How do I treat bronchitis? - Ask An Expert

Ask expert Dr. James Mensching how to treat bronchitis. Learn what medications to use, what not to use, and when to see a doctor.

[TX_High_Prairie]

Doctors have been taught to fear over-prescribing antibiotics due to antibiotic resistance. This is a real issue and should not be taken lightly. However, I think bacteria cause (or contribute to) more cases of bronchitis that we are led to believe. In my personal experiences with bronchitis, antibiotics have dramatically alleviated my symptoms within hours.

[wakingfromslumber]

Exercise definitely helps a lot too and has a soothing effect on the lungs after training

[JamesBrown-oogz]

Thanks for wasting my time and everyone else's 🙂.

[tatianasosnavskaya]

What about mucus that we stop from evacuation if we take cough suppressant?

[mybluebelly]

The doc listened to my back and heard squeaks from my lungs when breathing. He instantly said bronchitis. I`ve had this problem for the past few years but usually it will manifest itself during the summer season i suspect due to the pollen in the air. Anyway my coughing lasts for many weeks and the doc gave me some antibiotics for 7 days and it helps a lot. The mucus now has a metallic taste to it after starting taking the meds and the coughing is now much less of a problem. Mucus buildup is also much less now only after three days in.

[joanfrench]

My bronchial cough (3x) is never in upper respiratory area. Always deep down. I also was prescribed Zpak and lost the cough in 3 days. Don't want this doctor.

[trediaz]

I'd spent a night at my mother's house. Her and my stepdad are heavy smokers. The next morning, Id felt like i slept with a fan directly in my face. 2 weeks later, Im still having extra mucus built-up in me. Sometimes, it wakes me up at night.

[methatlovescats]

Well I'm for sure I got bronchitis from Crestor. Maybe a rare case of it. Because I was very healthy before until I was talking that for a few yrs. Anyway it went mistreated undiagnosed for 10 yrs then finally I recorded it and showed it to my Dr and he diagnosed me just 2 yrs ago. But I've have problems with my left lung ever since. I still have shortness of breath in different situations and I still use Albuterol with a nebulizer I really want healing. Been praying for resturation. Even the lung Dr misdiagnosed me. ER did too 3 times they keep saying there's nothing wrong with me. While I'm coughing up thick gooey extremely thick different colored gunk.
Update 2023 🤔 So what is it? I'm finding out more. Also used Tidy cat litter around the time and came down with a severe sinus infection been sick ever since 2011-2023. Been on Albuterol for 3 yrs just to breath. Still they say nothing's wrong with me. Signed a paper with tidy cats that I wouldn't sue them. But now that it's a life threatening situation I wander if I can now? Even get a lawyer? Anyone know?

[omadesala]

yeah, .... I had a Dr tell me the same thing and ended up almost losing my life. Instead of following my asthma plan that I have had for 30yrs they thought its was a good idea to not give me antibiotics it became worse I was sick and lungs tried to shut down.. That is the most scariest idea not to use antibiotics with bronchitis. (Asthmatics we're told to seek antibiotics when sick to keep it from settling in lungs that turn into bronchitis that could turn to into something worse) This new idea scares patients like me if the person that is supposed to help but refuses it makes someone desperate and discouraged where we end up looking for other ways to get better because they feel their Dr let them down. Now I am looking for something natural incase this road block happens again. Scary when dr try to improve something that worked all their life.. If that dr listened to me when I went in from the start it could have avoided that dang tube down my throat and me scaring my family for 2weeks. I am lucky to be alive but could have been avoided if treated when I felt it coming on... This idea you say is scary scary scary.

[Shelbymaldita]

I had bronchitis twice and had Zpak it helped relieve the cough in 3 days.

[amberschannel]

I had zpack it does work but have I been able to cure it all the way I don’t think so seems like I get it every 3-4 months!

[peterwu]

Would be nice to have more explicit instructions as to what I might do - I have mild pain in my upper right lung, mild occasional cough, yellowish phlegm, especially in the morning, sore throat that comes and goes. It's been going for about 10 days - on and off. If ignore it, the symptoms usually don't bother me. Seems like bronchitis, but what do I know. I know that it's hard to be sure what to do in the time of covid.

[kaybroms]

what he's saying is if it's not bacterial (which it likely isn't), there isn't much you can do but let your body fight the battle... just gotta wait it out and treat symptoms. plus, it's good for your immune system to fight! you'll bounce back stronger💪 I'm no doctor, but some ways to treat symptoms of constant coughing is herbal teas, honey, steam, gargling salt water, or otc cough suppressants. hope this helps!

[michaelmcgee]

Bronchitis can be scary we all need oxygen, laboured breathing is aways highly unpleasant. For relief breath in the steam of a few drops eucalyptus oil, Manuka honey, lemon peel, ginger, oregano with a teaspoon of NAC in hot water. Yes it is deep in one’s lunges, this helps believe me it’s pretty much instant relief.

[collinguernsey]

This is no information. Super poor video of one thing not to do.

[michaelmcmahon]

I’ve had it for 2 weeks, no sign of getting better, yet my physician won’t give me anitbodicts.
I should have ammonia soon.

[IsaiahJaymes]

I don’t get it. I’ve had it before, gave me antibiotics and I was better in a matter of days after weeks of nothing from otc meds. I feel like this is a lie to my face….

[JustinKroger]

Just remember the FDA recently came out and said phenylephrine is completely non effective as a decongestant. Don’t waste your time with using phenylephrine, go for guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine. When I’m too stuffed up to breath I’ll use zicam nasal spray with oxymetazoline and that is a life saver! Also a cough drop with benzocaine (cepacol) is helpful to provide some pain relief for your throat. Please take care! Good luck people!

[Real__Lifemula]

I Have bronchitis and took my first round of z pack yesterday I can breathe better already for sure. Interesting..

[moshka]

Cough suppressent and feaver suppressent-- these are natiral decease fightiung tools of our smart body.