Bronchitis: what treatments for this inflammation of the bronchi?

Between the beginning of autumn and the end of winter, bronchitis is almost inevitable. This inflammation of the bronchi of viral origin (influenza virus and para-influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, rhinovirus ...) or bacterial (it is more rare) causes a thickening of the bronchial mucosa and an overproduction of mucus. Result: we cough, we spit, we have chest pain, we have a little fever ... Nothing nice.

What are the symptoms of bronchitis?

"People who smoke, people with asthma, and the elderly are more likely to develop bronchitis during the winter season"says Dr. Caroline Thevenet, pharmacist.

The symptoms bronchitis are easily identifiable:

• A dry cough that evolves into a cough that lasts between five to ten days, or even two to three weeks,
• Chest pain in the sternum; a burning sensation with inspiration,
• Yellowish / greenish sputum for ten days,
• A low fever (maximum 38.5 ° C).

Good to know : Acute bronchitis progresses spontaneously to healing in healthy children and adults. However, if the cough persists for more than 3 weeks (for more than 8 days in young children), if the fever worsens (more than 38 ° C, 3 days in a row), if other symptoms appear (vomiting) , headache, wheezing, blood in sputum ...), it is necessary to consult promptly his doctor.

Bronchitis: what are the treatments?

"If the bronchitis is of bacterial origin, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics - on prescription. On the other hand, if bronchitis is of viral origin (the most frequent case), antibiotics will be useless because they only kill bacteria!"Dr. Thevenet explains.

Indispensable: the cough syrup (carbocisteine) to promote sputum, to buy without prescription in pharmacy. "In case of fever, the pharmacist may also advise paracetamoladds Dr. Thevenet.

In case of fat cough, we can also trust thearomatherapy : the pharmacist advises in particular the essential oil of eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus globulus Labillardiere) for its expectorant, fluidifying and anti-bacterial action. "You drop 1 drop on a piece of sugar or bread, three times a day: be careful, this essential oil is reserved for adults, prohibited to pregnant and lactating women as well as to asthmatics and epileptics."

"In pharmacy, we can also find synergies of essential oils formulated from eucalyptus globulus essential oil, cinnamon essential oil, rosemary essential oil andessential oil of lemon : it's a natural cough syrupsays the specialist Ask your pharmacist for advice!

For the most fragile patients with contraindications to essential oils (pregnant women, elderly people, children under the age of 12), Dr. Thevenet recommends insteadhomeopathy : "3 to 4 times a day, take 5 granules of Antimonium Tartaricum 9 CH (recommended for respiratory disorders and inflammation of the lungs) and 5 granules of Kalium bichromicum 9 CH (to calm the cough)"It's already better!

Thanks to Dr. Caroline Thevenet, Doctor of Pharmacy.

Read also :

⋙ Asthma, allergy, bronchitis ... the treatments that we have

⋙ Phytotherapy: 10 natural infusions to calm bronchitis

⋙ Colds, otitis, bronchitis: it lasts a long time?