Read information about treatments to quit smoking. You may also be at risk of bronchitis and other forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD if you are often exposed to materials that can damage your lungs, such as:.
This is sometimes referred to as 'occupational bronchitis', and usually eases once you are no longer exposed to the irritant substance. Read more information about the causes of COPD. Most cases of bronchitis do not require treatment from a GP, and the symptoms can be easily managed at home. There is no cure for chronic bronchitis, but healthy living will help. In particular, you should stop smoking , if you smoke.
There is little evidence that cough medicines work — read more about treating coughs. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency MHRA has recommended that over-the-counter cough medicines should not be given to children under the age of six. As an alternative to an over-the-counter cough medicine, try making your own mixture of honey and lemon, which can help soothe a sore throat and ease your cough.
If you smoke, you should stop immediately. Smoking aggravates bronchitis and increases your risk of developing a long-term chronic condition.
Stopping smoking while you have bronchitis can also be the perfect opportunity to quit altogether. Although treatment from a GP is rarely necessary, there may be times when you should see one — read more about when to see your GP. Your GP will not routinely prescribe antibiotics , as bronchitis is nearly always caused by a virus. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, and prescribing them when they are unnecessary can, over time, make bacteria more resistant to antibiotic treatment.
Your GP will only prescribe antibiotics if you have an increased risk of developing complications, such as pneumonia. Antibiotics may be recommended for:. If you are prescribed antibiotics for bronchitis, it is likely to be a five-day course of amoxicillin, oxytetracycline or doxycycline. Possible side effects of these medicines include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, but they are uncommon.
Stopping smoking is also very important if you have been diagnosed with chronic bronchitis or COPD. Read more about the treatment of COPD. Home Illnesses and conditions Lungs and airways Bronchitis. Bronchitis See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About bronchitis 2. Symptoms of bronchitis 3. Causes of bronchitis 4.
Treating bronchitis. About bronchitis Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways of the lungs bronchi , causing them to become irritated and inflamed. Chronic cough. Rochester, Minn. Stoller JK, et al. Management of infection in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Tintinalli JE, et al. Acute bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections. New York, N. Acute bronchitis. American Lung Association. Gautret P, et al. Journal of Travel Medicine.
Antibiotics aren't always the answer. Harris AM, et al. Appropriate antibiotic use for acute respiratory tract infection in adults: Advice for high-value care from the American College of Physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Annals of Internal Medicine. Pineapple juice may also help.
Pineapple contains bromelain, which is a natural and powerful anti-inflammatory that can help you break up and expel mucus from bronchitis and other respiratory infections.
When bacteria is to blame for your bronchitis, antibiotics may help, but overuse of these medications can lead to resistance when you really need them. You can pair over-the-counter OTC medications with the suggested natural remedies.
The following medications may be helpful:. Many of the therapies and treatments used for bronchitis are designed to help chronic, not acute, bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis develops over time after long-term exposure to irritants that damage the lining of the bronchial tubes.
When this damage occurs, your bronchial tubes become irritated and begin to produce too much mucus in an effort to coat the irritation. Bronchitis causes excess mucus production and a tightening of your airways. The increased phlegm can make it difficult to breathe and cause a persistent cough. Long-term bronchitis occurs as a result of breathing environmental irritants. The number one cause is smoking. You may also develop chronic bronchitis from inhaling second-hand smoke or polluted air.
Long-term bronchitis could also result from an extended illness. Infants and older adults are especially prone to chronic bronchitis. Bronchitis is considered chronic when it occurs frequently and lasts at least 3 months out of a year for at least 2 years. It involves a wet cough for most days in a month. Symptoms of acute bronchitis usually resolve within 1 to 2 weeks with home treatment. You should start to feel noticeably better after a few days.
A dry cough may last up to a month. Remember to:. If your symptoms do not improve with home care, or if you frequently develop bronchitis, see a doctor. You may need more aggressive treatment, or you may have chronic bronchitis. If you have bronchitis, you may wonder how long it will last.
Some symptoms, like a cough, may last for several weeks. Find out more about stop smoking treatments. You may also be at risk of chronic bronchitis and other types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD if you're often exposed to materials that can damage your lungs, such as:.
This is sometimes known as occupational bronchitis. It usually eases once you're no longer exposed to the irritant substance. Find out more about the causes of COPD. In most cases, acute bronchitis clears up by itself within a few weeks without the need for treatment.
In some cases, the symptoms of bronchitis can last much longer. If symptoms last for at least 3 months, it's known as chronic bronchitis. There's no cure for chronic bronchitis, but some lifestyle changes can help ease your symptoms, such as:.
Medicines called bronchodilators and steroids "open up" the airways and can be prescribed as an inhaler or as tablets. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency MHRA has recommended that over-the-counter cough medicines should not be given to children under the age of 6. As an alternative to an over-the-counter cough medicine, try making your own mixture of honey and lemon, which can help soothe a sore throat and ease your cough.
Antibiotics are not routinely prescribed for bronchitis because it's normally caused by a virus. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses, and prescribing them when they're unnecessary can, over time, make bacteria more resistant to antibiotic treatment.
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