Bronchitis is a common respiratory disease caused by viruses, bacteria, irritants like smoke, and other particles that aggravate the bronchial tubes. These are tubes that bring air from the nose and mouth to the lungs.
You may be able to treatacute bronchitison your own without medical treatment. In many causes, acute bronchitis is caused by a viral or bacterial infection symptoms improve within a few weeks.
Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is usually caused by long-term exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke. Treating chronic bronchitis is a bit more complicated and usually requires some significant lifestyle changes.
It’s important to treat your symptoms right away to ensure a speedy recovery if you have acute bronchitis. With proper self-care, you should be able to bounce back quickly.
But if the bronchitis worsens, doesn’t go away after a few weeks, or yourlungs sound congested, you should see a doctor.
It’s possible to treat acute bronchitis at home using natural remedies. Many of these methods may provide additional health benefits, as well.
1. Ginger
Some researchers have found
- Chew dried, crystallized ginger.
- Use freshginger to make tea.
- Eat it raw or add it to food.
- Take it in capsule form as directed.
It’s safest to use ginger in a natural form, rather than in capsules or supplements. You may be sensitive to ginger, so take it in small amounts if you’re not used to it. Eating occasional ginger is safe for everyone, but do not take ginger as a supplement or medication if you:
2. Garlic
Garlic is believed to have a number of healing properties. Results of a
Fresh garlic is best, but if you dislike the taste, you can get it in capsule form, too.
Use garlic with caution if you have a bleeding disorder. Always take it in small amounts to make sure it doesn’t upset your stomach.
3. Turmeric
Turmericis a spice that comes from the root ofCurcuma longa.
A2018 studyfound that turmeric has a number of properties that could make it useful in fighting bronchitis. Among these are antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Turmeric also increases antioxidant activity, meaning that it may help reduce irritation and boost your immunity.
To take turmeric:
- Add fresh turmeric to salads or use it to make pickles.
- Mix 1/2 teaspoon of powdered turmeric with 1 teaspoon of honey to make a paste. Consume the paste 1 to 3 times per day while symptoms last.
- Take turmeric in capsule form as directed.
- Use powdered or freshturmeric to make tea.
Using turmeric as a spice in food is usually safe unless you are sensitive to it. Do not use turmeric as a medication if you have:
- stomach issues
- gallbladder issues
- bleeding or blood disorders
- hormone-sensitive conditions
- iron deficiency
If you’re pregnant or nursing, don’t take turmeric in large amounts.
4. Steam
Steam helps break up mucus so you can expel it more easily. The easiest way to use steam is in the bath or shower. Make your shower as hot as you can handle, step in, then breathe deeply through your mouth and nose.
The hot water will also help relax muscles that may be tense from coughing. You can also visit a steam room at a gym or spa, if one’s available and you have enough energy. It’s best not to soak in a hot bath if you feel ill or short of breath.
Another steam option involves putting hot water in a bowl, covering your head with a towel, and inhaling the steam. Some people add amentholated vapor rubto the hot water to help with moving mucus.
5. Salt water
Gargling salt watermay help break up mucus and reduce pain in your throat.
Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Sip small amounts of the salt water and gargle at the back of your throat. Do not swallow the water. Instead, spit it out in the sink. Repeat as often as you like.
Afterward, you may want to rinse your mouth with plain water.
6. Sleep
Get plenty of sleep and allow your body to rest. It may be difficult to sleep soundly while fighting a cough, but take care to avoid any unnecessary activity.
It is during the deep stages of sleep that you repair and enhance immune function so your body can better fight the inflammation.
7. Lifestyle changes
A healthy lifestyle goes hand in hand with the prevention of illnesses. It can help you recover faster when you’re sick, too. A minor illness may even be your body’s way of telling you to slow down and take it easy.
The following changes may help improve your recovery and reduce your risk of getting sick in the future:
- Quit smoking if you smoke, and avoid place where you may inhalesecondhand smoke. Quitting is often difficult, but a doctor can help build acessation planthat works for you.
- Avoid visiting places where pollution is high.
- Wear a surgical mask if you’re exposed to pollution.
