How Is Bronchitis Treated?
The main goals of treating acute and chronic
bronchitis are to relieve symptoms and help make breathing easier.
If you have acute bronchitis, your doctor may
recommend rest, plenty of fluids, and aspirin (for adults) or acetaminophen to
treat fever.
Antibiotics usually aren't prescribed for acute
bronchitis. This is because they don't work against virusesthe most
common cause of acute bronchitis. However, if your doctor thinks you have a
bacterial infection, he or she may prescribe antibiotics.
A humidifier or steam can help loosen mucus and
relieve wheezing and limited air flow. If your bronchitis causes wheezing, you
may need an inhaled medicine to open your airways. You take this medicine using
an inhaler. This device allows the medicine to go right to your lungs.
Your doctor also may prescribe medicines to relieve
or reduce your cough and treat your inflamed airways (especially if your cough
persists).
To lower your risk of getting bronchitis, your
doctor also may suggest a flu shot and/or a
pneumonia
vaccine (if you're aged 60 or older).
If you have chronic bronchitis and have also been
diagnosed with
COPD
(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), you may need medicines to open your
airways and help clear away mucus. These medicines include bronchodilators
(inhaled) and steroids (inhaled or pill form).
Sometimes people who have chronic bronchitis need
oxygen therapy to help them breathe better and get enough oxygen to their
bodies.
One of the best ways to treat acute and chronic
bronchitis is to remove the source of irritation and damage to the lungs. If
you smoke cigarettes, it's very important to quit. Talk to your doctor about
programs and products that can help you quit smoking. Try to avoid secondhand
smoke. Also, try to avoid places with a lot of dusts, fumes, vapors, or air
pollutants. |