So, You Have Bronchitis, and You're in a Survival Scenario...

[Tuxdad]

Being a long time asthma sufferer I can somewhat relate to your situation...

One of the best pieces of kit I ever picked up was one of those breath warmer masks for when you're out in the cold air .. That thing is a godsend !!

It's sort of a neck gaiter but with a breahting tube that your breath is traveling thru, and being warmed before you take it in.. I'm not sure what they're called but I think cabelas and Bass pro shops may carry them...

HTH

Hope you get over the bronchitis soon bud...

 

[BoxANT]

Inflammation. You need Vitamin A, C and E (fish oil would also help). Start eating a lot more fruits, vegetable, more water and regular sleep

Do you get any GI symptoms? Allergies often manifest in the GI and go undiagnosed. In fact, there is more evidence showing that respiratory inflammation can be linked to food allergies (I'm not saying causation, but something to be considered).


As for survival when sick, like was state before, we are stronger than we think! A real stressful situation will most likely have your body making you less symptomatic and have more energy. Of course, prolonged stress will take it's tole.

Take it easy, rest up and you'll be feeling better soon enough

 

[Alann45]

I actually do have bronchitis right now. I am feeling weak and helpless. I had it last year too

Years ago I use to get bronchitis once or twice a year, plus ear infections and sore throats. Doc was looking in throat on one visit and started showing his nurse how he could run a q-tip thru the holes in my tonsils...he thought it was pretty funny. Not sure why it took several years to come up with the idea, but he said I should get the tonsils removed.

After the tonsils were removed I never had bronchitis or ear infections again.

Tonsil removal in an adult is not a lot of fun....except you will get to sit on your butt for 2 weeks and pretty much stay stoned on liquid tylenol 4. The "all the ice cream you want" bit is total BS...the last thing you want in your throat is anything thick and sticky.

 

[paleojoe]

Believe it or not, the native 'cigarette' was actually a throat and lung medicinal. Mullein is the big one for throat and lung. In California, an elderberry stalk stuffed with a mix of mullein, cleveland sage, mugwort and other herbs was smoked to help the throat and lungs.... A big departure from the modern cigarette....

 

[Ultraman]

Do you have a rescue inhaler?. Also ask your doctor or allergist for an albuterol inhaler. I believe it serves to dilate/relax the bronchial tubes and is to be used only for a limited time.

Re: allergies. Do a hot wash of bedsheets. Use those allergy barriers that fit over mattresses and use hypoallergenic pillows and cases. Stay away/do not keep pets. Vacuum regularly or if you can avoid having rugs. Having an air cleaner in your bedroom might help, too.

Hang in there!

 

[sircantaloupe]

If you're a smoker, quitting actually increases your risk for lung infection for at least a couple of weeks. Has to do with the way smoking regularly affects your immune response in the lungs, and it goes out of balance when the smoking stops.

 

[luckykitty]

Have you moved recently (up to 2 years before it came up the first time)?
Check if there is any wetness and mildew on walls where you live or work.
My brother had this for a while, and found out it was a wet wall, although the mildew wasn't visible. When he moved, he also stopped getting bronchitis each fall.

 

[wolfenhawk]

Sorry to hear about the bronchitis Iboschi... hope you feel better soon.

An interesting fact about allergies- Our bodies evolved for such a long time alongside multitudes of parasites, that we are now conditioned to fight them, or at least neutralize their effects on us. However, in the modern world there is distinct lack of parasites. This absence leaves our bodies with a whole system with nothing to do, so it starts to react to other things; dust, pet dander, pollen, you-name-it. Hence, some people have pretty extreme allergies. People who have parasites are devoid of allergic reactions- the defenses that cause allergic reactions are doing their original job, fighting parasites.

I agree, i believe that people, especially city dwellers that spend less time in nature being exposed to parasites, allergens and just the big biological soup that is the natural world we come into contact with on a daily basis in the forests and woodlands probably develop weakened immune systems. That by coming into contact with these things allows our bodies to build up a much greater tolerance that somebody who does not.

 

[PropThePolecat]

If youre heading out into the woods and you know that youre prone to asthma/bronchitis then you need to have one of those inhalators, something akin to Bricanyl.

You need to take a hit when the wheezing and constricting starts, like a previous poster mentions it works by relaxing the airways.

Its a must-have for people with airway problems...should be a part of your 10 essentials.

 

[lokiman123]

Breathing exercises with a proper posture should allow you to expel some of the mucous in your lungs. As others have said quit smoking and talk to Dr. about an inhaler. Get plenty of exercise, eat healthy, and get that crap out of there.

