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Booking your Bronchitis treatment online has never been easier. With just a few clicks, you’re connected to a professional who can guide you through your recovery. It's quick, convenient, and designed to fit your busy lifestyle.

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Get personalised Bronchitis treatment online, tailored to relieve your symptoms and help you breathe easier. Our caring professionals provide practical solutions and medication options that are customised for your needs, all from the comfort of your home.

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Do you need guidance or have questions about your Bronchitis treatment online? Our expert support is available whenever you need it. We’re here to answer your concerns and ensure you have the help you need to feel better.

Medically Reviewed

By

Chrysoula I. Liakou

MD, PhD, Internal Medicine Specialist and
Cancer Immunology Researcher.

What Is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a condition where the airways that carry air to your lungs, called the bronchial tubes, become inflamed and swollen. This inflammation causes your airways to produce extra mucus, leading to a nagging cough as your body tries to clear it out. The cough from bronchitis can last for two weeks or even longer, making it uncomfortable and tiring.

Bronchitis Types

There are two main types of bronchitis: acute and chronic.

  • Acute Bronchitis is usually caused by a virus, like the cold or flu. It often gets better on its own within a few weeks. You may feel tired, have chest discomfort, and experience a nagging cough that brings up mucus. Even after most symptoms go away, the cough might stick around for a while.

  • Chronic Bronchitis is a long-term condition that doesn’t completely go away. It often happens to people who smoke or have been around air pollution for a long time. People with chronic bronchitis have frequent coughing, mucus production, and trouble breathing.

If you have bronchitis, you might also feel short of breath, have a mild fever, or hear a wheezing sound when you breathe. Most cases of acute bronchitis improve on their own, but if symptoms get worse or keep coming back, it’s essential to see a doctor.

Bronchitis Symptoms

Bronchitis occurs when the tubes that carry air to the lungs become swollen and irritated. The most common symptom is a persistent cough that can last one to three weeks or longer. The cough often produces mucus that may be clear, white, yellow, or green, but it can also be dry.

Other symptoms of bronchitis include:

  • Chest Congestion: Your chest may feel tight, full, or clogged, making breathing harder.

  • Wheezing: A whistling or rattling sound when you breathe, caused by the swelling in your airways.

  • Shortness Of breath: You may feel breathless, especially when you move around or do physical activities.

  • Low Fever And Chills: You might have a mild fever and feel cold or shivery.

  • Body Aches And Tiredness: You could feel achy and tired.

  • Runny Or Stuffy Nose: A blocked nose is common, especially if the infection starts in your upper airways.

  • Sore Throat And Headaches: You may have a sore throat and a headache along with your cough.

The cough and symptoms can sometimes persist for weeks even after you start feeling better. If your symptoms worsen, like trouble breathing or coughing up blood, it’s essential to see a doctor. People with other health problems, like heart or lung conditions, should also get medical help if they think they have bronchitis.

Bronchitis Causes

Several factors, including viruses, bacteria, and lung irritants can cause bronchitis. Here’s a breakdown of the common causes:

  • Viruses:

    • The most common cause of bronchitis.

    • Viruses like the influenza virus (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, and rhinovirus (common cold) can trigger bronchitis.

    • These viruses can spread from your upper airways to your bronchial tubes, causing swelling and mucus production.

  • Bacteria:

    • Less common but can still cause bronchitis.

    • Examples include Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Bordetella pertussis, and Chlamydia pneumoniae.

    • Bacterial bronchitis is more likely in people with weakened immune systems.

  • Lung Irritants:

    • Smoking: The most significant risk factor for chronic bronchitis. This includes cigarette marijuana smoke and exposure to secondhand smoke.

    • Air Pollution: Breathing in polluted air over time can damage bronchial tubes.

    • Chemical Fumes And Dust: Common in specific work environments or urban areas, these can irritate your lungs and increase the risk of bronchitis.

    • Vaping: The use of e-cigarettes can also contribute to lung irritation.

  • Risk Factors:

    • People are exposed to air pollution, dust, or chemical fumes regularly.

    • Smokers or those frequently around secondhand smoke.

    • Individuals with a weakened immune system are more likely to develop bronchitis.

Taking steps to avoid these irritants can help lower the risk of developing bronchitis.

Bronchitis Treatment

Bronchitis can be uncomfortable, but there are ways to make you feel better. Most cases of acute bronchitis are caused by viruses, like the cold or flu, and get better on their own in a couple of weeks. Since antibiotics don’t work on viruses, doctors usually won’t prescribe them unless they think you have a bacterial infection.

What You Can Do At Home

  • Rest: Get plenty of sleep to help your body heal.

  • Drink Lots Of Fluids. Water, tea, and soup help thin mucus, making coughing easier.

  • Pain Relievers: Medicines like paracetamol or ibuprofen can lower a fever and ease aches.

  • Cough Medicine: If your cough keeps you awake at night, a cough suppressant can help. During the day, an expectorant can make it easier to cough up mucus.

  • Use A Humidifier Or Steam: Breathing in steam from a hot shower or a humidifier can loosen mucus and make breathing easier.

  • Honey: A spoonful of honey in warm tea can soothe your throat and calm your cough (but don’t give honey to babies under one year old).

Medical Treatments

  • Bronchodilators: If you are wheezing or having trouble breathing, your doctor may give you medicine to open up your airways.

  • Anti-Inflammatory Medicines: Sometimes, doctors use these to reduce swelling in the airways.

  • Antibiotics: Only given if there’s a bacterial infection.

  • Pulmonary Rehab: Exercise programmes can help you breathe better for chronic bronchitis.

Doctors may use inhalers, oxygen therapy, or other medications for chronic bronchitis. It’s also important to avoid irritating your lungs, like smoking. If your symptoms don’t improve or get worse, make sure to see a doctor.

Bronchitis Prevention

Preventing bronchitis is all about keeping your lungs healthy and protecting yourself from things that can irritate them or make you sick. Here are some simple ways to reduce your risk:

  • Avoid Smoking: Cigarette smoke is one of the leading causes of chronic bronchitis and can make symptoms worse. Stay away from both smoking and second-hand smoke.

  • Get Vaccinated: Get your yearly flu shot, as the flu can lead to bronchitis. Also, consider getting the pneumonia vaccine and keeping your pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine current.

  • Wash Your Hands: Washing your hands regularly with soap and water helps stop the spread of viruses. If you can’t use soap, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

  • Stay Away From Sick People: If someone around you is unwell, especially during the winter when viruses spread quickly, try to keep your distance.

  • Use A Humidifier: Moist air can help keep your airways from getting too dry or irritated. Running a humidifier at home, especially in winter, can make breathing easier.

  • Wear A Mask: Wearing a mask can protect your lungs if you’re around lung irritants like paint fumes, dust, or smoke or if you're near sick people.

  • Keep A Healthy Lifestyle: Get enough rest, eat nutritious food, and exercise regularly to strengthen your immune system.

Following these steps can protect your lungs and reduce your chances of getting bronchitis. Mobi Doctor can help you prevent and manage bronchitis with expert advice and personalised treatment plans, all from the comfort of your home. Our healthcare professionals are here to guide you on how to keep your lungs healthy and feel better faster.

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