Treatment for Bronchitis

Treatment for bronchitis in allopathic medicine follows a protocol. Depending on the phase of bronchitis, it may include either antibiotics or a combination of antibiotics, spasmolytics, and steroids.

You wake up in the night with the terrifying awareness that you can’t breathe. Or worse, you hear your child struggling to get air to live. If this sounds familiar, this article can help you understand what to know about bronchitis, your type, and available treatment options.

Usually, bronchitis will clear up within a few weeks without needing treatment. This type of bronchitis is known as “acute bronchitis.” While waiting for it to pass, you should drink lots of fluid and get plenty of rest.

In some cases, the symptoms of bronchitis can last much longer. If symptoms last for at least three months, it is known as “chronic bronchitis.” There is no cure for chronic bronchitis, but there are several medications to help relieve symptoms.

The most common choices for antibiotics are:

• amoxicillin
• doxycycline
• erythromycin
• trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

However, some of these medications can cause side effects; this is why most people seek effective natural treatment, which does not cause any side effects.

Note: As part of treatment for bronchitis, it is also essential to avoid smoking and smoky environments, as this can make your symptoms worse.

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a respiratory disease where the bronchial tubes (the main airway of the lungs) become swollen, irritated, and inflamed. Pain often accompanies this common health problem.

Bronchitis usually starts as a cold with symptoms such as a sore throat, runny nose, or sinus infection, which settles in the chest. The large airway becomes inflamed and produces excessive mucus (can be yellow or brown), cough, and shortness of breath. There are two types of bronchitis: acute and chronic.

The swelling or inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles, which carry air to your lungs, causes bronchitis. The signs and symptoms include coughing with increased production of mucus that can lead to difficulty breathing, wheezing, low-grade fever, and chest tightness. Based upon the duration, bronchitis can be:

• Acute bronchitis: This type of bronchitis lasts for a few weeks and has no long-term effects. Viruses are the primary agents responsible for acute bronchitis, but bacteria may also play a role in some cases.
• Chronic bronchitis is long-term bronchitis; usually, it never resolves completely. Smoking is a common cause of chronic bronchitis. It is a type of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

What is acute bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is short-term and typically results from the flu or viral infections. The initial stage is flu-like symptoms such as a sore throat and runny nose with only a mild fever. The cough is observed after a couple of days.

What is chronic bronchitis?

Chronic bronchitis occurs when the lungs are constantly irritated and inflamed. Cigarette smokers generally develop chronic bronchitis, a severe disease of the bronchial tubes that leads to excessive mucus production and a chronic cough. Because their airways are already damaged, treatment differs for people with chronic bronchitis.

Causes of Bronchitis

Viruses, bacteria, or irritant particles that trigger inflammation of the bronchial tubes are common causes of bronchitis. Smoking is a key risk factor, but nonsmokers can also develop bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis can result from:

• A virus, for example, a cold or flu virus
• Bacterial infection
• Exposure to substances that irritate the lungs, such as tobacco smoke, dust, fumes, vapors, and air pollution

People have a higher risk of developing acute bronchitis if they:

• Experience a virus or bacteria that causes inflammation
• Smoke or inhale secondhand smoke
• Have asthma or an allergy

Avoiding infection includes regular hand washing and avoiding smoke and other particles.

Causes of Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis results from repeated irritation and damage to the lung and airway tissues. The most common cause is smoking, but not everyone with bronchitis is a smoker. Other possible causes include:

• Long-term exposure to air pollution, dust, and fumes from the environment
• Genetic factors
• Repeated episodes of acute Bronchitis
• History of respiratory disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Exposure to pesticides may increase the risk.

People with asthma or allergies have a higher risk of both types of the disease. The best way to avoid chronic bronchitis is to avoid smoking.

