We have two main airways known as bronchi that start in the back of the throat and go into the chest. When these tubes get swollen or inflamed and you find it hard to breathe, you get a diagnosis of bronchitis. Inflammation produces mucus which further constricts the airways and causes more difficulty in breathing. Usually the first sign is a dry cough which changes into a productive cough later on. Along with these signs people can also have symptoms like
- runny nose
- sore throat
- tiredness
- sneezing
- wheezing
- feeling cold easily
- back and muscle aches
- fever of 100°F to 100.4°F (37.7°C to 38°C)
But wait, do you know bronchitis can be of several types. Yes if your productive cough stays for more than 10 days or up to 3 weeks, you can get the diagnosis of acute bronchitis
But if the same cough lingers on for many months, it comes under chronic bronchitis. This type results in a decreased amount of air flow to your lungs and can be a sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Sometimes after a viral or bacterial infection you continue to feel an inflammation or irritation in your bronchioles that puts you under the category of infectious bronchitis.
You can also have an industrial or environmental bronchitis) is caused by exposure to mineral or vegetable dusts or fumes from strong acids, ammonia, some organic solvents, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and bromine.
Homeopathic Remedies for Bronchitis
Bryonia Alba
Bryonia Alba is extremely helpful for dry hacking cough. The patient has to sit up while coughing and holds his head or chest. There is pain in the chest especially on the right side. Tough mucus and it is difficult to expel it out. There are sneezing episodes in between the coughs. When the chill travels down, bronchitis comes on and the patient feels rawness in the trachea and great soreness in the chest. The cough is worse from eating or drinking cold things. The patient also feels worse from the slightest motion and wants to keep still. There is dullness of mind along with congestive headache. He feels sore, lame and bruised all over his body. There may be loss of taste and smell too with coryza. He has a thirst for large quantities of water at long intervals.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is another excellent remedy for patients of Bronchitis. There is hoarseness and scraping in the throat with a hard and dry cough accompanied by saltish and purulent mucus especially in the morning. There may be no expectoration in the evening. There is a great desire for cold drinks. There can be stitches in one eye with a cough. Symptoms aggravate with laughing and talking. The patient can also complain of tightness, heaviness, and oppression of chest, along with chest pains. The mucus when expectorated may be pale, red, rusty or blood-stained.
Antimonium Tart
Antimonium Tart is very effective when bronchial tubes are loaded with mucus. There is a great rattling sound when coughing but it is difficult to expel the mucus out. Cough compels the patient to sit up. There can be shortness of breath from suppressed mucus. There can be trembling of head while coughing along with pain in the larynx on touch. Feels worse in the evening and from heat and anger.
Ipecac
Ipecac is the top remedy for Bronchitis when there is a dry, asthmatic and painful cough. There is a rattling noise in the bronchial tubes while breathing. There is nosebleed with a whooping cough. Cough gets worse from walking in the cold air and taking a deep breath. Better in the open air.
