Bronchitis is acute or chronic inflammation of the airways. Steroids can sometimes help with chronic bronchitis but are not recommended for acute bronchitis.
There are two main types of bronchitis: acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis typically lasts about 7 to 10 days , although the cough can linger for several weeks.
Chronic bronchitis, which is more common in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), causes productive coughing and other symptoms.
It occurs at least two times over the course of 2 years, with each episode lasting for about 3 months. The irritation of the airways causes mucus to build up, which contributes to excessive coughing.
In some cases, steroids can help treat chronic bronchitis.
How steroids help with bronchitis
Steroids are typically only prescribed for chronic bronchitis. While some healthcare professionals might prescribe them for acute bronchitis, this isn’t very effective .
For those with chronic bronchitis , glucocorticoids, also called corticosteroids , can help reduce inflammation and mucus production. These may be particularly beneficial if you’re dealing with a COPD or asthma flare-up.
Some commonly prescribed oral steroids for treating COPD include:
Sometimes, people with chronic bronchitis will use inhaled steroids and a bronchodilator to relax the muscles around the airways, making it easier to breathe.
What are the side effects of using steroids for bronchitis?
A range of possible mild to severe side effects are associated with corticosteroids.
Depending on the length of use, the possible side effects include:
In some cases , steroid use may lead to serious complications like sepsis or venous thromboembolism . Long-term steroid use can also lead to thinning of the bones, or osteoporosis.
Your risk of these complications typically decreases when you only use steroids for a short period of time.
Treating bronchitis without steroids
Most of the time, a case of acute bronchitis will eventually improve and go away on its own. Doctors often recommend home remedies such as:
- resting
- drinking lots of fluids
- using a humidifier or steam to add moisture to the air
For medications, you can use an over-the-counter pain reliever or cough suppressant to temporarily relieve your symptoms.
You likely won’t be prescribed an antibiotic for acute bronchitis. Viruses are the most common cause of bronchitis, and an antibiotic is designed to treat a bacterial infection. But if you do develop a secondary bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic for that.
People with chronic bronchitis as a result of COPD may need pulmonary rehabilitation . Because COPD is so closely linked to smoking, doctors will often promote the benefits of quitting smoking.
The bottom line
Steroids can be helpful medications for people living with chronic COPD who must cope with chronic bronchitis.
But steroids typically aren’t recommended for acute bronchitis. You can usually treat acute bronchitis with rest, fluids, and breathing in steam. Acute bronchitis symptoms should improve on their own.
If your symptoms linger, see a doctor to make sure you haven’t developed an additional infection.
Most Popular
Comments / 0