Bronchitis is a pathological condition involving the respiratory system characterized by inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes. The function of the bronchial tubes is to transport air to and from the lungs. An inflammation of the bronchial linings will cause cough productive of thick mucous.
There are basically two types of bronchitis namely acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis is more common than the chronic variant of this infection, although the chronic bronchitis is far more serious than the acute form of this condition. While acute bronchitis can be caused due to a bacterial or viral infection, a chronic bronchitis usually develops over a period of time and is found generally in chronic smokers.
Acute bronchitis may take about a week to get better even though the cough may last for a significantly longer period of time; however, chronic bronchitis may be a persisting problem with symptoms waxing and waning.
The classic presenting features of bronchitis are productive cough, production of greenish colored phlegm, persistent fatigue, problems with breathing, fever and chills, and some chest discomfort.
Can Acute Bronchitis Go Away On Its Own?
The answer to this question is yes, in majority of the cases the symptoms of acute form of bronchitis goes way on its own, especially in people who have no other health concerns. It may take some more time for bronchitis to go away in individuals with a compromised immune system or have some other underlying medical condition.
Normally, it takes around a couple of weeks for the symptoms of acute bronchitis to go away, although the cough may linger on for some more time. However, in immune compromised individuals it may take anywhere from a month to a month and a half for the symptoms to go away.
Usually, such individuals require some home therapy such as use of garlic, ginger or turmeric in their diet to fight off the infection and get rid of the symptoms of Bronchitis.
Additionally, the individual may increase the intake of fluids for cough relief and stay away from any dust or smoke to prevent any irritation of the airways. Resting the airways is yet another way of calming down the symptoms of acute bronchitis. For relief of body aches and fever like symptoms of bronchitis, over the counter medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen can be taken.
Also Read:
- Bacterial Bronchitis: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Investigations, Treatment, Preventive Therapy
- Viral Bronchitis: Causes, Symptoms, Investigations, Treatment, Preventative Measures
- Acute Bronchitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention
- Bronchitis: How do You Get Bronchial Infection & What is its Treatment?
- Prevention of Bronchitis in Children & its Home Remedies
- How Long Does Bronchitis Last & What To Take For It?
- How Long is Viral Bronchitis Contagious?|Preventive Measure for Viral Bronchitis?
