Acute bronchitis is one of the most common diseases

Do you suffer from dry, painful cough that occurs with phlegm, or even fever and general malaise? Then you have probably captured acute bronchitis that counts, especially in the winter season, of the most common diseases of the respiratory tract.

Trigger of acute bronchitis are usually viruses that spread via the nasopharyngeal space to the lower respiratory tract and cause inflammation of the delicate mucous membrane of the bronchi. In addition, of course, damage caused irritants such as cigarette smoke, gases or dust in the bronchi and thus encourage the development of acute bronchitis. As a result, the mucosal cells respond with increased mucus production, which triggers a cleansing cough in the respiratory tract. By the bronchial inflammation, is weakened and damaged airways, so this could, possibly, triggered secondary infections with bacteria. Reference to such a bacterial superinfection can be a change in cough secretions from colorless to yellowish or greenish. Usually acute bronchitis cures but without complications within one to two weeks. If the cough, however, persist for weeks, strong yellowish discharge occur or get worse other symptoms such as high fever, cough with blood, chest pain, or even difficulty breathing, a doctor’s visit is required.

The treatment of acute bronchitis depends on the cause and severity.

Although acute bronchitis is not a serious disease in itself, it should nevertheless be sufficiently cured to prevent the development of chronic bronchitis or pulmonary disease. While bacterial infections antibiotics help, can only support the body’s defenses by rest and care and the symptoms can be alleviated with a virus-induced bronchitis. Important is also a high fluid intake, for liquefied the viscous cough secretions. Support also offer expectorant cough medicine, facilitate expectoration. Cough blockers should be used only selectively, they can be useful for a good night’s sleep. They should not be taken together with the mucolytics. As is helpful beyond inhalations, chest compress, ointments or cough expectorant herbal teas, and avoidance of irritants have been found.