Bronchitis occurs when the lungs air passage becomes inflamed as a result of infection or irritation. This inflammation causes the thin mucus lining which protects the lungs from leakage of fluids which leads to coughing.
Chronic bronchitis can be defined as the cough that lasts more than three months at a time or for at least two years or a cough that never goes away.
Causes of chronic bronchitis
Smoking
Tobacco contains number of chemicals which are highly toxic and can wreck havoc on the lungs.
Air pollution
The people who live in heavily polluted areas or work in those environment where they are regularly exposed to dust may lead to chronic bronchitis.
Weekend immune system
Old agepeople often have weak immune system and the body cannot fight with the infection which leads to bronchitis.
Bacterial and viral infections
The viruses which are ready to increase the cough and cold may lead to bronchitis.
Symptoms of chronic bronchitis
- Fever
- Chest congestion
- Wheezing
- Chills
- Body aches
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath.
- White or colored mucus
- Tiredness
- diarrhea
Natural remedies for chronic bronchitis
Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water helps in being hydrated and also helps to thin the mucus in bronchial tubes. It reduces your cough and makes it easier to breathe. Drink more than 2 liters of water every day.
Get some rest
Adequate sleep for a person helps in good functioning of immune system and recovers from infection. Sleep helps the body to repair damage tissue and in producing new tissues and new hormones in the body.
Rest is forgotten ticket for healing; experts recommend adults to have 7 to 8 hours a sleep per a day.
Honey and lemon water
Honey contains anti-oxidants and anti-septic properties which also help in healing the bronchitis. Honey soothes irritated mucus membranes and when it is added with the lemon it gives strength to cure bronchitis in limited days.
Spicy food
Spicy food like red chili contains capsaicin which helps in thinning of mucus layer .Cayenne pepper is also used in preparing spicy food which also helps in ease of blood flow and enhancing the effectiveness of other treatments.
Steam
Hot water helps in relaxing muscles which may cause tense from coughing. Inhaling steam helps in break up of mucus so you can expel it easily. The easiest way to inhale steam is under bath or shower, makes your bath tub as hotter as you can bear and take a long breath to relieve from cough.
Salt water
Gargling salt water several times a day helps in removing of excess mucus and washes it away. It doesn’t kill any viruses or it is not an anti-microbial if you have any bacterial infection.
But it helps in reducing the pain in the throat, and do not swallow the water completely you need to sip small amounts of water and gargle at the back of your throat and spit out. Then you have to rinse your mouth with plain water.
Turmeric
Turmeric helps in reducing irritation and boosts the immune system. It has anti-septic and anti-oxidant properties. It also cures many diseases such as
- Stomach issues
- Bleeding or blood disorders
- Iron deficiency
- Hormone sensitive conditions
Add turmeric in salads and foods you take and adding a pinch of turmeric in tea also helps in reducing many deficiencies including bronchitis.
Garlic
Garlic helps in effectively inhibited the growth of infectious bronchitis virus, as garlic have many healing properties. If you don’t like to take garlic directly take it with a cup of tea or as a capsule.
Always take it in small amounts so that it does not affect your stomach and it is good to avoid garlic if you have blood disorders.
Ginger
Ginger helps in reducing respiratory infections and ginger can be taken in many ways as follows:
- Use it in tea
- Add it in raw foods
- Take it as a capsule
Over eating of anything may cause defects in body. So be careful of your health.
Mustard oil
Massage of mustard oil helps in congestion of lungs and provides relief against a stiff chest. People who are suffering from bronchitis should avoid curd and other cool products which may affect in increasing cold and cough.
Tomato soup
Tomato soup is rich in vitamin C helps in reducing excessive formation of mucus during bronchitis. Drink tomato soup 2-3 times a day.
Giloi juice
Giloi helps in providing relief to the inflamed bronchial lining. It soothes the mucus which effects the lining on the throat. Drink one glass of giloi juice everyday in the morning and evening.
Use a humidifier
Humidifiers are used for moisturizing the room and keeping it warm. A humidifier can loosen mucus and helps in proper breathing and relieve wheezing with the limited flow of air. Use it everywhere in the house which helps in proper breathing while you are suffering with bronchitis.
Quit smoking
Smoking is the main cause for increasing bronchitis in your body, smoking will leads to damaging of bronchial tubes and break downs the body defense against infection.A person who is ready to quit smoking is less likely to get acute bronchitis in future.
Pursed lip- breathing
People with chronic bronchitis will try harder to breathe, so the technique called pursed lip- breathing helps you to breathe slowly and to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. It keeps your air ways open longer so that your lungs may get rid of trapped air and reduce the work of breathing.
N- acetylcysteine
N-acetylcysteine helps in reducing the frequency of coughing attacks and improves the functioning of lungs. It also helps in thinning bronchial mucus and sudden occurrence of bronchitis.
Peppermint oil
Peppermint contains anti-microbial properties which helps in relieve from bronchitis symptoms . Drinking peppermint oil daily helps in unclog the sinuses and ease your soar throat.
Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus contains cineole which helps in reducing shortening of breath and exacerbations. It is an active reducer of air way inflammation and improves in proper functioning of lungs.