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| Bronchitis Photo source |
It is an acute
inflammation of the airways. The inflammation of the trachea and the large and
the small bronchi is caused by infection, followed by cough to clear secretions
from the lungs. Bronchitis can affect both children and adults and the symptoms
are identical.
Causes of bronchitis
Bronchitis occurs during
flu season, or can be caused by common cold. It can be triggered by several types of viruses and
various bacteria (mycoplasma pneumoniae). When you breathe in dust, smoke or
other chemical solvents, we can be affected by bronchitis. The risk group
includes:
- elderly people
- children
- people with weak immune system, smokers
- people suffering from chronic lung diseases
Is bronchitis contagious?
It depending on what is
the reason for its occurrence. If it is viral or bacterial - yes, but if it’s associated with smoking, air pollution or
other pollutants-not.
Symptoms of bronchitis
When we are affected by
infection of the upper airways, common cold or sinus infection, we related it
to acute bronchitis. Symptoms include:
- fever
- chills
- muscle aches
- mucus, sore throat
The most common symptom
of bronchitis is a cough.
It can be dry or with
phlegm and can last more than two weeks. Prolonged cough can be very painful
and you can get inflammation in the chest and abdominal muscles. Severe cough
even can cause loss of consciousness, while
asthmatic one include a combination of wheezing and shortness of breath.
Complications of bronchitis
Seek medical care if:
- blood-tinged sputum (or rust-colored or yellow-green)
- if you have difficulty in breathing or strong wheezing
- have a temperature higher than 40 degrees
- if fever lasts more than 5 days
Treatment of bronchitis
In the vast majority of
cases, bronchitis is caused by viral infection. Do not take immediately antibiotics,
they won’t help. Doctors feel pressured by expectations of the patients and
therefore prescribe them (more why
you should avoid antibiotics here).
Drinking plenty of
fluids (water and tea, not juices and soups) is much more important than taking
antibiotics. Pulmonary secretions will clear themselves much more easily if the
body is well hydrated. Drink at least 2 liters of water to "flush out the
infection."
Home treatment of bronchitis
1.Chicken broth
In a tea-pot (250ml of water)
put a teaspoon of minced garlic and a chicken stock cube to boil (on low heat),
for about 7 minutes. Sip it when it’s still hot.It clears congestion and void
out mucus. Drink several times a day.
2.Infusion (roots of coltsfoot, mullein, comfrey,
hollyhock)
Soak dry roots of these
herbs (chopped) in a cold water (500 ml.) for about 20 minutes, then place them
to simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Drink while the mixture is still hot,
sweeten it with honey and drink 3 times a day.
3.Honey and onions (clearing bronchi)
Grate or chop two onions
finely. Add 2 tablespoons of honey and stir it. Take daily 1-2 teaspoons about
5-6 times a day.
4.Inhalation (with eucalyptus oil)
Eucalyptus has
antibacterial properties and it is used for fast voiding of mucus from the bronchi.
You can change it with pine oil, which is also a very good expectorant. Lean yourself
over a bowl of boiling water (put a towel over your head for better effect),
with a few drops of eucalyptus. Stay
over it as long as you can, but do not overdo it!
Avoid dairy products!
Milk contains
lactalbumin, which stimulates the production of mucus in the upper and lower
respiratory tract and intestines.
