Bronchitis

It starts with a tickle in your throat and then you get the cough. The cough gets louder and deeper and more severe. You then start to worry about pneumonia. The only way to distinguish bronchitis from pneumonia is to get an X-ray.

• Cough Cough Cough: No matter how ugly the cough is keep doing it. The best way to treat bronchitis is to cough up the stuff that is down in your lungs. If it settles into you lungs it can cause the bronchitis to worsen. You could develop pneumonia or even worse the lung could collapse.
• Drink Liquids: The best and most effective way to thin out the secretions and bring up the phlegm is to drink plenty of fluids. So make sure you have plenty of nonalcoholic fluids around the house such as hot chicken soup, water or juice. Avoid beverages with caffeine, because these may lead to dehydration.
  
• Spice Things Up: A quick and inexpensive remedy for bronchitis is to consume foods that are rich in capsaicin which is the "hot" in red peppers. It will trigger the nose and lungs to water and help break up the congestion. Foods such as red peppers, mustard, curry, or garlic can stimulate the same reflex actions as Robitussin. Use caution when eating spicy foods, they can irritate the stomach.
  
• Wrap Up: Temperature changes can affect the lung's defense mechanism and prolong the bronchitis. So make sure to bundle up and stay warm.