Acute bronchitis is caused by an inflammation of the mucous membrane in your bronchial tubes. It can be quite irritating, causing bronchospasms and coughing fits that last for extended periods. With medical supervision, however, the use of a nebulizer can greatly reduce this inflammation and lead to a better overall quality of life.
What causes bronchitis?
Inflammation of your lungs’ mucous membrane can be caused by a combination or lifestyle and environmental factors. Secondhand smoke, dust, pollution, and smoking all contribute to bronchitis, as do allergens like pollen and ragweed.
Proper hand washing has been shown to play a large role in reducing your odds of infection..
Diagnosis
Diagnosing bronchitis can only be done by a physician, however, he or she will likely ask about the following symptoms: blood in your sputum, excessive coughing, length of the cough, mucous, tight chest, and fever.
After listening to your lungs the doctor will either look for a chest x-ray to rule out any other problems like pneumonia or could culture your sputum to test for whooping cough, a bacterial infection, or allergies. Both of these tests help them narrow down what might be affecting you, thus allowing them to provide you with the best treatment possible.
Finally, a simple spirometry test will help the doctor assess your lung capacity to see how well they’re working. Using a basic disposable device, you’ll be asked to hold a mouthpiece to your lips and breathe out at hard as you can. A meter on the other end of the device will show what your lung capacity is.
Treatment
The most important part of treating bronchitis is to get enough rest and drink fluids. Your body relies heavily on being well hydrated to keeps its cells alive and functioning. Don’t neglect it.
A cough suppressant might be prescribed to help you catch some shut-eye since oftentimes bronchitis interrupts sleep schedules. If you’re in pain a pain reliever could be prescribed. Additionally, sleeping next to a humidifier will help keep your nose and lungs moist.
Nebulizer Treatment
Perhaps the single most effect method of treating bronchitis is the nebulizer. This method requires you to use a small machine to inhale steroids. These steroids calm the inflammation in your mucous membrane and allow your body to begin to heal. Nebulizer treatments drastically reduce coughing, sputum production, and chest tightness, allowing you to breathe easier.
If you’ve suffered from an excessive cough for weeks on end and haven’t experienced much relief from over the counter methods, nebulizer treatment might be just what you need to treat your bronchitis. It could offer the relief you’ve been searching for. Contact our experienced team to learn more about how we can help you decreased inflammation in your lungs and breathe easier, sooner.