollution, paint thinners, industrial solvents, or cleaner fumes. If you are a habitual smoker, consider quitting smoking to improve symptoms. Going cold turkey can be difficult, but switching to nicotine chewing gum or patches can help.
It is important to avoid lung irritants as much as possible because repeated exposure to them can result in chronic bronchitis. If the lungs become damaged too much by lung irritants, you might end up with chronic bronchitis even after you stop using them. However, individuals who have chronic bronchitis still need to do their best to avoid irritants, as exposure will make symptoms far worse.
Cough Medicine
Cough medicine can sometimes help patients with bronchitis sleep more easily. There are over-the-counter cough suppressants as well as prescription ones. Doctors typically recommend they are used only by patients no longer coughing up mucus. If an individual uses a cough suppressant to help with sleep, it should be taken near bedtime. Patients with chronic health conditions should always ask their healthcare provider before taking any cough medicine. This is especially important if the cough occurs in conjunction with a fever, shortness of breath, or wheezing. Patients should see a physician if their cough lasts more than two weeks, and a doctor's visit is also necessary if a cough goes away and then returns. While side effects of cough medicine are rare, some patients may experience sleepiness, dizziness, or irritability.
Bronchodilators
Bronchodilators are inhaled or oral medicines that can help remove mucus from the lungs, open the airways, and enable patients to breathe more easily. These medications may be especially useful in the treatment of chronic bronchitis. A long-acting bronchodilator called olodaterol was introduced in August 2014. This inhaled medication is approved for the treatment of chronic bronchitis, and patients take it once per day. Potential side effects of olodaterol include skin rashes, urinary tract infections, dizziness, diarrhea, and back pain. Other long-acting bronchodilators that may be prescribed for chronic bronchitis include salmeterol, formoterol, and indacaterol. Depending on the patient's needs and overall condition, short-acting bronchodilators, such as albuterol, levalbuterol, and metaproterenol, may sometimes be used. Anticholinergics such as tiotropium, ipratropium, and aclidinium might be used in some cases as well. During treatment with bronchodilators, patients should be aware of the potential for side effects such as nervousness, upset stomach, sleeping difficulties, and an increased heart rate. Any persistent or concerning side effects should be reported to the prescribing physician as soon as possible.
Anti-Inflammatory Medication
Recent studies indicate that anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen may be particularly effective in the treatment of bronchitis. A study conducted from 2010 to 2012 in Spain found patients with acute bronchitis who took six hundred milligrams of ibuprofen experienced nine days of frequent coughing. Those who received amoxicillin reported eleven days of frequent coughing, and individuals who received a placebo also had eleven days with frequent coughing. Although these results were not considered to be statistically significant, they do suggest some patients with bronchitis may be able to shorten the duration of their symptoms by using ibuprofen. This medicine is available over-the-counter, and stronger doses can be prescribed by a doctor. Patients should always ask their healthcare professional before taking ibuprofen, especially if they have kidney, liver, or cardiac issues.
Supplemental Oxygen
Supplemental oxygen is sometimes necessary for patients with severe bronchitis. Some patients may need to have supplemental oxygen at the hospital, though it can be provided at the patient's home. When given at the hospital, it may be administered with a mask that covers the mouth and nose, and small amounts of oxygen might be given with a nasal cannula that fits inside the patient's nostrils. Oxygen used at home typically utilizes a nasal cannula. Doctors will carefully monitor the respiration rate and oxygen saturation levels of individuals receiving oxygen in a hospital setting. This information helps hospital staff adjust the amount of oxygen according to the patient's needs, and it also enables staff to know when it is safe for a patient to discontinue supplemental oxygen. Patients who use supplemental oxygen at home will need to avoid smoking anywhere near the oxygen canister. Canisters should be kept at least five to ten feet away from open flames such as candles or the flames from wood-burning stoves. Water-based moisturizers and lotions should be used in place of petroleum-based products for soothing dry nasal passages and lips. Oxygen canisters need to be kept upright at all times, and the oxygen supply should be turned off when it is not in use. Patients who use oxygen at home should follow-up regularly with their healthcare team to find out about how long they will need to continue supplemental oxygen. A home healthcare nurse may be able to help patients who need assistance with their oxygen supplies at home.
Mucolytics
Mucolytics are medications that help thin and loosen mucus so it can be coughed up more easily. These medicines are frequently taken by mouth, and they might also be taken with an inhaler. Doctors may prescribe mucolytics for patients with bronchitis who have a significant amount of mucus that is thick or difficult to cough up. Most patients only need to take one mucolytic medicine, and these drugs are typically used for just a short period. Individuals who have difficulty using handheld inhalers may benefit from using mucolytics, and they are especially helpful for those who cannot use inhaled corticosteroids. Mecysteine, erdosteine, carbocisteine, bromhexine, and mannitol powder are some examples of mucolytics that may be prescribed. An over-the-counter mucolytic called guaifenesin might be recommended for some patients instead. While using mucolytics, patients should watch for potential side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, rashes, bronchial spasms, and the formation of white patches on the lips or inside the mouth. These side effects should be reported to the prescribing physician, and it may be possible for an alternate mucolytic to be considered. Mucolytics are not considered suitable for patients who have stomach ulcers.