Symptoms of Bronchitis

Symptoms of bronchitis can be acute and chronic, which include breathing problems such as:

• Chest congestion is when your chest feels full or clogged
• A cough that may bring up mucus that’s clear, white, yellow, or green
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing or a whistling sound when you breathe

Symptoms of acute Bronchitis

Be aware of your body and look for the following symptoms accompanying acute bronchitis:

• Persistent or throbbing cough: this type is abrupt and contracts the thoracic cavity repeatedly. It typically produces a distinct sound.
• Runny nose: This is more irritating for those with acute bronchitis. Blow the nose gently when it is running.
• Sore throat: scratching in the person’s throat.
• A recurrent headache is a condition in which pain is felt in the head but can also be in the neck and back areas.
• Chills: a rise in body temperature; feeling cold with paleness and shaking.
• Slight fever: A fever between 38 and 39 degrees Celsius is considered low-grade and is often termed “pyrexia.”
• Back pain: soreness in bones, nerves, joints, or muscles is present.
• Muscle pain: soreness is muscle; often termed “myalgia.”

What are the symptoms of chronic bronchitis?

In chronic bronchitis, there is often too much phlegm in the airway, which causes a nasty cough. A positive diagnosis of chronic bronchitis will likely be achieved if a person has been persistently sick for three months or more.

The acute bronchitis symptoms can also be used for chronic bronchitis. The following symptoms apply to chronic bronchitis:

• Cyanosis is when the skin turns blue due to “deoxygenated hemoglobin.”
• Edema: excessive fluid because of organ or tissue swelling.
• Heart failure is when the heart cannot pump blood throughout the entire body.
• Clubbed Fingers: This condition is associated with heart and lung problems and deforms the fingers and nails.
• Dyspnea is the condition of experiencing difficulty with shortness of breath.
• Too much airway mucus secretion.
• Lung signs are abnormal.
• Constant infections of the lungs and respiratory tract.

Some signs of bronchitis resemble other problems in the respiratory area. It is best to consult a doctor to determine if you suffer from another chronic or acute bronchitis. Your physician will take your history and evaluate the physical exam to decide what to diagnose you with. Other tests may be given to determine if the theory is correct.

Asthma vs. Bronchitis

Bronchitis has symptoms similar to those of other lung problems, such as asthma. If you don’t recognize it accurately, you might give your child or yourself the wrong home treatment. This is why it is essential to know the difference.

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the air passages that lead to the lungs from the throat. It can be acute or chronic. These passages are called bronchi or bronchioles. Acute bronchitis is typically short-term and results from the flu or viral infections. The initial stage is seen as having flu-like symptoms such as a sore throat and runny nose with only a mild fever. The cough is observed after a couple of days.

However, asthma does not present with flu-like symptoms at the onset of the illness. Both are observed with wheezing sounds, except that they are much worse in an asthma attack. Spasms in the air passages are also more common in people with asthma.

Listed below are the highlights of asthma vs. Bronchitis

• The chief complaint with bronchitis is regular wet coughing. On the other hand, asthma is seen with a dry cough and is not as severe as bronchitis. Its chief complaint would be wheezing and difficulty breathing.
• With acute bronchitis, symptoms are seen for a short period, ten days or so. Asthma is more prolonged and recurrent. Bronchitis responds to antibiotics unless viral, while an inhaler is all it takes for an asthma attack.
• Bronchitis has two forms, acute and chronic, characterized by severe coughing. However, wheezing and breathing difficulties are the causes of asthma.

Knowing which illness you have is essential. The two may be similar in some form but may require different treatment. Both exhibit inflammation of the airways, so diagnosing it accurately is challenging. When unsure, the best thing to do is visit your physician. Ensure you give the correct symptoms and do not confuse things for an accurate diagnosis.

