Content

• Steps
• Warning

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes - the tubes that help air in and out of the lungs - cause coughing and difficulty breathing. Most often, bronchitis appears as a complication of a mild illness such as a cold. Bronchitis is not a serious problem and can be treated naturally.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Understanding bronchitis

1. 

   Distinguish between chronic and acute bronchitis. Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways in the lungs and can be either chronic or acute. You need to differentiate between acute and chronic bronchitis because they need different treatment.
   • Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection and symptoms don't last longer than 7-10 days.Acute bronchitis can be treated naturally because there is usually no need for prescription medications.
   • Chronic bronchitis is a disease that develops most commonly in smokers. It is also one of the many diseases that contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you have chronic bronchitis, you should not seek medical help on your own.

2. 

   
   
   Recognize the symptoms. Know the symptoms of bronchitis. We often confuse symptoms of bronchitis with a cold or a sinus infection, leading to improper treatment.
   • Acute bronchitis is very similar to the common cold. Symptoms include sore throat, sneezing, wheezing, fatigue, and fever. The difference, however, is that bronchitis is often accompanied by a coughing up green or yellow phlegm.
   • If symptoms last only 7-10 days, they are considered acute bronchitis. Long-lasting symptoms may be a sign of chronic bronchitis.
   • Get medical help right away if pale lips or swelling occurs in ankles, feet, or legs.
   • It's possible that your bronchitis is acute if you don't smoke and don't have specific symptoms of chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis can be treated both naturally and with over-the-counter medications. You may not need medical help if symptoms improve within 7-10 days.

3. 

   
   
   Recognize your risk factors. If it's difficult to identify symptoms of bronchitis, you can diagnose the condition yourself based on your risk factors. There are many factors that put you at higher risk for bronchitis.
   • A weakened immune system increases the risk of acute bronchitis because the disease is caused by viral infections. If the cold persists or has a medical condition that weakens the immune system such as HIV / AIDS, the risk of acute bronchitis is higher. In addition, the weak immune system due to age also increases the risk of bronchitis. Young children and the elderly are susceptible to the virus that leads to bronchitis.
   • Working in regular contact with lung irritants, including ammonia, acids, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide or bromine, also increases the risk of bronchitis. These lung irritants easily penetrate the lungs and cause inflammation and obstruction of the airways.
   • Acid reflux can irritate your throat and make you more susceptible to bronchitis.
   • Smokers are at a higher risk of both acute and chronic bronchitis. You should not treat the disease naturally, but seek medical help if you suspect that bronchitis is caused by smoking.
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Part 2 of 3: Home treatment for bronchitis

1. 

   
   
   Get enough sleep. Doctors often advise patients with bronchitis to get adequate rest because the body needs time to rest and recover from exposure to the virus. Even so, people may have trouble sleeping due to the cold symptoms associated with bronchitis.
   • Even if you are healthy, you should have a sleep improvement routine. For example, you should create a quiet resting environment, turn off electronic devices, do not use laptops and phones before bed.
   • Natural herbal cough syrups and cough suppressant teas can be purchased from health food stores. Use of syrup and tea for cough suppressants is very good for coughs that interfere with sleep.
   • Raise your head while you sleep. This will help reduce sinus pressure to your ears and make it easier for you to breathe. Therefore, you should put extra pillows or support under your head when you sleep.
   • Chamomile tea or sleep aids will help you relax before bed and replenish your body with water. Drinking a cup of tea before rest or bedtime can help.

2. 

   Humidify the environment. The moist air helps to loosen mucus, thereby reducing bronchitis symptoms such as coughing and sneezing. You can place a humidifier for indoor air.
   • Buy a humidifier. You can buy products online or at electronics supermarkets. The manufacturer's instructions should be followed, especially the instructions for cleaning the machine. Improper cleaning that causes mold can make symptoms worse.
   • If you don't want to buy a humidifier, there are many other ways you can create a humidifier. For example, you can inhale steam from a hot bowl of water, or close the bathroom door in a warm bath to increase it. Alternatively, you can plant ornamental plants as they help increase moisture and filter the air.

