Bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs. Often, people will develop acute bronchitis from a cold or another respiratory infection. Frequently, acute bronchitis will improve within a week to 10 days, although the cough may remain for weeks after. Acute bronchitis may also be called a chest cold. All bronchitis-type symptoms should be evaluated by your physician for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan and to exclude any severe condition.
Chronic bronchitis occurs when the lining of the bronchial tubes is continually irritated or inflamed and is often due to smoking. Repeated bouts of chronic bronchitis can require medical attention because this is often a condition found in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Please contact one of our board-certified internists or primary care physicians NYC to set up a consultation for a thorough evaluation. All symptoms concerning bronchitis should be evaluated by your physician for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan and to exclude any severe condition.
What Are the Symptoms of Bronchitis?
Acute and chronic bronchitis can cause symptoms that include:
- Coughing
- Feeling short of breath
- Fatigue
- Discomfort in the chest area
- Feeling chilled or having a slight fever
- Producing mucus which may be clear, white, green, or yellowish-gray
With acute bronchitis, you may have symptoms similar to a cold. The symptoms will usually improve in about a week, although the cough may persist for several weeks.
Chronic bronchitis causes a productive cough lasting for at least three months, and it may re-occur. Although chronic bronchitis typically results from cigarette smoking, dust, or toxic gases at work or in the environment, pollution can also contribute to this condition.
If you have chronic bronchitis, your cough or other symptoms will most likely worsen at times, which an acute infection could cause in addition to bronchitis. If you experience bronchitis-related symptoms, visit our Manhattan Primary Care Center and meet some of the best doctors in NYC or an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
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Diagnosis and Treatment for Bronchitis
If you do have bronchitis symptoms, treatment can help to relieve them. Our experienced physicians can diagnose the problem and can prescribe the best treatment for bronchitis. Our primary care physician will listen to your lungs during your physical examination while you breathe, and we may recommend other diagnostic tests.
These tests could include a chest x-ray and which can be especially important if you are a smoker. Testing the mucus from your lungs can identify if you have any illnesses that could be helped by antibiotics and detect signs of allergies that could aggravate bronchitis.
A pulmonary function test measures the amount of air your lungs can hold and how quickly you can expel the air. This test is for signs of asthma or emphysema.
Bronchitis Treatment in NYC
Some cases of acute bronchitis may not require treatment, and you should get better within a couple of weeks. Antibiotics aren’t effective because a viral infection usually causes bronchitis, but we may prescribe the appropriate antibiotic for acute bronchitis treatment if we suspect you may have a bacterial infection. However, your doctor should evaluate your symptoms and decide on a treatment plan.
Other medications that may be useful in some circumstances include cough medicines. If you have asthma, allergies, or COPD, we may suggest using drugs to open up the airways in your lungs and reduce inflammation.
Chronic Bronchitis Treatment
We may recommend a breathing treatment for bronchitis that is chronic. Breathing treatment is a breathing exercise program in which we teach you to breathe more easily and which can help to increase your ability to exercise.
Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies for Bronchitis Treatment
In addition to medical advice and treatment, you can try some lifestyle and home remedies to relieve the symptoms. Make sure you avoid irritants that could inflame your lungs. Don’t smoke and wear a mask if the air is polluted or using household cleaners that create strong fumes. Warm, moist air helps to loosen mucus and relieves coughs, so use a humidifier at home.
However, it is critical to clean the humidifier following the manufacturer’s instructions regularly. It is essential to ensure your humidifier is clean to avoid the growth of fungi and bacteria in the water container. When the air is cold, consider wearing a face mask outside, especially if the cold causes shortness of breath or aggravates your cough.
Reducing Your Risk of Bronchitis
You can also take preventative measures to reduce your risk of bronchitis, such as avoiding cigarette smoke. Make sure you wash your hands frequently to prevent catching viral infections and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Often, acute bronchitis is due to the flu, so consider getting a yearly flu vaccine to protect yourself. You may want to consider getting a vaccine that can protect against some types of pneumonia. If you are diagnosed with COPD, think about wearing a face mask at work if you are exposed to fumes or dust or traveling or in crowds.
Bronchitis Treatment for Patients in NYC
Please make an appointment at our convenient locations in Midtown Manhattan or Upper East Side with our internal medicine physicians. Your physician should evaluate all symptoms for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan and exclude any severe condition. Our doctors look forward to meeting you!
Manhattan Primary Care Locations: Manhattan Primary Care (Upper East Side) 983 Park Ave, Ste 1D22, New York 10028
(212) 389-9929 Manhattan Primary Care (Midtown) 56 W 45th St, Ste 808, New York, NY 10036
(212) 389-1887 Manhattan Primary Care (Union Square) 55 W 17th St, Ste 105, New York 10011
(212) 378-9987
