Hi abiedj,
May I draw your attention to the disclaimer at the bottom of the page.
I am not a health care professional, and it's always best to follow
the advice of your child's pediatrician.
Cold liquids aren't going to be beneficial and in fact might be
harmful as stated here:
http://www.yourmedicalsource.com/library/bronchitis/BCH_treatment.html
"Drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water helps keep the secretions in
the lungs liquid. Drinking hot liquids such as teas can also help
remove phlegm from the lungs. Cold liquids tend to irritate the
airways because of proximity of the esophagus to the trachea in the
neck and upper chest."
And as my colleague sublime1 posted... avoid dairy foods such as ice
cream:
http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=Article&ID=240
"Avoid dairy foods, which have a tendency to increase and thicken
mucus."
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Bronchitis
http://www.organichealthandbeauty.com/bronchitis.html
Symptoms
"The inflammation results in a buildup of mucus plus coughing, fever,
pain in the chest/or back, fatigue, sore throat, difficulty breathing,
and even sudden chills and shaking."
[edit]
"Avoid mucus forming foods such as fatty dairy foods (butter, milk,
ice cream, cream, cheese)... "
[edit]
"Do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke.
Do not use a cough suppressant because coughing is essential for
eliminating mucus secretions. If coughing is persistent or severe
enough, consult a healthcare professional as this may be a sign of
developing pneumonia."
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HealthJournal
http://www.bodyandfitness.com/Information/Health/bronchitis.htm
Symptoms
"Just when your child is getting over a cold or the flu, his
temperature starts to climb and he begins to have coughing fits and
spit up mucus. When you take him to the doctor, you're likely to hear
one of those ''-itis'' words, which means something is inflamed."
[edit]
"In this case, the -itis is bronchitis, and it means inflammation of
the bronchial tubes, the two large tubes that branch off the windpipe.
Bronchitis can be caused by wayward bacteria from the throat or by the
same virus that caused the initial cold or flu. As the lining of those
tubes swells, mucus builds up. The heavy coughing is a sign that your
child is trying to clear that mucus from his bronchial passages.
If the bronchitis is caused by bacteria, your doctor may prescribe an
antibiotic. If it's a viral infection, an antibiotic won't help, but
there's a lot you can do to make your child more comfortable and maybe
even get over it faster. Here are some home-remedy tactics that
doctors recommend for both bacterial and viral bronchitis."
[edit]
"Give extra fluids. Water is best, but any liquid will do, says F. T.
Fitzpatrick, M.D., a pediatrician in private practice in Doylestown,
Pennsylvania. The fluids help thin the mucus, making it easier to
cough up, and can also soothe a throat that's tickly from coughing."
Moisturize the bedroom. Humidity may help soothe the irritated
bronchial membranes, says J. Owen Hendley, M.D., professor of
pediatrics and head of pediatric infectious diseases at the University
of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville. Close the door to
your child's bedroom and turn on the vaporizer about a half-hour
before he goes to sleep--and leave it on all night, he suggests.
''That way you can get the humidity up to as much as 70 percent.''
Encourage productive coughing. Since the mucus in the bronchial tubes
is causing your child to cough, encourage her to clear her lungs, says
Dr. Hendley. If a small child is having trouble coughing up the mucus,
pat her gently on the back. Keep tissues available so that your child
can use them if needed."
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Acute Bronchitis
http://www.thehealthyforum.com/bodymapssec/lung_achronchcc_sugc.html
"Most of us know how exhausting just a heavy cough can be, but it’s
particularly distressing to see a child or baby struggling with this
very uncomfortable condition. Of course they need conventional medical
attention if only to get a correct diagnosis but it’s often possible
to avoid the use of antibiotics, which are no help for viral
infections anyway, by using natural remedies and complementary
therapies."
[edit]
"Specific drinks can also help loosen the chest - the best is hot
water mixed with lemon juice and sweetened with honey you can also use
pineapple or blackcurrant juice, or rosehip syrup in the same way."
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Bronchitis
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/bookshelf/Books/47/21.cfm
"Keep the fluids flowing. "Drinking fluids helps the mucus become more
watery and easier to dough up," says Dr. Phillips. "Four to six
glasses of fluid a day will do a good job of breaking it up."
Warm liquids or just plain water is best.
Breathe in warm, moist air. Warm, moist air will also help vaporize
the mucus. "If you have mucus that is thick or difficult to cough up,
a vaporizer will help to loosen the secretions. You could also stand
in your bathroom, close the door, and then run your shower, breathing
in the warm mist that steams up your bathroom."
Soothe with chicken soup. Mom's chicken soup is more than comforting
to an ill child; it really does help clear congestion. ''Some
scientific evidence has shown that chicken soup helps clear secretions
better than other liquids,'' says Dr. Meland. If your child likes it,
now is the time to let her slurp her fill. You can use either
store-bought or homemade.
Nix the smoking. Don't allow anyone to smoke in your house, says Dr.
Fitzpatrick. If you smoke, go outside to do it. The smoke irritates
the bronchial tubes and can make the infection worse."
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In my long life, I've had several bouts with bronchitis. I'd like to
suggest some things that helped to relieve my discomfort and induce a
productive cough.
1. - Do elevate the head and chest area when sleeping.
2. - Try a bit of Vicks Mentholatum on the chest, neck/throat area,
and underneath the nose.
4. - Keep the chest covered at all times.
3. - Go into the bathroom, turn on the shower with all hot water.
Close the door. Wait about 3-5 minutes and then take your child into
the bathroom. There will be a lot of steam. This is fantastic for
loosening congestion in the chest and will enable better breathing and
will loosen mucus. Be sure to sit on something stable such as a
chair. Sit for about 5 minutes. Make sure your child does NOT get
chilled, when you leave the room to a cooler area.
4. - Light chest or back patting helps to loosen mucous and phlegm.
(gently!)
5. - Sleeping room should not be too warm or cool. Keep the room
humidified.
6. - Liquids, liquids, liquids. Rest and more rest.
7. - Ask your pediatrician what cough medicine he/she recommends. (I
like generic Robitussin DM... which works for me.)
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Google search:
cold liquids bronchitis
ice cream dairy foods bronchitis
relieve bronchitis symptoms
Plus my personal experience.
I hope your baby will be well soon. :)
Best regards,
tlspiegel |