Natural Treatment for Bronchitis

Many different natural treatments for bronchitis have been proven effective. Listed below are the most effective natural Treatments for Bronchitis

Home remedies for Bronchitis—the most common approach to natural treatment for Bronchitis

Home remedies for bronchitis are some of the most effective natural treatments. By adopting home remedies for bronchitis, you can reduce its symptoms. Listed below are bronchitis home remedies

• Getting enough rest: Resting is one of the most important remedies. Having bronchitis can cause discomfort, and you may be unable to sit still or lie comfortably.
• Environmental humidification is a crucial home remedy for bronchitis; humidifiers can moisten the air within the house, help bring up the sputum, and loosen the phlegm through coughing. These may include a hot bath with closed doors and slow water boiling with added eucalyptus oil if available.
• Taking plenty of liquids: Drinking fluids helps thin out sputum and makes it easier to expel. The most common drinks are water, fresh fruit juices, soup, and sometimes tea. It is more helpful if it is warm because it can soothe the throat from too much coughing. This is a well-known home remedy for bronchitis.
• Drinking half a glass of milk and adding half a teaspoonful of turmeric 2-3 times daily is an effective remedy for bronchitis. It must be taken on an empty stomach to achieve the best results.
• Mixing powdered pepper, ginger, and cloves 2-3 times daily helps treat bronchitis. The mixture is usually taken with tea or licked with honey. Due to its antipyretic quality, it also reduces fever.
• Consuming one teaspoon of raw onion juice early in the morning is a valuable remedy for this disease.
• Drinking fresh cabbage juice is equally effective in treating bronchitis and has thus become a common home remedy.
• The topical application of mustard powder, flour, and water on the chest effectively reduces bronchitis problems.
• In the case of acute bronchitis, if the patient is on fresh orange juice and water for a couple of days in the initial stage, it produces good results.
• An infusion made of almond powder in orange or lime juice benefits bronchitis patients. Taking this infusion daily at night induces sound sleep without any disturbances from this disease.

Herbs for Bronchitis: a home-based natural treatment for bronchitis

Herbs for bronchitis are a natural treatment proven to cause no side effects. Listed below are herbs for Bronchitis

Olive Leaf Extract

• Olive leaf extract selectively blocks and prevents viral replication and is one of the most potent antibiotics known to man. It treats Bronchitis naturally, boosts the immune system, and heals inflammation and fatigue. This powerful natural antibiotic has effectively treated herpes infection, chronic candida, shingles, hepatitis, and more.

Thyme

• Research has shown that thyme is an effective herbal remedy for bronchitis. The best way to use thyme to treat bronchitis is to make tea. Use two teaspoons of fresh thyme and add boiling water. Allow steeping for at least 5 minutes. Drink twice daily to open airways, decrease coughing, and speed healing. Bronchitis can be challenging to eliminate, especially if you have a chronic pulmonary condition. Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds

• Sesame seeds have medicinal properties that can cure bronchitis and relieve associated chest congestion.

Essential oils for Bronchitis: a highly effective natural treatment for bronchitis

These natural treatments for bronchitis can make breathing easier during the day and prevent more severe health problems in the future.

Listed below are essential oils for Bronchitis

Oregano Oil

• Oregano oil is one of the most potent natural antibiotics on the planet. Its incredible antioxidant capacity makes it the go-to solution for flu prevention and natural bronchitis treatment. The active ingredient in this herb is carvacrol, a phenolic, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory agent that eases chest congestion and eradicates disease.

Eucalyptus Oil

• Eucalyptus oil is another natural bronchitis treatment that can open up inflamed airways. Though eucalyptus oil isn’t meant to be taken internally, you can put 5–10 drops in a hot bath and breathe in the steam to relieve chest congestion. Alternatively, mix eucalyptus oil with olive, neem, or coconut oil and rub it on your chest and throat for quick relief. Eucalyptus contains cineole, a powerful antiseptic that makes it an excellent remedy to have around during the cold and flu season.

Homeopathy for Bronchitis: The #1 Natural Treatment for Bronchitis

Treatment for bronchitis shows better results when paired up with some other treatment. Homeopathic therapies are mainly widely used with acupuncture to increase its efficacy and benefits and give you relief from cough and bronchitis smoothly and steadily.

The most common homeopathic remedies for bronchitis are listed below:

• Bryonia

This homeopathic remedy for bronchitis probably takes first place on the list. It is used for a painful dry cough when a person resists movements to prevent pain. Bryonia is also used for dry mouth. It is highly effective when used with acupuncture.

