Acute bronchitis, commonly known as a chest cold, normally clears up within a week to ten days with no long-term consequences, however the cough may remain for many weeks after the illness has passed. Here we talk about what to do when you have bronchitis and when to use our home doctor service in Costa del Sol for bronchitis.
What to do when you have bronchitis
The majority of instances of acute bronchitis resolve on their own, generally within a few of weeks after being diagnosed. Chronic bronchitis is a condition that recurs often or does not go away at all. The majority of the time, it is caused by smoking.
When it comes to any kind, the best thing you can do if you have bronchitis is to avoid substances that irritate your lungs.
Lifestyle and home remedies
You may wish to attempt some of the self-care methods listed below to help you feel better:
- Avoid inhaling irritants to the lungs. Don't smoke cigarettes. In polluted environments or when exposed to irritants such as paint or household cleaners that emit strong fumes, it is recommended that you wear a mask.
- Make use of a humidifier. Coughs are relieved and mucus in your airways is released by breathing in warm, wet air. However, it is important to clean the humidifier according to the manufacturer's instructions in order to prevent the formation of germs and fungus in the water reservoir.
- Consider wearing a face mask while you're outdoors. Use a cold-air face mask before going outdoors if cold air aggravates your cough or causes you to get short of breath while you are out in it.
Medications
Antibiotics are ineffective in treating bronchitis since the majority of cases are caused by viral infections. But if your doctor suspects that you are suffering from an infection, he or she may prescribe an antibiotic to treat the condition.
In certain cases, your doctor may prescribe additional drugs, such as the ones listed below:
- Cough medication. If your cough is keeping you awake at night, you may want to consider taking cough suppressants before bed.
- Other medications. You may be prescribed an inhaler as well as other drugs if you suffer from allergies, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These treatments will help to decrease inflammation and expand blocked pathways in your lungs.
When to use our home doctor service in Costa del Sol for bronchitis
Call our home doctor service in Costa del Sol for bronchitis if your cough:
- Brings up mucus that is yellow or green in color.
- Lasts more than 3 weeks.
- Causes you to be awake at night.
- Produces blood.
In addition, if you have a cough and any of the following symptoms, you should contact our home doctor service in Costa del Sol for bronchitis:
- Reflux.
- Fever over 38 C.
- Coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.
It is possible to develop chronic bronchitis and have a cough that lasts for months. It is recommended that you see our doctor on a frequent basis.
It is also possible that your symptoms may worsen at certain points. Even if you have chronic bronchitis, you might develop acute bronchitis, which is characterized by severe cough and mucus production. You'll want to call our home doctor service in Costa del Sol for bronchitis at that point as well to determine whether or not you need antibiotics.