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 phelgm, 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 phelgm 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 litres of
water having a temperature of 100 o 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.
