Eyes, Ears, Nose & Throat

Acute Bronchitis: 7 Home Remedies for Coping with a Chest Cold

Battling acute bronchitis? Unless you’re really lucky, you’ll have to let it run its course. Follow this common-sense advice to get through it as quickly as possible.

By Larry Canale • December 21, 2018

Which would you rather have—a head cold or a chest cold? Pick your poison, right? A head cold can take you out of play for a few days, thanks to all the typical symptoms—sinus congestion, clogged ears, watery eyes, a runny nose, chapped skin on your face from all the nose-blowing, and an overall run-down feeling. On paper, a chest cold may not seem as bad, but let’s call it what it is: acute bronchitis. Like a common cold, it can knock you out of your routine for a few days; at worst, it can progress into pneumonia.

What exactly is acute bronchitis? In short, according to the American Lung Association (ALA), it’s a “form of lower respiratory tract inflammation affecting the air tubes (bronchi) of the lungs.” While acute bronchitis may start as a head cold or throat irritation, it’s ultimately characterized by those inflamed primary and secondary bronchi.

A case of acute bronchitis usually hits suddenly. In some cases, it can come and go in three days, as long as you aren’t suffering from another lung disorder as well. But it also can endure for 10 days to two weeks, with some symptoms lingering even beyond that time frame.

Acute Bronchitis Symptoms

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a respiratory virus. “It almost always comes after having a cold or flu-like illness,” according to MountSinai.org. “At first, it affects your nose, sinuses, and throat. Then it spreads to the airways that lead to your lungs.”

A bacterial infection also can cause acute bronchitis, but it’s rare, occurring in less than 10 percent of acute bronchitis cases.

Either way, it’s nothing to take lightly. In fact, acute bronchitis is sometimes diagnosed as pneumonia. With pneumonia, however, you’re “more likely to have a high fever and chills, feel sicker, or be more short of breath,” as reported at MountSinai.org. A chest x-ray can help distinguish between the two.

Acute bronchitis symptoms commonly present as:

• A runny nose and congested sinuses in the days leading up to chest congestion
• A deep, “hacking” cough that can last up to two weeks (or even more)
• Mucus—which may be yellow, green, or clear—produced by coughing
• Sore ribs and stomach muscles from constant coughing
• A wheezing, whistling, or squeaking sound as you breathe
• A fatigued, run-down feeling

When piled on top of each other, those half-dozen symptoms can leave you exhausted and out of commission.

Acute Bronchitis Home Remedy Treatment

The good news is that in most cases, acute bronchitis will resolve on its own with at-home treatment. There’s no silver bullet—medical experts typically cite six acute bronchitis treatment strategies, most of which you’ll recognize as measures to take for the common cold and flu treatment.

1. Get plenty of rest.

That means you may need to pull yourself out of work (or school) for anywhere from a few days to several days.

2. Drink plenty of fluids.

Staying hydrated is key; keep the water and tea coming. The chicken soup that seems to make you feel better counts toward your fluid intake. On the other hand, alcohol, caffeine and bronchitis don’t mix. Steer clear of alcohol and caffeine when you’re battling bronchitis.

3. Give yourself some OTC relief.

To get through the day and night, you may benefit from over-the-counter cough expectorants and a pain reliever. According to MountSinai.org: “Certain medicines that you can buy without a prescription can help break up or loosen mucus. Look for the word ‘guaifenesin’ on the label. Ask the pharmacist for help finding it.” Guaifenesin thins out the mucus stuck in your airways. Also, get pain relief from ibuprofen (Advil, Tylenol), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or, if you’re not taking other blood-thinning medications, aspirin.

4. “Steam” it out.

As the congestion in your chest takes hold, you’ll find yourself wanting to just breathe normally, without that rasp. Try breathing in steam from a bowl of hot water or in a hot shower.

5. Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer.

You’ll likely find that the nighttime coughing will make it difficult for you to sleep. Using a humidifier or mist vaporizer will allow you to breathe in moist air and may help you get some shuteye.

6. Avoid lung irritants.

Don’t smoke and don’t subject yourself to second-hand smoke. Do stay clear of pollution and irritants such as cleaning chemicals or paint with strong fumes.

7. Consider a natural remedy.

Both honey and ginger have proponents as sources of relief from acute bronchitis symptoms. Honey is known to soothe inflamed mucus membranes, so it’s worth adding to your tea or toast. Ginger also can help. Research suggests that “distinct ginger compounds could be used as anti-inflammatory drugs in respiratory infections,” according to Phytotherapy Research.

When to See a Doctor for Acute Bronchitis

What if you can’t shake symptoms of acute bronchitis even after two weeks? And what if additional symptoms—a fever, for example—take hold? At that point, you should see your doctor for an evaluation. He or she will conduct a physical examination, reviewing your medical history.

“The doctor also may order a blood test to look for signs of infection or a chest x-ray to see if your lungs and bronchial tubes look normal and [to] rule out pneumonia,” according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

But, our sources tell us, don’t expect antibiotics. As the CDC says, “Be aware: an antibiotic will not help you get better.”

And, according to the NHLBI, doctors typically prescribe antibiotics “only if they find you have a bacterial infection, which is more common in young children.”