Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways that can often result in difficulty breathing. It can occur acutely as the result of an infection or chronically in the case of respiratory diseases like asthma or emphysema. Acute bronchitis most commonly begins with cold symptoms and a dry cough. As it progresses, the cough can become deeper, more painful and more productive with respect to mucous. This is why lung health support is important. Discover ways you can keep your lungs healthy.
What Causes Bronchitis?
Phlegm and Congestion
Acute and chronic bronchitis often cause congestion from excess phlegm buildup. Phlegm can be clear, white, or yellow. It can vary in thickness and cause chest tightness and breathlessness.
While acute bronchitis cases usually resolve in a few weeks, chronic cases can last over extended periods of time.
The cough associated with chronic bronchitis is usually less severe but constant. Bronchitis may or may not produce phlegm. Repeated exposure to tobacco smoke, environmental chemicals, or allergens often causes it. A weak immune system can also result in repeated bronchial infections.
What Lung Health & Bronchitis Support Options Are Available?
Air Purification For Lung Health
Avoidance of all irritating substances is important for the prevention of bronchitis. Home air purification systems, humidifiers and dehumidifiers can be helpful. Keep plants that remove pollutants from the air. These types include bamboo palm, Boston fern, dracaena, English ivy, ficus ali, peace lily, rubber plant and spider plant.
Breathing Exercises For Lung Support
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.
Reduce Inflammation
It’s important to keep the body detoxified to reduce strain on the lungs. Our lungs work to filter through toxins, so by altering the diet to ensure adequate intake of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants you can improve bronchial symptoms. Raw fruits and vegetables are best, and by including onion and garlic, you can cause an anti-inflammatory effect in the lungs. Another source of anti-inflammatory healing is flaxseed and fish oils.
Diet and Bronchitis
Dietary approaches to bronchitis are as follows. Increase fluid intake to decrease the viscosity of mucous secretions. The lungs help remove toxins when the body's primary detoxification organs become overwhelmed.
Conventional Treatments
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. Doctors often treat acute infective bronchitis with antibiotics. Make sure to replace the helpful bacteria in your system with a probiotic supplement after antibiotic therapy.
Important Information
Some foods to avoid are dairy products, white flour, sugar, and processed foods, which increase mucous production. Avoid animal products because they can promote inflammation.
