Bronchitis is a health problem, which occurs to you when your health severity level is between pneumonia and the common cold. There is swelling or inflammation in your bronchial tubes when you have nagging cough or mucus. Bronchitis is of typically two types – acute and chronic. The first one is usual and is acknowledged as a chest cold. It lasts for a few weeks, but doesn’t hamper your daily life activities or cause serious health issues. On the other hand, the second one is a critical health problem and doesn’t go away quickly.
What do you mean by chronic bronchitis?
Chronic bronchitis is a lung health problem, which comes under the category of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). In this health condition, you have a nagging cough, which continues for a more extended period and starts affecting your normal life. It can be a life-long illness if you do not treat in earlier stages.
How to get treated?
To treat your chronic bronchitis, you need to follow a set of steps that are as follows:
- Educate yourself
You can have a better chronic treatment when you have idea what causes you to have it and how to identify that you have chronic bronchitis. Polluted air, fumes, chemicals, dust, smoking/having second-hand smoking, allergies, weaker immune system, and family history of lung diseases can trigger your chances of suffering from this lung health problem.
Coughing, which lasts for more than 3 weeks, can be a sign of acute bronchitis. However, cough with mucus for a month or more than it is an apparent sign of having chronic bronchitis. Besides, you have symptoms like tightness in your chest, shortness in breathing, wheezing sound while breathing, and a feeling of tiredness even after a short walk.
- Consult a doctor and follow his advice for diagnosis and medications
Visit a doctor when you notice mucus in your cough and frequent tiredness or wheezing sound while breathing. The doctor converse with you to discuss what problems you are facing. He/she can do a test to know the lung function, examine the oxygen level in your blood, and ask for an X-ray of your chest, blood test, and cough test. The expert can prescribe chronic bronchitis medications that may include Advair Diskus and Anoro Ellipta. For the opening of the airways of your lungs, the physician may advise you to take an inhaler. Your chronic bronchitis treatment may consist of the use of mucus clearing device, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehab.
- Make lifestyle changes
Making changes in your lifestyle can also help you a lot. You must maintain a distance from smoking and smokers. Besides, you need to wash your hands frequently to stay away from infections. Never forget washing your hands if touch an object engulfed with dirt/dust. Wear a face mask if you have to go to the polluted area.
- Have a rehabilitation plan/therapy
Rehab therapy can be very effective for you if you have frequent shortness in breathing. The therapist will teach you ways how to manage this lung problem in a better way. You will learn how to breathe while doing workouts.
Conclusion
Chronic bronchitis is a lifelong lung health problem. It’s incurable. However, you can make your life better by having control over symptoms with proper treatment under an experienced doctor. You need to get in touch with your doctor before taking any step to treating this lung disease. Whether it is having lab tests, taking medicines, or following preventive tips, you must follow your doctor’s advice to manage your chronic bronchitis and to have a healthy life.