About this topic
Chronic bronchitis is an ongoing serious condition. The lining of the airways to the lungs are irritated and swollen. There is often a cough. The lungs make a lot of mucus trying to get rid of whatever is bothering them. When you have this illness, you often make wheezing noises when you breathe. You may have problems breathing and become tired easily. The swelling and cough can last for a very long time and get worse. Smoking is a common cause of chronic bronchitis. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Prop your head and shoulders on pillows when you lie down. This may make it easier to breathe.
- Use a cool mist humidifier to help with breathing. Be sure to clean it weekly with a mild bleach solution. This will help prevent germs from growing in the water chamber.
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. This will help keep the mucus thin. It will also help prevent fluid loss.
- Your doctor may teach you some breathing exercises.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. You may be sent to a doctor who specializes in lung illnesses. Your doctor may suggest you go to a lung rehab center to help improve your health.
- Your signs may come back. This is more likely if you are around people who are sick with colds and flu. See your doctor as soon as your signs come back.
What drugs may be needed?
Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor. The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Make breathing easier
- Help coughing
- Lower swelling in your airways
- Prevent infection
- Control excess mucus
Always carry your drugs with you. You might have attacks of breathing troubles anytime. This may be especially true if your problem is very bad. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
Your physical activities may be limited as long as you have the signs of this health problem. Avoid heavy and tiring activities. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Long-term lung damage
- Asthma
- Lung infection
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Work to get as healthy as possible. Be active at home by:
- Walking. Ask your doctor how far you can walk.
- Exercising your arms, shoulders, and legs. Ask your doctor or therapist about what exercises are best for you.
- Do breathing exercises.
- Keep away from things which will bother your lungs.
- If you are a smoker, stop.
- Stay away from smokers when you are out.
- Do not allow smoking in your home.
- Avoid working in places with toxic fumes and chemicals.
- Protect yourself from getting sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs.
- Ask visitors with a cold to wear a mask.
- Get a flu shot yearly. Ask your doctor if you need a pneumonia shot.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, cough, more sputum, or change in color of sputum.
- Breathing is getting worse: harder or faster than before or you feel like you are getting less air
- You need to lean forward when sitting to help you breathe
- You are using your rib muscles to help you breathe. You see the skin between your ribs going in as you breathe.
- You have troubles breathing when lying down flat on your back
- Feeling extra sleepy or confused
- Fingertips, fingernails, skin, or lips are blue
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my breathing.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have more trouble breathing, it is harder to breathe, or I feel like I am getting less air.
Where can I learn more?
American Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/bronchitis-chronic/understanding-chronic-bronchitis.html ‚
Canadian Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/a-z/bronchitis-bronchite/index_e.php ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/teen/infections/common/bronchitis.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