if you have any underlying health conditions, you're at a higher risk to have bronchitis that can't go away on it's own. For chronic bronchitis sufferers, your symptoms will continue tog et worse if you're exposed to the irritants that caused the bronchitis in the first place or if you're suffering from COPD.
Bronchitis can also be triggered by breathing in irritant substances, such as smog, chemicals in household products or tobacco smoke. Smoking is the main cause of long-term (chronic) bronchitis, and it can affect people who inhale second-hand smoke, as well as smokers themselves.
To manage bronchitis symptoms at home: Stay hydrated. Rest. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and milk products.
The most important cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. Air pollution and your work environment may also play a role. This condition causes a cough that's often called smoker's cough. It also causes you to cough up mucus, wheeze, and have chest discomfort.
To treat bronchitis and assist its prevention in further occurrences of this disease, following bronchitis diet is much useful. It includes: Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard, cabbage, collard green. Green vegetables have antioxidants which help in combat infection.
Drinking plenty of fluids can help thin the thick mucus that's clogging your airways. This will help ease your discomfort as your body fights bronchitis symptoms. Besides water, try to stick with caffeine-free drinks, such as herbal teas, and 100 percent fruit juices.
Such an infection is almost always caused by viruses, often the same viruses that cause throat and nose colds. These viruses damage the lining of the bronchial tubes, and it takes the body a long time to repair, even after the viruses are killed off.
Vicks VapoRub can help to improve breathing and the ability to rest when you're dealing with bronchitis congestion. It can be especially effective in children. Will bronchitis go away on its own? Acute bronchitis infections typically resolve within 10-14 days, although the cough may last for up to a few more weeks.
If you have acute bronchitis, you should stay home from work because acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses, and in some cases bacteria, so it is contagious.
In most cases, you'll be contagious for a few days, and possibly as long as a week.
A bronchitis cough sounds like a rattle with a wheezing or whistling sound. As your condition progresses, you will first have a dry cough that can then progress towards coughing up white mucus.
Symptoms of bronchitis
In a quarter of patients however the cough may persist for six to eight weeks. The cough is worse and more noticeable in the morning because of pooling of secretions in the lying down position that get then mobilized with morning activities.
According to the American Lung Association, acute bronchitis usually lasts for between 3–10 days, although some symptoms, such as coughing, can last longer. Chronic bronchitis lasts longer than acute bronchitis. Symptoms of chronic bronchitis last for at least 3 months out of the year.
This inflammation can also cause the membranes in the lining to start producing excess mucus, clogging the bronchi and restricting airflow to the lungs further. This triggers coughing (the most common symptom of bronchitis), which if persistent, can make you feel extremely tired.
Breathing cold air can worsen respiratory issues
“Dry air can aggravate respiratory conditions so, if you have one or have a history of sickness or hospitalization, it's important to take extra precautions,” says Dr. Pitman.
Acute bronchitis usually gets better on its own—without antibiotics. Antibiotics won't help you get better if you have acute bronchitis.
Doctors suspect this illness when you have a cough with phlegm on most days for at least three months in a year, for two years in a row. Chronic bronchitis is a serious condition that makes your lungs a breeding ground for bacterial infections and may require ongoing medical treatment.
If you have acute bronchitis, avoid being in close contact with other people, or you may infect them. If the bronchitis was caused by a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics. You are no longer considered contagious after 48 hours of taking antibiotics.