Bronchitis is a condition where the tubes and airways in your lungs become inflated. A thick mucus forms in these airways which obstruct the flow of air. This leads to a sensation of a heavy chest and makes it difficult for you to breathe. Any condition that prevails for a long time can be termed as chronic. Chronic bronchitis occurs if you experience the symptoms of bronchitis for more than three months.

Symptoms and causes of bronchitis
One of the most major symptoms of bronchitis is a cough that doesn’t cure for over three months. Some other symptoms include wheezing and shortness of breath.

One of the leading causes of chronic bronchitis is smoking. The trapped smoke in your lungs inflames your bronchial tubes, making it difficult for air to pass. Sometimes, irritants like industrial pollutants and smog present in the air also lead to bronchitis. Some bacteria and viral infections can also cause bronchitis. This condition generally lasts for a short period (acute bronchitis). If the symptoms, however, continue for over three months, these infections can also lead to chronic bronchitis. Some other conditions that cause coughing and difficulty in breathing for over three months can lead to chronic bronchitis. When there are so many factors that can cause chronic bronchitis, you have to take at most care if you are suffering from diseases like asthma and immunodeficiency.

Diagnosis of chronic bronchitis
The diagnosis of bronchitis begins with ruling out of the symptoms of a regular cough and heavy breathing. After this, the doctor asks you to breathe into a machine that checks if your lungs are damaged. This test is done to check how well your lungs are working against the symptoms of chronic bronchitis and avoiding lung failure. You can also be asked to undergo a blood test and chest X-ray for the doctor to understand the condition of your disease better.

Treatment for chronic bronchitis
If the disease is diagnosed in time, there are several methods doctors use as a treatment for chronic bronchitis. Some of them are mentioned below.

Cough suppressant
In case you don’t have a mucus formation, your doctor would recommend you a cough suppressant. This helps clear the airways in your lungs for better breathing and also helps your lungs in fighting bronchitis. This treatment, however, is only advised after ensuring that your cough is the only hindrance to curing chronic bronchitis.

Inhaler
This form of medication is usually inhaled rather than taken as a pill. Doctors only advise an inhaler in severe cases of chronic bronchitis. This treatment for chronic bronchitis opens up the airways in the lungs allowing you to breathe more freely.

Oxygen therapy
Oxygen therapy is another treatment for chronic bronchitis that is given only in severe cases. The lack of oxygen in your lungs causes a difficulty in your breathing. During an oxygen therapy, an oximeter is fitted onto the machine to monitor your lung activity and provide enough oxygen to the lungs to fight chronic bronchitis.

Home remedies as a treatment for chronic bronchitis
Certain home remedies can also help cure chronic bronchitis. These can be straightforward and quick steps to avoiding cold and dry air as it aggravates coughing. You can also wear a mask before you head out to protect yourself from atmospheric pollutants. Yoga and exercises can also help you breathe more comfortably. They contribute to providing the lungs with enough oxygen to cure chronic bronchitis.

Vaccines
Similar to other types of vaccinations, bronchitis also has a vaccine. This vaccine prevents infections and atmospheric pollutants from affecting your lungs and help you breathe comfortably. This vaccine also avoids inflammation and excessive formation of mucus in your lungs.

Pulmonary rehabilitation
Once you start experiencing the symptoms of chronic bronchitis, the lack of oxygen in your body makes you physically weak. Rehabilitation techniques like breathing therapies that help you quit smoking contribute to curing the disease. Pulmonary rehabilitation also includes other steps like increasing your awareness of the disease and proper nutrition. They can help cure the disease until there are no signs left of it.

Surgery
If none of the techniques mentioned above show results, the final solution that doctors resort to is surgery. Surgery can repair some damaged lung tissues which can reduce your symptoms of chronic bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis is a progressive disease and continues to worsen if you fail to take care of your health. Make sure you avoid all habits that worsen your condition of chronic bronchitis, especially if you are a smoker.

In case you think that you suffer from any of the symptoms, contact a doctor to get a treatment for chronic bronchitis as soon as possible. Some simple techniques like changes in your lifestyle, living conditions, watching the food you eat, etc. can help avoid bronchitis. Make sure that you monitor your health otherwise the condition of your symptoms will worsen.