Bronchitis is a pretty common illness and chances are, most people suffer from it at one point in their lives. If you have it, you know that it can be such a pain, especially when you have chronic bronchitis. The persistent cough, yellow phlegm, heavy congestion, and sometimes even wheezing can take a hard toll on you. So how do you ease bronchitis or get rid of it for good?

Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of your bronchial tubes, which carry air to your lungs. Once these tubes get the infection, they swell with mucus and make it hard for you to breathe.

Acute bronchitis only lasts a while, but chronic bronchitis can last a very long time, especially if you continue habits that cause irritation, such as smoking. Treating bronchitis can get complicated sometimes. It would be best if you knew more about it.

What Causes Acute Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is caused by a contagious virus that causes colds so you may catch it through breathing or skin contact. However, it may also be caused by bacterial or fungal infections, exposure to irritants like smoke or fumes or if you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease.

How Do You Know You Have Acute Bronchitis?

Some of the symptoms you may experience include chest congestion, wet cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, sore throat, body aches, chills, and sometimes fever. Your bronchial tubes will take a while to heal so the cough may last you a few weeks longer than the symptoms.

Any more than that though and you may be want to be checked for asthma or pneumonia. It’s wise to see a doctor in case your bronchitis was not caused by a virus, but if so, antibiotics won’t work so you’ll need to find other remedies.

The Top Tips for Treating Bronchitis

Treating bronchitis at home can be easy and here are a few tips.

Drink Plenty of Fluids

What you need to start doing is drinking plenty of fluids, especially water. Doctors recommend that you drink those eight glasses of water per day. Drink warm fluids to cover it. The thing is, fluids will not only treat dehydration and replace what you lose from rapid breathing or a high fever, but it will reduce the viscosity of your mucus.

Thin mucus is easier to expel and you won’t have a hard time coughing it out. Increase your intake gradually and not dramatically.

Get Some Rest

Rest is often overlooked by most people during an illness, but your body needs some down time to heal. Adequate sleep is important when it comes to maintaining a healthy immune system, and you certainly need to rest when it takes a hit.

Avoid Cigarettes or Second Hand Smoke

Cigarette smoke automatically makes bronchitis worse. A lot worse. This can lengthen your recovery time and make it harder for you to get rid of it. If you smoke, you need to stop and if you don’t, stay away from people who do. Long term exposure to cigarette smoke is one of the major causes of chronic bronchitis.

Avoid other kinds of fumes as well, such as industrial fumes.

Exercise In Moderation and Clean Your Space

Daily exercises, as long as you don’t wear yourself out could ease your bronchitis symptoms. The key here is to choose low intensity or moderate workout routine. You also need to clear out any mold, dust, and other substances that may trigger your bronchitis from your home.

You may need to remove your carpets or rugs, though it may be advisable to let someone else do it for you. If you have to, wear a mask to keep from inhaling all that dust.

Get Some OTC Drugs for Relief

Antibiotics may not cure your bronchitis, but your fever may include fatigue and chest discomfort and you may want to get rid of that. Expectorant cough medicines may help since you are dealing with a wet cough, and some ibuprofen may help ease your pain.

Even though you may be dealing with a very irritating cough, a cough suppressant is not recommended for acute bronchitis. You can shop here for some relief medication while treating bronchitis.

Use a Humidifier In the Bedroom

Dry air will irritate your lungs and bronchial tubes and in turn, make bronchitis worse. Using a humidifier in your home, especially when you sleep can help break up the congestion. Ensure you keep it clean because a dirty humidifier will only add to your bronchitis problems.

A steamy shower could also do wonders for you.

Soothe Your Throat With Home and Lemon

Make a hot drink, like a hot cup of tea with lemon and some honey to soothe your irritated throat. This is a healthy drink that will not only taste good but add to your daily fluid intake and boost your system. Inhaling steam is also highly recommended when you need to loosen your mucus in the throat and relieve wheezing.

You can actually lean over a sink of hot water and cover your head with a towel and breath in the moisture. If you do this several times a day, you’ll relieve your symptoms.

Drink Chicken Soup

Your grandmother was right about chicken soup. A steamy bowl may have the medicinal properties you need and help soothe your airways. Chicken soup has been proven to have anti-inflammatory effects, so go ahead and indulge yourself.

Try Herbal and Natural Ingredients

Treating bronchitis can be easier when you use herbs and natural remedies because certain herbs actually do have medicinal properties. Ginger has been shown to inhibit the growth of infectious viruses, ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, and so does turmeric.

Use any of these in food, tea, or in capsules. Gargling salt water may also help ease your sore throat.

Treating Bronchitis Made Easy

These are some of the things you can do to make treating bronchitis a lot easier. If you have acute bronchitis, you need to prevent it from turning into a chronic illness and these tips will help you do that. Clearing out your cough will be pretty easy with most of these tips, especially with the humidifier and steam.

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