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- What is bronchitis?
- Symptoms of bronchitis
- Causes of bronchitis
- Prevention of bronchitis
- Risk factors for bronchitis
- Complications of bronchitis
- When to see a doctor about bronchitis
- Diagnosis of bronchitis
- Conventional treatment of bronchitis
- Alternative/complementary treatment of bronchitis
- Living with bronchitis
- Caring for someone with bronchitis
Anyone who is living with either acute or chronic bronchitis, can manage their condition with the following strategies:
Acute bronchitis
- Avoid alcohol - this is because alcohol is a diuretic which can can cause extra fluid loss and dehydration and this is problematic in acute bronchitis, as the lungs need to be rehydrated with more fluids
- Avoid caffeine - this is because caffeine is a diuretic which can can cause extra fluid loss and dehydration and this is problematic in acute bronchitis, as the lungs need to be rehydrated with more fluids
- Drink fluids - you must maintain your fluid levels with plenty of water (around 8 glasses a day) or freshly squeezed juices, which can help provide the fluids to rehydrate the lung tissue
- Moist air - the congestion in your lungs may be broken up a little more quickly, so that you can cough it out and moisten the airways in your lungs, so that your breathing can be a little easier if you use a humidifier, have a warm shower (and leave the fan off), or a sink filled with warm water and a towel around your head
- Reduce fever and pain - you may be able to reduce any fever or body aches and pains with panadol, Acetimophen, ibuprofen or aspirin. People with any type of gastric (stomach) or intestinal disorder or anyone younger than 18 years should not take aspirin
- Rest - you need to rest if you have an acute bronchitis infection, to give your body enough energy to more effectively deal with the infection. Your doctor will let you know how long you need to rest, to give your body a better chance to fight off the infection much sooner
- Supplements - there are a number of useful supplements that may help to reduce severity and durating of respiratory infections such as bronchitis: zinc (this helps the body heal more quickly and effectively), vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E (these have very potent anxiodant properties which boost the immune system to help the body heal more quickly)
- Stop smoking - if you smoke, you need to at least reduce your intake for the duration of the acute bronchitis, as the cigarettes will just worsen your symptoms and may make breathing much more difficult
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Chronic bronchitis
- Avoid alcohol - this is because alcohol is a diuretic which can can cause extra fluid loss and dehydration and this is problematic in chronic bronchitis, as the lungs need to be rehydrated with more fluids
- Avoid caffeine - this is because caffeine is a diuretic which can can cause extra fluid loss and dehydration and this is problematic in chronic bronchitis, as the lungs need to be rehydrated with more fluids
- Bronchodilators - you need to make sure that you are using your bronchodilator properly, whether it is a prescription or over-the-counter bronchodilator
- Drink fluids - you must maintain your fluid levels with plenty of water (around 8 glasses a day) or freshly squeezed juices, which can help provide the fluids to rehydrate the lung tissue
- Medication - your doctor may prescribe some medication (corticosteroids for the inflammation and painkiller for the pain), which you should taken as directed. If you experience any side effects from the medication, you must let your doctor know and you cant just suddenly stop taking the corticosteroid medication on your own, as it may cause a major worsening of symptoms. Your doctor needs to provide you with a tapering off strategy for reducing your intake of your medication until you are not taking any more (if that is your choice)
- Humidifier - you can try to break up the congestion in your lungs if you use some form of humidifier. A humidifier helps to moisten the airways in your lungs so that you can breath a little better. Even having a warm shower (but leave the fan off to create more steam) or filling a sink with hot water and having a towel over your head and inhaling the warm steam can also help to break up the congestion
- Stop smoking - if you smoke, you need to at least reduce your intake for the duration of the chronic bronchitis flare-up, as the cigarettes will just worsen your symptoms and may make breathing much more difficult
- Supplements - if you want to take some supplements, you need to confirm with your doctor that they will not cause an adverse reaction with any other medications (or health conditions) you have. The supplements most commonly advised for treating bronchitis are: zinc (this helps the body heal more quickly and effectively), vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E (these have very potent anxiodant properties which boost the immune system to help the body heal more quickly) and vitamin D (this is important for the health of the lungs). Exercise caution if you want to try betacarotene instead of vitamin A, as some studies show it can help cancer grow in people who used to or currently smoke/drink alcohol
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< 10: alternative treatment 12: caregiving > Last reviewed: 3 January 2009 || Last updated: 27 January 2010
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
