How To Help Ease Bronchitis Symptoms At Home
According to NHS Inform, bronchitis is a serious respiratory infection that affects the air pathways leading into the lungs, also known as the bronchi. If you have bronchitis, you might cough a lot and may expel mucus often, per the Mayo Clinic. The mucus is often discolored or pale. Bronchitis may either be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis develops for a short time due to the cold or flu and is more frequent than chronic.
The Mayo Clinic warns that chronic bronchitis is comparatively worse. It causes consistent coughing, wheezing, and respiratory inflammation, particularly because of pollution, poisoning, or injury in the internal lining, which can develop from smoking. It is among the most common inflammatory condition of the lungs, with more than 8.9 million Americans being diagnosed with it in 2016 (via Healthline). Reports show that out of this group, nearly 75% were 45 or older. Healthline also states that the number of women infected with bronchitis is significantly higher than men.
Tips to ease bronchitis at home
Bronchitis cough can be persistent and painful for the chest. In addition to taking medicine, you can try certain tips and remedies to ease the symptoms at home. According to Healthline, the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger can help with bronchitis symptoms. You can either chew it raw, add it to your salads and cooked dishes, or drink ginger tea.
Similarly, Healthline recommends adding turmeric spice to your diet to alleviate symptoms of bronchitis. It is thought to have anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Plus, it promotes better immunity, decreasing your risk of future respiratory infections. Per WebMD, if the cough is persistent and interferes with your routine, you can try gargling a mix of salt and lukewarm water. It may help rid the mucus in the respiratory lining and has a soothing effect against throat irritation. Additionally, WebMD suggests mixing honey in tea for additional relief.
MedicalNewsToday recommends using a humidifier if bronchitis symptoms flare up at night. It can help loosen stuck mucus in air pathways and decrease coughing episodes.