Breathing is one of the most important things that the human body must not forget to do. We can temporarily stop breathing, but we could die if we do so for longer than we can handle. Whether we are conscious or not, our body does not forget to breathe. However, there are conditions that give us difficulty in breathing, most especially if those conditions are caused by abnormalities in the pathway of the air we breathe.

The Breathing Process

Pathway of the air starts from the nose where air is inhaled, then passes the nostrils to the pharynx. It then passes through the trachea, or the windpipe, which serves as the primary airway. The trachea then splits into two parts, in which each part enters the left and right lung of the body. The tubes from where the trachea is split into are called the bronchi, the secondary airway branch, and further splits into tiny bronchioles.

The main function of the bronchi is to allow air passage. It does not facilitate exchange of air like alveolar air sacs do, but simply performs as a passage way. As much as it serves as a channel of air, many diseases in the bronchi can also result in breathing problems. In fact, the main reason behind asthma is because bronchi becomes restricted, having insufficient air to enter the lungs that causes the wheezing. Therefore proper functioning of the bronchi ensures easy passage of air to the lungs. Another function of the bronchi is to prevent infection. The mucus and cilia present in the bronchi further eradicates the pathogens not filtered in the nostrils from entering the lungs leading to various respiratory diseases. This is especially visible during bronchitis, a malfunctioning of the cilia in the bronchi leading to inflammation.

What is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the bronchi, an airway that connects the trachea and lungs, becomes inflamed because of irritation and infection. It can be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis causes severe symptoms like continuous coughing but only lasts a short period of time and is often caused by certain viruses that could affect the respiratory tract like influenza A and B and bacteria like Mycoplasma pneumonia or the “walking pneumonia”. Chronic bronchitis on the other hand can be mild to severe and can last from months to years. Causes commonly point out to smoking, inhaling irritating dust or fumes and chemical solvents.

Symptoms of bronchitis occur after common colds and sinus infection including nasal congestion, muscle ache, sore throat and fever with chills. A common symptom of bronchitis is coughing and may last for 2 weeks. Due to the inflammation of the airways, wheezing may also occur and make sufferers short of breath.

Acute bronchitis without complication can be resolved on its own, and sufferers might also follow the following natural remedies to ease bronchitis.

• Drink Lots of Water

  Drinking lots of water, more than what you usually take, is essential in easing bronchitis. It helps moist the throat, easing the pain after coughing from bronchitis. The fluids help soothe the throat and keep the body hydrated. Other forms of water can also help like how moisture from vaporizer helps in mucus breakdown. However, caffeine and alcohol must be avoided as they promote dehydration. Milk must also be avoided as it causes mucus, which you are most trying to prevent. Drink water, or catnip tea as it helps ease the cough.

• Gargle with Salt Water

  One of the most successful cures for bronchitis sufferers is by gargling lukewarm salt water. It helps in reducing the production of mucus by reducing the inflammation of the throat. Add a table spoon of salt into drinkable lukewarm water and then gargle. Take note to add just the right amount as too much salt causes burning in the throat and too little is ineffective. Do this as many times possible during the day when condition is acute. A feeling of relief in the chest will then be felt.

• Get Enough Rest

  Taking enough rest is the first step in relieving any pain or condition of the body. Since bronchitis probably followed after flu or cold, you may want to move around and work however, it will only worsen the case. It will only make you weaker and make the body’s ability to fight infection slower, so take it easy and rest for a while longer and sooner you’ll find yourself feeling all good and better.

• Use Horseradish

  Horseradish is a plant frequently used as seasoning in phytotherapy as well as conserving canned goods for winter and for some other meal recipes. Horseradish also contains medicinal benefits. It acts as an expectorant, anti-bacterial, bronchodilatator, immunostimulant, increases blood pressure and many more.

  Bronchitis is one condition that could greatly benefit from horseradish. Just apply horseradish flour like a cataplasm on the chest area for 30 minutes or an hour and is repeated every two to three days, once a day. You can also grind the horseradish root, add boiling water, and wait for 5 minutes. Drink 3 times a day.

• Make use of Ginger

  No specific scientific evidence has been provided that ginger helps with bronchitis, however bronchitis and certain bronchial irritations may benefit from the anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting action of ginger. A study suggested that ginger can hold back inflammation and allergic reactions in mice, published in International Immunopharmacology in 2008, and further studies on human are still needed to reach definite conclusion.

  You can try an effective bronchitis treatment which is a mixture of the powder of ginger, cloves and pepper, half a teaspoon each three times a day either licked with honey or mixed with tea. It speeds up metabolism of sufferers and reduces fever that comes with bronchitis because of its antipyretic qualities.

• Honey with Cinnamon

  The benefits of consuming honey and cinnamon powder daily include protection from bacterial and viral attack as well as strengthening of the immune system. Honey toughens the white blood corpuscles protecting the body from bacterial and viral diseases as scientists have found out that honey contain large amounts of iron and vitamins.

Sources
squidoo.com
kidshealth.org
emedicinehealth.com
buzzle.com
freedrinkingwater.com
schoolofbeinghealthy.com
livestrong.com
liveandfeel.com