Cough, phlegm, wheezing! Chronic bronchitis is easy to happen in autumn! Get these preventive tips ready

If you ask what Uncle Geng fears most in this season, nothing is more important than coughing, spitting, and wheezing. Why?

Folks all know that autumn and winter are the peak seasons for chronic bronchitis. The epidemic is not over yet, so you dare not cough. If you go to the hospital for treatment with any respiratory symptoms, you may have to go through the process of a fever clinic, registering information, checking double codes, doing nucleic acid, blood drawing, and chest X-ray/CT. Not only that, you will probably be disliked if you take the bus or taxi. You spend a lot of money and get a lot of cold stares, isn't it scary? So in order to avoid this situation, quickly prepare this prevention knowledge!

1. Stay away from bad stimulation

In traditional Chinese medicine, the lungs are like umbrellas. As long as the external climate changes, harmful substances will invade the lungs. Therefore, it is called "the lungs are the canopy and the delicate organs". Most patients with chronic bronchitis are older and have reduced immunity. They are weak in coping with adverse stimuli, which can easily induce coughing, sputum and wheezing. Therefore, we should stay away from adverse stimuli, which can be divided into two types of stimulation: outdoor and indoor. When doing outdoor activities, we should pay attention to prevent various physical and chemical stimuli from the outside world, such as cold air, exhaust gas, smoke and dust, keep warm clothes, wear masks, stay away from crowded areas, and maintain social distance. It is also very important to keep the indoor living environment clean, refreshing and comfortable. Dry clothes and bedding regularly, do a good job of sanitation and cleaning, wash hands frequently, and change the bad habits of rubbing and picking noses. Tobacco and alcohol are also adverse stimuli that induce chronic bronchitis. Smoke stimulation causes bronchi to contract and spasm, and the movement of cilia on the respiratory mucosa is inhibited, weakening the purification function of the airway; drinking a lot of alcohol can easily breed phlegm and dampness, so it is recommended that patients with chronic bronchitis quit smoking and limit alcohol.

2. Balanced diet to supplement nutrition

Chronic bronchitis patients have long-term recurrent attacks, which consumes a lot of body energy, so it is important to have a balanced diet to supplement nutrition. The diet should be high in protein, calories, vitamins, fat, and easily digestible foods. Eat more lean meat, eggs, milk, fish, vegetables, and fruits, etc. At the same time, drink more soup. Sufficient soup intake can not only replenish lost water, but also dilute sputum and promote sputum discharge. Avoid eating spicy and irritating foods. When cooking, family members should try to reduce the use of spices such as onions, ginger, garlic, peppers, and fennel to avoid inducing cough and asthma.

3. Moderate exercise enhances immunity

We often say that "when the positive energy is inside, the evil cannot enter", so it is extremely important to exercise moderately to enhance immunity. You can do some endurance exercises at ordinary times, the main purpose of which is to improve cardiopulmonary function, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, Tai Chi, breathing exercises and other aerobic exercises. When exercising, you should combine your personal physical condition, start with medium or low intensity, and gradually increase your exercise. It is best to sweat slightly each time.

Here are some simple ways to exercise the respiratory muscles: blowing balloons, blowing candles, pursed lip breathing, etc. Whenever a cold wave hits, chronic bronchitis patients are always affected, so they should do some cold resistance training, such as washing their faces with cold water, to improve their body's cold resistance. Vaccinating with BCG and taking some tonic medicated foods can also effectively enhance immunity.

In order to prevent the onset of chronic bronchitis, not only should the above points be achieved, but also attention should be paid to rest and maintaining an optimistic mood. However, it should be noted that if the onset of chronic bronchitis cannot be prevented after taking the above health care measures, you should go to the hospital in time and receive regular treatment under the guidance of a doctor. Do not take medicine on your own, which will delay the disease.

References:

Chinese Medical Association. Guidelines for rational medication use in primary care for acute tracheobronchitis.[J]. Chinese Journal of General Practitioners.2020,19(10):882-890.

Huang Jingwen. Prevent chronic bronchitis in autumn.[J]. Health Monthly.2015,10(2):0868-0870.

Zhang Mingli. Health and dietary care for chronic bronchitis.[J]. Primary Medicine Forum.2014,17(15):1973-1974.