Bronchitis is caused by an inflammation of the bronchial tubes that supply air to the lungs. Whether acute (happening once) or chronic (happening constantly) bronchitis can put a real damper on day-to-day activities. And it's not just because of the breathing problems. Bronchitis also comes with a mucous-filled cough and low-grade fever. Over time, and left unchecked, bronchitis can cause damage to the lungs. There are, however, certain things that can be done to reduce the symptoms and eradicate the disease over time.
Step 1
Take it easy, get some rest. The most common form of bronchitis (acute) is caused by a simple viral infection. In most cases, there is no need to go to a doctor to take care of the aliment. But there are some things that you can do to help get rid of the symptoms quicker. Rest is the best medicine for a variety of ailments and bronchitis is no different.
Step 2
Take some over-the-counter medicine. Because bronchitis is caused by a viral infection, antibiotics will do nothing to take care of the problem. But the low-grade fever and achy body that comes with the malady can be plain annoying. Doctors recommend that you take an over-the-counter medication for both the pain and to lower the fever. Acetaminophen products like Tylenol or ibuprofen are good ways to combat these symptoms.
Step 3
Add moisture to your environment. You can add moisture not only to the room through the use of a humidifier but also, to your body by drinking lots of water. The daily recommended intake of water is 2 ounces for every pound of weight. For bronchitis, you should drink more if possible. Water intake will help loosen up some of the mucous that clogs up the bronchial tubes. Humidity in the air, via a humidifier will help alleviate some of the irritation associated with the ailment.
