Bronchitis with mucus what is it

The sensor is painless and the red light does not get hot. Cultures of nasal discharge and sputum. Testing the sputum you cough up or swab from your nose may be done to find and identify the microorganism causing the infection. Pulmonary function tests. These are tests that help to measure the ability of the lungs to move air in and out of the lungs.

The tests are usually done with special machines that you breathe into. How is acute bronchitis treated? Treatment is aimed at treating the symptoms, and may include: Avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke Cough medicine Humidifying the air Increased fluid intake Pain relievers and fever reducers, such as acetaminophen Tylenol Quitting smoking Avoid antihistamines because they dry up the secretions and can make the cough worse.

What are the complications of acute bronchitis? Can bronchitis be prevented? Anyone can get pneumococcal disease. However, children younger than age 2, adults ages 65 and older, people with certain medical conditions, and smokers are at the highest risk. When should I call my health care provider? Key points Bronchitis is inflammation of the breathing tubes.

There are several different types of bronchitis. The two most common are acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by the same viruses that cause colds and the flu. It may also be caused by a bacterial infection, or by physical or chemical agents that are breathed into the lungs.

The most common symptoms for acute bronchitis include cough, chest soreness, runny nose, feeling tired and achy, headache, chills, slight fever, and sore throat. Blood tests, breathing tests, and imaging tests may also be used. If it progresses to pneumonia, then antibiotics may be necessary. Bronchitis may also cause a sore throat and wheezing.

Read more about the symptoms of bronchitis. Most cases of bronchitis can be treated easily at home with rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs and plenty of fluids. Your GP may need to rule out other lung infections, such as pneumonia , which has symptoms similar to those of bronchitis. If your GP thinks you may have pneumonia, you will probably need a chest X-ray, and a sample of mucus may be taken for testing.

If your GP thinks you might have an undiagnosed underlying condition, they may also suggest a pulmonary function test. You will be asked to take a deep breath and blow into a device called a spirometer, which measures the volume of air in your lungs. Decreased lung capacity can indicate an underlying health problem. In most cases, bronchitis will clear up by itself within a few weeks without the need for treatment.

This type of bronchitis is known as "acute bronchitis". While you are waiting for it to pass, you should drink lots of fluid and get plenty of rest. In some cases, the symptoms of bronchitis can last much longer. If symptoms last for at least three months, it is known as "chronic bronchitis". There is no cure for chronic bronchitis, but there are several medications to help relieve symptoms.

It is also important to avoid smoking and smoky environments, as this can make your symptoms worse. Read more about treating bronchitis. The bronchi are the main airways in your lungs, which branch off on either side of your windpipe trachea. They lead to smaller and smaller airways inside your lungs, known as bronchioles. The walls of the bronchi produce mucus to trap dust and other particles that could otherwise cause irritation.

Most cases of acute bronchitis develop when an infection causes the bronchi to become irritated and inflamed, which causes them to produce more mucus than usual. Your body tries to shift this extra mucus through coughing. Smoking is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis. Over time, tobacco smoke can cause permanent damage to the bronchi, causing them to become inflamed.

Read more about the causes of bronchitis. Pneumonia is the most common complication of bronchitis. It happens when the infection spreads further into the lungs, causing air sacs inside the lungs to fill up with fluid. Mild pneumonia can usually be treated with antibiotics at home. More severe cases may require admission to hospital. Read more about the treatment of pneumonia.

This type of cough helps clear mucus from your bronchial tubes. If you smoke, you should quit. It will help your bronchial tubes heal faster. Some people who have acute bronchitis need inhaled medicine. You might need this if you are wheezing. It can help open your bronchial tubes and clear out mucus. You usually take it with an inhaler. An inhaler sprays medicine right into your bronchial tubes. Your doctor will decide if this treatment is right for you.

If your doctor thinks bacteria have caused your acute bronchitis, he or she may give you antibiotics. Most cases of acute bronchitis go away on their own in 7 to 10 days.

You should call your doctor if:. The risk of developing complications from acute bronchitis, such as pneumonia, is greater in some people. These include:. American Lung Association: Acute Bronchitis.

This article was contributed by: familydoctor. This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. Chronic bronchitis is bronchitis that…. Over-the-counter cough suppressants can be used to treat some coughs that are interfering with your sleep or activities, but….

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