The bronchial tubes connect the windpipe to the lungs. When that tube becomes inflamed, making it difficult to breath well, the condition is called bronchitis. There are two types of bronchitis: chronic and acute. Chronic bronchitis lasts several months to years and is common in smokers. Acute bronchitis is a fast, severe inflammation and lasts two to three weeks. The symptoms of acute and chronic bronchitis are the same. Cough, fever, trouble breathing, wheezing, chills and tightness in the chest are the most common. There are a few simple steps you can take to relieve bronchitis symptoms.
Step 1
Use a warm mist humidifier. Increasing the humidity in your living space or bedroom helps keep the mucus in the airways loose, so it can be expelled from the body. If too much mucus builds up and is not released, it can cause an infection in the bronchial tubes or move to the lungs. According to the Mayo Clinic, warm, moist air also helps relieve coughing (see Reference one), and that can be especially helpful at night.
Step 2
Drink a lot of fluids in the form of water or juice. This isn't an old wives' tale. Even the National Institutes of Health says fluids help keep the mucus in the lining of bronchial tubes moist and loose, which makes breathing easier and increases the chances of clearing them with a cough. (See Reference two.) While you don't want to spend your nights up coughing, when you cough during the day, you want the mucus loose enough to cough it up and spit it out of your system.
Step 3
Get some extra sleep, which is listed as one of the top methods of self-care when treating bronchitis. (See Reference three.)
Step 4
Take an over-the-counter cough medicine only if your cough is preventing you from getting rest. Coughing helps clear the airways of mucus and irritants, so you don't want to stop yourself from coughing. (See Resource one). However, your body does need plenty of rest in order to heal, so if necessary, take a cough medicine.
Step 5
See your doctor. If your symptoms don't ease, or get progressively worse, you need to make an appointment with your physician to rule out other possible lung problems, such as pneumonia. Your doctor may prescribe a broncho-dilator, which is a machine that helps get medication directly to the bronchial tubes, or an antibiotic if it appears you have developed an infection.
Tips and Warnings
- If cold air hurts your lungs or causes you to cough more, wear a mask or a scarf over your mouth when you go outside in the winter.
- Even if you don't smoke, avoid areas where there is cigarette smoke, as this will worsen bronchitis symptoms.
Things You'll Need
- Humidifier or vaporizer
- Fluids
- Rest
- Cough medicine
- Doctor visit