• Causticum

Bronchitis with an intense and challenging cough needs Causticum. This homeopathic remedy is used when mucus is stuck in the throat and the person coughs continuously to loosen it. It can be used along with acupuncture for better results.

• Pulsatilla

Bronchitis with a feeling of weight on the chest requires a Pulsatilla. A person with such a condition experiences a cough with choking or gagging, and this cough brings thick yellow-colored mucus with it. The cough is more severe at night. Pulsatilla, combined with acupuncture, can be beneficial.

• Dulcamara

If somebody gets ill in cold weather or after a bath, they need this homeopathic remedy for bronchitis because such people are more prone to it. For better results, acupuncture should be taken with dulcamara.

• Kali Bichromicum

A metallic, hard cough with severe throat itching requires Kali bichromicum. This condition can even cause neck, chest, and shoulder pain. For relief, use Kali Bichromicum along with acupuncture.

• Sulfur

A person who gets recurrent bronchitis due to the frequent use of antibiotics may develop immunity and not further benefit from it. Such a person certainly needs sulfur. Difficulty breathing can be felt at night, along with swelling and redness in the eyes. Such a patient can have foul-smelling breath and sweat. They require sulfur paired with acupuncture for a fast and steady recovery.

• Antimonium Tartaricum

If a person feels wet mucus in the chest and a bubbly sound of breath, he can take Antimonium Tartaricum. Such patients can feel lethargic and dizzy. Antimonium Tartaricum, along with acupuncture, helps the patient recover.

Acupuncture for Bronchitis: a traditional Chinese natural treatment for Bronchitis

Researchers say that acupuncture for coughs and other related diseases can be quite helpful for their relief. It relieves bronchoconstriction and gives the sufferer a sense of relaxation. Many acupuncturists use acupuncture for bronchitis and find it a very effective treatment. They say that acupuncture augments the formation of immunoglobulins and antibodies and helps to improve the health of patients suffering from bronchitis, especially the old ones. The antibodies are essential for the immune system. The immunoglobulins and the antibodies fight against antigens like bacteria, viruses, toxins, and any other foreign body. Researchers have found a particular amalgamation of regions that, when triggered, cures bronchitis. Acupuncture significantly improves patients’ signs and symptoms, and laboratory investigations like blood tests and cultures can also evaluate this improvement.

The miraculous effectiveness of Feishu (BL 13) and Seihua (Four Flower) acupuncture techniques has been clinically demonstrated. Seihua (Four Flower) acupuncture means using Geishu (BL 17) and Danshu (BL 19) as acupuncture points while doing acupuncture. This technique significantly improved the condition of bronchitis patients.

BL 13 is the point of the lungs. BL 17 is the point for the diaphragm, whereas BL  19 is the point of the gall bladder, and it is said to clean foreign bodies and pathogenic agents. Stimulating these organs with acupuncture balances their energies and helps you recover.

The studies also say acupuncture is a better treatment for triggering antibodies than other medications. They are based on experiments in which a group of patients suffering from bronchitis was given acupuncture with drug therapy, and another group of patients was assigned homeopathic cough syrup in conjunction with drug therapy. The antibody levels, including IgA, IgG, and IgM, were higher in the patients treated with acupuncture.

Acupuncture also stimulates the production of certain chemicals and hormones that significantly alleviate coughing. So, acupuncturists are widely using acupuncture treatments for chronic coughs. It has also been found that acupuncture is more beneficial for children and adults with persistent coughs. Acupuncture treatment produced a better patient outcome than the B-sympathomimetic drug methoxyphenamine.

In addition, acupuncture is a very cost-effective treatment. It is pocket-friendly compared to other medical and allopathic medicines and can provide satisfying and comforting results.

