-What is bronchitis?
Bronchitis is inflammation or swelling of the bronchial tubes (bronchi), the air passages between the nose and the lungs.More specifically, bronchitis is when the lining of the bronchial tubes becomes inflamed or infected.
People with bronchitis breathe less air and oxygen into their lungs; they also have heavy mucus or phlegm forming in the airways. Bronchitis may be
acute or chronic (long-term):
*Acute bronchitis is a shorter illness that commonly follows a cold or viral infection, such as the flu. It generally consists of a cough with green sputum, chest discomfort or soreness, fever, and sometimes shortness of breath. Acute bronchitis usually lasts a few days or weeks.
*Chronic bronchitis is characterized by a persistent, mucus-producing cough on most days of the month, three months of a year for two successive years in absence of a secondary cause of the cough.
People with chronic bronchitis have varying degrees of breathing difficulties, and symptoms may get better and worsen during different parts of the year.
-Who gets bronchitis?
*People at increased risk of getting bronchitis and increased risk of having more severe symptoms include:
*Smokers - smoking causes overproduction of mucus and it causes bronchitis.
*People who are exposed to a lot of secondhand smoke or passive smoke.
*People with weakened immune systems.
*The elderly and infants.
*People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
*Those who are exposed to irritants at work, such as chemical fumes from ammonia, strong acids, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide or bromine.
*People who are exposed to air pollution - The air particulates, known as PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) originate from vehicle exhaust, wood-burning stoves, tobacco smoke, coal burning, and grilling food.
How to get rid of bronchitis?
Simple home remedies that cures bronchitis :
1.Get plenty of rest.
- Since bronchitis is an infection in your lungs, it can make you feel extremely tired. Listen to your body and take a rest, especially in the first few days of the infection, when your chest feels heavy and it's difficult to breathe. Your lungs need time to heal.
*At the beginning of the infection, when it's at its worst, take a few days off of work or school. Rest in bed or on the couch, and try not to go anywhere that will require you to exert yourself.
*Exercising while you have a lung infection can make it worse. Avoid running, swimming, biking, and other exercises that lead to heavy breathing while you have bronchitis.
2. Drink warm fluids.
Keeping yourself hydrated is important while your body is fighting infection, and drinking fluids with a warm temperature can help soothe your sore throat .
Try these warm fluids to help you get through bronchitis:
*
Warm water with lemon and honey. Heat up a mug of warm water and add lemon juice and honey to taste. The honey coats and soothes your throat, and the lemon provides vitamin C and other nutrients.
*Chamomile, peppermint, or another
herbal tea. Herbal teas, especially those made to help treat sore throats, serve the dual purpose of hydrating your body and treating your symptoms.
*
Warm soup. Chicken broth or soup is nourishing and soothing.
Garlic soup is another healing option that helps treat the symptoms of bronchitis. Saute minced garlic in a little olive oil, add chicken or vegetable broth, heat it to a simmer, and drink it hot.
*
Saltwater. You don't want to drink saltwater, but gargling warm saltwater can help soothe your irritated throat membranes. Stir a teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water. Gargle the water and spit it out.
3. Breathe warm, moist air.
When your lungs are irritated, hydrating them with warm, moist air helps sooth your bronchial passageways. If you allow your throat to dry out, your lungs can become more irritated, prolonging the infection.
Try the following methods for breathing humid air:
*Use a
humidifier. Humidifiers are machines that add moisture to the air in a room. They're available for purchase at drugstores.
*
Boil a pot of water on the stove. The steam produced from the boiling water can increase the room's humidity.
*Use a
nebulizer to breath in saline and purified water mists.
*Take a
steamy shower or bath. Make sure the bathroom door is closed so you get the benefits of breathing in the moist air.
4.Use a hot compress on your chest.
Bronchitis can make your chest feel heavy and painful, especially when you're coughing frequently. Applying heat can help ease the pressure.
Try one of the following methods of heating your chest:
*Fill a
hot water bottle with water and lay it on your chest.
*Use a
heating pad on your chest. Place it over your clothing so it doesn't overheat your skin.
*Cover yourself with an
electric blanket.
*Take a
warm bath or shower.
5.Avoid smoke and other lung irritants.
Inhaling smoke can bring on painful coughing fits when you have bronchitis. It can also delay your lungs' healing process. Avoid smoking or inhaling secondhand smoke.
Stay away from these lung irritants, too:
*Areas with
excessive pollution, such as streets with high traffic volume.
*Areas with a
strong chemical smell, like the inside of factories, hair salons, and gas stations.
