Affordable online bronchitis treatment

About Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchioles, also known as the bronchial tubes, which are the main air pathways to the lungs.

Common symptoms of bronchitis include:
  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Low-grade fever
  • Mucus production (usually yellowish or green in color)
  • Chest pain

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a common cold or viral infection and lasts for a week or two (or three). This infection will often go away without any treatment, or with simple over-the-counter medications and home remedies. Chronic bronchitis is long-term inflammation of the bronchioles and is characterized by productive coughing that occurs over several months. Chronic bronchitis may be caused by smoking tobacco products, air pollution, or allergens and may lead to COPD.

Acute bronchitis is contagious but usually requires minimal treatment. Chronic bronchitis is rarely infectious but may require a more concentrated treatment plan. Talk to your doctor if you have a cough that has lasted over three weeks, produces mucus or blood or is accompanied by a fever.

Treatment Options

Treatment for bronchitis depends on whether the condition is acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term), as well as the severity of symptoms. During your appointment, talk to your doctor or provider about your symptoms and what treatment plan is right for you.

Most cases of bronchitis are caused by a viral infection, making antibiotics unnecessary. If your doctor suspects that your bronchitis is caused by a bacterial infection, however, you may be prescribed an antibiotic. Other forms of medication used to treat bronchitis include:

- Expectorant/ antitussive cough syrups: Over-the-counter cough medicine such as Mucinex can help thin mucus, making it easier to cough up. Antitussive cough medicine may help suppress coughing. If the symptoms of bronchitis (such as coughing) are making it difficult to sleep, a cough suppressant may help.

- Bronchodilators: An inhaler with a bronchodilator drug (such as albuterol) will help relax muscles surrounding the airways to the lungs. This can relieve the symptoms of bronchitis and make it easier to breathe, especially in those who have underlying asthma or COPD.

In addition to medication, you can take a number of steps to avoid irritating your airways further. These include:

  • Use a humidifier.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, quit. Smoking seriously damages the lung tissue and can exacerbate the symptoms of bronchitis.
  • Drink herbal teas with lemon and honey to relieve discomfort caused by irritated airways.
  • Keep your home free of irritants. Dust, pet dander, and mold can all exacerbate the irritation caused by bronchitis. Use gentle cleaning products (some strong chemicals can make the symptoms of bronchitis worse) to keep your home irritant-free.

Pulmonary rehabilitation will not cure chronic bronchitis, but it can improve your ability to breathe and general quality of life. This therapy is typically recommended for patients who are dealing with chronic bronchitis (it’s unnecessary for short-term illnesses). Pulmonary rehabilitation teaches patients how to deal with shortness of breath and other symptoms of chronic bronchitis, as well as preventative measures to keep the condition from getting worse.

FAQs

Bronchitis Care

The term primary care refers to the kind of medical care you need first — before you get sick, before you need to see a specialist, before you need to go to a hospital.
A primary care physician is a medical doctor trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide array of diseases in patients of all ages and backgrounds. Primary care physicians conduct checkups, offer medical advice, provide medical care to the general population, and offer supplemental care with immunizations, vaccinations, and chronic condition management. Primary care doctors are sometimes referred to as family or internal medicine doctors.

Primary care physicians (PCPs) can diagnose, treat, and help prevent a variety of acute and chronic conditions, including:

Check-ups & Screenings

PCPs can provide the following routine check-up and diagnostic services

  • Blood pressure screening
  • Heartbeat monitoring (EKGs)
  • Lung tests (spirometry)
  • Cancer screenings (such as for breast cancer, testicular cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer)
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • Development disorder testing

Illness and injury care

Primary care physicians can help treat minor injuries and common illnesses, including:

  • Common cold
  • Flu
  • Asthma
  • Migraines
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Yeast infections
  • Rashes
  • Broken bone treatment (casting, splints, braces)

Preventative care and general wellness

Primary care physicians can play a key role in preventative care, general wellness, and disease prevention for a range of acute and chronic conditions. A primary care physician can offer medical advice, treat chronic conditions and injury, or refer you to a specialized doctor for further care if needed.

Primary care providers can treat all sorts of conditions and issues. From women's health to sports medicine, PCPs have the training and experience to be able to address a number of health concerns.

Primary care providers can offer:

  • Routine checkups
  • Annual physical exams
  • Immunizations
  • Urgent care
  • Blood pressure testing (to check for hypertension and heart disease)
  • Injury treatment (stitches, casting, splinting)
  • Medication prescription
  • Medical advice for general wellness

Primary care providers can usually answer most medical questions you may have. If you need a specialist, a PCP can offer a referral for a qualified doctor with the knowledge and expertise to treat you.

