Bronchitis , acute or chronic, is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tree : how to cure it from the first symptoms, what to eat, which remedies are most effective.Bronchitis is a viral disease that is accompanied by symptoms of cold  and can be caused by a virus but also by excessive smoking . Let’s find out better.

• What is bronchitis
• Symptoms of Bronchitis
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• When does bronchitis become chronic?
• How bronchitis is transmitted
• How long does bronchitis last
• How to cure bronchitis
• How to prevent bronchitis
• Nutrition against bronchitis
• Natural treatments for bronchitis
• Chinese medicine for bronchitis
• Essential oils for bronchitis
• Good rules of conduct to combat bronchitis

What is bronchitis

Bronchitis refers to acute or chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the bronchi . Bronchitis can be acute , often viral or bacterial in nature, or chronic due to prolonged damage to the airways and exogenous in nature, such as smoking bronchitis.

Bronchitis in elderly subjects can be very dangerous, both for the manifestation of symptoms, which can further weaken the body, and for any pharmacological treatments which in some cases can be particularly “heavy”.

Even bronchitis in pregnancyit can represent a serious concern, both for the difficulty of accessing care, to protect the fetus, and for the possible exacerbation of the pathology. It is therefore good to take action in the event of the onset of bronchitis with natural remedies , always under medical supervision.

Symptoms of Bronchitis

Bronchitis usually accompanies cold symptoms , such as rhinitis , pharyngitis and tracheitis . It typically lasts a few days up to a maximum of four weeks. It is not a disease to be underestimated, because it can lead to the appearance of subsequent more serious pathological conditions . 

It can be accompanied by  fever or cough,  a reaction that protects the lungs from inhaling a foreign body and helps to remove excessive bronchial secretions.

Bronchitis can in fact generate the formation of viscous yellowish phlegm , an unequivocal sign of infection. There are also forms of bronchitis without cough , with pain in the bronchi, which paradoxically make the treatment process more complex.

Causes of Bronchitis

Acute  bronchitis  is an infectious disease whose cause is usually viral in nature.

There are multiple triggering factors, which are divided into exogenous (tobacco smoke, smog) and  mechanical (secretions, vocal efforts, foreign bodies, hypertrophy of the tonsils) causes. Cough, in addition to bronchitis, also appears in cases of asthma , allergic rhinitis, pulmonary emphysema. 

The number one responsible for chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking : 90% of patients with chronic bronchitis are smokers or former smokers.

Bronchitis Diagnosis

Bronchitis can be diagnosed by studying the patient’s medical history , followed by a physical examination.

This involves analyzing the upper airways , starting with the nose and throat, continuing with the ears, to look for traces of infections. In some cases, when pneumonia is suspected, chest X -rays are also taken . Sometimes bronchial pain exists even without a cough.

When does bronchitis become chronic?

Chronic bronchitis is the degenerative result of prolonged exposure to chemical or physical pollutants , such as smoke, pollution, toxic substances.

It is diagnosed as chronic bronchitis if it persists for more than three months , even if not continuously over a couple of years. It is generally an irreversible condition. 

How bronchitis is transmitted

Viral or bacterial bronchitis can be transmitted easily when you come into contact with contaminated objects, but especially by air if you are hit by coughs and infected droplets.

How long does bronchitis last

Acute bronchitis can last a few weeks, depending on the severity of the symptoms , the presence of infection and fever. If bacterial is treated with antibiotics, if viral corticosteroid drugs are often prescribed.In both cases, mucus thinners, especially in the case of dry bronchitis, antipyretics in the case of fever, bronchodilators in the case of asthmatic bronchitis. The duration of the inflammation depends on various factors, in addition to the reactivity of the organism. Chronic bronchitis lasts for many months , at times it is irreversible and can be controlled, but difficult to eradicate. 

How to cure bronchitis

Bronchitis must be diagnosed by the specialist and carefully treated with specific drugs to avoid possible recurrences and worsening with dangerous degenerations . Antibiotics, corticosteroids, aerosols are generally the indications given by the doctor to attack the inflammation from viral or bacterial infection.

In the case of chronic bronchitis, natural remedies can be adopted, which provide for a prolonged intake over time , which correct “the ground”, not limited to counteracting the symptom, trying to rebalance the immune system, the respiratory system in its entirety , thus curing bronchitis without antibiotic. 

How to prevent bronchitis

The prevention of bronchitis starts with healthy habits such as not smoking . In fact, smoking is an irritating agent of the mucous membranes and favors the onset of various types of inflammation.

Pay attention to the environments that you frequent , well ventilated, dehumidified, use a mask in particularly polluted areas, are behavioral rules that can prevent the onset of bronchitis. 

Nutrition in case of bronchitis

Herbal remedies for bronchitis

Herbs with expectorant and balsamic properties are : violet ,  birch , pine , sage . To prepare a balsamic infusion you will need: pine (35 g of buds), mallow (30 g of flowers), licorice (root, 25 g), mint (leaves, 10 g). Use a tablespoon of the mixture in 1 cup of boiling water, keep covered and rest for 20 minutes before drinking. 

The main immunostimulants, generally very well tolerated even for very long periods of treatment, are Astragalus and Uncaria  .

You can learn more about all the properties and contraindications of astragalus

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acute bronchitis according to traditional Chinese medicine is due to cold wind, heat and dryness that alter the normal function of lung qi .

In the case of chronic bronchitis, the involvement is related to the Lungs, Spleen, Kidney and Liver.  Some important points are:

• FEI SHUI (shu point on the back of the Lung, 1.5 cun to the side of the spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra) which tones and regulates the flow of the Lung;
• DA ZHUI (large vertebra, located below C7) which tones the qi of the Spleen;
• PI SHU (shu point of the back of the Spleen, 1.5 cun to the side of the spinous process of the XI thoracic vertebra), mobilizes the qi of the Spleen, regulates the flow of blood and dissolves humidity. 
• LIE QUE (located on the radial shower, on the tendon of the arm-radial muscle) which stimulates the descent of qi.

Essential oils

Excellent balneophytotherapy which consists in adding essential oils such as juniper , pine , cypress in the bath water or by putting an infusion of lavender and thyme in the tub ; obviously reserved for milder cases.

The most rational preparation is the extract of the echinacea root  which is administered in the form of a dry extract titrated in polysaccharides and has both an anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating action.

Good rules of conduct

Cover your throat and chest in cold seasons . The environment in which you live must be well humidified : a relative humidity of 40-60% is the right one; for this reason there are various types of humidifiers on the market, including ultrasounds, which serve this purpose.

Avoid active and passive smoking . Temporarily suspend your sporting activity and rest so that your body can resume training for good, whatever discipline you practice.