Bronchitis – What is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchi and can be divided into: acute and chronic.

Acute bronchitis often occurs during the course of an acute viral infection such as the common cold or influenza and is characterized by the development of a cough, with or without the production of sputum. 90% of acute bronchitis cases are caused by viruses, and about 10% by bacteria.
Acute bronchitis can last about three weeks with coughing as the main symptom, and wheezing, sputum production or chest pain symptoms in lower respiratory tract. Acute bronchitis treatment  usually involves antibiotics when there is a bacterial infection; in the viral infection the acute bronchitis will go away almost always by its own in about a week.

Chronic bronchitis – is a chronic inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs. It is defined clinically as chronic when there is a persistent cough that produces sputum (phlegm) and mucus, for at least three months per year in two consecutive years. Common symptoms are productive cough, shortness of breath and wheezing. Chest pain, fever and fatigue may also occur. Mucus can be thick and of different colors depending on the pathogen.

Acute and Chronic Bronchitis Treatment

Classical treatment in chronic bronchitis is symptomatic: inflammation and edema in the respiratory tract is treated with corticosteroids and wheezing and shortness of breath is treated with brochodilators. Mucolytics or expectorants are also used for fluidization of the sputum.

A natural mucolytic is the natural rock salt particles used in salt therapy. In chronic bronchitis treatment, long-term salt therapy exposure is necessary – at least 7-8 hours daily. Home salt therapy helps reducing the inflammation, fluidizing and expelling the mucus and improves breathing. Together with home salt therapy use other natural mucolytics such as garlic and ginger. These have also anti bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. As garlic is difficult for some people, ginger is much easier. You can easily make a ginger tea from fresh ginger, lemons and add honey… it tastes very good and will help you!