If the lining in your bronchial tubes becomes inflamed, you can develop chronic or acute bronchitis. Chronic is the more serious of the two, although acute bronchitis can lead to severe symptoms that require medical treatment. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment options to get the care you need to begin down the road to recovery.
Acute Vs. Chronic Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis usually starts as a respiratory infection and resolves within weeks. People can expect to recover from the condition entirely and might not get the ailment again in their lifetimes.
However, chronic bronchitis can slowly develop over the years and won’t completely disappear, even with treatment. It’s a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptom diagnosed when the bronchi are chronically inflamed. The chronic inflammation allows mucus to collect in the airways, creating breathing challenges. Additionally, those with this condition can also experience acute flare-ups from time to time.
To be diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, the doctor must first rule out other lung diseases causing the issue. Additionally, you must have experienced:
- A cough with mucus for the last two years
- Symptoms that lasted at least three months during each of the previous two years
Symptoms of Bronchitis
Chronic and acute bronchitis produce the same symptoms, including:
- Cough with clear, yellowish-gray, white, or green mucus
- Extreme fatigue
- Shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest
- Fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- Chills
When to Go to Urgent Care or the ER
Many people can recover from the condition at home without medical care. However, you could have complications that require treatment. Also, it’s possible to think you have bronchitis when it’s pneumonia, meaning you need to be under a doctor’s care.
Thus, go to the emergency room or urgent care if:
- You experience extreme changes in body temperature
- Your heart beats 125 times or more a minute when resting
- You take 30 or more breaths a minute when resting
- It’s hard to breathe
- You have gray or blue lips or nails
- You are dizzy or confused
- Your fever goes up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- There’s blood in your mucus
- You don’t get better after three weeks
- You can’t sleep because of the illness
Treatment at the ER or Urgent Care
The treatment protocol varies based on the type and cause of illness. For instance, antibiotics are often used to treat bacterial infections that turn into bronchitis. On the other hand, you might need pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, and other treatments if you have a chronic condition.
Treating Bronchitis at Home
You can recover at home if your symptoms are mild. First, stay hydrated and get lots of rest. You should also avoid smoking and take cough medicine to control your symptoms. You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer if you have fever and discomfort. Also, using a dehumidifier will make it easier to breathe.
Keep in mind that even if you can manage your symptoms at home, bronchitis can be miserable. Thus, consider going to urgent care if you don’t feel well. Then the team can help you recover from the illness faster.
Get Relief at Riverview Health ER & Urgent Care
Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care is the only health system in Hamilton County offering ER and urgent care services under one roof. Unlike most ER or urgent care centers, patients are only billed for the level of services they need. The ER is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The urgent care center is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. No appointments are not necessary for in-person visits; however, pre-registration is available.
Riverview Health Emergency Room Urgent Care has five convenient locations:
- Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care Carmel is located at 14585 Hazel Dell Pkwy., Carmel, IN 46033 and may be reached at 317.406.4280.
- Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care Fishers is located at 9690 E. 116th St., Fishers, IN 46037 and may be reached at 317.406.4585.
- Riverview Health Emergency Room & Urgent Care West Carmel/Zionsville is located at 10830 N. Michigan Rd., Zionsville, IN 46077 and may be reached at 317.406.4713.
- Riverview Health Westfield Hospital is located at 17600 Shamrock Blvd, Westfield, IN 46074 and may be reached at 317.214.5555.
- Riverview Health Noblesville Hospital is located at 395 Westfield Road, Noblesville, IN 46060.