Chronic Bronchitis Home Remedies
Bronchitis refers to an inflammation of the bronchial tubes in the lungs. These are the airways through which breathing takes place. Irritation within these tubes leads to the formation of mucus. When the mucus accumulates in the airways, it becomes difficult for air to pass through them. This leads to bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis persists for longer periods of time and is often accompanied by emphysema. In such cases the condition is referred to as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD.
The main cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. Tobacco smoke causes irritation of the airways and mucus production. Other irritants such as dust, pollutants and chemical fumes can also contribute to the development of chronic bronchitis. Bronchitis tends to occur more commonly during a flu or cold. Upper respiratory infection is also likely to occur in these cases. There are also certain viruses that cause bronchitis. These include the influenza A and B viruses. Certain bacteria can also contribute to this condition. There are some people who are more prone to developing chronic bronchitis. These include those with weak immune systems and the elderly. The symptoms of chronic bronchitis are mild in the beginning, but can worsen over time. Chronic bronchitis symptoms include coughing, wheezing and breathing difficulty. There may also be sputum in the cough which could sometimes be of a yellow or green color. The body attempts to expel the secretions through coughing. In severe cases there may blood in the sputum as well. Other common symptoms of chronic bronchitis include body ache, soreness, chills and fever.
Acute bronchitis usually subsides without any treatment. Chronic bronchitis treatment is effective when done in the early stages. There is no chronic bronchitis cure as such, although it is possible to manage the symptoms and keep them under control. Certain medications may be prescribed to open up the airways and clear the accumulated mucus. Inhalers may also be recommended for this purpose. An effective natural cure for bronchitis is ginger. Combine half teaspoon each of ginger powder, pepper powder and clove powder and consume this thrice daily. This may also be mixed with honey or added to tea. Onion works as a natural expectorant since it loosens up the mucus. A teaspoon of onion juice consumed every morning is known to be beneficial in cases of chronic bronchitis. One can also place hot towels on the upper chest area to relieve symptoms of chronic bronchitis.
