Bronchitis

Bronchitis (bron-KI-tis) is a condition in which the bronchial tubes become inflamed. These tubes carry air to your lungs. In another words, it is inflammation of the bronchial tubes (inflammation = itis). The inflammation causes swelling of the lining of these breathing tubes, narrowing the tubes and promoting secretion of inflammatory fluid. People who have bronchitis often have a cough that brings up mucus. Mucus is a slimy substance made by the lining of the bronchial tubes. Bronchitis also may cause wheezing (a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe), chest pain or discomfort, a low fever, and shortness of breath.

Acute bronchitis describes the inflammation of the bronchi usually caused by a viral infection, although bacteria and chemicals also may cause acute bronchitis. Bronchi are formed as the lower part of the trachea divides into two tubes that lead to the lungs. As the bronchi get farther away from the trachea, each bronchial tube divides and gets smaller (resembling an inverted tree) to provide the air to lung tissue so that it can transfer oxygen to the blood stream and remove carbon dioxide (the waste product of metabolism).

Chronic bronchitis is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The individual would most likely suffer a productive cough that could last as long as three months or even longer in a year, and would occur during a period of at least two years. Bronchitis of this nature develops as a result of persistent exposure to airborne irritants like cigarette smoke or pollution and environmental pollutants. This kind of bronchitis like asthma is therefore not caused by some disease, but by an allergic reaction. Chronic bronchitis treatments are therefore quite different from acute bronchitis and natural bronchitis treatments may be used for relief, while the most important goal should be elimination of any exposure to irritants. Failing this, the condition will continue to be problematic and may even worsen. Bouts of chronic bronchitis should be taken very seriously as they could indicate the development of more serious conditions like asthma or pneumonia or walking pneumonia. 

Symptoms:

• Hacking cough.
• Yellow, white, or green phlegm, usually appearing 24 to 48 hours after a cough.
• Fever, chills.
• Soreness and tightness in chest.
• Some pain below breastbone during deep breathing
• Some shortness of breath
• Persistent cough producing yellow, white, or green phlegm (for at least three months of the year, and for more than two consecutive years).
• Sometimes wheezing, sometimes breathlessness.

Popular treatments and recommendations

• One of the most effective home remedies for bronchitis is the use of turmeric powder. Half a teaspoon of this powder should be administered with half a glass of liquids/Juice, two or three times daily. It acts best when taken on an empty stomach.
• Another effective remedy for bronchitis is a mixture comprising of half a teaspoon each of the powder of ginger, pepper, and cloves, three times a day. It may be taken as an infusion with tea. The mixture of these three ingredients has also antipyretic qualities and is effective in reducing fever accompanying bronchitis. It also tones up the metabolism of the patient.
• Onions have been used as a remedy for bronchitis for centuries. They are said to possess expectorant properties. They liquefy phlegm and prevent its further formation. One teaspoon of raw onion juice, first thing in the morning, is very beneficial in such cases.
• Fifty grams of fresh leaves of spinach, and 250 ml of water should be mixed with a pinch of ammonium chloride. This infusion is an effective expectorant in the treatment of bronchitis.
• An infusion of one teaspoon of sesame seeds, mixed with a teaspoon of linseed, and a pinch of common salt, can be given once at night with beneficial results in bronchitis. Half a teaspoon of dry seeds pounded into powder should be given, mixed with two tablespoons of water, twice daily. Alternately, a decoction of half a teaspoon of the same should be taken twice daily.
• An emulsion of almonds is useful in bronchial diseases, including bronchitis. It is prepared by making a powder of seven kernels of almonds and mixing the powdered kernels in a cup of orange or lemon juice. This emulsion may be taken once daily at night.
• Chicory or endive is another effective home remedy for bronchitis. The powder of the dry root of this herb should be given in doses of half a teaspoon twice daily. It is a very useful expectorant in chronic bronchitis.
• A hot poultice of linseed (alsi) should be applied over the front and back of the chest. This poultice may be prepared by mixing one cup or sixteen tablespoons of the seeds with a quantity of hot water, sufficient to convert them into a moist mealy mass. This should then be applied carefully. Turpentine may also be rubbed over the chest.
• One of the best ways to deal with bronchitis is to use some humidifiers in your room. You can use these humidifiers for a few hours every day. This will help soothe the irritation and inflammation of the air passageways. Both warm and cool mist humidifiers can be used to help you get rid of the mucus in the airways. This will also help you get rid of your cough.
• Gargling with warm salt water can help you loosen the phlegm in your airways and the bronchioles. Simply add a spoon of salt to lukewarm water and gargle with it twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening. In addition to this, drinking warm water with some turmeric could also help you get rid of the infection and soothe the inflamed airways. 
• In acute bronchitis, the patient should fast on orange juice and water till the acute symptoms subside. Thereafter, he should adopt an all-fruit diet for two or three days.
• In the case of chronic bronchitis, the patient can begin with an all-fruit diet for five to seven days, taking three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits. After the all-fruit diet, he should follow a well-balanced diet with emphasis on seeds, nuts, grains, raw vegetables, and fresh fruits. For drinks, unsweetened lemon water, or cold/hot plain water may be taken.

Prevention

•  Whether it includes your own smoke and secondhand smoke from others try to avoid it.
• Most cases of acute bronchitis result from influenza. So preventing influenza can help protect you from both bronchitis and the flu.
• If you are an older adult, or you are at a high risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and emphysema, consider having a pneumonia shot. Vaccines are also available to protect young children against pneumonia. It is recommended that all children under age 2 and for children 2 years and older who are at particular risk of pneumococcal disease, such as those with an immune system deficiency, asthma, cardiovascular disease or sickle cell anemia. Side effects of the pneumococcal vaccine are generally minor and include mild soreness or swelling at the injection site.

References

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=144663

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/brnchi/brnchi_whatis.html

http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/