Sure, you're on doctor prescribed antibiotics, but you still feel awful. What are some other ways to speed up your recovery when you're dealing with bronchitis?

What is bronchitis?

Simply stated, when the bronchial tubes cannot carry air to your lungs because they are inflamed and irritated, they swell and produce mucus, which makes you cough. It begins with a dry and hacking cough and then the cough will start producing mucus. It is not unusual to have fever and body aches as well.

There are Two Types of Bronchitis:

Webmd defines two types of bronchitis: acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis usually affects those who are generally of good health and can last two-to-three weeks in one's system before you begin to feel better again. On the other hand, chronic bronchitis is typically keeps coming back and is seen in patients who are smokers. This article will talk only about acute bronchitis.

What are the Medical Treatment Options?

Acute bronchitis is caused by a virus and is treated with antibiotics. Most people feel better after 2-3 weeks of being on antibiotics.

Are They Other Treatment Options As Well?

1. Drink plenty of fluids

Water is essential to drink as it helps to wash all of the mucus out of your system.

2. Use a product like Mucinex

Check with your doctor first to make sure there are no adverse reactions to other medication you are currently taking. This product is really great at breaking up all the chest congestion and mucus. It makes breathing much easier.

3. Suck on cough drops

Sucking on cough drops will soothe your throat's discomfort from all the coughing.

4. Go in a steamy hot shower.

Step into a steamy hot shower and feel the water break up all the mucus in your chest. There is also a product called Sudacare Shower Soothers, which work wonders and clearing out your head and helping you to breath better.

5. Try using a vaporizer.

A vaporizer works much the same way as the hot shower method; the idea is to inhale the steam, which will break up the mucus in your lungs.

6. Gargle with warm water and salt.

By combining one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, you are soothing the irritation in your throat and you are breaking up stubborn mucus.

7. Sleep.

Last but not least, you want to listen to your body and get some rest. Walking around when you have bronchitis only increases the chances of it getting worse or of you passing on your germs to others.

These are all ways that you can minimize the discomfot of bronchitis and speed up your recovery time.