COUGH IT UP

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from your lungs. People who have bronchitis often cough up thickened mucus, which can be discoloured. Bronchitis may be either acute or chronic.

When to see a doctor
See your doctor if your cough:
Lasts more than three weeks
Prevents you from sleeping
Is accompanied by fever higher than 100.4 F (38 C)
Produces discoloured mucus
Produces blood
Is associated with wheezing or shortness of breath

For either acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis, signs and symptoms may include:
Cough
Production of mucus (sputum), which can be clear, white, yellowish-gray or green in colour — rarely, it may be streaked with blood
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Slight fever and chills
Chest discomfort

Causes
The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking cigarettes. Air pollution and dust or toxic gases in the environment or workplace also can contribute to the condition.
Treatments and drugs
In some circumstances, your doctor may prescribe medications, including:
Antibiotics: Bronchitis usually results from a viral infection, so antibiotics aren't effective. However, your doctor might prescribe an antibiotic if he or she suspects that you have a bacterial infection.
Cough medicine: It's best not to suppress a cough that brings up mucus, because coughing helps remove irritants from your lungs and air passages. If your cough keeps you from sleeping, you might try cough suppressants at bedtime.
Other medications: If you have allergies, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), your doctor may recommend an inhaler and other medications to reduce inflammation and open narrowed passages in your lungs.
If you have chronic bronchitis, you may benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation — a breathing exercise programme in which a respiratory therapist teaches you how to breathe more easily and increase your ability to exercise.

Lifestyle and home remedies
To help you feel better, you may want to try the following self-care measures:
Avoid lung irritants: Don't smoke. Wear a mask when the air is polluted or if you're exposed to irritants, such as paint or household cleaners with strong fumes.
Use a humidifier: Warm, moist air helps relieve coughs and loosens mucus in your airways. But be sure to clean the humidifier according to the manufacturer's recommendations to avoid the growth of bacteria and fungi in the water container.
Consider a face mask outside: If cold air aggravates your cough and causes shortness of breath, put on a cold-air face mask before you go outside.

Prevention
Avoid cigarette smoke: Cigarette smoke increases your risk of chronic bronchitis.
Get vaccinated: Many cases of acute bronchitis result from influenza, a virus. Getting a yearly flu vaccine can help protect you from getting the flu. You may also want to consider vaccination that protects against some types of pneumonia.
Wash your hands: To reduce your risk of catching a viral infection, wash your hands frequently and get in the habit of using hand sanitisers.

Source: Mayo Clinic