Why does acute bronchitis make you feel so tired?

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on February 24, 2025
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Acute bronchitis is very exhausting, and this condition is mainly caused by two reasons.

First, it is due to inflammation. After the infection, it is not necessarily confined to the trachea; it can release cytokines and inflammatory mediators throughout the body. These cytokines and inflammatory mediators can cause inflammatory effects throughout the body, leading many patients to feel sore limbs and fatigue.

Second, during acute bronchitis, there can be a manifestation of relative hypoxia in the body. This is due to the disease, because the trachea itself is responsible for breathing. When there is an issue, the respiratory function will definitely be impaired, so the body will also experience fatigue and weakness due to hypoxia.

All these symptoms are related to bronchitis. Once the symptoms of bronchitis improve, these symptoms can also improve.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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What medicine is good for acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the bronchial mucosa, often caused by pathogenic microbial infections, as well as physical and chemical factors and allergic factors. Patients experience symptoms such as coughing, expectoration, fever, and wheezing. Generally, acute bronchitis does not require intravenous fluid treatment. It can be cured within two to three weeks through oral medication, such as oral anti-inflammatory drugs and oral cough suppressants and asthma relievers. However, in some cases, such as when symptoms are relatively severe, there is a bacterial infection, and oral medication is difficult, intravenous antibiotics can be considered for treatment.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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How to treat acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the bronchi caused by various pathogenic factors and is relatively common in clinical practice. Symptoms mainly include coughing, production of sputum, and some patients may experience chest tightness, shortness of breath, fever, and blood in the sputum. For initial instances of acute bronchitis, it is important to first ensure rest, increase fluid intake, avoid fatigue, and avoid exposure to cold. Secondly, symptomatic treatment should be considered; cough suppressants can be used for coughs that are dry or produce little sputum, and expectorants should be used when the cough produces sputum that is difficult to expel. If there is chest tightness and wheezing, asthma medications should be chosen. If fever is present, antipyretic and analgesic medications should be used for symptomatic treatment. Thirdly, the use of antibiotics is appropriate only when there is evidence of bacterial infection; otherwise, it is best to avoid them. Treatment with antibiotics should be under a doctor's guidance, and self-medication should be avoided. With the above treatments, acute bronchitis can generally be controlled, but a minority of patients with weaker constitutions may develop chronic conditions.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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How to prevent acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is relatively common in clinical practice, especially among elderly and frail patients. Common symptoms include fever, cough, expectoration, chest tightness, and more. To prevent acute bronchitis, it is important to exercise regularly, enhance physical fitness, rest adequately, balance work and rest, and avoid overwork and staying up late. During seasons when colds are prevalent, it is advisable to drink more water, ensure room ventilation to prevent colds, and strive to improve the living and sanitary conditions to keep the air fresh. Active treatment should be sought for those with upper respiratory infections, such as diseases in the nose, pharynx, or larynx areas.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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Is acute bronchitis pneumonia?

The bronchi are the organs through which air enters and exits the lungs. The bronchi and lungs are two separate organs, so inflammation occurring in the bronchi is not the same as inflammation occurring in the lungs. Thus, acute bronchitis is not pneumonia, but both conditions can exhibit similar symptoms, such as fever, coughing, and expectoration. So how do we differentiate between acute bronchitis and pneumonia? Clinically, when such symptoms appear, doctors usually recommend a lung X-ray. If the lung X-ray appears normal, or there is only an increase or thickening of lung markings, the doctor will diagnose acute bronchitis. If the lung X-ray shows imaging signs of inflammatory exudation or shadows, then the doctor will diagnose pneumonia.

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
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Can acute bronchitis drink alcohol?

For acute bronchitis, it is generally not recommended to drink alcohol. Patients with acute bronchitis are advised to consume a light diet, avoiding spicy, irritating, and greasy foods, and to refrain from drinking alcohol, coffee, and strong tea. Patients with acute bronchitis, especially those who consume large amounts of alcohol, may experience a decrease in immunity and can even develop complications like pneumonia. Sometimes, acute bronchitis can also be accompanied by bacterial infections, and patients might need to take oral antibiotics for treatment. If a patient with acute bronchitis takes cephalosporin antibiotics, it is absolutely necessary to avoid alcohol, as alcohol can interact with cephalosporins and potentially trigger a disulfiram-like reaction, which in severe cases can lead to sudden stopping of breathing and heart function, posing a life-threatening risk. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)