N-acetylcysteine NAC is also a common OTC medication to help treat chronic bronchitis, as it may help reduce mucus production. People with other respiratory conditions, such as COPD, lung cancer , or asthma should speak with a doctor before trying new medications or home remedies.

These may have negative interactions with other medications or trigger symptoms. Some home remedies and lifestyle changes may help relieve symptoms of acute bronchitis.

That said, not all of these have been clinically tested. Sleeping may help boost the immune system and aid recovery from infection. To assist in sleeping, use more pillows to raise the head. This sleeping position may help soothe breathing and clear mucus from the chest.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC also recommends that adults need 7—9 hours of sleep per day. Bronchitis may cause dehydration due to increased fluid loss.

Drinking enough fluids may help :. Low humidity and cold temperatures have been connected with an increase in respiratory tract infections. Low humidity may also irritate nasal passages and the throat, plus cause itchy eyes and dry skin.

Humidifiers may help treat bronchitis symptoms by emitting water vapor or steam to increase the moisture levels in a room. Inhaling steam with an inhalation device may also help loosen mucus and encourage it to drain away.

Smoking is the leading cause of chronic bronchitis. Inhaling smoke may trigger severe fits of coughing if a person has bronchitis. Quitting smoking altogether or cutting down may limit bronchial tube damage and promote faster healing.

A person who quits smoking is also less likely to get acute bronchitis in the future. People with chronic bronchitis often breathe fast.

A breathing method called pursed-lip breathing may help slow down the breathing pace and manage shortness of breath. The method works by reducing how often a breath is taken, which keeps the airways open for a longer period.

To do pursed-lip breathing, a person should first inhale through the nostrils for two counts. Then, breathe out slowly through slightly pursed lips while counting to four. A common symptom of bronchitis is a sore throat. There are many ways to soothe a sore throat, including:.

Children under the age of 4 should not be given anything small and hard due to the risk of choking. Acute bronchitis will usually go away on its own without treatment and typically lasts for up to 3 weeks. That said, persistent symptoms of bronchitis lasting more than 3 weeks may be a sign of another condition, such as:.

Having a fever for more than 3 days may also indicate a more serious condition, such as pneumonia. Antibiotics help treat bacterial infections by slowing down or killing bacteria. Since bronchitis is typically caused by viral infections, doctors do not commonly prescribe antibiotics to treat them.

Bronchitis is a respiratory condition that causes inflammation and excess mucus. Although most cases of acute bronchitis last up to 3 weeks and go away on their own, chronic bronchitis may present long-term problems.

Some of the symptoms of pneumonia may be manageable at home. This article covers home remedies for pneumonia and when to see a doctor. Learn more here. In this article, learn about some home remedies that may help manage shortness of breath, its causes, and when to seek help.

Home remedies that are recommended to ease bronchitis include using a humidifier, wearing a face mask, drinking warm liquids, and may more.

Find out…. Bronchitis causes inflammation of the airways within the lungs. Find out about the symptoms of bronchitis, how it develops, and the treatment options…. Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes.

This can occur either as a result of asthma or the overreaction of the immune system. This article…. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? Why Parkinson's research is zooming in on the gut Tools General Health Drugs A-Z Health Hubs Health Tools Find a Doctor BMI Calculators and Charts Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide Sleep Calculator Quizzes RA Myths vs Facts Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction Connect About Medical News Today Who We Are Our Editorial Process Content Integrity Conscious Language Newsletters Sign Up Follow Us.

Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Treatment options for bronchitis. Medically reviewed by Nick Villalobos, MD — By Hannah Nichols — Updated on December 6, People with bronchitis typically have a build up of mucus in the lungs, so the less mucus production, the better.

For now, avoid:. I personally love Deep Lung , Bronchial Wellness Syrup and Andrographis-Plus. During a stint of bronchitis, high-doses of Vitamin D3 , IU have been shown to boost the immune system make sure your formula includes Vitamin K for absorption.

AirPhysio is like a workout for rebuilding lung strength that works. Inhale, then exhale, while trying to move the metal ball inside for success.

Try it for minutes times per day. It works. Heat up your body to cleanse from the inside out with infrared sauna daily if possible , steamy showers or warm baths. Sauna and steam baths can help upper respiratory problems by loosening mucus.

Regular sauna sessions preferably infrared or dry sauna have been shown to reduce the incidence of common colds, and improve lung function and breathing in patients with lung diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis.

There is a HUGE link between lung inflammation and large intestine inflammation. By loving the gut, you inadvertently love your lungs. Coffee enemas, digestive bitters, bowel-stimulating herbs. Prioritize rest. The best way to loosen mucus is to drink plenty of clean filtered water—aiming for at least half your bodyweight in ounces and then some about 8 to 12 cups per day.

Anecdotally, Chinese herbs have a shorter duration of signs and symptoms. Common herbs used in the treatment of asthma and bronchitis are:. An amazing blend to check out is Kan Blue Green Lung. Perhaps the single most effect method of treating bronchitis is the nebulizer.

Nebulizers entail using a small machine to inhale a lung-supportive agent doctors often prescribe steroids, but in functional medicine we often look to glutathione and colloidal silver. These agents calm the inflammation in your mucous membrane and allow your body to begin to heal.

Supplemental NAC the precursor of glutathione can also be helpful for boosting antioxidants in the body to fight free radicals. Laser therapy is a topical treatment often offered at chiropractic offices that can reduce bronchial thickening and airway smooth muscle thickening.

Other studies have shown positive findings. Think outside the box. One, of many, studies showed acupuncture increases immunoglobulin production and stabilizes total health for elderly patients suffering from chronic bronchitis—some of the sickest patients of all.

Immunoglobulins function as antibodies, which are immune system proteins in the blood that counteract antigens e. Consistency is key if you are going to do acupuncture sessions, ideally back to back or days a part per week.

You may not feel like running a marathon right now, but walks, yoga or light workouts help keep lymph and debris and mucous moving also in your lungs. Peppermint essential out has a way of opening the lungs. Inhale it under the nose and dab on your pulse points to open air ways.

I am obsessed with my natural sea salt inhaler. This coupled with regular nasal wash rinses to keep my sinuses clear are immediate symptoms relievers.

Check on any contraindications with supplements and foods, and consider pairing your natural treatments with as-needed bronchial dilators or inhalers if needed. You must be logged in to post a comment. Skip to content.