Natural and Effective Remedies for Treating Bronchitis Cough
How do you know if you have viral bronchitis? Only a doctor can diagnose it for sure, but you will have certain symptoms and signs of it. You may have a cough, runny nose, thickened mucous, fever and sore throat. Your cough will be down in your chest and sound really bad, and you will probably be very fatigued. You may be more susceptible to this if you have recently had the flu.
Good handwashing is key to preventing most diseases and anyone who has acute bronchitis or comes in contact with someone who has it should use this as their first line of defense. Experts recommend washing your hands with soap and warm water for a least 15 seconds before and after coming in contact with a person who is ill. This is about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
You should see your doctor if you suspect you have viral bronchitis, because it could be bacterial. If it is bacterial you will need antibiotics, but if it is viral then antibiotics will not help. Your doctor will listen to you breathe with a stethoscope, check your neck glands for swelling, and perform a check of your throat and sinuses. If they see evidence of yellow mucus then it is probably not viral and they will prescribe antibiotics for you.
The present, conventional treatment of bronchitis is with antibiotics. This treatment has been found to be of little effect. Antibiotics are effective in reducing bacteria. Bronchitis is caused by viral infections in 90% of all cases, not bacteria. As a result of the actual causes of bronchitis not being addressed, the condition advances and causes more lung damage and deterioration. Also, with overuse of antibiotics, there is great probability that the bacteria will become resistant and the antibiotics will become ineffective as the bacteria adapts and strengthens.
There are some herbal remedies that can be used, to treat your bronchitis. Use eucalyptus, bay or garlic leaves in hot water. Boil some water, drop one or all the leaves I named (to speed up the healing process) in the boiling water, let the leaves get tender and allow water to steam up, pour it in a bowl, position a towel directly over your head and the bowl to inhale the vapors. The vapors you will be inhaling will soothed your persisting cough. You can also use the remainder of the liquid to make an herbal tea.
People who want to use pelargonium should try Bronovil. The South African flower is Bronovils key ingredient is the South African geranium mentioned above. Pelargonium works by preventing viruses from attaching to cells in the body. This herb boosts the bodys immune system, which makes it useful for older people and people suffering from HIV/AIDS.