Primary care physicians (or primary care providers) treat and diagnose a wide range of medical conditions while providing medical advice to improve general well-being. From chronic conditions to common colds, primary care providers are often the first doctor you will go to see for healthcare.

Some services a primary care provider can provide include:

  • Routine check-ups
  • Immunizations (including the COVID-19 vaccine)
  • Urgent care (treatment for non-life-threatening health concerns)
  • Chronic disease management
  • Medication prescription
  • Heart disease screening
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure) tests
  • Sports medicine (treatment for sprains, breaks, and bruises)
  • Birth control health care
  • Wellness/ weight loss advice

Some issues require special training to diagnose and treat. If a primary care provider believes that a condition requires further treatment, they will give a patient a referral for a qualified specialist. Specialists have advanced training to treat specific conditions/ parts of the body.

Some examples of specialists includes:

  • ENTs (Ear, Nose & Throat doctors)
  • OB/GYNs (doctors who treat issues related to women's health)
  • Pediatricians (doctors who manage care for children)
  • Orthopedics (doctors who treat issues related to the muscles and skeleton)
  • Dermatologists (doctors who treat issues related to skin, hair, and nails)
  • Podiatrists (doctors who treat issues related to the foot, ankle, and lower leg)
  • Neurologists (doctors who treat issues related to the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and more)
  • Mental health care providers (such as therapists, psychiatrists, and counselors)

Primary care providers are usually the first doctors you will see for any health-related issue you may be having. In some cases, you can't even see a specialist without a referral from a primary care provider. If your primary care doctor believes that you need to see a specialist, they will give you a referral for a specialist with specific qualifications. Primary care providers and specialists will then work together on your health plan to give you complete treatment options.

Questions about who you need to see? Sesame offers convenient primary care options at affordable prices. Book an in-person or virtual visit with a real, quality doctor and save up to 60% with Sesame.

Depending on the doctor, and the medical history of the patient, a primary care physician may test or screen for a number of conditions. During an adult check-up, a primary care physician may conduct general health screenings for conditions such as:
-Heart disease
-High blood pressure (hypertension)
-Cancers (such as skin cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and testicular cancer)
-Diabetes
-Obesity
-Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
-Lung health
-Depression and anxiety


A primary care physician has received intensive training to be able to diagnose these, and other conditions. Based on their medical advice, a patient may receive a referral for further testing and care with a specialized doctor. These doctors will often work with the patient’s primary care physician to develop a treatment plan that can address the patient’s particular care needs.

Primary care physicians can specialize in different medical fields. While most primary care physicians can treat a wide range of conditions, injuries, and illnesses, you may want to receive a specific type of care based on your need, including:

- Family medicine doctor: Family medicine doctors can treat a number of conditions, illnesses, and injuries in patients ranging from children to geriatric patients. Family medicine doctors may receive continued training in pediatrics and obstetrics to be able to treat children and women’s health conditions.

- Internists: Internists specialize in internal medicine for adults. Internists specialize in treating conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, and hypertension.

- Pediatricians: Pediatricians are doctors who specialize in pediatric medicine, or the care of infants and children. Pediatricians can do check-ups for children, provide immunizations, diagnose conditions and illnesses, and prescribe medication.

- Physician assistants: Physician assistants are highly trained health care professionals that have received a Master’s degree and intensive training to be able to work alongside the primary care physician to diagnose, treat, and test for a number of conditions and diseases.

- Obstetrician/ gynecologist: Obstetrician/ gynecologists (OB-GYNs) are specially trained to treat and care for conditions related to women’s health. OB-GYNs help with fertility, childbirth, and issues specifically relating to the health of female reproductive organs.

Primary care physicians have extensive experience diagnosing, treating, and managing a range of acute and chronic conditions for patients of all ages, including:

  • Cold, flu, and other acute illnesses
  • UTIs and other vaginal infections
  • Rashes, warts, moles, and other skin conditions
  • Erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation (PE)
  • Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Developmental disorders
  • Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions
Primary care consultations are appropriate for a wide variety of symptoms and diagnoses.

Right here! Sesame makes it easier than ever to find a real, quality primary care provider in . If you're a new patient looking for health care, it can be hard to know where to start- especially if you don't have an insurance plan.

