Symptoms

• If the patient is coughing up mucus from the lungs and this lasts for a long period of time, it can be an indication of chronic bronchitis. Because of the large presence of mucus within the lungs, it is also difficult for a patient with bronchitis to breathe. The patient's chest may feel tight and he may have bluish tinted lips or skin due to oxygen deprivation. Swelling of the feet or heart failure may also occur.
  
  

Best Treatment

• The best treatment for chronic bronchitis is for the patient to immediately stop smoking if he is a habitual smoker. If the bronchitis has been caused by inhaling some chemical within the workplace, it is best to wear a protective mask over the nose and mouth in order to avoid breathing in too much of the harmful substance. Leaving the workplace and seeking another place of employment may be another viable option to stay healthy. If these preventative measures are taken, the lungs will eventually clear up and likely return to normal function.
  
  

Medicine

• Another approach to treating chronic bronchitis is to prescribe a bronchodilator. This medicine is normally inhaled directly into the airways and causes them to widen significantly enough for the patient to be able to breathe much easier. Another medicine called theophylline can be taken in a pill form for patients who are experiencing severe breathing problems. As a last resort, if other medicines don't provide any relief from the symptoms of chronic bronchitis, steroids may be prescribed.
  
  

Oxygen Therapy

• If chronic bronchitis is severe enough, the patient may not be getting enough oxygen into the body, which can cause a multitude of other problems. To remedy this situation, a doctor may prescribe oxygen tanks for the patient.
  
  

Other Helpful Tips

• Getting regular exercise is a good way to strengthen the body in order for a person with chronic bronchitis to be able to breathe better. A respiratory therapist may also be able to help the patient with pulmonary rehabilitation. To help relieve some pain and discomfort, a patient may try to inhale deeply and then slowly breathe out through pursed lips.
  
  

Importance of Seeking Treatment

• It is important to seek the advice of a doctor if the symptoms of chronic bronchitis appear. The condition makes the affected person more susceptible to lung infections and pneumonia, which can create additional health concerns. If chronic bronchitis is not dealt with in a timely manner, a patient may need to have surgery to remove part of a damaged lung or undergo a total lung transplant.