With Reflexologist Nuria Weaver
Home Remedies for Bronchitis
The inflammation that occurs in the lining of the bronchial tubes gives rise to a condition what is known as bronchitis. The bronchial tubes are responsible for the passage of air to and from the lungs.
It fairly starts from a minor cold or any other respiratory infection to a chronic or acute bronchitis. The acute bronchitis is a milder form and generally improves within few days. You may probably cough for few weeks or more but there will be no lasting effects. Nevertheless there are some safe home remedies for bronchitis. There is another chronic bronchitis which is a condition that has an obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Causes for Bronchitis
The causes for acute and chronic bronchitis are different. The viruses that cause common colds can also cause acute bronchitis. A person can develop a noninfectious bronchitis if he smokes actively or passively that is breathing in someone else's smoke. The other factors that can lead to acute bronchitis are:
- Pollutants like household cleaners
- Smog
- Stomach acid that goes into the food pipe
- Certain dusts and fumes
This acute condition usually stops and clears up when the exposure to any irritant material stops.
In the case of chronic bronchitis the causes are:
- The thickening and inflammation of the bronchial tubes becomes permanent
- Well if you cough for three months continuously then there is a tendency to develop chronic bronchitis.
- Air pollution
- Toxic gases
As a whole the main cause of bronchitis both acute and chronic is smoking.
The common symptoms of acute bronchitis are listed below:
- Production of mucus either clear or white or yellowish gray that may also appear green in color.
- Cough
- Shortness of breath which is made worse by a mild exertion
- Fatigue
- Wheezing
- Fever which is associated with chills
- Chest discomfort
In case of acute bronchitis the cough can go for several weeks after resolving the bronchitis. Yet in some cases, the symptoms of bronchitis can be deceptive. However, an acute bronchitis may not always develop to chronic bronchitis.
Symptoms for Chronic Bronchitis are:
- Scarring of the bronchial tubes due to a prolonged inflammation
- Excessive mucus
- The bronchial tube thickens
- This eventually scar the airways
- Sometimes the cough becomes worse in the morning and in humid and damp weathers.
- Frequent respiratory infections along with a worse productive coughs.
Tests and Diagnose of Bronchitis
In order to diagnose bronchitis the doctor may do the following tests:
- Chest X-ray
- Blood tests
- A stethoscope is used to hear any wheezing and other abnormal sound in the lungs.
- Analyze the sputum culture which checks the presence of bacteria in the sputum while coughing.
- Pulmonary function test that helps to rule out the causes of the symptoms.
There are a number of medications that a doctor may prescribe which include antibiotic, cough medicine and other medications like an inhaler in a worst scenario of chronic bronchitis. Nevertheless, you can try some home remedies for bronchitis which are safe as well as cost-effective.
Home Remedies for Bronchitis using milk and onions
- One of the simple home remedies for bronchitis is prepared using glass of milk and a teaspoon of dried turmeric powder is added to it. Mix these well and drink it in empty stomach three times a day.
- Onions have a high medicinal value for bronchitis. If possible extract the juice of onion and take a teaspoon of this juice in the morning. You can also eat few slices of onions with your food.
Home Remedies for Bronchitis using spinach leaves and castor oil
- For curing bronchitis, take 50 gm of spinach leaves and chop them in 1/4 liter of the water. To this add a pinch of ammonium chloride and also a teaspoon of honey. Mix them well and consume to treat bronchitis.
- The planet leaves of castor oil are excellent to massage the chest and reduce the pain. Take a little of the oil on the pan and heat them in low flame. After cooling apply and spread on the chest before going to sleep.
Home Remedies for Bronchitis using mustard powder and licorice root
- Another easy home remedies for bronchitis is prepared from powdered mustard which is mixed with equal amounts of flour and water. Use this to spread over the chest to relief the chest pain. However, it is better to do a patch test to see if you are sensitive to the mustard powder or not.
- Tea prepared from licorice root is excellent to treat bronchitis. For this you need to put a half teaspoon of the licorice root in a cup of boiling water. Allow this to boil for ten minutes and then strain them. Drink this formula three times a day and continue this for a week. This is one of the best home remedies for bronchitis.
Home Remedies for Bronchitis using orange juice and ginger
- Orange juice and water are beneficial for the treatment of bronchitis in the early stage. This is one of the useful home remedies for bronchitis in acute cases.
- One of the effective and safe mixtures is prepared from equal amounts of ginger, long pepper and black pepper. Mix them well and consume the mixture three times a day which will help cure any kind of respiratory problem and also bronchitis.
- A tea prepared from ginger powder, cloves and pepper are also effective for bronchitis. In spite of this it also helps boosting the immune system.
Apart from all the home remedies for bronchitis, a proper rest and sleep is highly beneficial for curing the condition as the heart has to pump more blood to deliver oxygen in each and every part of the body's cells.
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