Updated: 29-04-2025
Bronchitis – Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Simple Diet.
When the main airways within the lungs get inflamed and irritated due to infection, it is known as bronchitis.
The major symptom of it is a cough that also brings up phlegm, yellowish-grey mucus.
It also causes wheezing and a sore throat.
Symptoms of Bronchitis
A hacking cough is the main symptom. Other symptoms include:
- Headache
- Aches and pains
- Tiredness
- Sore throat
- Blocked nose or a runny nose
Who is more at risk?
It is quite a common condition and affects millions of people every year.
Mostly young children, elderly people, and infants are at risk of acute bronchitis, and people belonging to other age groups.
Although chronic bronchitis can affect anyone, it is more common in adults above 45 years of age, especially in smokers.
Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with bronchitis as men.
People who smoke frequently and also suffer from an existing lung ailment are more at risk of it.
Also, workers who are regularly exposed to chemical vapours, fumes, and dust are more at risk, such as those working in textile manufacturing, coal mining, livestock farming, and grain handling.
The symptoms of chronic bronchitis worsen due to allergies, infections, and air pollution.
Diagnosis of Bronchitis
Doctors will diagnose it by studying your medical history:
- Whether you have a frequent cough with mucus
- Whether you have suffered from the flu or a cold
- Whether you smoke or are regularly exposed to fumes and smoke
Tests recommended for final diagnosis include chest X-ray, blood tests, and lung function tests.
Treatment of Bronchitis
Regular bronchitis cases do not require treatment from a healthcare expert.
You can manage the symptoms at home.
However, medically, there is no proper cure for chronic bronchitis except adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Bronchitis Management
- Take a lot of rest
- Keep on drinking fluids at frequent intervals to prevent dehydration and ensure thinning of the mucus.
- This helps to ease coughing and reduce the strain on the lungs
- Treat pains, aches, fever, and headaches using proper medications
Diet for Bronchitis
Chronic Bronchitis Diet
- Fresh fruits and citrus fruit juices such as orange, lemon, and pineapple
- Should include juicy fruits such as melon, peaches, pears, apples, and grapes in the diet
- Avoiding tinned foods, dry fruits, and bananas
- Avoiding processed foods
Acute Bronchitis Diet
- Drink lots of fluids, soups, and herbal teas
- Avoid mucus-forming foods such as processed foods, dairy products, sweet fruits, and white flour
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