Bronchitis
- Overview
- Introduction
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Complications
- Homoeopathic Treatment
- Do's and Don'ts
- Diet and Nutrition
WHAT IS BRONCHITIS?
Bronchitis is a respiratory disease characterized by inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes (airways) which carry air to the lungs.
Acute Bronchitis tends to be common among both children and adults though the prevalence rates are higher in children younger than 5 years of age. Click to read Causes of Bronchitis.
WHAT HAPPENS IN BRONCHITIS?
- Cough with yellowish/greenish mucus
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing i.e. whistling sounds in the chest while breathing
- Tightness of chest or pain in chest
- Low grade fever
Click to know more about Symptoms of Bronchitis
WHAT CAN BRONCHITIS LEAD TO?
- Secondary infection in the lungs leading to Pneumonia.
- Emphysema, a condition in which the lungs get abnormally expanded, preventing breathing
- Respiratory failure
HOW WELL HOMEOPATHY WORKS IN BRONCHITIS
- Homeopathy has more than 50 preventive and curative medicines in treatment for Bronchitis that work very well for children and adults.
- Every remedy is carefully prescribed on the basis of the patient's history and the correct homeopathic medicine can even prevent spread of infection to other organs.
Few of our amazing remedies in homeopathic treatment for Bronchitis include:
- Antimonium tartaricum- For suffocating spasmodic cough with a loud rattle in the chest with thick, green mucus that is difficult to expectorate. Cough excited by eating, with pain in chest and larynx. Cough and dyspnoea better lying on right side.
- Bryonia- It is suited for stitching tearing pain in chest with dry cough worse at night and after eating or drinking. Cough, with feeling as if chest would fly to pieces with difficult, quick respiration; worse by every movement.
- Dulcamara- Indicated for Bronchitis, with excessive secretion of mucus worse in cold, wet weather, and tickling in larynx.
- Kali carb- Indicated in cases of dry, hard cough at 3 am, with stitching pain in chest. Whole chest feels very sensitive with scanty tenacious expectoration.
Homeopathy eases breathing, boosts the body's defenses and provides long-lasting relief to the suffering patient!
Do you frequently get attacks of
- Cold?
- Chest discomfort?
- An irritating cough?
- Coughing up of mucus?
If these symptoms sound familiar then you possibly have Bronchitis.
Bronchitis is swelling of the bronchial tubes or air passages that carry air to the lungs. When these air passages are irritated, thick mucus forms which blocks the airways and makes it difficult for air to get into the lungs.
It is one of the most difficult diseases to treat today because, wherever you go, air pollution is on the rise, and it serves to make the disease much stronger and severe.
The power of Homeopathy lies in boosting the immunity of patients, so that they are much equipped to fight against the hazards of pollution and atrocities of Bronchitis.
In the Acute type, the red line symptoms of Bronchitis include
- Cough which is either dry (without mucus), or wet (with mucus)
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Other associated symptoms like fever with chills, tiredness, loss of appetite, etc.
- Children Sputum in the form of vomiting
- Rattling sound in chest
In the Chronic type, symptoms of Bronchitis include
- Recurrent or persistent productive cough for 3 months
- Tightness of chest
- Shortness of breath on exertion
- Other symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite, etc
- In severe cases, bluish discoloration of the tongue, lips and conjunctiva may be seen. This is called cyanosis
CLASSIFICATION
Bronchitis can be classified on the basis of duration into-
- Acute Bronchitis
- Chronic Bronchitis
Acute Bronchitis
It is the inflammation of bronchi caused by viruses or bacteria. It is an acute illness lasting less than three weeks with coughing as the main symptom along with other symptoms of Bronchitis.
Chronic Bronchitis
It is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, defined by a productive cough that lasts for a minimum of three months each year for at least two years in the absence of other underlying diseases
Microscopic appearance of bronchitic tissue
Acute Bronchitis
Acute Bronchitis often develops during an upper respiratory infection such as the common cold or influenza.
About 90% of cases are caused due to viruses including rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza virus. Such cases can get secondarily infected with bacteria. This can be observed by the fact that previously coughed up white-colored sputum turns yellowish or greenish.
About 10% of cases are directly caused by bacteria including Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae.
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic Bronchitis is usually an assault brought on by various environmental pollutants. Among the leading causes of Bronchitis today is cigarette smoking.
The other causes of Bronchitis of chronic type include:
- Dust
- Smoke
- Fumes
- Fog
- Sudden changes of temperature
Recurrent or long lasting Bronchitis makes one vulnerable to repetitive respiratory infections and also promote lung complications such as-
- Pneumonia- People suffering from Bronchitis have a higher risk of developing Pneumonia, a disorder primarily of the body of the lungs.
- Emphysema- It is a condition which develops when the lungs lose their elasticity causing air to be trapped in the air sacs thus impairing the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- Respiratory Failure- This is the end stage result where lungs are unable to expel all the carbon dioxide leading to respiratory failure.
