Bronchitis is inflammation of the windpipe, the airways to and from the lungs, which causes severe coughing, chest pain, and fatigue. This condition makes the patient want to recover quickly. Bronchitis can be cured by undergoing independent therapy at home and eating healthy foods and drinks. However, you need to consult a doctor if the cough gets worse, the mucus changes color, or you have a fever. Go to the hospital immediately if you are short of breath or have chronic bronchitis.
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Method 1 of 4: Undergoing Therapy at Home
Step 1. Allow the body to recover with plenty of rest
How to cure bronchitis that is often recommended is bed rest (sleep as much as possible) because you have to rest and recover. However, symptoms of bronchitis may make it difficult for you to fall asleep. Therefore, sleep in a quiet, dark room so you can sleep well.
- Before going to bed, turn off your cell phone and all electronic devices. Don't look at your laptop or cell phone screen before going to bed.
- If you're still awake because of a cough, take a suppressant to relieve your cough.
- Support your head so that it is higher than your chest. When sleeping using several head pillows, the pressure on the nasal cavity that enters the ear cavity will move down so that it is easier for you to breathe.
Step 2. Use a humidifier to thin the mucus
Moist air can reduce the symptoms of bronchitis by thinning the mucus so that coughing and sneezing are reduced. Fill the humidifier with water up to the top line and then turn it on.
- Humidifiers are sold at supermarkets or online stores. Before use, read the instructions for use in detail, especially about how to clean it. Do not let the complaints get worse because you breathe moldy air.
- If you don't have a humidifier at home, try another method. Heat the water in a saucepan until it boils and then inhale the steam. Alternatively, run hot water from the shower after closing the bathroom door to maximize humidity.
Step 3. Avoid irritants so that the lungs are not irritated
Do not use products that contain irritants, such as air fresheners, liquid soaps and perfumes. Do not light candles and stay away from people who are smoking. Stay away from things that make your throat and lungs uncomfortable.
- Do not smoke so that complaints do not continue. If you live with a smoker, ask him to smoke outside the house so you don't become second-hand smoke.
- Laundry soap, floor cleaners, and still wet paint can irritate the lungs and should be avoided if symptoms do not go away.
- Do not use products that contain irritants if you have allergies that trigger sneezing and coughing to relieve symptoms of bronchitis.
Method 2 of 4: Choosing the Right Diet Menu
Step 1. Increase your fluid intake to loosen mucus for a speedy recovery
One of the effective ways to deal with bronchitis is to consume fluids because fever makes the body easily dehydrated. Therefore, increase your fluid intake to thin mucus to relieve coughing, sneezing, and other symptoms.
- Make sure your body stays hydrated by drinking water. Make it a habit to carry bottled water with you wherever you go and fill it up immediately if the water bottle is empty.
- Drinking warm fluids may feel more beneficial. If you've just had a long cough, hot soup or tea can soothe your throat. In addition, you can sip warm water.
Step 2. Eat nutritious food so that you recover faster
Prepare meals and snacks that contain fat-free protein, such as fish, legumes, and chicken. Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and whole grains every day. The body's immunity increases if you adopt a healthy diet.
Avoid dairy products because they can increase mucus secretion
Step 3. Consume honey to soothe the throat and relieve cough
Honey is a natural suppressant that can soothe the throat and relieve coughs, so it is widely used to treat flu symptoms.
Before going to bed at night, drink tea with honey or 1 tablespoon of honey to relieve cough. However, coughing isn't always bad. Sometimes, coughing is a physiological process when the body needs to clear the airways of mucus. Instead of consuming honey every day to relieve cough, use honey only if you often wake up coughing
Step 4. Gargle with salt water to treat sore throat
Salt water can soothe a sore throat temporarily. If the complaint is very disturbing, use salt water to gargle and observe the impact.
- Add -½ teaspoon of salt to 250 ml of water and stir until the salt is completely dissolved.
- Gargle with salt water for about 30 seconds like you're done brushing your teeth, then throw it into the sink. You can gargle several times as needed.
- You are free to determine the temperature of the water. Usually, warm water is more useful.
Step 5. Use eucalyptus oil to treat complaints
Oil from the eucalyptus tree is sold in pharmacies and supermarkets. Eucalyptus oil is an herbal product that is very effective in relieving nasal congestion, relieving coughs, and curing sore throats. Add 5-10 drops of eucalyptus oil to 2 cups of hot water. Drape a towel over your head, turn your face over the water, and inhale the steam.
- Do not take eucalyptus oil, unless advised by your doctor. Eucalyptus oil should only be applied to the skin, not to be drunk because it can interfere with health, and can even poison the body if taken too much.