Sesame works directly with doctors - not insurance companies - so you never have to worry about limited networks or expensive copays. Same-day appointments and telehealth visits available. See the doctor you want to see on your schedule and save up to 60% on health care with Sesame. It's that simple.

In most cases, yes. Primary care is an umbrella term to describe medical care that treats a wide range of health-related issues. Primary care providers (PCPs) are usually the first doctors a patient will see if they aren't feeling well or are looking for a referral. Primary care is divided into two forms of health services: family medicine and internal medicine.

  • Family medicine: Family medicine refers to healthcare provided for the whole family. A family medicine doctor is a primary care provider who mostly offers preventive care like immunizations, checkups, and medical advice. Doctors trained in family practice can treat patients of all ages from pediatrics to geriatrics, so they often act as the healthcare provider for whole families.

  • Internal medicine: An internal medicine doctor (or internist) provides primary medical care for adults only. Internal medicine doctors diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions for adult patients and provide medical advice to improve general wellness. Internal medicine doctors will offer referrals to a specialist if a patient is dealing with a specific condition.

Most in-person doctor visits booked through Sesame will connect you with a primary care provider (generally a family medicine practitioner or internal medicine doctor). During an in-person doctor visit, these health care providers can test or screen for conditions such as:
-Heart disease
-High blood pressure (hypertension)
-Cancers (such as skin cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and testicular cancer)
-Diabetes
-Obesity
-Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
-Lung health
-Depression and anxiety


Should you need to see a specialist, these providers can refer you to the proper care team, and guide you on the next steps.

If during your visit, your doctor determines that you may require a prescription for a new or existing condition, they can write you one during your appointment and send it to your local pharmacy, often with same-day pickup. Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider.

It is up to the provider to determine what services they offer through a virtual appointment. Examples of care you can find on marketplaces like Sesame include:

  • Primary care
  • Urgent care (for conditions such as rashes, sore throat, migraines, UTIs, and more)
  • Sexual health consultations
  • Mental health consultations
  • Chronic condition management
  • Dermatology consultations
  • Prescription refills
  • Pediatric care

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, do not use telehealth. Instead, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.

Urgent visits are recommended for non-life-threatening conditions. If you are experiencing a medical emergency or any life-threatening symptoms, call 911 immediately.

Urgent care providers on Sesame can help with a wide range of non-life-threatening conditions, including:

  • Minor illness (cold & flu)
  • Sore throat
  • Pain from sprains
  • UTIs
  • Lacerations (cuts)
  • Questions about vaccinations and COVID-19
  • Infections (skin, ear, eye, bladder, sinus, and more)

Whether you're looking for a primary care physician or a specialist, Sesame offers urgent care services at affordable prices. Skip the long wait times at walk-in clinics and get the quality care you need by booking an in-person or video visit with top-rated healthcare providers in . Save up to 60% on your urgent medical care needs with a convenient appointment on Sesame.

Benzonatate is a prescription medication used to relieve coughing. Benzonatate helps numb the throat and lungs, reducing the reflex to cough.

Doctors prescribe benzonatate to alleviate coughs caused by the common cold, asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions. It is a non-narcotic cough medication, meaning that it is not generally habit-forming. While benzonatate can help quickly suppress your cough, it does not treat the underlying condition causing the cough.

Benzonatate is used to relieve coughing caused by the common cold or other respiratory conditions like pneumonia or asthma.

While there are some common side effects associated with benzonatate, it is important to remember that your doctor prescribed this medication because its effectiveness as a cough suppressor outweighs the adverse effects it may cause.

Common side effects of benzonatate may include:

  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Drowsiness
  • Constipation
  • Stuffy nose

Rare but serious side effects may include:

  • Rash or hives
  • Itching
  • Tightening of the throat
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Numbness of the chest
  • Confusion

If these symptoms persist - or if you are experiencing any severe symptoms - contact your doctor immediately.

This is not a complete list of benzonatate side effects. To learn more about adverse reactions you may experience while taking this drug, visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage.

Benzonatate is a fast-acting cough suppressant. After ingesting the small gel-filled capsule, you will start to feel benzonatate work within 30 minutes. You may start feeling results as early as 15-20 minutes after ingestion. Benzonatate works by numbing the air passages and lungs, which leads to a reduced cough reflex and cough relief. These effects will normally last anywhere between 3-8 hours.

Benzonatate belongs to a family of drugs known as antitussives. More commonly known as cough suppressants, these medications numb the respiratory passages and lungs to reduce the cough reflex. This ultimately reduces your urge to cough.

Yes! Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your clinician.

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