Bronchitis Specialist
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Lyon Primary Care
Primary Care Physician located in Midtown, New York, NY
If you have a cough accompanied by thick mucus, you may have bronchitis. At Lyon Primary Care in Midtown, New York City, our medical staff, led by Valerie K. Lyon, MD, a board-certified primary care physician, specializes in diagnosing and treating bronchitis symptoms. If you have a persistent cough with phlegm and discomfort in your chest, you may have acute or chronic bronchitis. Don’t wait to seek treatment. Call today to schedule a comprehensive exam.
Bronchitis Q & A
What is bronchitis?
Bronchitis is a condition in which the lining of your bronchial tubes becomes inflamed. Bronchial tubes carry air to and from your lungs, so if you have bronchitis, you may feel discomfort in your chest. Bronchitis often develops as the result of a cold or another respiratory infection.
Acute bronchitis is a common condition that’s easily treated. Chronic bronchitis, however, is a more serious condition and usually the result of years of smoking cigarettes.
What are the symptoms of bronchitis?
One of the most common symptoms of bronchitis is a cough with an excess of phlegm. You may also experience shortness of breath, fatigue, and fever with chills. It’s also typical to feel discomfort in your chest.
With acute bronchitis, you might also have a headache, runny nose, and other cold symptoms that improve after a week. Even if you feel better, a bronchitis cough may linger for a few weeks.
With chronic bronchitis, you most likely have a cough and mucus that lasts three months or more. If left untreated, your cough may worsen. It’s also possible to get an acute infection on top of the chronic bronchitis.
Who is at risk for bronchitis?
If you smoke, have asthma, or suffer from allergies, you’re at risk of developing bronchitis. Additional risk factors include:
- Being a woman who smokes
- Age
- Years of being exposed to secondhand smoke
- A family history of lung disease
- A childhood history of respiratory diseases
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
If you have a persistent cough and any of these risk factors, it’s a good idea to seek treatment before the condition worsens.
What treatments are effective for bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis typically goes away on its own. If Dr. Lyon and our medical team determine you have a bacterial infection or chronic bronchitis, they tailor a treatment plan to help you breathe better and get your symptoms under control. Your treatment may include lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking or using a humidifier to alleviate discomfort, plus medications, possibly antibiotics, that help keep your airways clear.
In more severe cases, oxygen therapy or pulmonary rehabilitation may assist you so you can breathe easier.
To learn more about treating acute or chronic bronchitis, call Lyon Primary Care to schedule an appointment.
