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Home >
Research Department >
Health
Concerns Articles >
Bronchitis & Lung Health |
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Health
Concerns Articles |
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BRONCHITIS & LUNG HEALTH
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.) |
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FIGHTING
RESPIRATORY
INFECTIONS |
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Allergies and toxins
in the environment
weaken the immune
system, making
people susceptible
to respiratory
infections like
bronchitis. |
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Recurrent
bronchitis and lung
infections are more common
than ever - natural
medicine can help you reduce
congestion, irritation, and
boost your immune system... |
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Bronchitis is an
inflammation of the airways.
It can occur acutely as the
result of an infection or
chronically in the case of
respiratory diseases like
asthma, or emphysema.
Acute bronchitis begins with
cold symptoms and a dry
cough. As it
progresses the cough becomes
deeper, painful and more
productive. |
Phlegm can be clear, white
or yellow and varies in
thickness. Chest
tightness and breathlessness
can occur. Acute cases
usually resolve in a few
weeks.
The cough of chronic
bronchitis is usually less
severe but constant. Phlegm
may or may not be produced.
This is usually caused by
repeated irritations like
tobacco smoke, environmental
chemicals or other
allergens. A weak immune
system can also result in
repeated bronchial
infections.
Conventional treatment of
severe or chronic bronchitis
involves bronchodilators.
They treat the symptoms of
bronchitis by reducing
bronchospasms and
inflammation. They do not
address the root cause of
the problem. Acute
infective bronchitis is
often treated with
antibiotics. Make sure to
replace the helpful bacteria
in your system with a
probiotic supplement after
antibiotic therapy.
Avoidance of all irritating
substances is important for
prevention of bronchitis.
Home air purification
systems, humidifiers and
dehumidifiers can be
helpful. Keep plants that
remove pollutants from air.
These types include bamboo
palm, Boston fern, dracaena,
English ivy, ficus ali,
peace lily, rubber plant and
spider plant. |
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What you can do to
improve
LUNG
function |
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TAKE NAC TO
REDUCE
MUCOUS. |
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TAKE HERBS
TO BOOST
YOUR IMMUNE
SYSTEM |
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EAT LOTS OF
VEGETABLES |
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AVOID
ALLERGENS |
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REDUCE DAIRY
INTAKE |
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DON'T SMOKE |
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DID YOU KNOW?
(BRONCHITIS FACTS) |
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BRONCHITIS
COUGHS SOUND
LIKE A DOG
BARKING |
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RECURRENT
BRONCHITIS
CAN CAUSE
SCAR TISSUE
TO FORM ON
THE LUNGS |
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THE
INCIDENCE
HAS BEEN
INCREASING;
LARGELY DUE
TO POLLUTION |
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Regular moderate exercise
and deep breathing practices
can decrease
hypersensitivity of the
airways. Steam
inhalations with thyme or
eucalyptus essential oils
are antispasmodic and
antimicrobial.
Use hydrotherapy to boost
the immune system. At the
end of your shower alternate
one minute of hot water with
one minute of cold water.
Alternate several times
always ending with cold.
To restore strength to the
lungs blow up a balloon
several times a day.
Dietary approaches to
bronchitis are as follows.
Increase fluid intake to
decrease viscosity of mucous
secretions. The lungs
are used as a pathway for
toxins to be excreted when
the primary organs of
detoxification are
overwhelmed. |
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Detoxify your body
periodically to decrease the
amount of toxins being
processed through the
lungs. A diet high in raw
fruits and vegetables
provides a good source of
vitamins, minerals and
antioxidants. Onions and
garlic are good sources of
substances that make up
anti-inflammatory compounds
and help to kill microbes.
Flaxseed and fish oils
contain essential fatty
acids that are
anti-inflammatory. Avoid
animal products because they
contain inflammatory
precursors. Avoid dairy
products, processed foods,
white flour and sugar
products all of which
increase mucous production.
The following list of
supplements can be used for
preventing and treating
bronchitis. Adult doses are
given.
(CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS).
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SUPPLEMENT |
DOSAGE |
THERAPEUTIC
EFFECT |
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ECHINACEA |
As directed. Use
Echinaforce brand. |
Boosts immune system
activity and helps
fight infection |
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Colloidal silver |
As
directed
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A
natural antibiotic
that kills bacteria
as well as viruses
and fungus. Replace
helpful flora with
probiotics after
treatment is
completed. |
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Probiotics |
As
directed
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Helps
to replenish good
bacteria in the body
to prevent
re-infection.
Enhances the immune
system. |
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Buffered Vitamin C
with bioflavinoids |
3000-10000mg daily |
Supports mucous
membranes. Enhances
the immune system. |
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Quercitin |
500mg
three times daily |
For
allergic
bronchitis. It is
an antihistamine. |
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Zinc lozenges |
1-5
lozenges a day. |
Speeds tissue
repair. Do not use
more than 100mg of
zinc daily. |
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N-acetyl cysteine |
500mg
twice daily, with
water or juice only |
Decreases mucous and
makes it easier to
expel. It is a
natural antibiotic.
Increases the
production of
glutathione and
important
antioxidant in the
lungs.
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Astragalus |
As
directed |
Can
be used over long
periods of time to
boost immunity. |
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Mullein, horehound,
hyssop, licorice or
elecampane |
As
directed |
Expectorant herbs
that help to decease
lung congestion. |
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Slippery elm or wild
cherry bark lozenges |
As
directed |
Soothes the throat
by coating the
tissue. |
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Also
beneficial for
BRONCHITIS: |
Multivitamins,
vitamin A, vitamin
E, essential fatty
acids, green food
supplements,
bromelain, thymus
glandular, lung
glandular, bee
propolis, ephedra,
eucalyptus, garlic,
horsetail, mushroom
extract, licorice
root, echinacea and
goldenseal. |
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2012. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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