Bronchitis is a breathing disorder where the mucous membrane lining the bronchi and bronchial tube within the chest are inflamed affecting the expiratory function. Some infection may occur in the nose and throat also.
Symptoms of Bronchitis
- The tissues are swollen due to inflammation.
- Large quantities of mucous are secreted in the windpipe.
- Difficulty in breathing (asthamatic bronchitis) a deep chest cough and high fever are the usual symptoms.
- Pain in the chest, loss of appetite and hoarseness are other symptoms.
Causes of Bronchitis
Wrong feeding habits or habitual use of refined foods results in the collection of toxic waste in the bronchial tube; excessive smoking irritates bronchial tubes and lowers their resistance, use of certain drugs, changes in weather and environment, and living or working in stuffy atmosphere are other factors.
Treatment of Bronchitis
- In acute bronchitis the patient should fast on orange juice and warm water from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every 2 hours, then adopt an all-fruit diet for 2-3 days.
- In chronic and acute bronchitis an all fruit diet (3 meals) should be adopted for 5-7 days, then followed by a well balanced diet.
- For drinking, unsweetened lemon water or cold or hot plain water may be taken.
- A teaspoon of turmeric powder should be mixed with milk and taken 3 times daily on empty stomach.
- 1 teaspoon of raw onion juice in the morning liquefies phlegm and acts as expectorant.
- Ginger powder, pepper and long pepper licked with honey or added to tea are effective in dealing with fever accompanied with bronchitis.
- Turpentine can be rubbed over the chest with fomentation/ linseed hot poultice can be applied over front and back of the chest to relieve pain and should be often renewed.
- In Acute Bronchitis a hot Epsom salt bath prepared by dissolving 3 lbs of salt in 6 0lts of water having a temperature of 100 degree Fahrenheit should be taken every night or every alternate night for 20 minutes.
- Cold pack can also be applied to the chest several times daily. And in Chronic Bronchitis it may be taken twice a week.
- Towels wrung in hot water and applied on the upper chest are also helpful.
- A good walk everyday, fresh air, other out-door activities and yoga are highly beneficial.
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What is Bronchitis?
When the lining of the bronchial tubes (air passages) are inflamed and swollen due to an infection or irritant, the body copes by coughing it up. The attack occurs usually during severe cold.
Symptoms of Bronchitis
* Wheezing accompanied by shortness of breath.
* Pain in the chest and discomfort behind the breastbone.
* Occasional fever (below 101 degree Fahrenheit).
* Initially dry and persistent coughing, that later brings-up, either yellow, gray or green sputum
Causes of Bronchitis
* Mainly viruses cause bronchitis. Bacteria can cause it occasionally.
* Condition, can be aggravated by air pollutants, dust, smoke and chemical fumes;
* Cold weather, congestive heart failure and asthma..
Home remedies for Bronchitis
1. Drink at-least 8 glasses of water a day so that the mucous is liquefied and expelled while coughing.
2. To reduce fever and pain take acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen.
3. Moisten your bronchial tubes with hot steamy showers, vaporizers or humidifier that is maintained extremely clean.
4. Take dextromethorphan drug that suppresses persistent, dry cough.
5. Wet cough that expels mucous should not be stopped by medication as it can complicate matters and lead to pneumonia.
How can one prevent Bronchitis
1. If you suffer from chronic bronchitis and live in a highly polluted area, then get an air conditioner installed to filter the air. But you have to replace filters and clean the system.
2. Keep away even from secondhand smoke.
3. Keep away from substances that cause you respiratory irritation.
4. Outdoor exercise and strenuous work should be avoided if you face a risk for bronchitis