- Do not apply eucalyptus oil to young children, unless you have consulted a doctor. This oil is toxic to small children.
Method 3 of 4: Understanding the Basics about Bronchitis
Step 1. Know the difference between chronic bronchitis and acute bronchitis
Bronchitis is caused by inflammation of the airways in the lungs and can be acute or chronic. You need to know the difference between acute and chronic bronchitis because the way to treat it is different.
- Acute bronchitis is usually triggered by a virus that causes infection and symptoms last for 7-10 days. Acute bronchitis can be treated with home remedies because it does not require a doctor's medication.
- Chronic bronchitis is a chronic disease that sufferers mostly smokers. Chronic bronchitis is one of the causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you have chronic bronchitis, don't treat it yourself because you should consult a doctor.
Step 2. Make sure you know the symptoms of bronchitis
Many people mistake the symptoms of bronchitis as symptoms of the flu or sinus infection, so the treatment is wrong.
- Acute bronchitis is similar to the common cold and has the same symptoms, such as sore throat, sneezing, wheezing, fatigue, and fever. The difference is, acute bronchitis is characterized by a cough that produces a green or yellow discharge.
- Symptoms of acute bronchitis last for 7-10 days. If it lasts longer than 10 days, you may have chronic bronchitis.
Step 3. Know your risk factors for bronchitis
If you can't confirm whether or not you have bronchitis based on your symptoms, consider the risk factors. The following factors make a person more at risk of developing bronchitis.
- Poor immunity increases the risk of getting an infection due to a virus that triggers chronic bronchitis. Your risk increases if you have a cold that doesn't go away or a disease that lowers your immune system, such as HIV/AIDS. You are more at risk of developing bronchitis if your immune system is reduced due to age. Young children and the elderly are more susceptible to infections due to viruses that trigger bronchitis.
- You are at risk for bronchitis if you are frequently exposed to lung irritants on the job, such as ammonia, acids, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide or bromine. These irritants easily flow into the lungs, causing inflammation and blocking the airways.
- Acid reflux can irritate your throat, making you more susceptible to bronchitis.
- Smokers are more at risk for chronic and acute bronchitis. If you smoke and have bronchitis, consult a doctor instead of using home remedies.
Method 4 of 4: Considering Medical Therapy Options
Step 1. See a doctor if you have a severe cough, change in mucus color, or fever
Bronchitis usually clears up in about 2 weeks with home remedies. However, if symptoms persist or get worse, consult a doctor immediately for medical therapy. If left unchecked, there is a possibility of deteriorating health.
- You have a severe cough if it hasn't cleared up after 3 weeks or you can't sleep well.
- Mucus with bronchitis is green, yellow, or bloodstained.
- You have a fever if your body temperature reaches 38°C.
Step 2. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience wheezing or shortness of breath
While you don't need to panic, wheezing and shortness of breath are always considered an emergency because you should be breathing normally. Immediately go to the 24-hour health center or emergency department for medical assistance. Make an appointment to see a doctor the same day.
Symptoms can get worse if the complaint is not treated now. Don't delay seeing a doctor
Step 3. Tell your doctor that you have chronic bronchitis
This problem must be treated with appropriate therapy because it can become serious in a short time. Doctors are able to determine the cause of bronchitis and suggest the best therapy.
Health deteriorates, even complications occur, such as pneumonia if chronic bronchitis is not treated immediately
Step 4. Get diagnostic tests done so your doctor can determine the best therapy
Doctors are able to diagnose illness based solely on symptoms, but sometimes, he or she may require the patient to undergo tests before making a diagnosis. The causes of bronchitis are so diverse that the best therapy should be determined according to the patient's condition. In addition, bronchitis that provokes pneumonia requires additional therapy. Take the following tests as recommended by your doctor so he can determine why you have bronchitis.
- A chest X-ray to make sure you don't have pneumonia.
- Mucus collection uses sputum to detect bacteria or allergy triggers.
- Lung function tests to find out the capacity of your lungs when you inhale and exhale.
Step 5. Consider medical therapy for severe symptoms
If you've been doing therapy independently, but to no avail, ask your doctor for other options. He or she can suggest the best therapy for you. Then, take the medicine according to the doctor's advice.
- Your doctor may prescribe cough suppressants to help you sleep well.
- If your airway is blocked, you can breathe normally with the help of an inhaler.
- Doctors may prescribe medication to treat other complaints, such as allergies.
- Your doctor may recommend that you undergo respiratory therapy if you are short of breath.
- Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if test results show that you have a bacterial infection. Bronchitis is usually caused by a virus.
