Bronchitis what should i take

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommend that adults need hours of sleep per day and children around hours per day. Getting enough sleep will help fight infection and assist recovery from bronchitis. Bronchitis is a lower respiratory tract infection of the airways and lungs. Doctors often advise people with respiratory infections to increase their fluid intake.

People with bronchitis can become dehydrated due to increased fluid loss from fever , rapid breathing, runny nose, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dehydration can lead to dizziness, confusion, headache , and more discomfort in the mouth and throat. However, research has not proved or disproved the recommendation to increase fluids for respiratory infections, such as bronchitis. However, hydration does compensate for lost fluid.

Low humidity and cold temperatures have been connected with an increase in respiratory tract infections. Low humidity can also irritate nasal passages and the throat, and cause itchy eyes and dry skin. Various humidifiers are available to purchase online. People using a humidifier should make sure the unit is properly maintained and humidity levels are monitored.

Dirty humidifiers are a breeding ground for mold or bacteria. Too high humidity can cause respiratory problems as well as triggering allergy and asthma flare-ups. People without a humidifier can increase water in the air by boiling it on the stove for 5 minutes every hour. They can also add a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus essential oils and hang their head over the bowl or pan of boiling water for a few minutes to relieve symptoms.

Placing a towel over the head helps keep in moisture. Smoking is the leading cause of chronic bronchitis. Inhaling smoke can trigger severe fits of coughing if a person has bronchitis. Quitting smoking altogether or cutting down limits damage to the bronchial tubes and helps faster healing.

A person who quits smoking is less likely to get acute bronchitis in the future. People should also stay away from other irritants that may trigger bronchitis, such as dust, chemicals in household products, and air pollution. Filters in air conditioning and heating systems should be changed as recommended by manufacturers. To alleviate symptoms of bronchitis and manage the condition, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommend lifestyle changes that include following a healthful diet.

A healthful diet consists of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains as well as lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. It also includes fat-free or low-fat dairy products and limits saturated and trans fats, cholesterol , salt, and added sugars. This damage is caused by an insufficient intake of energy and macronutrients, as well as a lack of specific micronutrients. Taking over-the-counter medications such as aspirin , acetaminophen, or ibuprofen can help relieve symptoms of bronchitis, such as fever, headache, and aches and pains.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can be hazardous for people with asthma and should be avoided. It is not recommended that people use cough suppressants for a cough that brings up mucus. When the lining of the bronchial tubes is inflamed by irritants, excess mucus is produced, causing frequent coughing. Coughing up the mucus helps to remove the irritants from the lungs and airways. A Cochrane review found no good evidence for or against the effectiveness of over-the-counter cough medicines.

Antibiotics don't help a night cough or a cough with mucus. And they don't improve your quality of life. The antibiotic may not work the next time you take it when you really do need it. Side effects from antibiotics include: Diarrhea. Nausea, upset stomach, or vomiting. Mouth sores. Skin rash. Increased sensitivity to sun. Vaginal yeast infection. Don't take antibiotics Don't take antibiotics You try home treatment to relieve your cough, such as drinking fluids and using cough drops.

You take over-the-counter medicines to relieve fever and body aches. You may reduce your cough with home treatment. You avoid the cost and side effects of antibiotics. You avoid promoting antibiotic-resistant bacteria. If you have acute bronchitis but no other health problems, choosing not to take antibiotics poses no risk. If you have acute bronchitis and other health problems such as COPD, asthma, or heart failure, your risk of getting pneumonia is higher if you don't take antibiotics.

Personal stories about taking antibiotics for acute bronchitis These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. What matters most to you? Reasons to take antibiotics Reasons not to take antibiotics.

I just have acute bronchitis. I want to try home treatment to relieve my cough. I'm not worried about the side effects of antibiotics. I don't want to deal with the side effects of antibiotics. I don't want to take antibiotics if I don't really need them.