3. 

   Avoid contact with irritants. Avoid contact with lung irritants while at home.
   • Do not smoke while still having symptoms. If you live with a smoker, ask them to smoke outside to avoid secondhand smoke.
   • Avoid contact with new home cleaning products and paints while the symptoms persist as they can irritate the lungs.
   • While bronchitis symptoms persist, avoid contact with allergens that cause sneezing and coughing.
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Part 3 of 3: Modifying eating habits

1. 

   Drink a lot of water. Drinking water is useful in the treatment of bronchitis. Your body will quickly lose water from a fever, and drinking plenty of fluids will help dilute mucus, reduce coughing, sneezing, and other symptoms.
   • Water is a great alternative to hydration. You should always carry a water bottle with you and always fill it with water.
   • Warm liquids may also provide a better soothing effect. Soups and teas help soothe sore throats caused by coughing. Steam is also a useful option.
   • Avoid drinking milk because the properties of cow's milk can thicken mucus. Milk also does not help replenish water as much as the liquids mentioned above.

2. 

   Add foods to help improve your diet with bronchitis symptoms. There are many foods that can help reduce bronchitis symptoms. Incorporating these foods into your diet during the recovery phase can help.
   • Lemon and ginger help soothe the throat and relieve cough and reduce mucus secretion. You can add grated lemon and ginger to tea or water for flavor and to help soothe your throat.
   • Almonds are loaded with vitamins and nutrients that aid in recovery from a respiratory infection.
   • Spicy foods can cause a runny nose, but secreted mucus will be thinner and easier to remove. Eating hot spicy foods can help clear your airways and improve your breathing.

3. 

   Use honey. Honey is often recommended for colds and flu, as it is a natural and effective ingredient to help suppress coughs.
   • In one study, a variety of cough treatments were used for patients with cold-like symptoms. The results showed that honey, especially buckwheat honey, was the best therapy. From there, researchers are even more sure that the notion that honey does not cure colds effectively is a false view.
   • Adding honey to an evening tea or drinking a teaspoon of honey before bed is an effective way to relieve cough symptoms. Be aware, though, that it's not a good thing not to cough. Coughing is the process that is needed to remove mucus from the airways. Therefore, you should not take honey all day to relieve cough and should only be used when coughing disturbs sleep.

4. 

   Gargle with salt water. Salt water helps to temporarily soothe a sore throat. If your bronchitis symptoms are bothersome, you can rinse your mouth with salt water and watch to see if the symptoms improve.
   • Usually, the ratio of mixing 1 / 4-1 / 2 teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of water is ideal.
   • Gargle for 30 seconds, just like with mouthwash, and spit out the salt water. Repeat if necessary.
   • You can adjust the water temperature to your liking, but the warm water and the slightly hot water will provide better comfort.

5. 

   Use eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus oil, available in health food stores and pharmacies, is a natural and effective treatment. Eucalyptus essential oil helps relieve congestion, soothes coughs, and soothes the throat. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when taking eucalyptus oil.
   • Do not take essential oils without a prescription from your doctor. Eucalyptus essential oil should be used and consumed only indirectly; Drinking essential oils can be dangerous. Using high doses or taking eucalyptus essential oil can cause poisoning.
   • To reduce bronchitis symptoms, you can add 5-10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to 2 cups of boiling water. Place a towel over your head and face down to inhale the steam.
   • Eucalyptus oil diluted with other oils such as olive oil or almond oil can be applied to the skin. This method is commonly used for rashes and dermatitis, but can also be helpful in treating bronchitis.
   • Do not use eucalyptus oil on young children without consulting your doctor. Eucalyptus oil can be poisonous to young children.
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Warning

• Seek medical help if illness persists or worsens. See your doctor if you experience fever, ear pain, extreme fatigue, severe difficulty breathing or coughing up bloody sputum. If left untreated, bronchitis can lead to pneumonia.