Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from your lungs. People who have bronchitis often cough up thickened mucus, which can be discolored. Bronchitis may be either acute or chronic.
Often developing from a cold or other respiratory infection, acute bronchitis is very common. Chronic bronchitis, a more serious condition, is a constant irritation or inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, often due to smoking.
Acute bronchitis usually improves within a few days without lasting effects, although you may continue to cough for weeks. However, if you have repeated bouts of bronchitis, you may have chronic bronchitis, which requires medical attention. Chronic bronchitis is one of the conditions included in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Causes -- Acute bronchitis is usually caused by viruses, typically the same viruses that cause colds and flu (influenza). Antibiotics don't kill viruses, so this type of medication isn't useful in most cases of bronchitis.
The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking cigarettes. Air pollution and dust or toxic gases in the environment or workplace also can contribute to the condition.
Symptoms--For either acute bronchitis or chronic bronchitis, signs and symptoms may include:-Cough, Production of mucus (sputum), which can be clear, white, yellowish-gray or green in color — rarely, it may be streaked with blood, Fatigue, Shortness of breath, Slight fever and chills,Chest discomfort
If you have acute bronchitis, you may have a nagging cough that lingers for several weeks after the inflammation resolves. Chronic bronchitis is defined as a productive cough that lasts at least three months, with recurring bouts occurring for at least two consecutive years.
If you have chronic bronchitis, you're likely to have periods when your signs and symptoms worsen. At those times, you may have acute bronchitis on top of your chronic bronchitis
HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES
ACONITUM NAPELLUS 30- Aconite will often prevent the development of a thorough bronchitis. Aconite is prescribed in bronchitis to the onset of the affection. It is caused by as a result of checked perspiration, exposure to cold, drafts or dry, cold winds . The complaint starts with a coryza , frequent sneezing. chilliness,restless sleep,full,hard pulse, and the characteristic mental condition like anxiety and restlessness
BRYONIA ALBA 30-Bryonia Alba is the top Homeopathic medicine for treating Bronchitis, and is mainly used when the cough is dry. Mucus if present is very difficult to cough out and may be rust coloured. Bryonia Alba can also prove very useful for treatment of severe chest pains during coughing. The patient usually feels relieved by taking rest and gets worse on motion. The patient may show an increased thirst for large quantities of water.
PHOSPHORUS 200-Phosphorus is another very beneficial Homeopathic medicine for patients of Bronchitis. The patient mainly has a hard and dry cough. The cough is renewed by laughing and talking. Cold air usually worsens the cough. Excessive heat in chest could be another accompanying symptom. The patient at times complains of tightness, heaviness and oppression of chest, along with chest pains. The mucus when expectorated may be blood-stained. The patient may also have a craving for cold drinks, ice cream and juices.
ANTIMONIUM TART 30- Antimonium Tart is a very effective natural remedy for Bronchitis that is mainly prescribed when the bronchial tubes are overloaded with mucus. The mucus rattles in the chest. The mucus is not coughed out with ease and if it does cough out,the quantity is meager. Homeopathic medicine Antimonium Tart is of great help in emptying the bronchial tubes by aiding the expectoration of the mucus present in bronchial tubes. The respiratory troubles after exposure to damp places frequently call for use of this natural Homeopathic remedy.
SPONGIA 30-The cases of Bronchitis that can be treated wonderfully with Homeopathic medicine Spongia are the ones presenting with dry cough and complete dryness of air passages. There is a total absence of any mucus rales in chest. Mainly warm drinks provide relief to the patient. The patient also at times complains of chest oppression, weakness and difficulty in breathing.
IPECAC 30-Ipecac is the top Homeopathic remedy for Bronchitis with a constant cough and rattling of mucus in chest. Even constant coughing does not seem to help in expelling the mucus from bronchi. Ipecac helps in expelling the mucus out with the least effort. An important feature for using this Homeopathic medicine in Bronchitis is vomiting with coughing providing some relief to the patient.
MERCURIUS 30-Merc. is another effective remedy for bronchitis.There is roughness and soreness from the fauces down through the middle of the chest.The cough is dry, raw and concussive which is very exhausting .The sputum is watery, saliva-like,or yellow and muco-purulent. There is fever and alternation of hills and heat, desire for cold drinks, which aggravate the cough. and pasty sweat without relief.
BELLADONNA 30, RHUS TOXICODENDRON 30-Belladonna and Rhus tox are important homeopathic remedies for Bronchitis when it is accompanied with fever.Belladona is the top natural Homeopathic remedy for fever when extreme heat in body is present with Bronchitis. There is usually an absence of thirst. Homeopathic medicine Rhus Tox is prescribed when utmost body aches accompany fever in Bronchitis
KALI CARB 200- Kali Carb is the best Homeopathic choice when the whole chest is very sore, sensitive and painful. There is extreme coldness in chest along with pains. Bending forward may bring a slight relief from chest pain.
SULPHUR 200-Sulphur is effective for chronic bronchitis. Catarrh of the bronchial mucous membranes is accompanied with loud rales, a persistent, profuse, thick, muco-purulent expectoration and attended by suffocative attacks. Cough with rattling of mucus in the chest, expectoration loose, worse after bathing and in the morning.