Bronchitis Treatment Q&A

When the mucus membranes of your lungs which line the bronchial passage become inflamed it is known as bronchitis, the swelling causes a restriction in the airways causing coughing. Bronchitis can cause breathlessness and phlegm expectoration with a cough. Acute bronchitis can last between 1 to 2 weeks whereas chronic bronchitis can last up to three months and can reoccur for up to two years, they both have similar symptoms.

While an isolated episode of bronchitis is not typically serious, it can become serious if it leads to pneumonia or develops into a chronic condition. Individuals with chronic bronchitis often experience other lung infections more frequently than those without the condition, putting them at greater risk of further damage to their lungs and a decreased quality of life.

Coughing is a dominant symptom of bronchitis; people only see it as a cough and generally don’t seek medical attention as it is a weak and short cough. Doctors prescribe rest, fluids, and mild cough medicine because it generally goes away naturally. Along with the cough, phlegm production begins between 24 to 48 hours after. The phlegm may be white, yellow, or green, although if it is streaked with blood, you should see medical attention promptly as it could be a sign of something worse. Other symptoms include chest discomfort, wheezing, and feeling of breathlessness, a low-grade fever usually in acute cases, chills, runny nose, and difficulty breathing, and in both acute and chronic bronchitis fatigue due to coughing and congestion interrupting sleep.

Acute and chronic bronchitis is typically caused by the same virus as colds and flu, bacteria, pollution, and smoking, in both your body is fighting germs but your make more mucus causing your bronchial tubes to swell which makes it harder to breathe. You are at a higher risk if you smoke or breathe in second-hand smoke for a long time. If you have a weaker immune system, it can put you at a higher risk for bronchitis.

When a bronchitis cough is bringing up blood or mucus that gets thicker or darker, keeps you up at night, lasts more than 3 weeks, and causes chest pain, if you have a barking-like cough and it is hard to speak or if you have unexplained weight loss, if you have a foul taste in your mouth, a fever over 100.4f if you are wheezing or have a shortness of breath you should contact your doctor. If you are older than 75 years and have an ongoing cough it is important to contact your doctor. It is rare but bronchitis can lead to pneumonia but doesn’t usually lead to any other issues or conditions. Your doctor will be able to tell you to have bronchitis by a physical exam along with your symptoms and will do a test to determine if it is acute or chronic bronchitis. If you believe you or a loved one is dealing with bronchitis, contact our clinic today to schedule an appointment for a diagnosis and treatment options. For more information, call us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Brooklyn NYC, Queens NY, East Harlem NYC, Manhattan NY, Coney Island NYC, Midwood NY, Nostrand NYC, Ridgewood NY, Metropolitan NYC, Staten Island, Greenwich Village NY, and surrounding areas..