- Boost your immunity with ahealthy diet.
- Exercise at least three times per week for at least 20 minutes each time.
- Wash your handsfrequently to prevent the spread of infection.
- Use ahumidifierand clean it regularly following the manufacturer’s guidelines.
8. Take OTC medications with caution
There are two types of over-the-counter cough medications: those that are meant to keep you from coughing (cough suppressants) and those than thin mucus to help you cough out congestion (expectorants).
The key to using these medications is to understand what type of cough you have. A cough that produces mucus (wet cough) should not be treated with a cough suppressant, andstudies showthat neither type of cough medicine is necessarily better than home remedies.
9. Honey and lemons
Sweet treatments have long been used to help soothe dry coughs and sore throats.Honey and lemonare commonly used, either alone or inteas.
10. Pineapple
Pineapple juicemay also help. Pineapple contains bromelain, which is a natural and powerful anti-inflammatory that can help you break up and expel mucus from bronchitis and other respiratory infections.
Illnesses that are caused byviruses——包括急性支气管炎— can’t be cured. There are medications you can take to help treat your symptoms or make yourself more comfortable, but they generally won’t speed up the healing process.
When bacteria is to blame for your bronchitis,antibioticsmay help, but overuse of these medications can lead toresistancewhen you really need them.
Medications
You can pair over-the-counter (OTC) medications with the suggested natural remedies. The following medications may be helpful:
- aspirin(do not take aspirin if you take other blood thinner medications)
- ibuprofen(Advil, Motrin)
- acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- expectorantcough syrup
Therapies and procedures
Many of the therapies and treatments used for bronchitis are designed to help chronic, not acute, bronchitis.
Chronic bronchitisdevelops over time after long-term exposure to irritants that damage the lining of the bronchial tubes. When this damage occurs, your bronchial tubes become irritated and begin to produce too much mucus in an effort to coat the irritation.
Some therapies that may be used to treat chronic bronchitis include:
- medications likebronchodilators打开你的气道
- medications to decrease mucus production
- breathing treatments
- breathing exercises
- pursed-lip breathing
Acute bronchitis can clear up on its own once the infection that caused it subsides.
Chronic bronchitis, however, can’t be cured. It’s included under the umbrella of慢性阻塞性肺disorder (COPD),需要终身治疗and lifestyle changes.
Bronchitis causes excess mucus production and a tightening of your airways. The increased phlegm can make it difficult to breathe and cause a persistent cough.
The cough may be accompanied by the following symptoms:
- white or colored mucus
- tightness in the chest
- shortness of breath
- fever
- chills
- muscle aches
- nasal congestion
- tiredness
Bronchitis often comes as you are healing from a cold or viral infection.
Chronic bronchitis
Long-term bronchitis occurs as a result of breathing environmental irritants. The number one cause is smoking. You may also develop chronic bronchitis from inhaling second-hand smoke or polluted air.
Long-term bronchitis could also result from an extended illness. Infants and older adults are especially prone to chronic bronchitis.
Bronchitis is considered chronic when it occurs frequently and lasts at least 3 months out of a year for at least 2 years. It involves a wet cough for most days in a month.
If you have chronic bronchitis, you’ll need medical care from a primary care doctor or respiratory therapist. They’ll help you work out a plan for managing your condition. It’s important to treat chronic bronchitis because it leaves you vulnerable to other health complications.
If you think you aren’t recovering at a normal rate, visit your doctor.
You may also consider seeing your doctor if you have:
- coughing that lasts more than a month
- extremely painful cough
- high fever
- difficulty breathing
- severe headache
- blood with your cough
- frequent cases of bronchitis
Symptoms of acute bronchitis usually resolve within 1 to 2 weeks with home treatment. You should start to feel noticeably better after a few days. A dry cough may last up to a month. Remember to:
- Drink plenty of water and warm liquids, and eat healthy foods.
- Rest as much as possible until you feel completely healthy.
- Incorporate as many aspects of a healthy lifestyle into your daily routine to maintain your health.
If your symptoms do not improve with home care, or if you frequently develop bronchitis, see a doctor. You may need more aggressive treatment, or you may have chronic bronchitis.