Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which is the part of the respiratory system that leads into the lungs. There are two types of bronchitis: acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis usually appears after a respiratory infection, such as a cold, and can be caused by either viruses or bacteria. Chronic bronchitis is most frequently caused by long-term irritation of the bronchial tubes. Symptoms do not appear suddenly, as the case with acute bronchitis. A case is considered “chronic” if symptoms last for three months or longer.

Bronchitis caused by allergies can also be classified as chronic bronchitis.

Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis

Symptoms usually commence during epidemics of colds or influenza. They are frequently first noticed in the upper airways and are characterised by mucus drainage from sinuses, a burning throat, and a general feeling of ill-health. There may also be a raised temperature. A dry cough may herald the onset of bronchitis and this may be followed within hours to days by the production of small amounts of white and eventually yellow sputum. You may experience discomfort in the main airways (trachea or large bronchi), which will be accentuated by coughing or wheezing.

Symptoms of Chronic Bronchitis

Symptoms may not be immediately obvious in cases of chronic bronchitis. Symptoms include: a chronic productive cough (a cough that produces mucus) that increases in strength and frequency;?shortness of breath or wheezing, especially during exercise; and chest pain.

The IMI Approach

The Naturopathic Approach

For normal cases of acute bronchitis, the best therapy is herbal medicine: a cough mix of expectorants and anti-inflammatory and anti-septic herbs. These herbal mixtures are often in a liquid tincture form and reliably clear up the congestion.

Chronic bronchitis may need further investigation into the patient’s allergy response and immune system. An anti-inflammatory diet may be indicated, as well as appropriate supplements for chronic inflammation. For example, levels of zinc and vitamins A and C are commonly depleted in patients with chronic bronchitis. These vitamins and minerals are critical for immune support.

The Homeopathic Approach

Homeopathic treatments are often indicated in cases of both chronic and acute bronchitis. The following is a partial list of some of the homeopathic remedies used for bronchitis. A professional homeopath is required for a precise prescription.

Aconite [Acon]. The sphere of Aconite in bronchitis is limited to the onset of the affection, for the fever and dry cough.

Antimonium tartaricum [Ant-t]. This remedy corresponds to two stages of bronchitis, an early one and a late one. In the beginning of bronchiolitis in young infants, or in old people, this remedy stands most prominent. There is a great excess of mucous and rattling cough as the case develops. In children the cough is infrequent, and the child becomes drowsy and fussy, the respiration is superficial, requiring labored efforts of the respiratory muscles, and vomiting of food and mucus may be present.

Bell. Bell suits cases of bronchitis with a violent fever, short, dry, continual, distressing cough, worse at night and on lying down, where the breathing is irregular and hurried, no expectoration, or, if present, it is apt to be bloodstreaked, fulness in chest without any pain. There is a tendency to drowsiness, the patient does not sleep, but dozes in semiconscious manner and starts frequently.

Bryonia [Bry] It is of especial good service when the cough is very severe, hurting the head and distant parts of the body. The patient presses the hands on the sides of the chest while coughing to relieve the pain. There is great pressure over the sternum.

Gelsemium, has a profound drowsiness. It corresponds to cases where every little cold adds to trouble, the cough is short and dry, the lungs are sore, and the breathing is somewhat oppressed.

Hepar sulphur. When the cough begins to loosen and becomes rattling, fatiguing and choking, with moist rales, Hepar will be the remedy. “Coughing into a choke” is a valuable indication for this remedy. It corresponds more closely to subacute cases.

Kali bichromicum has for its indication the tough, tenacious, yellow glutinous character of the expectoration; it can be drawn out in long strings. The expectoration may also be of bluish lumps, and the cough is especially troublesome towards morning.

Mercurius [Merc] The sovereign remedy in inflammatory bronchial catarrh; there is roughness and soreness from the tonsils down through the middle of the chest, a dry, raw concussive cough, which is very exhausting; sputum watery, saliva-like, or yellow and muco-purulent. There is fever and alternation of hills and heat, desire for cold drinks, which aggravate the cough.

Phosphorus [Phos] Especially suitable to chronic and lingering cases in delicate, tall, slender people. The respiration is tight and the tendency is toward pneumonia.

Note these homeopathic remedies are only a part of the homeopathic material medica for bronchitis, and aspects above are for an indication of the patient centered approach only.

Practitioners at IMI

IMI has several Naturopaths who can prescribe for Bronchitis, including Graeme Bradshaw, Tej BG, and Dr Ardyce Yik.

Dr Sonal at IMI is our recommended Homeopath.

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