Chronic bronchitis is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that affects the lungs and your ability to breathe. People with chronic bronchitis have inflamed bronchi, which are the breathing tubes in your lungs. This is a long-term condition that is difficult to treat and cure and that causes excess mucus production and results in coughing, stuffiness, and chest tightness.
Smoking or inhaling dangerous toxins is the leading cause of chronic bronchitis, but it can also happen to those who have other lung conditions. While many cases of chronic bronchitis get better without any treatment, this is not always the case. Therefore, it is essential to receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from your doctor if they believe that intervention is necessary.
Medications are the most common treatment used for chronic bronchitis.
Bronchodilators are one of the most commonly used medications for chronic bronchitis. Bronchodilators relax your airways, making them less constricted and easier for air to pass through. These are typically administered via an inhaler and include theophylline and salmeterol.
Corticosteroids are medications that reduce inflammation throughout the body. Therefore, if you have inflammation in your airways, aka chronic bronchitis, you may need steroids to reduce the inflammation. Steroids for chronic bronchitis are typically administered orally and include prednisone and budesonide.
Medications are a good long-term treatment option for managing and mitigating chronic bronchitis, but you may need short-term relief when breathing is especially difficult. The best way to achieve this relief is with oxygen therapy.
Oxygen therapy is typically administered via an oxygen mask or nasal cannula. This is an effective way to get oxygen into your blood quickly so that you can start breathing normally again.
A rehabilitation breathing program is another great way to manage your chronic bronchitis long-term. Breathing programs are administered by a respiratory therapist, and they include exercises that teach you how to take deep breaths and breathe normally. This is important because chronic bronchitis impedes your ability to breathe, which can lead to light headedness and shortness of breath.
In serious situations of chronic bronchitis, some people require a lung transplant. This is necessary because once the lung is damaged, there is no way to repair it. Once it reaches a certain point of no longer performing basic breathing functions, the lung must be surgically removed and replaced with one from a donor.
Lung transplants are a last-ditch effort to save people with chronic bronchitis and are not recommended unless absolutely necessary.
As we said before, many cases of chronic bronchitis resolve on their own without any extensive treatment. To speed up your recovery, here are a few lifestyle changes and home remedies to try.
As you can see, there are plenty of treatment options that can help you if you have chronic bronchitis. While there is no cure for this condition, treatments can help manage your condition, prevent flare-ups, and live a mostly normal and full life. Additionally, although many instances of chronic bronchitis resolve on their own, it is important to receive a concrete diagnosis so that you can seek treatment if necessary.