Any remedy for recurring Bronchitis?

[mountainboo]

Hi. I have suffered with recurring acute Bronchitis for years now. Whenever I catch a cold it is ALWAYS followed by Bonchitis. I do have a weakness for colds. For instance, since Sept 08 I have now had it 3 times. This is a very regular thing.

I have been to my GP many times and had a lung X-ray and various tests which have been inconclusive. My GP always puts it down to the time of year.

Towards the end the coughs become extremely tickly and through the night I am coughing most hours. It is driving me up the wall, not to mention my long suffering husband who would quite happily sleep in another room!

Is there anything I can do and I mean ANYTHING to stop getting it? TIA

[sqad617]

"I have been to my GP many times and had a lung X-ray and various tests which have been inconclusive. My GP always puts it down to the time of year."
What do you mean by "inconclusive?"
Are you a smoker.?
How old are you?

[Eve]

Have you tried working on your general health and immune system?

You could look at your diet and exercise, getting fresh air and try supplements such as vitamin C, garlic and echinecea.

Do you tend to get colds off other people or just develop them?

There are products now such as first defence which can help minimise the effect.

Why not ask your doctor if there is anything you can do when you feel a cold coming on to minimise the effect?

[mountainboo]

I have never smoked and I am 28.

I think I catch them mainly from other people. I possibly don't get enough Vit C. I haven't tried First Defence. I walk a mile or so most days so I get plenty of fresh air.

I have asked my GP if there is anything I can do and his usual answer is plenty of fruit and veg, which I get enough of.

Sorry, re the inconclusive result, I mean't to say, it concluded nothing. The X-ray didn't show anything and the lung capacity test just showed that mine was of that of someone 10 years older.

[sqad617]

Thanks...aged 28 reccuring bronchitis, asthma or bronchiectasis come to mind. If you have seen a Chest Consultant, he would have ruled them out, but if you haven't, then I would suggest, to your Dr. that referral might be helpful.

[daffy654]

Has your GP sent off sputum tests to confirm which bacteria it is that causes your bronchitis/cough?
I don't think Bronchiectasis(my dad had this and died aged 42) is likely but as sqad says a referral to a respiratory consultant seems like the next step.

[McMouse]

I don't know if you smoke, but if you do then stop.....I smoked for 30 odd years and generally had bronchitis twice a year. I stopped smoking 20 years ago and have never suffered since!

[Ice.Maiden]

With chronic bronchitis, antibiotics are of no help. Make sure you have flu jabs each year, stay out of dusty and smoky areas, watch your diet and, sometimes inhalers are offered, to help open the airways up.
If you've had bronchitis for longer than 3 months, then it becomes chronic, and you need to have regular checkups with your doctor and/or chest consultant. In very bad cases, oxygen may need to be given, or even a lung reduction, so try to stay as healthy as you can.

[daffy654]

Lung reduction is ususally only offered in emphysema where bullae develop,not for chronic bronchitis. Bullae can develop in chronic bronchitis but it is uncommon. Inhalers may need to be used and maybe a course of oral steroids.It is advisable get some general exercise and eat healthily to try and ward off any future infections.

[Panic Button]

I used to get similar, and it improved when we moved.

I think the oil fired central heating boiler under the stairs wasn't vented well enough.

[kira000]

Go and live somewhere hot and dry, like dubai.
Works wonders!