Understanding Bronchitis and Its Treatment
Bronchitis, an upper respiratory infection, often lasts longer than a common cold but usually doesn’t need antibiotics or medical treatment. While adults get several colds each year, bronchitis, or “chest colds,” are less common, affecting about 5% of adults annually. The persistent cough that comes with bronchitis makes it seem more serious, leading many to visit their primary care provider.
What is bronchitis?
Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi, the tubes that carry air from the windpipe to the lungs. It often starts as an infection in the nose, sinuses, ears, or throat and then moves to the bronchi.
The main symptom is a cough, which can be dry or produce phlegm that may be yellow or green, indicating your body is fighting the infection. Other symptoms include fatigue, sore throat, chest discomfort, wheezing, or shortness of breath. Like a cold, bronchitis usually resolves on its own, but symptoms can last up to three weeks. You might feel better in a week, but the cough can linger for another two weeks or more.
Treating Bronchitis
Treat bronchitis similarly to a cold: rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take acetaminophen for pain. Inhaling steam from a vaporizer or hot water, or taking a hot shower, can help loosen phlegm. Over-the-counter cough suppressants can help you manage symptoms during the day and sleep better at night.
Don’t wait until you’re overheated to cool down. Be aware of high temperatures throughout your day and try these 14 tips to stay cool:
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- Check the weather: Use a weather app to track hourly temperatures and plan your day around the hottest times.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to replace what you lose through sweat. Women need about 11 cups (88 ounces) and men need about 15 cups (120 ounces) per day. If you’re outdoors a lot, you’ll need even more.
- Seek air conditioning: Spend time in air-conditioned places during the hottest parts of the day. If you don’t have AC, visit a mall, library, movie theater, or cooling center.
- Use fans wisely: Fans can help cool you down by blowing heat away from your body. If the air is hot, wet your skin with a spray bottle or wet wipe to promote evaporative cooling.
- Take breaks: Pace yourself during outdoor activities. Physical work generates heat, so be active for short periods and rest in between.
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Q: I’m 55, and a friend my age just got the shingles vaccine and urged me to do the same. But I’ve heard the shots can cause severe arm pain for days. Is it really worth it?
A: Yes, it usually is. The shingles vaccine, given in two doses over several months, helps prevent a much bigger problem than a sore arm or other side effects like fatigue, fever, and achiness.
The vaccine called Shingrix is very effective against shingles, which is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus that stays dormant in your nerves. Shingles can cause a very painful skin rash and may lead to a complication called postherpetic neuralgia, which is severe nerve pain that can last for months or even years after the rash disappears.
It’s smarter to prevent these issues rather than avoid the shingles vaccine because of temporary side effects. Shingrix is FDA-approved for adults 50 and older. Discuss your concerns with your doctor and get her advice.
Last Saturday, I went to visit the Govan Stones with my partner, and it was a lovely tour. Today, I’ll be sharing what I wore and keeping this post simple. Later next week, I’ll share my entire tour of the Govan Stones and other places we visited. I’m super excited to share this with you as it is historic and, in my opinion, interesting.
I changed in the car because I knew the weather could get cold and unpredictable—one minute it’s cold, and the next, it’s raining and windy. I wore this pink short outfit to the second location, but since the first location we visited was a church, I wore black cargo pants from Route one instead.
Here’s what I wore:
White/Green Tee: River Island
Sleeveless Jacket: Topshop
Shoes: Zara
