Bronchitis Q & A

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is inflammation of your bronchial tubes, which are tiny tubes that carry air to and from the lungs. It’s a condition often associated with coughing up mucus. Bronchitis might be chronic — lasting at least three months — or acute. It may develop after having a respiratory infection, such as a cold, or due to smoking. Treatment helps relieve your symptoms.

What are the symptoms of bronchitis?

Common signs and symptoms associated with acute or chronic bronchitis include:

• Fatigue
• Cough with mucus production
• Chest discomfort 
• Shortness of breath
• Chills
• Fever
• Wheezing

Bronchitis symptoms are usually similar to cold symptoms. You might also experience body aches or a headache. A cough associated with bronchitis can linger for several weeks if left untreated.

What are the risk factors for bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is often caused by a virus, similar to cold and flu viruses. Smoking cigarettes is a common contributor to chronic bronchitis. Other factors that increase your risk of developing bronchitis and a persistent cough include having a compromised immune system, air pollution, dust, occupational lung irritants, and gastric reflux. Sometimes bronchitis can lead to pneumonia if left untreated.

How is bronchitis diagnosed?

To diagnose bronchitis and determine the best treatment, your Acton Urgent Care specialist reviews your symptoms and medical history. They complete a physical examination and listen to your lungs while you breathe.

Your doctor might recommend chest X-rays, mucous tests, blood tests, or lung function tests in which you blow into a special device while they measure breathing force and lung capacity. These tests can detect or rule out pneumonia, allergies, asthma, and emphysema.

What is the treatment for bronchitis?

Your personalized bronchitis treatment plan is based on the type and severity of your condition. Your Acton Urgent Care physician might recommend:

At-home remedies

There are several things you can do at home to speed up your recovery and prevent complications. Get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, avoid smoke and other lung irritants, and use a humidifier.

Medications

Antibiotics usually aren’t effective for treating bronchitis but your doctor may recommend taking cough medicine for symptom relief. They might suggest other medications like inhalers to reduce inflammation and open narrow lung passages if you have asthma, allergies, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Pulmonary rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation involves breathing exercises that increase exercise capacity and help you breathe easier. 

Don’t let frequent coughing associated with bronchitis ruin your quality of life or lead to complications. Schedule an appointment with Acton Urgent Care over the phone or online today, or simply walk in.