Bronchitis is an infection and inflammation of the lining of the bronchial passages, the airways that connect the windpipe to the lungs. It is caused by an upper respiratory infection, and if it does not improve bronchitis could lead to pneumonia.

There are two main types of this illness. One is acute bronchitis and the other is chronic bronchitis. The acute kind will mostly go away by itself within a week or sometimes two, but the chronic kind might have you coughing and wheezing for months.

How To Tell If You Have Bronchitis

Coughing and wheezing are usually signs of acute bronchitis. Running a fever is also a sign of bronchitis. Therefore, bronchitis is associated with a chronic cough but no fever, but there are some instances when a slight fever in the later hours might be present. Many infections that affect the upper respiratory system will be followed by a touch of acute bronchitis including a cold. Usually the cough is dry and rough and may cause you to secrete phlegm. You may also experience a slight fever for about seven – ten days.

Is Bronchitis Contagious?

Many people ask the question “is bronchitis contagious?” The answer to this is unfortunately yes. In a lot of ways bronchitis is like a cold. It is in most cases also caused by a virus. But there are times when it is caused by bacteria. Therefore, just like a cold could be spread through the air or by shaking hands with someone, so can bronchitis be transferred the same way. Bacteria influenced bronchitis is usually treated with antibiotics.

Asthma Bronchitis Naturist Treatment

- Keep yourself as warm as possible especially your arms and legs. Walking on a cold floor without warm sox or slippers could prolong your suffering.

- Fill a basin or your tub with warm water and give yourself a hot footbath. A hot footbath will excite the white blood cells to a frenzy, in return it will boost your immune system.

- You can purchase a vial of vicks menthol from your local pharmacy, and rub it into your chest and upper back at nighttime before you go to bed. This will help open up the bronchial tubes. You can also use a heating compress.

Drinking water is also essential when suffering with bronchitis. Water will help keep your throat moist therefore easing some of the pain while coughing.

- Stay away from milk and dairy products. Milk causes mucous, and mucous is what you are trying to get rid of. The only thing you should drink is water or catnip tea. Catnip tea is very beneficial because it helps to ease the cough. – Dress as warm as possible, but not too warm where it makes you sweat. – A vaporizer or a humidifier will also be helpful. – If you are able, try to get a little sunlight and a little exercise. Sunlight and a little walk around your house will be good for the immune system.

- Stop smoking.

- Although these are proven methods that help with bronchitis, there are times when you may need to consult your physician.

- If your cough is getting worse and does not seem like it is getting better after about a week, you should contact your doctor. If you are experiencing persistent fevers or you are coughing up blood, it would be wise to get professional help immediately. Older people who come down with bronchitis should make a doctor their first option. Last but not least, if you have heart or lung disease run do not walk to your nearest physician.