Bronchitis therapy – A comprehensive guide

Bronchitis can be caused by various factors such as viruses, bacteria, and pollutants such as tobacco smoke. In most cases acute (short term) bronchitis is caused by a virus. Bacteria, fungal spores, and chemicals are rather rare causes. It is important to note that for viral bronchitis, antibiotics do not work.

• Cough with sputum (phlegm), which may be yellowish or greenish
• Difficulty breathing
• Pain in the chest
• Tiredness and weakness
• Fever/a high temperature

If you get enough rest and drink enough (water or unsweetened teas) recovery from acute (short term) bronchitis usually takes up to two weeks.

Chronic bronchitis is when the symptoms persist for more than three months at a time, for two consecutive years. The main cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking. If you recognize and treat it at an early stage it is reversible. If you are concerned that you may be suffering from chronic bronchitis, please speak to your doctor.

You can use a nebuliser to treat the symptoms of bronchitis. Isotonic saline (0.9% NaCl) moisturizes the airways and thus helps to support the self-cleaning mechanism of our airways. Nebulised hypertonic saline (e.g. MucoClear 3%) can help to loosen the mucus and cough it up more easily.

This is how nebulisers work for bronchitis

1. Use a nebuliser especially designed for lung treatment
2. Pour in the inhalation solution (hypertonic or isotonic saline)
3. Sit upright, turn the machine on and breathe in a natural and relaxed way through the mouthpiece or mask.

With an efficient nebuliser machine such as the PARI BOY Classic or the PARI COMPACT2, each treatment session takes around 5-7 minutes. Nebulise saline two to three times a day until the symptoms have disappeared.

In addition to nebuliser therapy with saline solutions, you can make sure to:

- drink enough water or tea
- get enough rest and sleep

There is no magic cure for bronchitis, but you can get relief from the symptoms and support your immune system to overcome it faster.

The best treatment for bronchitis is to avoid it. However, since acute bronchitis is caused by a viral infection of the airways in nine out of ten cases, it is difficult to prevent it completely. Here's what you can do to minimize your risk:

• Avoid tobacco smoke as it makes you more prone to getting bronchitis from an acute infection and is the main reason for chronic bronchitis.
• Speak to a healthcare professional about the flu vaccine.
• Strengthen your immune system with a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
• Support the mucociliary clearance – the sophisticated self-cleaning mechanism on our mucosa and first line of defense of your airways – by nebulising isotonic saline daily during the flu season.

Don´t try to find a cure for chronic bronchitis on your own. Please consult a healthcare professional. Chronic bronchitis treatment can involve inhaling saline solution with a nebuliser to get additional symptom relief.

If you have the symptoms of bronchitis for more than 3 months, please consult a doctor. Chronic bronchitis needs treatment with medication as it can progress and turn into COPD. Chronic bronchitis is reversible and can be cured if it is diagnosed and treated at an early stage.

Also, you should consult a GP if:

• You suffer from severe coughing or notice wheezing, whistling or rattling breathing noises
• The symptoms do not improve within several days.
• You have high fever or pain when breathing.
• You have a chronic condition such as Asthma.
• You are pregnant.