Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Bronchitis?Nebulizer TreatmentNebulizer InstructionsNebulizer CleaningWhen to Call a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Bronchitis?
Nebulizer Treatment
Nebulizer Instructions
Nebulizer Cleaning
When to Call a Healthcare Provider
Having a cough can be miserable, keeping you awake at night and interrupting your day as well. A common cause of cough isbronchitis, an inflammation of the bronchi, the tubes that carry air into your lungs. If you have chronic bronchitis, your healthcare provider may recommendnebulizertreatments.
Here’s what you should know about using a nebulizer to treat bronchitis.
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Bronchitis is an inflammation of the tubes that bring air to the lungs. When these tubes, called the bronchi, become swollen and infected, it can causesymptoms of bronchitis, including:
There are two types of bronchitis that occur.
Acute bronchitis
Acute bronchitis can happen to anyone, including children. Generally, the symptoms clear up within three to 10 days, but the cough can last much longer than that.
Nebulizers are not typically used to treat acute bronchitis. Children with acute bronchitis do not get nebulizer treatment.
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitishappens when a person is exposed to environmental toxins. Most often, it occurs in people who smoke, but it can also develop in people who are exposed to dust, pollution, or other irritants. It is a type ofchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Children do not get chronic bronchitis.
Chronic bronchitis is defined as a productive cough for at least three months in each of two successive years, in the absence of other causes of chronic cough. =
People with chronic bronchitis have an ongoing cough. Although there are treatments for chronic bronchitis—including nebulizer treatments—there is no cure for the condition.
How Nebulizers Treat Bronchitis
If your bronchitis is severe or long-lasting and hasn’t shown improvement fromover-the-counter treatmentsandhome remedies, your healthcare provider might recommendprescription treatments. If your infection is bacterial, your healthcare provider might recommend antibiotics to address the root cause of bronchitis.
They may also prescribe inhaled medications, including:
These inhaled medications are commonly used ininhalers to treat bronchitis. However, some people find it difficult to use an inhaler, which requires coordinated and strong breaths. Anebulizeris easier to use and can help deliver inhaled medications to kids and people with low lung function, like those with chronic bronchitis.
How to Use a Nebulizer
A nebulizer is generally used for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. During that time, you use a mouthpiece or mask, which delivers the medication mist directly into your mouth. You take slow, deep breaths in order to draw the medication into your lungs.
If you have never used a nebulizer before, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for instructions and tips. Here’s an overview of how to use a nebulizer:
If you’re giving a nebulizer treatment to a child, try to keep them calm and distracted. These steps might help:
Clean Your Nebulizer
When you’re finished doing a nebulizer treatment, it’s important to clean your nebulizer. The last thing that you want is another infection when you already have bronchitis. Cleaning your nebulizer between treatments can help stop the spread of germs and infection. You’ll also need to clean your nebulizer more thoroughly once a week.
Here’s how to wash your nebulizer between uses:
Once a week, you should do a more thorough cleaning, following these steps:
The symptoms of bronchitis, especially chronic bronchitis, can last a long time. However, it’s important to stay in contact with your healthcare provider.
If your symptoms start getting worse, reach out to your healthcare provider. If you experience trouble breathing, call 911 or seek immediate medication attention. A nebulizer treatment is not the same as a rescue inhaler, and should never be used during an emergency.
Summary
Nebulizers are a potential treatment option for bronchitis. To determine if this is a good treatment option for you, speak with your healthcare provider
A Word From Verywell
Although using a nebulizer might seem intimidating, it’s quite simple. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist any questions that you may have. Then, take a deep breath—soon you’ll be able to use the nebulizer without a second thought. Establish a routine around your nebulizer treatments, so that you can look forward to a few minutes of peace and quiet that help manage your bronchitis symptoms.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Acute bronchitis.MedlinePlus.Chronic bronchitis.MedlinePlus.How to use a nebulizer.MedlinePlus.How to use a nebulizer.KidsHealth from Nemours.How can I help my child cooperate while using a nebulizer?American Lung Association.How to clean a nebulizer.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Acute bronchitis.MedlinePlus.Chronic bronchitis.MedlinePlus.How to use a nebulizer.MedlinePlus.How to use a nebulizer.KidsHealth from Nemours.How can I help my child cooperate while using a nebulizer?American Lung Association.How to clean a nebulizer.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Acute bronchitis.MedlinePlus.Chronic bronchitis.MedlinePlus.How to use a nebulizer.MedlinePlus.How to use a nebulizer.KidsHealth from Nemours.How can I help my child cooperate while using a nebulizer?American Lung Association.How to clean a nebulizer.
MedlinePlus.Acute bronchitis.
MedlinePlus.Chronic bronchitis.
MedlinePlus.How to use a nebulizer.
KidsHealth from Nemours.How can I help my child cooperate while using a nebulizer?
American Lung Association.How to clean a nebulizer.
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