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.

Bee Stings

Bubblebees, Wasp Hornets and Yellow jackets are all different. They come from different families and all have different temperaments and venoms. All of them do have one thing in common, they all have stingers and can cause intense pain and swelling when they sting.

• Get the stinger out: It will only take a second but make sure you get the stinger out. You can do this by using a scraping motion with your finger nail, the back of a knife or with a credit card. Make sure not to squeeze the venom sac attached to stinger because it will release more venom.
• Ice the pain: Relieve the pain and swelling almost immediately by applying an ice compress. Use the ice once every 2 hours the first day. The ice will also prevent the spread of the venom.
• Put your leg up: If you have been stung on the leg, you can elevate the leg for about 30 minutes after you have removed the stinger.
  
• Apply heat: If you still have swelling after using the ice the first day a warm compress or heating pad can be applied to the sting. I would do this as often as possible for one day. Just remember anytime you use a heat compress you need to put a layer of cloth between your skin and the heat to avoid burning the skin.
• Take an antihistamines: If you have itching near the sting site you can us an over the counter antihistamine like Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton. Before taken any over the counter medicine always check with your healthcare provider.
• Tenderize: Another method you can use to soothe itching is to rub a meat tenderizer on the area. Try to find one made with the enzyme papain.
• Calamine to the rescue: Calamine will quickly help soothe the area and can be applied as often as needed.
  

Flat On Your Back Again!

• Freeze the pain: Putting ice on your back for 5 minutes at a time can help prevent swelling and soothe nerves. Do this for a few days and you can really get to the point of the pain.
• Stretch That Spasm: With just a gentle stretch you can work out some of those painful kinks. Just lay on your back and bring your knees up to your chest and hug them with your arms. Hold this position for five seconds and then relax. Just keep repeating until the spasm is gone.
• Cram a cushion in your curve: One of the quickest and easiest things you can do to ease back pain is to put a lumbar roll behind the small of you back. This are available at most medical supply stores. A small, firm cushion will work as well.
  
• Take a break: Take breaks from prolonged sitting. Stand up and bend backwards to stretch the muscles several times. Do the same if you have to stand in a bent over position.
• Change chairs: Time spent choosing a chair and adjusting it to fit you can prevent a lifetime of back pain. The right chair should provide lumbar support and the seat should be the right height. Your feet should be flat on the ground and the thighs should remain horizontal. Using a chair that has arm rest will help take some pressure off of your back.
  
• The perfect pillow: We spend one-third of our life with our head and shoulders propped up at an angle by a pillow. Some of the neck and back pain you are having could be from not having a good pillow. Choose a pillow that is slightly firm. One that will still keep its shape and support the lower neck well sleeping on your side.
  

Stop The Burning Feet!

• Dry between your toes: It is very important to dry between your toes after a bath to prevent growth of athlete's feet. Also, make sure that you expose your feet to sunlight, because wearing shoes create a warm, dark and humid atmosphere which is an ideal environment for fungus.
  
• Change socks often: If you change your socks 2 or 3 times a day it prevents moisture from building up. Using Odor Eaters can help absorb perspiration in the shoes as well.
• Change your shoes: Let your shoes sit out a day or two to dry out. This will reduce perspiration and prevent fungus growth.
• Soak your feet: Soaking your feet in a salt and warm water solution will help prevent fungus, while softening the affected skin at the same time.
• Use over the counter products: To relieve mild cases of athlete's foot your can use anti-fungal creams of powders. One that comes to mind is Tinactin. Apply after soaking your feet this helps the medication penetrate more deeply.
• Apply hydrocortisone: Hydrocortisone is an over the counter medicine to relieve itching. So if the itching just won't stop this will help, but it is always best to ask the advice of your healthcare provider.
  

Breathe A Sigh of Relief!

• Have a hot beverage: Cold liquids will irritate the bronchial tubes. While hot liquids have the opposite affect and can help lessen the severity of the asthma attack.
  
• Drink caffeine: Pour yourself a cup of real tea not herbal. Regular coffee will work too. The caffeine will open the airways much like an inhaler. Cola can be used as well, but if it is cold it can irritate the bronchial tubes.
• Drink water: Drinking plenty of bottled or purified water will loosen mucus. The more water you consume the less mucus you should have. The daily recommended water intake is at least 8 glasses, but you should always check with your doctor because you may need more or less depending on your activity level or if you are taken certain medications.
• Get a flu shot: Viruses are another key factor that can trigger asthma attacks. Check with your doctor to see if you should get a flu.
  
• Wake up and cough: When we are sleeping the cough reflex shuts down so the mucus accumulates in the bronchial tree. If you will have a hearty morning cough then this will uncork much of the mucus.