Page 106 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

104 COMMON CONDITIONS: CHEST AND ABDOMINAL PROBLEMS

Acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is an infection of the airways in the lungs. It causes an irritating, persistent cough that
sometimes produces thick or colored mucus (phlegm). You may also have wheezing, a fever, headache,
and aches and pains. The illness is usually caused by a virus and often follows a cold. If you are otherwise
healthy, it is normally not serious; you should be feeling a lot better within a few days, although the cough
may linger for 3–4 weeks. You may be prone to bronchitis if you smoke or if you are exposed
to pollution. People who have lung disease may have several attacks each winter.
See also Coughing, p.102; Wheezing, p.103.

See your doctor first
DRUG REMEDIES
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
● You have a persistent cough and are elderly Analgesics such as acetaminophen (see
p.177) or ibuprofen (see p.185) will reduce your
● You have a lung condition such as asthma,
temperature and help you feel more comfortable.
or a heart problem such as heart failure
● You have difficulty breathing and chest Cough suppressants (see p.180)
tightness, or you are coughing up thick green, containing dextromethorphan can help relieve a dry
yellow, or bloodstained mucus cough that is keeping you awake at night. Some also
contain sedating antihistamines (see
p.178) to help you sleep. Don’t take
suppressants with alcohol.
What you can do yourself
The following steps will help to relieve symptoms
while the infection is clearing up. Sedative medicine
● Get plenty of rest for the first few days of an Cough suppressants
are usually available
attack, although you don’t need to stay in bed.
as liquids. Some
● Drink at least 8 glasses of fluids a day. Warm brands are useful
fluids, such as soup, may be comforting. at bedtime, because
they help you sleep.
● To soothe an irritated throat, try a warm honey
and lemon drink (see NATURAL REMEDIES, p.30).
● Take an analgesic to reduce a temperature (see
DRUG REMEDIES, right).

● Don’t try to suppress a cough that produces
Seek further medical advice
mucus, since this is the body’s way of clearing the
airways. If you have a dry cough, however, try Arrange to see your doctor if:
a cough suppressant (see DRUG REMEDIES, right).
● You are not feeling better after 3–4 days, or
● Warm, moist air loosens mucus. Use a humidifier, the cough has not subsided within 3–4 weeks
place a bowl of water beside a radiator to moisten ● Breathing becomes more difficult, or you
the air, or sit in the bathroom while you run a bath develop chest pains
and inhale the steam. A steam inhalation may also ● You have recurrent episodes of bronchitis
be helpful (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, p.79).
● If you smoke, stop. Avoid smoky atmospheres.