FAMILY HOME REMEDIES

By
Nadeem Y. Mufti

BRONCHITIS - 7 Ways to Bear the Battle

You thought you were finally shaking that cold, but this morning your cough is worse than
ever. You're coughing up phlegm by the cupful, and it feels as if someone spent the night tap-
dancing on your chest. You've probably developed bronchitis, an often painful infection in
the major bronchial tubes leading to the lungs. "Bronchitis has many causes, the two most
common being bacterial infections and viruses that weaken the immune system and leave the
respiratory passages vulnerable to secondary infection," explains Evan T. Bell, M.D., a
specialist in infectious diseases at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. "Its hallmark symptom
is a cough that is productive of thick, yellowish or greenish sputum in large amounts," he
continues. But other symptoms can include a low-grade fever, chills, aches, and pains. "You
may also experience some rattling noises in the lungs and chest," adds W. Paul Glezen, M.D.,
professor of microbiology and immunology and of pediatrics and chief epidemiologist at
Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. "Unlike cold and flu viruses, which are
easily passed through respiratory excretions in the air, bronchitis tends to be particular to an
individual and is rarely contagious," says Bell. And while bronchitis sounds horrible, its bark
is worse than its bite. According to Marcia Kielhofner, M.D., a clinical assistant professor of
medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, the two most worrisome
symptoms tend to be the characteristic burning or aching chest pain directly under the
breastbone and the sometimes blood-streaked sputum produced by the cough. Unless you
have a severe underlying disease or have asthma and allergies, you may have to let bronchitis
run its course. But there are some things you can do to move the process along. Humidify
your environment.Use a warm- or cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to the air. "While the
cough is an irritative thing, it is the body's natural response for getting rid of the infection,"
says Bell. "For this reason, it is best to help it along rather than to suppress it with an over-
the-counter cough remedy," he advises. Any added humidity will help to bring the sputum up
and out of the body. Standing in a steamy shower with the bathroom door closed or keeping a
pan of boiling water on the stove can also help loosen and bring up phlegm.Drink plenty of
liquids.Taking in extra liquids helps to keep the sputum more fluid. It doesn't really matter
what type of liquid you take in, although warm liquids may feel better than cold ones. "Warm
liquids, such as teas and soups, work very well to relieve the sore throat that accompanies the
cough," says Kielhofner.Gargle with warm saltwater.Gargling with saltwater may provide a
double dose of relief by soothing the inflammation in the throat and by cutting through some
of the mucus that may be coating and irritating the sensitive throat membranes, according to
Bell. It only takes one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water; too much salt causes
burning in the throat, and too little is ineffective. Gargle as often as needed for relief.Rest,
rest, rest.Since the bronchitis probably followed on the heels of a cold or the flu, you may
find it hard to sit still any longer. But according to Kielhofner, you'll need to take it easy a
little longer. Walking around with bronchitis will only make you feel worse.Take aspirin or
ibuprofen to relieve the chest pain."These over-the-counter remedies are extremely helpful
for relieving the discomfort resulting from the chest pain," says Kielhofner. Acetaminophen
tends not to help much with the aches and pains.Use a cough remedy as a last resort."The
best cough medicines for a productive cough contain guaifenesin to help bring up the
sputum," says Bell. "If you really want to suppress it, which we generally don't recommend,
look for something that contains dextromethorphan," he advises. Combination products
should generally be avoided. Decongestants, antihistamines, and alcohol (common
ingredients in combination products) have no role in the treatment of coughs; they may even
increase discomfort by causing side effects. Most of the candy-type cough drops act as
demulcents on the throat--their soothing properties are due largely to their sugar
content.Keep an eye out for complications.While letting nature take its course is generally
the best treatment for bronchitis, complications can sometimes occur, and you'll need to stay
alert for signs that it's time to see your doctor. The complications that are most worrisome
include pneumonia, sinus infections, and ear infections, all of which need to be treated with
prescription antibiotics. Signs that one or more of these complications may be present include
a persistent high fever (which is not normally characteristic of bronchitis), shortness of
breath, prolonged coughing spells, and severe chest pain. In addition, Kielhofner offers the
following warning: "While blood-streaked sputum is often a normal symptom of bronchitis,
it can also signal several more-serious problems and should be checked out just to be safe.
Any distinct change in sputum color or consistency also warrants a trip to the doctor."