How do you develop bronchitis?

Why do I tend to develop bronchitis every time I get a cold?

• Every time I get sick I end up with bronchitis and it takes me weeks to get over it. This started about 6 years ago when I moved. I'm told that more people who live in this area develop Asthma, pneumonia and other respiratory complications. Has anyone heard of where you live being a factor in whether or not you get bronchitis? I won't be moving from here for about 11 more months. My daughter also ends up developing bronchitis sometimes, and it takes her a few weeks to get back in shape for her dance and karate classes. Does anyone know a way to prevent bronchitis? Or a good way to treat it and get rid of it faster? Thanks in advance.

• Answer:

  Once anyone gets broncihitis, the lungs remain inflamed for an extended period of time, thus over exertion should be avoided for several months, though that may vary from person to person.. It is important to go 12 months without another episode of bronchitis to break this cycle, that is sometimes hard to achieve, but, here are some things to do. Get annual flu shots and also get a pneumonia injection. They both help prevent getting infections or lesson the degree. You can get the pneumonia shot now, it may be a little late for the flu shot, though still may be available; just get them, regardless of what the health care provider recommends. Insist on them, and get the flu shot religiously every fall around mid October. Both of you. When you get colds, usually the pattern is nose, then scrachy throat than quickly into the lungs for bronchitis. You have about 2.5 days before the bronchitis hits. Once you have a cold, stop needless exertion, stay home from work or school for 1 or 2 days, this helps lessen the degree of the coming bronchitis. (Always remember that last statement of mine and adhere to it). Since you have a history of bronchitis, regardless of what they say, get on antiobiotics right away. They tend to help people like you. Don't start treatment when it (bronchitis ) is full blown, its too late. If you are not allergic to it, Augmentin 875, twice daily for 10 days (sometimes 15) seems to help considerably. Drink lots of fluids and take guaifenisin-DM tablets twice a day for 5 to 10 days (they are RX as well as OTC as Mucinex-DM). They help loosen the mucus and suppress excessive coughing. Adults may use 1 or 2 tables every 12 hours. I like to start out on 2, then 1.5, then 1 twice daily as symptoms improve. They will make you sleepy but will help. Try to use a good multiple vitamin/mineral pill dailly with food; Centrum brand seems to be best in quality as recents test in the news have reported. Don't use mega vitmains/supplements. Keep your weight down, eat healty fruits, vegetables and protein. Get adequate sleep, don't get rundown. But why do you get this? Do you have an asthma component? Is there mold, woodsmoke or other smoke pollution in your home or valley? Wood smoke and factory smoke are key asthma triggers. Over exertion in cold weather is another. Walking is better than running or oerobic type exercise. You need to keep your breathing in control, else spasms occur. Swimming is also good. But don't exercise for a few months after the bronchitis, the lungs are too inflamed. Detailed testing of pulmonary functions and for allergies by pulmonologists and allergyists may be in order. But prevention, avoidance and fast treatment also helps. Don't let this get out of control, or it may become a lifetime problem; treatment at the beginning helps limit the course of this ailment. A key is finding a really good lung specialist and an excellent family doctor and sticking with them so they can see you during these recurrent episodes. Hope this helps both of you and that you follow it. You may email me for more info.