Allergic Bronchitis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Tips

• There are two types of bronchitis - allergic bronchitis and acute bronchitis.
• Allergic (chronic) bronchitis is caused due to exposure to irritants like pollen, pet fur, pollution, viruses, and other bacteria.
• Allergic bronchitis usually lasts for weeks, months or more but is not life-threatening.
• You can cure allergic bronchitis with the help of proper medical treatment and self-care at home.

Bronchitis is a respiratory disease caused by irritants. It causes your bronchial tube to swell and produce too much mucus, which is a substance that usually protects your lungs by blocking bacteria, dust and other allergic irritants. Excess production of mucus causes your air passage to block, making it quite difficult for you to breathe. This leads to intense coughing and breathing issues.Allergic bronchitis is treatable at home and is not life-threatening. Let's understand it in detail.

Bronchitis has been classified into two types, which are:

Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is caused by viruses, bacteria, or certain kinds of allergies and usually goes away in a few days or weeks. It is not a serious condition and can be treated easily by home remedies or medication.

Chronic (Allergic) Bronchitis

Chronic or allergic bronchitis is a part of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and emphysema. It lasts usually for months or longer and is a matter of concern. Though this too can be cured with proper care and treatment, it is very important to treat it with seriousness and follow prescribed measures. Also Read - Understand the differences between common cold, allergies and Covid-19

Both allergic and acute bronchitis belong to the same family but differ from one another in more than one way. Let us take a quick look into their differences to understand how to distinguish one from another.

Allergic bronchitis usually occurs due to too much exposure to pollutants, smoke, tobacco and dust. With severe respiratory issues, some of the symptoms to look out for to determine whether you are suffering from allergic bronchitis are as follows:

• Severe coughing for months
• Constant wheezing
• Feeling of fatigue
• Production of white or clear mucus
• A feeling of constant tightness/pressure in the chest

Some common factors that have been identified as the major causes behind allergic bronchitis are:

• Air Pollution
• Chemical Fumes
• Engine Exhaust
• Dust
• Pollen
• Cigarette Smoking (Both active and passive)
• Smoke from chemicals, engines, or cigarettes

If you experience any of the above-given symptoms, then immediately visit a doctor and get these tests done to confirm if you are suffering from allergic bronchitis.

Chest X-Ray

Helps you ascertain the cause behind your coughing and the underlying disease, whether pneumonia, bronchitis or any other infection.

Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)

This test determines the amount of air that can be held in your lungs by asking you to blow into a Spirometer. This test helps determine whether you have asthma or emphysema.

Sputum Tests

Sputum is the mucus that is coughed out of the patient’s lungs. It is done to confirm whether your coughing issue is induced by an antibiotic or due to any other allergy. Also Read - Know how to reduce your blood pressure fast

It is very important to begin your treatments immediately after you have been diagnosed with allergic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis can be cured through light medication or home care, but to cure chronic bronchitis you must follow proper medical guidance, undergo advised treatment and bring about some lifestyle changes.Some advised scientific treatments for allergic bronchitis are as follows:

Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators dilate, widen and relax the muscles around the bronchial airways and make breathing a lot easier for you. You can opt for either a short-acting bronchodilator or a long-acting bronchodilator. The former has a quicker but little lasting effect, while the latter has a slow but longer lasting effect. Bronchodilators can be taken with the help of a metered dose inhaler.

Steroids

Steroids help remove bronchial inflammation and are often used to treat allergic bronchitis. It eases the flow of air in the bronchial passage and alleviates coughing. Steroids, despite being an intravenous or oral medication, are often administered through an inhaler to cure chronic bronchitis.

Oxygen Therapy

Allergic bronchitis interrupts the smooth flow of oxygen between the lungs and mouth/nose, leading to decreased oxygen levels in the patient’s body. Hence, to cure this issue, the doctor often suggests oxygen therapy as it helps restore the oxygen levels to normal in the body.

Mucolytic Drugs

Mucolytic drugs make your mucus much thinner and less sticky. This makes it easy for you to expel mucus from your lungs while coughing, thereby clearing off your bronchial passage. You can take this drug through a nebuliser or orally, at your convenience.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Classes

These classes offer guided breathing exercises and also spread awareness of ways to decrease your exposure to allergy-causing irritants.

Apart from the above-mentioned medicinal and scientific treatments, you can also follow these natural home treatments to cure allergic bronchitis faster:

Add Ginger and Turmeric to Your Diet

Both ginger and turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties that can help you get rid of bronchial inflammation quickly.

Take steam regularly

The steam from the hot boiling water breaks up the mucus, making it easier for you to flush it out of your system. It also helps the bronchial muscles to relax.

Get a Humidifier

A humidifier moistens the air around you, softens the mucus and makes it easier for you to expel it while coughing.

Drink Lots of Water

This helps in the thinning of the mucus and easy eradication from the bronchial tube.

Gargle

Gargling with salt water eradicates discomfort caused due to sore throat by continuous coughing.

Quit Smoking

Try and stay away from smoking, either active or passive, to improve your lung condition and boost your immune system.

Wear a Mask

Wearing a mask can help minimise your contact with irritants that cause allergic bronchitis.

Avoid Triggers

Stay away from pollen, pets, or polluted areas to avoid triggering your bronchial inflammation.

Exercise Regularly

Exercising daily helps improve the functioning of your lungs. You can also opt for yoga for bronchitis to boost your lung capacity.

Get Proper Vaccination

Get flu and pneumonia vaccines on time to avoid triggering your condition.

Rest

Last, but not least, rest adequately to give time to your body muscles to relax.

Handle Allergic Bronchitis Efficiently

Allergic bronchitis or chronic bronchitis normally lasts for a few months or more and can harm your health if not treated on time. It causes your bronchial passage to clog, making it very difficult for you to breathe.However, chronic bronchitis is easily curable. With the right kind of treatment and self-care, you can easily get rid of this disease and live a healthy and peaceful life.Buying a health insurance plan is also recommended to cover the medical bills that might arise in the case of complications. The plan will allow you to afford quality healthcare without worrying about your finances.