With the Covid-19 scare on the rise nowadays everywhere in the world, just a cough and flu can give doubt about seeing a doctor. It is the need of the hour to treat even the faintest symptoms of the common flu or cold. People have been looking for ways to prevent any such diseases. One such disease is bronchitis in which the airways of the lungs become irritated and inflamed. The lungs do not receive the required amount of oxygen which is why the patient feels difficulty in breathing. Bronchitis is caused by increased mucus production in the airways. When the dust particles go inside our airways, our body produces mucus to prevent them from entering the lungs. An infection in the lungs creates more mucus resulting in more coughing and irritation.

Types of bronchitis

Mostly two types of bronchitis are developed among people.

Acute bronchitis

This type of bronchitis does not last long and is cured within 3 weeks or so. Airways are blocked by mucus due to which lungs become inflamed and irritated. Due to increased mucus production, coughing can shift the mucus to other small airways. This type of bronchitis mostly happens in children under the age of 5. In winters, people are the most vulnerable which is why they catch common cold and sore throat easily that leads to bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis

This takes longer than acute bronchitis. Repeated production coughing lasts for 3 months and at least 2 years in a row. This type of bronchitis also leads to other lung diseases like Chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). People over the age of 40 are mostly affected by it. Smoking is injurious to health especially for patients with bronchitis or any other lung disease. Cigarette smoke is extremely dangerous for people with bronchitis.

Symptoms of bronchitis

One of the most common symptoms of acute bronchitis is the grey mucus caused by a hacking cough. Oher symptoms may include:

Sore throat
Headache
Runny nose
Body aches
Fatigue
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Fever or chills

Due to a sore throat, your other parts of the body also start aching and you feel a sense of tiredness all the time. Stomach muscles are also sore due to continuous coughing. A nagging cough usually lingers for several weeks if you have acute bronchitis.

When to see a doctor?

Normally, acute bronchitis lasts for 3 weeks but if the cough exceeds 3 weeks then you must see a doctor who will prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to you. One of the most highly prescribed medicine is Breo Ellipta which you can get from any pharmacy like 90daymeds is a Canadian pharmacy that sells authentic medicines at cheap prices. You can check out the cost of Breo Ellipta on their website. You must see a doctor if:

The fever is high for more than three days
If blood comes out with the mucus
You have any underlying lung disease like asthma or emphysema or COPD.
You have difficulty in breathing
You have repeated bronchitis for 3 months
You have shortness of breath or wheezing

Risk factors causing bronchitis

Some factors that trigger our lungs result in many lung diseases. Those factors are:

Vulnerability to infection - Some adults and infants are extremely vulnerable to infection which means that they have a low resistance to infections and their immune system is weak.
Cigarette smoke - chain smokers or irregular smokers have a higher chance to develop acute and chronic bronchitis than any other normal person.
Chemical fumes - some people who are exposed to chemical fumes or any other irritating particles on the job then they are most likely to develop bronchitis due to continuous exposure.

Prevention and treatment

Given the rapid climatic changes on the rise, it is extremely necessary that we take proper care of ourselves and our loved ones by adopting a healthy lifestyle approach. We can prevent lung diseases like bronchitis, asthma, COPD, or emphysema by drinking lots of fluids. Some of the treatments that we can do at home includes:

Eating a healthy diet
Avoid smoking
Light exercise
Stay hydrated
Take steam
Use a humidifier
Consume honey
Use air conditioning filters and masks
Take rest

There are some superfoods available to keep our lungs healthy which are as follows:

Garlic

Garlic is an excellent anti-bacterial and anti-viral ingredient which you can consume raw to reap its benefits. It has amazing healing properties which can prevent lung cancer as well.

Ginger

Ginger tea is famous for its anti-microbial and anti-viral properties. It is an excellent source of healing and preventing serious lung diseases like bronchitis.

Apples

As the saying goes, '' once an apple a day keeps the doctor away''. This saying is true in every sense as the apple contains an antioxidant called quercetin which prevents the lungs from many pollutants.

Pomegranates

They are rich in minerals and vitamins which must be taken to prevent not only lung cancer but also prostate, breast, and colon cancer.

Turmeric

Been used for cooking in India for ages, this ingredient is beneficial for treating lung cancer. It cures the sore throat, thus preventing it from getting worse.