Acupuncture for Bronchitis is one of the most effective natural and harmless alternative treatment approaches. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method for curing pain and various other diseases, including cough and bronchitis. This process has been used for centuries and is very beneficial in curing these diseases, primarily when used with other treatments.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a natural treatment for treating various physical diseases and psychological problems. As previously mentioned, old Chinese medicine has been in use ever since. In this method, fine needles are inserted into the body, providing you with a feeling of comfort. The needles are presented in specific body areas to a measured depth for activating the nerves and the muscles. Acupuncture is based on the concept the energy ‘Qi’ flows throughout your blood in specified channels called ‘meridians.’ There are two extreme forces: yin and yang. These two should always be balanced to keep you healthy. When you are tensed, or other environmental effects disturb your body, the disorganization among the yin and yang forces causes you to be ill. Acupuncture helps you maintain the proper balance among these forces.

Acupuncture for Bronchitis at Home:

You can also do acupressure yourself. The only difference between acupuncture and acupressure is that acupressure doesn’t assume the insertion of needles into the acupoints. The points are massaged instead of needling. It will help relieve coughing and bronchitis. Just follow these simple steps:

• Flex your right arm at the elbow joint and locate the acupuncture point, cubit Marsh (LU-5). This point is lateral to the large tendon in the middle of the elbow crease. Now, use your thumb to apply pressure to this point. Keep applying pressure to this point for 2–3 minutes. Now locate the same position on your left arm and apply pressure with the right thumb.
• Now, find the acupuncture point on your chest, the upward thrust (REN-22). This point is with the clavicle bone and shoulders, just below the V of the neck, in the depression of the sternum bone. Once you have located this point, apply pressure using your index fingers. Keep applying this pressure for 2-3 minutes.

These two points are conventionally used to ease your breathing and soothe your lungs, alleviating coughs and bronchitis.

Some other practices of natural treatment for bronchitis suggested along with acupuncture for bronchitis are:

■ Yoga, walking, and stretching exercises open up the chest and can help you alleviate the disease.

■ If you have any psychological issues, consult a good therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or hypnotherapist.

■ When you are suffering from cough or bronchitis, avoid foods like sugar and wheat and eat a raw diet; they can result in the formation of phlegm.

What should I avoid while taking acupuncture or other natural treatments for bronchitis?

■ Avoid contact with all irritants and allergens, especially in the air, because these can deteriorate your disease.

■ Stop smoking and using alcohol and caffeine; they, too, act as an irritant.

■ Keep yourself warm and avoid cold weather; this can cause bronchoconstriction, worsening your condition.

■ It’s better to use a face mask to protect yourself from irritants and allergens.

■ Stress, tension, anxiety, and emotional disturbance can further worsen your disease. Try to avoid them.

Drawbacks of acupuncture for bronchitis:

There is no doubt that acupuncture outweighs the pros and cons. Acupuncture for bronchitis and cough is one of the most beneficial treatments. The only drawback is that some people don’t find it very comfortable, and because of this, some of them don’t benefit from this treatment. People with any bleeding disorder can undergo acupuncture but must inform the acupuncturist about the bleeding issue. Sometimes, acupuncture can cause bleeding or bruising. Lastly, using unclean needles can result in infection, but we use only sterile disposable needles in the US.

Acupuncture and other forms of natural treatment for bronchitis in Philadelphia

Always take a cough or cold seriously, even if it seems normal. It should be cured soon to avoid bronchitis or other serious illnesses. Studies have shown no cure for chronic bronchitis, so keeping yourself healthy is the key. So, acupuncture for bronchitis is an excellent treatment for curing cough, acute bronchitis, and chronic bronchitis. It also relieves the pain and relaxes the patient by stimulating the nerves. Being cost-effective enhances its utility. Combined with homeopathic medicines, acupuncture gives exceptional results and a speedy recovery from chronic cough or bronchitis. Remember to do light exercise while taking acupuncture treatment and avoid all toxins, smoking, and alcohol intake for best results.

At the Philadelphia Acupuncture Clinic, David Wu, Lac, works under the supervision of Medical Doctor Victor Tsan, who performs acupuncture for bronchitis. Most patients get significant improvement and, in most cases, get cured.

To schedule your initial evaluation appointment and discuss the best alternative treatment for bronchitis, contact Philadelphia Acupuncture Clinic at (267) 314-7575 or use our online secure scheduling application.