Bronchitis is serious business: it can leave a person in bed for weeks if it is not treated. Some common symptoms of the medical condition include a dry or wet cough, sore throat, feeling tired all of the time, fever, swollen legs and appendages, blue-looking lips, and wheezing. You can treat bronchitis in a number of different ways: you can use everything from bronchitis cough syrup to heavy duty steroids or antibiotics. The following are some ways to approach this condition so that you can get well fast.
Know the Type You Have
There are two main types of bronchitis: acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis is generally the result of a viral infection that starts in the head and moves to the lungs. This condition lasts a few days, though a cough and wheezing may be present for a couple of weeks afterward. Chronic bronchitis may last for a long time, can result in scar tissue in the lungs, and may make breathing painful or hard. A chronic bronchitis cough is one that is wet: one may cough up blood and mucus on a consistent basis.
Traditional Treatments
If you have bronchitis and know the type you have, then it makes treatment easier. For example, bronchitis cough syrup is a great way to treat acute forms of the condition. This helps to soothe a person’s lungs and allow the individual to sleep at night, which in turn speeds up recovery. A chronic bronchitis cough is painful and a bronchitis cough syrup can make it easier to not only sleep but also breathe. If the bronchitis is one that is based around a bacterial infection and is acute, antibiotics are often given. Often, antibiotics and bronchitis cough syrup are taken together. Traditional bronchitis cough syrup is given for dry coughs whereas an expectorant is generally given for wet coughs. Even if you have a constant cough, it is important to consult with a doctor before taking anything: some syrups can negatively affect other treatment methods.
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Chronic bronchitis is not treated with bronchitis cough syrup. Instead, bronchodilators and corticosteroids are the two most popular treatment options. Bronchodilators open up the airways to make breathing easier whereas corticosteroids are focused on reducing swelling and inflammation. Additionally, NAC (N-acetylecysteine), an amino acid, is sometimes taken as an antioxidant. This treatment method is used to relieve stress on the lungs.
Environmental Methods
In connection with such methods as bronchitis cough syrup and corticosteroids, one should also clear their home of pollutants and allergens. Take the time to clean the home with a vacuum cleaner that specializes in removing such items. Additionally, invest in an air purifier, and if you or a loved one smokes, you need to stop. Having smoke near you can only make the condition worse.
