Bronchitis Treatment

Bronchitis treatment

        A patient who suffers from acute bronchitis gets better in 2 or 3 weeks, but the cough is likely to persist up to a month. This form of bronchitis can be successfully treated at home. On the other hand chronic bronchitis is a more severe form which can be easily mistaken for acute bronchitis. The main difference is that it keeps reoccurring even up to 4 times per year. For this type of bronchitis one must see a doctor as this is not a form that can be treated at home.

       People who suffer from acute bronchitis are treated at home. Bronchitis treatment consists in taking measures to reduce cough, fever and muscle pain. The person in cause must avoid lung irritants, must drink a lot of fluids, including hot soup and use cough drops. They should also take vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin A or supplements as Echinacea in order to fortify their immune system.

        In some cases the doctor recommends the same treatment as for people who suffer from asthma. The person who has bronchitis must not smoke, avoid breathing secondhand smoke and also avoid pollution.

       In bronchitis treatment hydration plays a very important role so it is essential to drink many fluids because a feverish state causes loss of fluid. Coffee and alcohol must be avoided as they lead to dehydration. The person should also consume a lot of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C such as: lime, parsley, pomegranate, kiwi, lemons. Vitamin C can be an essential factor when it comes to treating bronchitis as it helps the body to heal having antibacterial role. Tea is very important in bronchitis treatment.

       Tea from plants with expectorant proprieties is highly recommended. These plants clear phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing. It is not recommended to take pills that stop cough because the toxins are not eliminated normally any more. Inhalations also help in treating bronchitis. Inhalations with eucalyptus, pine and chamomile are highly recommended, this should be done once a day.

Other bronchitis treatment

        Another way to combat bronchitis are warm baths, they are beneficial especially if mint is added in the water. The heat keeps the mucus moist and for this reason it can be coughed out easily. Warm compresses on the chest containing expectorant substances such as: clay or salt, are also useful.

       When treating bronchitis the room must be provided with a humidifier as it can help decrease bronchial irritation and aerated periodically. The person must rest in order to permit the organism to eliminate the infection. The person should stay indoors as much as possible because cold air may aggravate bronchitis. When going out into the cold it is advisable to cover the mouth and nose with a scarf.

       In bronchitis treatment the persons who suffer from chronic bronchitis must avoid irritating factors such as dust, pollution and smoke. Also smoking cessation is proven to decrease the symptoms of chronic bronchitis. Weight loss is recommended if the patient is obese in order to minimize respiratory effort.

       Usually acute bronchitis is caused by viruses which are not affected by antibiotics. Antibiotics are necessary only if we have the confirmation that the bronchitis is caused by a bacteria. It is recommended that a doctor prescribes the treatment for this disease as inexperienced people can confuse bronchitis with bronchitis asthma or even with pneumonia. There are cases when acute bronchitis may worsen and develop into pneumonia so if you experience chest pains, shortness of breath and a persistent fever that increases do not hesitate to see a doctor.