In most cases the treatment of bronchitis is done at home, maintaining the rest of the person and increasing water intake, without the need for medication; However, if these measures are taken, bronchitis still persists for chronic bronchitis, symptoms that can last more than 3 months, medications such as antibiotics, bronchodilators, and cystic fibrosis may need to be used.
In contrast, when chronic bronchitis is considered chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), because it has no cure and, as a rule, medication is needed to keep the disease under control or to treat symptoms. disease.
Incorrect medications used to treat bronchitis include
Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, for example, are used to relieve symptoms such as pain and pain associated with acute or chronic bronchitis.
It is important to remember that people with asthma should not take ibuprofen or any other anti-inflammatory drugs in the steroid, such as aspirin, naproxen, nimesulide, among others.
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe mucolytics, such as acetylcisterine, bromhexine, or ambroxole, for example, that help relieve the product and reduce viscosity, making it more fluid and therefore easier to remove.
These medications can be used for acute and chronic bronchitis and exacerbations, but should be used with caution in children under 6 years of age and, in some cases, only for medical advice.
Drinking water helps make the drug more effective and facilitates dilution and elimination.
Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses and, for this reason, prescribing antibiotics is very rare.
In most cases, your doctor will only recommend antibiotics, if there is a risk of developing pneumonia, this can occur for a premature baby, an older person, people with a history of heart, lung, kidney, liver, weak immune system, or a person with cystic fibrosis.
Bronchodilators are generally used in cases of chronic bronchitis, as a continuous treatment of exacerbations and in some cases acute bronchitis.
These drugs are used, in most cases, through an inhaler and by building muscle on the walls of the small airways, opening these airways and providing relief from chest pain and oppression, thus facilitating breathing.
Examples of bronchodilators used in the treatment of bronchitis include salbutamol, salmeterol, formoterol and ipratropium bromide, in addition, these drugs can be administered by nebulization, especially in the elderly, with the possibility of reducing respiratory capacity.
In some situations, your doctor may receive corticosteroids for oral administration, such as prednisone, or for inhalation, such as fluticasone or budesonide, for example, which reduces inflammation and irritation of the lungs.
Corticosteroid inhalers often have an associated bronchodilator, such as salmeterol or formoterol, for example, which are long-acting bronchodilators and are generally used in continuous treatments.
In addition to drug treatment, there are other ways to treat bronchitis, such as nebulizations for physiological use, physiotherapy, or oxygen administration; Similarly, symptoms can be alleviated by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular physical activity, avoiding smoking and adopting a balanced diet. Learn more about bronchitis and other treatment methods.