Steroids or corticosteroids may be used in the treatment of chronic bronchitis to relieve inflammation, but are not the only or best treatment. Chronic bronchitis is also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this condition, inflammation of the airways, the tubes that carry air to and from lung tissue, occurs for weeks to months at a time and leads to symptoms of cough and shortness of breath. The cough usually persists for at least three months of the year for two consecutive years. Smoking is the leading cause of chronic bronchitis. The first treatment for chronic bronchitis is to quit smoking if you smoke. To improve symptoms, bronchodilators, inhalers that help open the airways will be used first. Regular exercise or a pulmonary rehabilitation program can also help improve symptoms and reduce the risk for hospitalization.
Steroids may be considered in the treatment of COPD but not as often as in the treatment of asthma. They do not work for everyone with COPD. They may be tried in inhaler form for a few weeks to few months to see if symptoms improve. During a flare-up of breathing problems, usually during an upper respiratory infection or pneumonia, oral or intravenous steroids may be given for a week or two.
Acute bronchitis is a viral or bacterial infection of the airways - tubes that carry air to and from the lung tissue. Symptoms include cough that usually produces mucus and possibly fever and shortness of breath. Acute bronchitis usually resolves about a week after the infection ends. While you may receive antibiotics for a bacterial infection, steroids are not used to treat acute bronchitis alone.