- Homeopathic treatment for Bronchitis, the most efficient therapy is very successful in treating all the symptoms of both, acute and chronic types, and plays a significant role in preventing further complications and reoccurrences as well.
- Homeopathic treatment for Bronchitis does not treat the disease itself, but is prescribed on the basis of physical, emotional and genetic makeup of an individual.
- Homeopathic treatment for Bronchitis will clear up the infection, relieve the discomfort of chest and clear the airways making it easier for the elimination of secretions.
- In acute stage of disease, homeopathic treatment for Bronchitis helps by relieving the patient from dry, irritating cough with acute medicines, thereby reducing the frequency and severity of diseases. Its constitutional approach will boost the immune system of the body hence preventing its recurring infections.
Antimonium tartaricum- For suffocating spasmodic cough with a loud rattle in the chest with thick, green mucus that is difficult to expectorate. Cough excited by eating, with pain in chest and larynx. Cough and dyspnoea better lying on right side.
Bryonia- It is suited for stitching tearing pain in chest with dry cough worse at night and after eating or drinking. Cough, with feeling as if chest would fly to pieces with difficult, quick respiration; worse by every movement.
Dulcamara- Indicated in homeopathic treatment for Bronchitis, with excessive secretion of mucus worse in cold, wet weather, and tickling in larynx.
Kali carbonicum- Indicated in cases of dry, hard cough at 3 a.m., with stitching pains in chest. Whole chest feels very sensitive with scanty tenacious expectoration.
We have different symptoms in homeopathic treatment for Bronchitis with many remedies with varying intensity such as
INFLAMMATION:-Bronchial tubes (Bronchitis):- 2Acet-ac, 2Acon, 3Aesc , 2All-c, 2Alum, 2Alumn, 1Am-c, 2Am-m, 2Ant-c, 3Ant-t , 2Apis, 2Arn, 3Ars, 1Ars-i, 2Asc-t, 2Aur-m, 1Bar-c, 3Bar-m, 2Bell, 2Benz-ac, 3Bry , 2Cact, 2Calc, 2Camph, 2Cann-s, 2Carb-v, 2Carbn-s, 1Card-m, 2Caust, 2Cham, 2Chel, 1Chlol, 1Chlor, 2Cina, 2Cist, 2Coc-c, 1Cop, 1Dig, 3Dros, 2Dulc , 1Euphr, 2Ferr-i, 3Ferr-p, 2Gels, 2Guai , 3Hep, 2Hippoz, 2Hyos, 2Iod, 3Ip , 1Kali-ar, 2Kali-bi, 2Kali-c, 2Kali-chl, 1Kali-p, 2Kreos, 2Lach, 2Lob, 3Lyc , 2Merc, 2Naja, 2Nat-m, 3Nat-s, 2Nit-ac, 2Nux-v, 2Ph-ac , 3Phos, 2Plb, 2Psor, 3Puls , 2Rhus-t, 2Rumx, 3Sang, 3Senec , 2Seneg, 2Sep, 3Sil, 3Spong , 2Squil, 3Stann, 2Sulph, 2Ter , 1Uran, 2Verat, 1Verb
DUST, AS FROM, COUGH: 2Alumn, 2Am-c, 3Ars, 2Bell, 2Brom, 2Calc, 2Chin, 2Coc-c , 3Dros, 2Hep, 2Ign, 2Ip, 3Lyc, 3Puls, 3Sulph
COUGH, BARKING: 4ACON, 1Aur-m, 1Kali-bi, 1Lyc, 3Sin-n , 1Stann, 1Stict, 1Verat
- Take steam inhalation 3 or 4 times a day to liquefy the sputum in case of painful and unproductive cough.
- Cigarette smoking should be strictly avoided.
- Wear a face mask if you work in industries where you are constantly exposed to dust, fumes, smoke or other particulate matter.
- If there is any respiratory infection, it should be promptly and efficiently treated.
- Dairy products like milk, butter, cheese should be avoided as they increase mucus secretion in the respiratory system.
- Food items such as cold food, cold drinks, ice, ice-creams and aerated drinks should be restricted in consumption.
- Boil a mixture of Bishop's weed (Ajwain), tea leaves and water and inhale the steam 2-3 times a day
- Gargle with warm water, a pinch of salt and turmeric to sooth the throat.
- Consume fruits, raw vegetables, hot vegetable soups, carrots, bananas, avocado, raspberries, cauliflower, whole grains, unpolished rice and wheat germ, dried beans, peas and soybeans in diet.
- Consume lots of vitamin A-rich foods like carrots and tomatoes, liver oils of fish, as they help in maintaining the integrity of the respiratory mucosa.
- Every morning, a mixture of 1/2 cup water, little ginger, 2-3 leaves of sweet basil (tulsi) and mint leaves should be taken to boost up the immunity.