Bronchitis
Bronchitis refers simply to inflammation of the windpipe (tracheobronchial tree). This is usually caused by infection (viral, bacterial, fungal, etc) but it can also be triggered by irritants and allergens. This condition is widely prevalent throughout the world and is a frequent cause of absenteeism from school and work.
Bronchitis seems to be slightly more common in women as compared to males though the difference is not significant. It is more common amongst the younger age-group as compared to the adult population.
Symptoms:
The commonest symptom is purulent cough. This may be accompanied by any of the following symptoms: fever, chest pain, dyspnoea (difficulty in breathing), throat pain, nasal congestion, malaise, muscular pains, joint pains, etc.
When the condition becomes chronic and lasts for at least 3 months for 2 consecutive years, it is termed as chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is predominantly caused by smoking, exposure to polluted climate, and has also been linked to pneumoconiosis, excessive alcohol consumption and exposure to cold and draught. Allergens can also induce symptoms of bronchitis as well as breathlessness and this is termed as Allergic bronchitis. It has been implied that heredity may have an important role to play in the development of chronic and allergic bronchitis.
Suggestion about homeopathic treatment:
Homoeopathic medicines are very effective in managing acute expressions of bronchitis as well as play a vital role in preventing relapse of the condition in chronic bronchitis. Chronic and allergic bronchitis are actually constitutional disorders that show local expression at the level of lungs. Hence these call for an in-depth constitutional approach towards its management.
Homoeopathy medicines are prescribed on the basis of presenting complaints along with taking into account the physical, emotional and genetic make up that individualizes a person. This constitutional approach makes homoeopathic medicines work at the basic level and treat the disease more completely. Homoeopathy is very strongly recommended for all stages and variants of bronchitis.
Dietary advices:
In acute cases of bronchitis, the patient should fast on orange juice and water till the symptoms subside.
The procedure is to take the juice of an orange in a glass of warm water every two hours from 8 a.m. To 8 p.m. During this period, the bowels should be cleansed daily with a warm water enema. After the juice fast, the patient should adopt an all-fruit diet for two or three days.
In case of chronic bronchitis, the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet for five to seven days in the beginning of the treatment. In this regimen, he should have three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, grapefruits, oranges, pineapples, peaches and melons. Bananas, and dried or stewed or tinned fruits should not be taken.
For drinks, unsweetened lemon water or cold or hot plain water may be taken,
After the all-fruit diet, the patient should follow a well-balanced diet based on the three basic food groups, namely, seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits. The patient should avoid meats, sugar; tea, coffee, condiments, pickles, refined and processed foods, soft drinks, candies, ice cream and products made from sugar and white flour.