Bronchitis Treatment Specialist in Fairmont, and Mannington WV

Bronchitis is a common illness caused by an inflammation in the bronchial tubes, specifically the lining of the tubes, which are used to transfer air in and out of the lungs. Acute bronchitis will often develop following a cold or another type of respiratory infection and is often referred to as a chest cold. When people have bronchitis, they will often cough up a clear or discolored, thickened mucus. Chronic bronchitis is often the result of smoking and causes constant inflammation and irritation to the bronchial tube lining. Chronic bronchitis can also be determined by repetitive episodes of bronchitis. This is a more serious condition than acute bronchitis and requires medical attention as it is included as one of the conditions of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

To determine the best course of treatment for bronchitis, it first needs to be determined if the case is acute or chronic bronchitis. With acute bronchitis, there is typically no treatment required and the sufferer will get better on their own within a couple of weeks. Bronchitis is caused by a viral infection, meaning that antibiotics won’t be effective against it. Antibiotics only work against bacterial infections, so if your doctor suspects this type of infection, they may prescribe antibiotics. Your doctor may suggest taking over-the-counter cough syrup to help with your cough symptoms, particularly if the coughing is preventing you from sleeping at night.

If you have other conditions that impact your respiratory systems such as asthma, allergies, or COPD, your doctor may prescribe an inhaler or other medication to help open up the passageways in your lungs and reduce inflammation. Patients with chronic bronchitis may try pulmonary rehabilitation with a respiratory therapist to learn how to breathe more easily.

In most cases of bronchitis, symptoms will appear similar to those of a cold, as bronchitis typically develops following a cold or some other type of respiratory infection. Common symptoms include a cough, fatigue, feeling short of breath, chest discomfort, mild fever, and chills, and coughing up mucus that can be clear or discolored. Acute bronchitis can be accompanied by body aches or a mild headache.

While acute bronchitis doesn’t typically require medical attention, you should see a doctor if your cough lasts longer than three weeks, your cough is preventing you from sleeping, you have a fever over 100.4F or 38C, you have discolored, or bloody mucus and you are experiencing wheezing and feeling short of breath. You should also see a doctor if the cough lasts for more than three months or you are experiencing repeated bouts of bronchitis as these can both be indications of chronic bronchitis, which is a more serious condition.

Acute bronchitis typically clears up in a week to ten days, however, the cough can linger on for a couple of additional weeks, even if all other symptoms are gone. As acute bronchitis typically follows a cold or some type of respiratory infection, sufferers can be sick for three or four weeks all combined. Chronic bronchitis on the other hand can last indefinitely, with sufferers experiencing productive, continuous coughing for at least three months. There is a risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in sufferers who experience repeated bouts of bronchitis, which will require continuous medical treatment but doesn’t have a cure. If you are experiencing bronchitis symptoms that are preventing you from sleeping or haven’t improved over 3 weeks, it is a good idea to get checked by a doctor.

At MedBridge WV, we provide walk-in medical treatment to patients 5 days a week. Our team can help diagnose your condition and provide you with recommendations to help you feel better and get back on your feet. We serve patients from Fairmont WV, White Hall WV, Pleasant Valley, WV, Westchester WV, Colfax WV, Monongah WV, and surrounding areas.