Herbal Health

•     Stop smoking. Given that bronchitis is an inflammatory condition of the airways with an excessive production of mucus, the best preventive is to stop smoking if only because the smoke itself damages the air passages, so adding to the problem. Early bronchitic changes can be reversed by stopping smoking and, of course, other problems connected with smoking will go too.

There is plenty of evidence to show that children of parents who smoke have more chest infections than other children, and a London study of 10,500 schoolchildren found that even as early as 11 their lungs are being seriously affected. Those smoking up to six cigarettes a week suffered from colds and coughs and were more likely to be short of breath after exercise than the non-smokers. Obviously stopping children smoking is a major preventive measure against this vast problem.

A study of British doctors was started in 1951. By 1964 it had been found that the death rate from chronic bronchitis of those smoking up to 14 cigarettes per day was seven times that of non-smokers and of those smoking 15-24 daily, twenty times. In various studies pipe and cigar smokers come out better than cigarette smokers as regards bronchitis, and those who have only ever smoked pipes and cigars have a risk only very slightly greater than non-smokers.

•    Clean up polluted air. Most western countries are now more vigilant about smoke pollution than in the past and the Clean Air Acts in the UK (1956 and 1968) have undoubtedly played their part in reducing the toll of these diseases. The small fall in deaths from bronchitis and emphysema seen in recent years can almost certainly be put down to these measures. Local authorities were given the power to create smokeless zones. Such measures have made the old British ’smogs’ a thing of the past.

Vitamin A appears to be valuable for those who live in highly polluted air zones. Ozone and other air pollutants destroy vitamin A by oxidation, so anyone living in a polluted area should take more of the vitamin as a protective, especially in the winter months. Liver, herring, eggs, milk, margarine, butter and carrots are good sources, but the easiest way of taking this vitamin is in fish-liver-oil capsules.

•    Breathing exercises are probably worth trying at the first sign of bronchitis.

•    Take more exercise. One study of very severe bronchitis and emphysema patients who had only about 25 per cent of normal lung function left and were thus suffering from shortness of breath and limited activity, gave graded exercises in a training schedule on a stationary bicycle. When the tension on the bicycle was set to produce a feeling of ‘work’ but not ‘exhaustion’ at the end of the exercise, most of the patients felt better. At first the subjects were allowed only seven minutes on the bicycle but this was slowly worked up to twenty minutes. Exercise increases the rate of mucus production and makes it easier to cough up. People undergoing regular exercise like this report an improvement in their symptoms and are aware that the vicious circle of shortness of breath, no exercise, more shortness of breath, can be broken.

•     All bronchitics cough and this is healthy. Don’t use cough suppressants-the phlegm ought to come up, especially if it is infected (yellow or green). Any remedy that helps bring up phlegm can be used, including exercise.

•     Poor posture can make breathing less efficient, as may nervous tension. Be sure to learn to walk upright, shoulders back and with your back straight. Be careful about bad posture when seated too. Learn how to relax and how to breathe properly.

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