Chronic Bronchitis Treatments

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There is currently no cure for chronic bronchitis – that is, none that is currently recognized by the medical community. Clinically approved treatment options only aim to relieve symptoms and to avoid complications. Common treatment options are described below.

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Bronchodilator – prescription drugs that opens up the airways in the lungs to make it easier to cough up phlegm and breathe; administered through an inhaler or “puffer”

Mucolytics – medicine that thins mucous to make it easier to cough up

Corticosteroids – sometimes used during flare-ups of wheezing or in cases of severe bronchitis that is not responding to other treatments; prescribed in inhaler or as pills

Lung Surgery – to remove damaged parts of the lungs

Lung transplant – only in very severe cases – advanced chronic bronchitis

Antibiotics – if you get an infection on top of chronic bronchitis

Oxygen therapy – lack of oxygen due to difficulty in breathing – advanced chronic bronchitis; lung oxygen level (measured as arterial blood gas PO2) is below a certain level; therapy may be continuous or non-continuous; continuous means more than 15 hours per day; non-continuous means during exercising or other physical activities, and/or at night while sleeping; about 40% of chronic bronchitis patients undergoing continuous oxygen therapy will improve enough in a month to stop therapy, although some may need to start therapy again later if condition worsens. The oxygen is normally delivered in one of three ways: using a nasal canula (through the nose), a transtracheal catheter (directly into the windpipe), or an electronic demand device that delivers oxygen at the start of every breath.

Quitting smoking to avoid triggering attacks

Avoiding contact with things that may cause an allergic reaction

Avoiding lung irritants such as second hand smoke, dust, chemical fumes, etc.

Getting flu shots and pneumonia vaccine – chronic bronchitis makes you more prone to lung infections

Sleeping in the sitting position – lying down can make breathing more difficult

Physical exercise programs and breathing exercises to strengthen muscles that help with breathing. Your doctor may refer you to an exercise program called pulmonary rehabilitation, where a respiratory therapist will help you to improve your breathing.

Appropriate rest and proper nutrition – to avoid getting the cold / flu that can become life-threatening to anyone with chronic bronchitis

The treatment prescribed varies from person to person, and is determined based on the particular person’s medical history, his/her current state of health, the stage the condition has progressed to, and other relevant criteria. The earlier this condition is detected and treated, the more favorable the outcome.