Bronchitis
Bronchitis refers to an inflammation of the mucous
membrane lining the bronchi and bronchial tube within the chest. It is a
breathing disorder affecting the expiratory function. In most cases, some
infection also occurs in the nose and throat. It is a disease endemic to cold,
damp climates, but may occur anywhere.
Bronchitis may be acute or chronic. In chronic cases,
the disease is of long duration. It is more serious than the acute type as
permanent changes may have occurred in the lungs, thereby interfering with
their normal movements. Chronic bronchitis is more frequent in males than in females
and mortality rate is also higher in males.
Symptoms
In most cases of bronchitis, the larynx, trachea and
bronchial tubes are acutely inflamed. The tissues are swollen due to
irritation. Large quantities of mucus are secreted and poured into the windpipe
to protect the inflamed mucous membrane. The phlegm, when expelled is found to
be viscid and purulent. There is usually a higher fever, some difficulty in
breathing and a deep chest cough. Other symptoms are hoarseness and pain in the
chest and loss of appetite. Breathing trouble continues till the inflammation
subsides and mucous is removed.
Causes
The chief cause of bronchitis is wrong feeding habits.
The habitual use of refined foods such as white sugar, refined cereals and
white-flour products results in the accumulation of morbid matter in the system
and collection of toxic waste in the bronchial tube. Another important cause of
this disease is smoking. Excessive smoking irritates the bronchial tubes and
lowers their resistance so that they become vulnerable to germs breathed in
from the atmosphere. Other causes of bronchitis are living or working in stuffy
atmosphere, use of drugs to suppress earlier diseases and hereditary factors.
Changes in weather and environment are common factors for the onset of the
disease.
Treatment
In acute cases of bronchitis, the patient should fast
on orange juice and water till the acute symptoms subside. The procedure is to
take the juice of an orange in a glass of warm water every two hours from 8
a.m. to 8 p.m. Thereafter, the patient should adopt an all-fruit diet for two or
three days. In case of chronic bronchitis, the patient can begin with an all-
fruit diet for five to seven days, taking each day three meals of fresh juicy
fruits. After the all-fruit diet, the patient should follow a well-balanced
diet of seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits. For drinks, unsweetened
lemon water or cold or hot plain water may betaken. The patient should avoid meats,
sugar, tea, coffee, condiments, pickles, refined and processed foods,
soft-drinks, candies, ice-cream and products made from sugar and white flour. One
of the most effective remedy for bronchitis is the use of turmeric powder. A
teaspoonful of this powder should be administered with a glass of milk two or
three times daily. It acts best when taken on an empty stomach. Another
effective remedy for bronchitis is a mixture of dried ginger powder, pepper and
long pepper taken in equal quantities three times a day. It may be licked with
honey or infused with one’s daily tea. The powder of these three ingredients
have antipyretic qualities and are effective in dealing with fever accompanied
by bronchitis. They also tone up the metabolism of the patient.
The onion has been used as a food remedy for
centuries in bronchitis. It is said to possess expectorant properties. It
liquefies phlegm and prevents its further formation. One teaspoon of raw onion
juice, the first thing in the morning will be highly beneficial in such cases. A
simple hot poultice of linseed should be applied over the front and back of the
chest. It will greatly relieve pain. Poultices act by diluting the vessels of
the surface and thereby reducing the blood pressure. The heat of the poultics
acts as a cardiac stimulant. A poultics should be applied neatly and carefully
and should be often renewed, so that it does not hamper respiration. Turpentine
may be rubbed over the chest with fomentation for the same object. A hot
Epsom-salts bath every night or every other night will be highly beneficial
during the acute stages of the attack. This bath is prepared by dissolving
three lbs. of Epsom-salts to 60 liters of water having a temperature of 100°F.
The patient should remain immersed in the bath for about 20 minutes.
In case of
chronic bronchitis, this bath may be taken twice a week. Hot towels wrung out
and applied over the upper chest are also helpful. After applying three hot
towels in turn for two or three minutes each, one should always finish off with
a cold towel. A cold pack should also be applied to the upper chest several
times daily in acute conditions. The procedure is to wring out some linen
material in cold water, wrap two or three times round the affected part and cover
it with some flannel. The pack can remain for about an hour at a time. Fresh
air and outdoor exercises are also essential to the treatment of bronchitis and
the patient should take a good walk everyday. He should also perform yogic
kriyas such as jalneti and vamandhouti and yogic asanas such as ekpaduttansana,
yogamudra, bhujangasana, shalabhasana, padmasana and shavasana. Simple
pranayamas like kapalbhatti, anuloma-viloma, ujjai and bhramari are also highly
beneficial.
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