 

[Loosearrow]

Eat more garlic. Buy honey from a local heath food store and make sure it is local and has the honeycomb in it to chew. Sometimes this will help you build up your tolerance to something local that is bothering you. Worked for my son. A lot of problems also start in the winter when the furnace goes on. Get a good filter and change it often. Lots of vitamin C, pine needle tea in the bush etc. as mentioned before. Hot showers to get the mucous loose. Position yourself with your chest lower that your legs at a good incline and have someone clap your chest with cupped hands. Do this after a shower. Natives would probably build a sweat lodge for you. Keep hydrated.

 

[kycolonel]

I live in the Ohio Valley, which is the allergy and asthma capital of the country. I have friends who complain of congestion and asthma the day they arrive on trips here, and it goes away the day they get home. As far as OTC products, I have found Mucinex to be the best expectorant that works.

Vitamin C (heavy doses right now while you are sick), two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar daily (mix it w/ the honey mentioned above, cause it ain't tasty), and Oregeno capsules daily. I have heard of more quick recoveries from Apple Cider vinegar than any other herbal treatment.

 

[hollowdweller]

I had really bad URI's with a chronic cough 2 years ago and developed bronchitis for about 9 months.

I basically minimized my going out in damp or humid conditions but went out a lot when it was warm or dry and eventually it went away.

 

[bltjr1951]

I am still curious what would/could you do in a survival situation with a similar malady.

Hell, right now I've been off work for over a month due to shoulder surgery.
If I had to wear a 50# pack I might die from pain.
If I screw up Dr's work on my shoulder, I might have to do it over again.
So, right now I'm screwed if SHTF.

 

[bcornelis]

In addition to the pine needle tea, boil some willow bark up. The natural ASA will help with pain and discomfort.

 

[skitertank]

You feel that way, but the reality is you're not. Sure, you're weakened, but you are actually still quite able. If you were in a suvival situation, you'd just have to be tough and deal with it. You're stronger than you think you are.

:thumbupain is just weakness leaving the body,a sign i used to see everyday in highschool wrestling practice.of course it will not be easy if you were sick,but the will to stay alive should give you enough motivation to overcome things you used to think imposible.

 

[bcornelis]

:thumbupain is just weakness leaving the body,a sign i used to see everyday in highschool wrestling practice.of course it will not be easy if you were sick,but the will to stay alive should give you enough motivation to overcome things you used to think imposible.

Man. We have got some bad ass dudes on this thread

 

[dougo83]

This is interesting and makes sense. Third world societies have almost no instance of allergies. That would be in line with that theory. I wonder if it is too late to give myself some kind of mild parasite? To those with advice and well wishes, I thank you! I am still curious what would/could you do in a survival situation with a similar malady. Mint is a curious remedy. Rest seems obligatory but difficult if that were the scenario.

There are actually some doctors who have encouraged the idea of people infecting themselves with tapeworms(I think) to reduce infections. I will try to dig up the articles from my zoology class later. Basically, it was found that people with a certain type of worm in their digestive tract were less susceptible to infections.

menthol ciagrettes can relieve it a little.

i did that in the jungle a couple years ago when i started getting pneumonia.

that mint in the lungs does something good in the short term. just a couple puffs. not chain smoking.

it gave me instant relief.


i don't smoke otherwise BTW.

a lot of new medicines are going to be administered via pulmonary.

vec

What horrible advice. Smoking is NEVER good for any type of respiratory issue.

 

[bltjr1951]

pain is just weakness leaving the body.

Isn't that a Rambo quote??

Right now pain tells me when to stop moving arm before I snap my shoulder again before it heals.
Got two more months to heal.

 

[skitertank]

Isn't that a Rambo quote??

not sure,but if so than look how badass he was

a physically debillitating injury is one thing,but for some reason it seems hard for people to know the difference between pains and injurys that just hurt or are inconveinient and injurys that are actually life threatning or serious. ive watched countless "badasses" come into my training facility,show up for a week and cut out as soon as they get their first owie, no heart and no drive.

getting back to the start of the thread,bronchitus would suck in a survival situation yes,but how long are you trying to survive? bronchitus is a buildup of fluid in the lungs caused by an infection,it is not asthma that comes on all of a sudden.it takes a good week or two for it to fully set in.if were talkin castaway amount of time to survive,then yes you could die after it turns into pneumonia.but if were talkin a dew days to a week or so,im gona say you'll be ok.