You have a miserable case of bronchitis and your cough could wake the dead. Everyone around you is keeping a safe distance. (Can you really blame them?) Even your pets seem to be in hiding.
So, are there any home remedies for bronchitis that can calm your agitated airways and get life back to normal? Family physician Matthew Goldman, MD, shares some advice for treating bronchitis.
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Home remedies to treat bronchitis
If you’re battling bronchitis, expect your cough to last several frustrating weeks. Bronchitis is almost always caused by a virus. That means antibiotics won’t help — and there’s not much you can do to speed up the recovery process.
So, the first thing you’re going to need is a healthy dose of patience, emphasizes Dr. Goldman. After that, consider these resources for a little bronchitis self-care to feel a little better.
Over-the-counter medications
You won’t find a cure for bronchitis on the shelves of your local pharmacy, but some products can help ease symptoms. Two that may be helpful are:
- Cough expectorants that help loosen mucus, allowing you to clear the gunk out. As the medication works its magic, you may feel the urge to cough more — so, expectorants are best taken during the day.
- Cough suppressants to help calm your coughing reflex. These are especially useful at night if constant coughing is getting in the way of much-needed ZZZs.
Fluids
Bronchitis fills your airways with mucus. When you’re sick, this gunk generated by your immune system often turns thick and sticky, which isn’t exactly ideal for breathing when it’s in your windpipe.
Drinking plenty of fluids can help loosen up that mucus to make it easier to cough up, explains Dr. Goldman. (It’s gross yet gratifying.)
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Simple water is ideal for hydrating. Herbal teas featuring turmeric, cinnamon and ginger work well, too. Ditto for broths.
Moisture
Mist thrown by a vaporizer or humidifier adds moisture to the air that can loosen mucus so you can cough it up. Steam rising from hot water can do the trick, too.
Try spending a few extra minutes under the water in a steamy hot shower to clear your airways, suggests Dr. Goldman. Even something as simple as breathing in the steam off a cup of tea may help.
Nasal spray
Even though bronchitis settles more in your chest, nasal congestion and a runny nose are often part of the package. Saline nasal sprays can help flush out mucus from your sinuses to make breathing a bit easier.
A basic saline nasal spray can be used daily. Decongestant nasal sprays, on the other hand, shouldn’t be used for more than three or four days in a row to avoid building a tolerance to them.
Honey
Can honey clear chest congestion from bronchitis or halt your hacking cough? Not likely, says Dr. Goldman. But it can soothe a sore throat, which explains why adding this natural sweetener to tea has long been a classic remedy for treating colds and general ickiness.
Cough drops
Medicated cough drops often contain menthol, an organic compound that works to open airways to reduce coughing and congestion. Plus, like honey, these little wonders can make a raw throat feel better.
Salt water
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Gargling with salt water can help soothe and hydrate a sore throat that’s irritated from coughing and nasal drip.
Essential oils
While there’s no evidence that essential oils can help with bronchitis symptoms, some people find breathing in steam spiked with eucalyptus oil or peppermint oil (which has menthol) can help open nasal passages and ease coughing.
But caution is advised when using this complementary form of medicine. They may even escalate breathing problems if used incorrectly.
Bottom line? There are better options on this list.
What to avoid when you have bronchitis
Bronchitis inflames and irritates your lungs, so the last thing you want to do if you have the infection is add more irritation, emphasizes Dr. Goldman. Your lungs will be much happier if you avoid:
- Smoking. Lighting up is NEVER healthy for your lungs (or the rest of your body), but smoking while you have bronchitis can slow recovery while also doing its normal damage. Vaping with bronchitis is a bad idea, too.
- Fires. Wood releases millions of tiny particles in smoke as it burns. Breathing those in while sitting around a cozy campfire or living room fireplace can worsen bronchitis symptoms.
- Dust. Inhaling dust and other allergens around your home can stir up trouble in your lungs. If you’re sensitive to allergens, consider wearing a mask while cleaning to keep from breathing in anything that’s kicked up. Home air filters can clean the air, too.
- Pollution. Pay attention to air quality alerts, which warn of contaminants dirtying the air you breathe. Poor air quality can irritate airways and worsen breathing-related conditions like bronchitis. Outdoor activities should be limited on high-pollution days.
When to see a doctor
Bronchitis symptoms can sometimes linger for a few weeks as the virus runs its course. But over time, you should feel better. But that doesn’t mean you should wait it out indefinitely. Contact your healthcare provider if:
- You develop a cold that extends three to five days after onset without signs of improvement. “Why wait?” asks Dr. Goldman. “Get seen sooner rather than later.”
- Coughing persists beyond two weeks despite taking over-the-counter medications or it becomes painful or produces blood.
- You get a fever that lasts longer than five days or climbs above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
- You begin wheezing or experience shortness of breath.
“If you or those around you have concerns, don’t delay getting evaluated by a healthcare professional,” he advises. “Starting treatment early can help prevent a more complicated illness and improve outcomes.”
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