As the leaves fall and the weather cools across much of America, most of us welcome the break from what, for this year at least, was a sizzling hot summer that stretched well past Labor Day.
Relief eventually came with somewhat cooler weather, but there’s two sides to that story. The chill in the air announcing the arrival of autumn is also a time when many of us start experiencing sniffles, congestion and cough, among other deterrents to our quality of life. This could be fall allergies, a cold or the flu, or perhaps it’s a case of bronchitis. That latter condition is when our bronchial tubes become inflamed, producing a stubborn cough that can cringe-worthy to anyone within earshot, let alone the sufferer.
It’s not just the cough of bronchitis that can interrupt our joy. The hacking often is accompanied by other conditions such as wheezing or a whistling sound when taking a breath, shortness of breath (mimicking asthma), and chest tightness or discomfort.
What Exactly Is Bronchitis?
Bronchitis, often tagged as seasonal bronchitis, is a fairly common respiratory tract infection. It’s a condition in which our airways become inflamed, likely from long-term exposure to allergens such as pollen and dust, triggering persistent coughing and mucus production. Our bodies might respond to these airborne irritants – which might also include air pollution, smoke (burning leaves, anyone?) or cold air with viral agents mixed in – by producing histamines that inflame our bronchial tubes. Hence, the term bronchitis.
If this sounds like a condition you might be experiencing, trying to “tough it out” hoping it will just fade away is not a sound plan. Erring on the side of caution comes into play in this instance. Get checked out by your personal physician or other healthcare professional in order to get a proper diagnosis when a cough first announces itself. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to monitoring your own health. If this condition and symptoms continue for two weeks or longer, your next step calls for getting an examination of your lungs to include a physical exam and perhaps a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia or advanced lung inflammation.
4 Supplements that Can Help Mitigate Bronchitis.
Because bronchitis is often a viral condition, antibiotics usually aren’t required to combat the attendant inflammation and coughing. Which is good because most healthcare professionals have shied away from using antibiotics because of their effectiveness has been compromised by the emergence of antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Using over-the-counter treatments that address cough, cold, and/or congestion can be helpful. Following are four such natural remedies that can also take at least some of the misery out of bronchitis:
Ginger. This herb, well-known for its ability to soothe an upset stomach, also is able to diminish the inflammation found in airways prevalent during bouts with bronchitis. Additionally, ginger can bolster the protective actions of antioxidant enzymes.
Licorice root. This sweet but potent herb has a whole bag of tricks. It is a demulcent, an anti-inflammatory, an immunity booster and a mild expectorant that can juggle lessening bronchial tube inflammation with coating and guarding the respiratory lining.
N-Acetylcysteine (NAC). As a mucolytic, NAC can thin out cough-inducing mucus by breaking it down. Studies also have demonstrated its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions can cut the duration of bronchitis and aid in clearing out congestion.
Zinc. Zinc lozenges are a popular and effective go-to when the main culprit is a cough. These are especially effective when taken within 24-48 hours of the rise of a cough, such as that associated with bronchitis. Timely use of zinc lozenges can thwart the duration of respiratory symptoms, one of which, as you guessed, is a cough.
We are now into the season to be on the lookout for bronchitis while armed with the knowledge of how to distinguish it from other typically seasonal illnesses accompanied by a cough. If symptoms -- especially that nasty-and-getting worse cough – present themselves, it’s time to visit your personal physician or healthcare provider. The above-described natural remedies can help you and perhaps hasten your return to proper health. Always, however, be sure to discuss their use first with your doctor.