Your doctor will likely ask you questions that will help him or her determine whether or not you have bronchitis. Some questions you may be asked include: 2. For your part, you may want to ask your doctor if she or he recommends any additional tests be performed and what information he can expect to find from the results.
Some symptoms may prompt doctors, for instance, to test for pneumonia or asthma. If you find that you develop bronchitis every time you get a cold or every allergy season, there may be an underlying problem that has not been identified, Dr. Holguin adds. Your doctor may also order tests, including a sputum culture a test that checks your mucus for infection-causing germs and a pulmonary function test which evaluate lung function , and may order a chest X-ray to look for pneumonia or lung tissue scarring.
If you are diagnosed with acute bronchitis, your doctor will typically recommend measures that will help relieve your symptoms and ease your breathing, such as getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids.
But if you have particularly severe or persistent symptoms, doctors may prescribe a short course of steroids to relieve symptoms, says Holguin. Your doctor might also recommend a cough suppressant if coughing is keeping you up at night, and may suggest acetaminophen , ibuprofen , or a similar medication for pain or fever.
Also, these medicines are not recommended for young children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Of course, your doctor will urge you to stop and prevent any exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke, which can exacerbate acute bronchitis.
This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Spirometer Open pop-up dialog box Close. Spirometer A spirometer is a diagnostic device that measures the amount of air you're able to breathe in and out and the time it takes you to exhale completely after you take a deep breath. More Information Chest X-rays. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter.
Show references What is bronchitis? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed Jan. Goldman L, et al. Acute bronchitis and tracheitis. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa. Bronchitis chest cold. Chronic bronchitis is a daily productive cough that lasts for 3 months of the year and for at least 2 years in a row.
It's 1 of a number of lung conditions, including emphysema, that are collectively known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD. Cigarette smoke and the chemicals in cigarettes make bronchitis worse and increase your risk of developing chronic bronchitis and COPD. A GP can help you give up smoking. If you have bronchitis and you're worried about coronavirus, you can get advice about coronavirus and bronchitis from the British Lung Foundation.
The main symptom of acute bronchitis is a hacking cough, which may bring up clear, yellow-grey or greenish mucus phlegm.
Other symptoms are similar to those of the common cold or sinusitis , and may include:. If you have acute bronchitis, your cough may last for several weeks after other symptoms have gone. Some people may have shortness of breath or wheezing as a result of inflamed airways. If you have a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, it could be COVID Most cases of acute bronchitis can be easily treated at home with rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs and plenty of fluids.
A GP may need to rule out other lung infections, such as pneumonia, which has symptoms similar to those of bronchitis. If they think you may have pneumonia, you'll probably need a chest X-ray and a sample of mucus may be taken for testing. If a GP thinks you might have an underlying condition, they may also suggest that you have a lung function test.
People should get advice from a healthcare provider when considering supplements. Some supplements interact with medicines or have side effects. N-acetylcysteine NAC is a derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine.
One review found that NAC could help prevent sudden worsening of chronic bronchitis symptoms. Probiotics are live microorganisms. When consumed as food or supplements, they are thought to maintain or restore beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.
Probiotics may regulate the immune system. Probiotics have been shown to be better than placebo in preventing respiratory tract infections and may have a beneficial effect on the duration and severity of symptoms in acute bronchitis. Different probiotic supplements are available to purchase in health food stores and online. Acute bronchitis usually lasts for up to 3 weeks.
Having a fever for more than 3 days in a row could indicate a more serious condition, such as pneumonia. Someone with both chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD may need bronchodilators and steroids to open their airways and help clear mucus. Oxygen therapy may also make breathing easier. Acute or chronic bronchitis cannot always be prevented. However, not smoking, avoiding lung irritants, and frequently washing hands may lower the risk of developing both conditions.
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