My other important reasons: My other important reasons:. Where are you leaning now? Taking antibiotics NOT taking antibiotics. What else do you need to make your decision? Check the facts. Yes Sorry, that's not right. Antibiotics kill bacteria or slow or stop their growth. But since acute bronchitis is most often caused by a virus and not by bacteria, antibiotics don't work very well to treat it. No You're right.

I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Get the Facts. But since acute bronchitis is most often caused by a virus, antibiotics aren't the best treatment for it. Yes You're right.

Most cases of acute bronchitis go away in 2 to 3 weeks. No Sorry, that's not right. Home treatment to relieve symptoms is usually all that's needed. Antibiotics may help people who have acute bronchitis and other health problems, such as COPD or asthma. Antibiotics may be useful in treating people who have acute bronchitis and other health problems, such as COPD or asthma.

Taking antibiotics too often or when you don't really need them can be harmful. The medicine may not work the next time when you really do need it. Decide what's next. Yes No. I'm ready to take action. I want to discuss the options with others. I want to learn more about my options. Your Summary. Your decision Next steps. Your knowledge of the facts Key concepts that you understood.

Key concepts that may need review. Getting ready to act Patient choices. What matters to you. Print Summary. Credits and References Credits. Wark P Bronchitis acute. BMJ Clinical Evidence. Accessed April 14, You have COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, or heart failure.

Compare your options. Compare Option 1 Take antibiotics for acute bronchitis Don't take antibiotics. Compare Option 2 Take antibiotics for acute bronchitis Don't take antibiotics. Take antibiotics for acute bronchitis Take antibiotics for acute bronchitis You take the antibiotic medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Don't stop taking it just because you feel better.

You'll need to take the full course of antibiotics. Antibiotics may shorten the length of time you have a cough by about a day. Antibiotics may be helpful to treat acute bronchitis if you also have other health problems, such as: COPD. Other long-term breathing problems such as asthma or cystic fibrosis. Antibiotics don't help a night cough or a cough with mucus. And they don't improve your quality of life. The antibiotic may not work the next time you take it when you really do need it.

Side effects from antibiotics include: Diarrhea. Nausea, upset stomach, or vomiting. Mouth sores. Skin rash. Increased sensitivity to sun. Vaginal yeast infection. Don't take antibiotics Don't take antibiotics You try home treatment to relieve your cough, such as drinking fluids and using cough drops. You take over-the-counter medicines to relieve fever and body aches. You may reduce your cough with home treatment.

You avoid the cost and side effects of antibiotics. You avoid promoting antibiotic-resistant bacteria. If you have acute bronchitis but no other health problems, choosing not to take antibiotics poses no risk. If you have acute bronchitis and other health problems such as COPD, asthma, or heart failure, your risk of getting pneumonia is higher if you don't take antibiotics. Personal stories about taking antibiotics for acute bronchitis These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers.

What matters most to you? Reasons to take antibiotics Reasons not to take antibiotics. I just have acute bronchitis. I want to try home treatment to relieve my cough. I'm not worried about the side effects of antibiotics. I don't want to deal with the side effects of antibiotics. I don't want to take antibiotics if I don't really need them. My other important reasons: My other important reasons:. Where are you leaning now?

Taking antibiotics NOT taking antibiotics. What else do you need to make your decision? Check the facts. Yes Sorry, that's not right. Antibiotics kill bacteria or slow or stop their growth. But since acute bronchitis is most often caused by a virus and not by bacteria, antibiotics don't work very well to treat it.

No You're right. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Get the Facts. But since acute bronchitis is most often caused by a virus, antibiotics aren't the best treatment for it. Yes You're right. Most cases of acute bronchitis go away in 2 to 3 weeks. No Sorry, that's not right. Home treatment to relieve symptoms is usually all that's needed. Antibiotics may help people who have acute bronchitis and other health problems, such as COPD or asthma.

Antibiotics may be useful in treating people who have acute bronchitis and other health problems, such as COPD or asthma. Taking antibiotics too often or when you don't really need them can be harmful.

The medicine may not work the next time when you really do need it. Decide what's next. Yes No. I'm ready to take action. I want to discuss the options with others. I want to learn more about my options. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Your Summary.