HEALING FOR BRONCHITIS

WHAT IS BRONCHITIS?

The bronchi are large and medium-sized airways that carry the air we breathe from outside to the alveoli. Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi due to a number of factors. As a result, air cannot easily reach the alveoli in the lungs.

Acute Bronchitis

It usually occurs as a result of infections caused by viruses or bacteria. When the cause infection is treated, it gets better. It typically takes less than 10 days.

Chronic Bronchitis

It occurs as a result of smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic bronchitis cannot heal as quickly as acute bronchitis. It can take several weeks and usually comes back.

WHY DOES BRONCHITIS OCCUR?

It is known that viruses such as influenza A and B, coronavirus, adenovirus, rhinovirus and bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza cause acute bronchitis.

Short-term exposure to cigarette smoke, air pollution, various chemicals and various allergies can also cause acute bronchitis.

The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking. Almost all smokers have chronic brochitis. Air pollution, long-term exposure to dust or toxic gases in the environment can also cause chronic bronchitis.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BRONCHITIS?

A deep cough with phlegm, shortness of breath, and wheezing are symptoms of both acute and chronic bronchitis.

In addition to these, the following symptoms can be observed in acute bronchitis:

• Runny nose
• Throat ache
• Headache
• Yellow or green sputum
• Tiredness
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Getting cold easily
• Back and muscle pains
• 7°C - 38°C fever
• Shortness of breath

PREVENTING BRONCHITIS

There is no way to completely prevent acute bronchitis. But you can reduce your risk by:

• Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes if you are around people with bronchitis.
• Avoid sharing glasses or utensils.
• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, especially in the cold season.
• Quit smoking or avoid secondhand smoke.
• Eat a balanced diet to keep your body as healthy as possible.
• Stay away from dust, chemical fumes, other airborne pollutants.

If you have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or advanced age, you should take special care to avoid acute bronchitis.

HOW TO HEAL BRONCHITIS?

Antibiotic use may be appropriate in bronchitis caused by bacteria. Bronchitis caused by viruses can heal without the need for any antibiotics.

In acute bronchitis, it is important to consume plenty of water and to stay away from substances that can cause allergies or irritate the bronchi.

Home care practices can have a relaxing effect by controlling the symptoms of bronchitis:

• You can gargle with salt water for sputum. Gargling regularly with a mixture prepared with 1 glass of water and 2 tablespoons of salt helps to expel phlegm, soothe throat infection and relax the airway.
• You can humidify the ambient air you are in. This helps loosen mucus in your nasal passages and chest, making it easier to breathe.
• You can consume dense honey to soothe your cough.
• Inhaling steam helps break up mucus so you can expel it more easily. Hot water will also help relax muscles that may be tense from coughing. If you feel sick or have shortness of breath, it's best not to take a hot bath. Another steam option is to put hot water in a bowl, cover your head with a towel, and inhale the steam.

A Natural Supplement: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants’ Oils

One of the care methods that you can apply at home is to use vegetable oils. The vegetable oil you will use should have the following characteristics:

• Expectorant: It softens the mucus and helps to cough it up. Some essential oils with this characteristic: rosemary oil, eucalyptus oil, oregano oil

• Antitussive: Helps suppress the cough reflex. Some essential oils with this characteristic: peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil

• Decongestant: Helps reduce congestion / mucus in the upper respiratory tract. Some essential oils with this characteristic: eucalyptus oil, rosemary oil, tea tree oil, oregano oil, lemon peel oil

• Anti-inflammatory: It helps to soothe the airways. Some essential oils with this characteristic: cinnamon leaf oil, rosemary oil, eucalyptus oil, geranium oil, tea tree oil, oregano oil, lemon peel oil

• Antibacterial: Helps prevent bacterial growth or infection. Some essential oils with this characteristic: tea tree oil, cinnamon leaf oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, geranium oil, oregano oil, lemon peel oil

• Antiviral: Helps prevent viral growth or infection. Some essential oils with this characteristic: tea tree oil, cinnamon leaf oil

• Analgesic (Pain Relief): Helps relieve sore throat and pain. Some essential oils with this characteristic: eucalyptus oil, rosemary oil, bergamot oil, clove oil, peppermint oil

Inhalation: You can use these essential oils individually or in combination for relief of bronchitis symptoms. Inhaling the vapor of the oils allows it to reach the nasal passages and respiratory tract.

Fill a large bowl (500 ml) with boiling water. Drop 2-3 drops of essential oil into boiling water. Cover your head and the bowl with a cheesecloth so that the steam does not disperse. Close your eyes to avoid irritation and breathe deeply for 5 minutes.

By dripping 6-10 drops into the water in your censer or electric diffuser, you can spread its scent. The diffuser should be open for 30-60 minutes, then the environment should be ventilated for 30-60 minutes.

Massage: You can use these essential oils individually or as a mixture to relieve bronchitis symptoms by diluting them with carrier oils at the appropriate rate. You can drip 2 - 3 drops into 15 ml (1 tablespoon) of carrier oil and mix it, and apply enough oil to your neck, chest and back area by massaging. You can use oils such as jojoba and black cumin as a carrier oil.

We recommended that you consult your doctor before using these herbal oils.

Consulting Your Doctor

You may also consider seeing your doctor if:

• Cough lasting more than a month
• Extremely painful cough
• High fever
• Difficulty in breathing
• Severe headache
• Blood that comes with cough
• Frequent cases of bronchitis