Bronchitis is an infection that causes irritation and inflammation of the main airways (bronchi) of the lungs. The main airways branch on either side of your windpipe (trachea). They open into smaller airways called bronchioles inside your lungs. The walls of the main airways produce mucus to trap dust and other particles that might otherwise cause irritation.
Most cases of bronchitis occur when an infection irritates and inflames the airways, causing them to produce more mucus than normal. Your body tries to cough up this extra mucus. Bronchitis can be defined as acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis.
What is acute bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is a temporary inflammation of the airways that causes coughing and mucus. It takes a maximum of 3 weeks. It can affect people of all ages, but mostly occurs in children under the age of 5.
It is more common during the winter months and usually occurs after a cold, sore throat or flu. Chronic bronchitis is a daily productive cough lasting for 3 months of the year and for at least 2 years in a row.
It is one of a number of lung conditions known collectively as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema. It mostly affects adults over the age of 40.
It is important to stop smoking if you have bronchitis. Cigarette smoke and chemicals in cigarettes make bronchitis worse and increase your risk of developing chronic bronchitis and COPD.
You can consult your family doctor to quit smoking.
What are the symptoms of bronchitis?
- Throat ache
- Headache
- runny or stuffy nose
- Aches and pains
- Tiredness
If you have acute bronchitis, your cough may last for several weeks after other symptoms have passed. You may also notice that constant coughing makes your chest and stomach muscles ache.
Some people may experience shortness of breath or wheezing as a result of inflammation of the airways. However, this condition is more common in long-term (chronic) bronchitis.
So what is good for bronchitis?
In most cases, acute bronchitis clears up on its own within a few weeks without the need for treatment. During this time, you should drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest. In some cases, bronchitis symptoms can last much longer. If symptoms last for at least 3 months, it is known as chronic bronchitis.
There is no cure for chronic bronchitis, but some lifestyle changes can help relieve your symptoms, such as: eating a balanced diet, regular moderate exercise, avoiding smoking…
There are several medications available to relieve symptoms. Medicines called bronchodilators and steroids “open up” the airways and may be prescribed as inhalers or tablets.
Mucolytic drugs thin the mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough.
If you are seeing symptoms of bronchitis yourself, you can try home remedies. Eating healthy foods will help you prevent and heal bronchitis.
Many vegetables, fruits, vitamins and spices play an effective role in the treatment of bronchitis.
Vegetables, fruits and vitamins that are good for bronchitis;
C vitamin
Vitamin C, thanks to the antioxidants in its content, will be good for bronchitis as well as for many diseases. Since they are a high source of vitamin C, we can say that consumption of red pepper, dark leafy vegetables, cabbage, thyme, apple, kiwi and strawberry will be effective in the treatment of bronchitis during this period.
Garlic
Since it is a strong antibiotic that treats infections in the body, we can mention that garlic consumption in the treatment of bronchitis has a healing effect.
Onion
Onion, which is a powerful expectorant, plays an important role in removing inflammation accumulated in the lungs. Eating onions or drinking 1-2 spoons of onion juice in the fight against bronchitis will help relieve inflammation in the lungs.
Ginger
In addition to taking part in the treatment of some digestive system diseases, we can say that ginger has an auxiliary effect in the treatment of bronchitis, as it is a strong anti-inflammatory. In addition, ginger is perfect for dry cough and expectoration.
Turmeric
Since turmeric is an effective anti-inflammatory, it significantly reduces the occurrence of inflammation in the lungs. A little bit of turmeric, which you can consume in your meals or in a bowl of yogurt, significantly supports your immunity in the fight against bronchitis as well as other diseases.
Mint
Thanks to the menthol it contains, it prevents the accumulation of mucus in the lungs and ensures that the accumulated mucus is expelled from the body by coughing.
Linden
Known for helping to expel phlegm, linden is one of the most important herbs to help heal bronchitis.
Fennel
It is often recommended that people suffering from bronchitis consume fennel, as it is used in the treatment of cough with phlegm.
lemon balm
It is used in the treatment of stomach disorders such as reflux, gastritis and nausea. At the same time, it helps to remove toxins from the body thanks to its sweat-reducing feature. Effective results can be encountered when consumed by mixing it with lemon balm and honey in the treatment of bronchitis.
Mushrooms
Some types of mushrooms are good for tissue damage and relieve lung damage. It also supports the immune system and prevents viral infections.
Saltwater
Gargling with salt water clears the phlegm in the throat and helps to open the trachea. It also soothes the inflammation in the throat.
Honey
Being a natural antibiotic, it causes the removal of inflammation in the lungs and the healing of bronchitis. You can increase its effect by consuming honey with lemon and ginger.
Sesame
Sesame, which is good for various respiratory diseases thanks to its magnesium content, is also a food that should be consumed frequently in the treatment of bronchitis.
Eucalyptus
Thanks to its antiseptic feature, it is perfect for the treatment of bronchitis. It has expectorant properties and eucalyptus vapor also has cough suppressant properties. It can be taken orally, or you can consume eucalyptus as a herbal tea.
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