Bronchitis :: Healthy Lifestyles and Natural Weight Loss Information

Bronchitis

Symptoms

Bronchitis is an infection of the bronchial tubes. It usually occurs with an existing *cold and typically begins with a dry, shallow *cough. As it progresses, phlegm develops and the cough becomes painful. The chest feels tight, causing some shortness of breath. The phlegm changes from a gelatin-like substance into a thick, yellow mucus.

Cold symptoms such as a *fever, chills, aching *muscles, sore *throat and runny nose are also present. An acute case of bronchitis usually resolves itself within two weeks. *Asthma can develop similarly with a cold, but the cough is spasmodic and wheezing can be heard.

A mild but constant cough is usually the sign of a chronic bronchitis, which can continue indefinitely if preventive steps are not taken. The repetitive coughing is very hard on the lungs and respiratory system, allowing infections to develop more easily. Bronchitis or coughing can also lead to *emphysema later in life. Persistent coughing must be evaluated professionally to rule out more serious problems, including *cancer.

Causes

Sudden acute bronchitis is often caused by a virus, sometimes in combination with bacteria. Any cough is a healthy reaction to irritation within the air passage, and in bronchitis the cough is necessary to eliminate infectious mucus from the body. Coughing should not be suppressed.

Susceptibility to a chest infection is more likely after becoming chilled or fatigued. Irritating chemicals such as tobacco, ammonia and environmental pollution also predispose the chest to infection. A chronic bronchial cough lasting weeks and months, even years, is usually due to an irritating substance, such as tobacco, and sometimes due to excessively dry air and dust, common to some workplaces. Repeated spells of bronchial infection are usually linked to a weakness in the respiratory tract, due to allergies, asthma and *sinusitis or other respiratory disorders. Weakened resistance to colds can also allow repeated infections to occur.

An inadequate diet with too much meat and processed foods and too little fiber has been linked to lung weaknesses. Toxins can build up in both the lungs and the colon. When the respiratory tract is overloaded with toxic material, respiratory problems like bronchitis are more likely to surface

Nutrition

Leeks are a good healing food for bronchitis. Their oil contains sulphur, which is partly eliminated through the lungs, easing bronchial mucus. Eat vegetables and fruits raw whenever possible to retain immune-boosting enzymes which are lost through cooking. The vitamin A that fruits and vegetables provide strengthens lung tissue, and the vitamin C they contain promotes healing and improves resistance to infection. To boost immunity, eliminate the consumption of refined sugar and drink large amounts of diluted juices, soups and herb teas. Use honey instead of sugar as sweetener for herb teas, Avoid mucus-forming dairy foods, heavy starches and saturated fats from animal meats to reduce congestion

Nutritional Supplements

Vitamins A and C are the most important nutrients in combating bronchitis. Vitamin A maintains the mucus membranes of the respiratory tract and lungs, while vitamin C stimulates the immune system to fight infection.

One of the most effective remedies for eliminating, or at least reducing, phlegm from the respiratory tract is an amino acid derivative called N-acetyl-cysteine. This mucolytic agent, which is also a powerful antioxidant, can be taken in oral capsule form. It dissolves the mucus by cutting up mucoprotein molecules into smaller, less viscous fragments. N-acetyl-cysteine is also an excellent oral chelation agent-it can hook up with toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury, copper, aluminum, arsenic and cadmium in the body and remove them through the kidneys.

Take bioflavonoids with vitamin C to improve absorption. Beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A, and can be taken in conjunction or in place of vitamin A. Take zinc to support the immune system in its fight against infection.

Daily Dosages:

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg every few hours for a total of 3,000-10,000 mg daily. If the stools become loose, reduce the dosage.

Vitamin A, 25,000 IU (avoid during pregnancy)

Beta-carotene, 100,000 IU

Zinc, 60 mg, with 3 mg copper

N-acetyl-cysteine, 200 mg three times daily. Stop taking it as soon as symptoms disappear.

Herbal Remedies

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Source: Encyclopedia of Natural Healing by Siegfried Gursche and Zoltan Rona

Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections are the number one cause for anyone to see a doctor. During the 1950s when antibiotics were thought to be a panacea, there was great optimism that a cure had been found.

Respiratory System
The respiratory system shares the same responsibility as the cardiovascular system in that they both supply oxygen to, and expel carbon dioxide from, the body. Oxygen is vital because it provides the fuel for all of the body’s function.

Deep Breathing
Like the invisible breeze that sends a sailboat on its journey, breathing supports life in you, filling your sails with vitality. You can survive without food or water for a limited time, but you cannot live without oxygen for more than a few minutes. With each breath, cells are replenished with oxygen and the energy to perform all kinds of essential functions..

Cough
A cough is a healthy reaction of the body to an irritation in the respiratory system, whether the problem lies in the throat, the bronchial tubes or the lungs. The characteristics of a cough are often good clues in helping diagnose the underlying illness.

Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF)is a debilitating, lifelong disease of the perspiration and exocrine glands which begins at a young age, and substantially shortens life spa.

Emphysema
Gasping for breath and a sensation of a heavy weight on the chest are the main symptoms of advanced cases of pulmonary emphysema. The deepest part of the lungs is affected: the alveolar sacs responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Laryngitis
The voice that becomes hoarse or lost completely is due to an inflammation of the voice box or the larynx. Laryngitis is often associated with upper-respiratory tract infections, so typically the *throat is scratchy and sore, and *fever is common.

Mucus, Chronic
A chronic mucus problem is a symptom more than a disease. Excess mucus can appear throughout the mucous membranes, though we usually relate it to the nose and chest. In the sinuses, mucus problems become evident as a continually runny nose, sneezing, stuffiness and a nasal tone of voice..

Pleurisy
To breathe effortlessly, the lungs are encased in narrow seams of fluid between two sheets of mucous membranes. Pleurisy is an inflammation of this lining. It usually affects only one lung. Symptoms are quite sudden and are accompanied by *fever and a dry *cough.

Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is an acute or chronic bacterial lung infection. The first signs of TB can be easily missed, with the symptoms becoming obvious only after the disease is developed enough to be seen on an X-ray. The typical onset appears gradually as fever, malaise and *weight loss..

Take Thyme for Respiratory Health
Using genuine and authentic essential oils can help support respiratory health. For bronchitis the essential oils of eucalyptus, hyssop, lemon, and fir are beneficial. Coughs benefit from the use of juniper and rosemary. Sore throats are soothed by steaming with thyme, tea tree, and cedarwood oils.

Allergic to Work? Your Air Could be Making you Sick
Do you constantly suffer from unexplained skin rashes, nosebleeds, sinus troubles, fatigue, or headaches? You could be the unwitting victim of indoor air pollution or sick building syndrome. Find out whether or not your home or office is making you sick.