Expert: Richard Manlove - 11/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: "Hello Dr.
I suffering from bronchitis disease.
doctor prescribed me medicines like,SULBATOMOL,CLARITHROMYCIN,ERYTHROMYCIN ETC.
IS IT USEFUL TO USE SUCH ANTIBIOTICS.
is there any altrenative treatment."with no side effects.
ur fast reply is highly appreciated


ANSWER: Dear Raj,
    First a disclaimer: I am not a doctor. I assume your physician is prescribing antibiotics for a documented via sputum culture case of pneumonia. Otherwise, common practice is now not to give antibiotics prophylactically. You should be on, assuming you have chronic bronchitis, a long lasting bronchodilator, a steroid and, perhaps, a leukotriene inhibitor. Note: everything has side effects - you weigh the benefits against the side effects. But, everything has side effects.
Hope this helps and good luck. Thanks for writing.
Peace,
Richard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks richards.
how i can control,or what are the precautions is any food dite

Answer
Raj,
    First, you want to eliminate anything that aggrevates your breathing. Perhaps, it is dust, smoke, cooking fumes, etc. Avoid those things. Second, I would drink at least 8 glasses of water, fruit juice, gatorade, etc. This helps keep mucus thin so it can be coughed up. As far as diet goes you want to have a diet high in proteins, low in carbohydrates with abundant fruits and vegetables for their antioxidants. Google search for suggested diets and foods. Hope this helps and good luck.
Peace,
Richard