Bronchitis
There are two types of Bronchitis acute and chronic (irritation of lungs e.g exposure to cigarette smoking)
Acute bronchitis is inflammation of the main airways of the lungs called the bronchi. It is usually caused by an infection. Symptoms of acute bronchitis may last several weeks.
Causes
Acute bronchitis is one of the most common medical conditions seen in a doctor’s office. It is primarily caused by a virus that infects the respiratory system. There are a number of different respiratory viruses that can do this, including the rhinovirus, which causes the common cold.
You have a higher risk for getting bronchitis if you’ve had a recent illness or viral respiratory infection (which reduce your ability to fight off infections), or if you have chronic lung problems such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. You are also at higher risk for bronchitis if you smoke.
Symptoms
The classic symptoms of bronchitis may mimic a cold. A tickle in the back of the throat progresses into a dry, irritating cough. But as the infection gets worse, a person may cough up thick, yellow mucus that may (rarely) be streaked with blood. Sometimes the symptoms of bronchitis do not appear until the underlying viral infection has gone away, and a secondary bacterial infection causes the coughing symptoms of bronchitis
Products that may help
- Propolis may act as a natural antibiotic to fight infection
- Garlic used traditionally as an antiseptic and decongestant
- Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes, therefore, re may help by strengthening the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract to resist infections
- Zinc contributes to the normal function of the immune system, therefore, may help to promote healing
- N-Acetyl Cysteine may reduce bronchial mucus build-up
- Astragalus anecdotal evidence suggests it may help preventing infections and supporting the immune system
- Echinacea traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of the common colds and influenza type infections
- Goldenseal may help fight infection taken alongside Echinacea
- Peppermint Essential Oil to inhale it may bring relief by thinning the
- mucus which helps loosen and break up the phlegm
- Olbas Oil to inhale it could bring relief
