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Bronchitis: Doctors
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The key to beating bronchitis is opening up your child's clogged airways. Her doctor may prescribe cough medicine containing an expectorant or recommend an over-the-counter brand to help clear out the mucus. As much as you hate to hear your child hacking away, don't give her a cough suppressant -- coughing up mucus is a vital part of healing. If your child's doctor thinks that asthma or reactive airway disease is involved in the cough, he or she may ... prescribe a bronchodilator (a medication to widen the air passages) or a corticosteroid (a medication to ease inflammation).
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A pulmonary function test is important in diagnosing chronic bronchitis and other variations of COPD. This test uses an instrument called a spirometer to measure the volume of air entering and leaving the lungs. The doctor may do a chest x ray, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and blood tests as well. Other tests may be used to measure how effectively oxygen and carbon dioxide are being exchanged in the lungs.
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If you have repeated bouts of bronchitis, tell your doctor. You may have chronic bronchitis, or you may live or work in an environment that continually irritates your airways. In some cases, you may have GERD or chronic sinusitis. If so, your doctor may be able to pinpoint the cause of your problem and suggest further testing and lifestyle changes that can help.
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If the person with chronic bronchitis is exposed to dust and fumes at work, the doctor may suggest changing the work environment. All persons with chronic bronchitis must develop and follow a plan for a healthy lifestyle. Improving one's general health ... increases the body's resistance to infections.
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If you already have a chronic lung disease like asthma or COPD and you get bronchitis, follow the instructions in your written action plan. This may mean taking more of your medicines. Pay close attention to your symptoms and see your doctor or go to emergency if breathing is difficult.
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Parents often come into the office so the doctor can check if their child has bronchitis because there is a misconception that bronchitis is a severe illness in kids and must be treated with antibiotics. Parents can actually determine on their own if a child has bronchitis. Here is how:
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