The oral and nasal cavities of a person ensure the entry into the body of everything that is needed for life: water, drink, air and food. It is impossible to imagine human life without these processes.
However, far from everything that enters the body is useful or at least harmless to it. Microorganisms, dust, harmful substances, toxins - all this also gets inside in varying quantities.
This is partially hindered by protective biological mechanisms, but they cannot “keep track” of everything. Some harmful factors reach organs and tissues and adversely affect them.
Among the most susceptible to harmful effects are the tonsils and bronchi. The reason for this is because the tonsils are located on the path of penetration of any substances through the oral cavity, and through the bronchi passes all the air inhaled and exhaled by a person throughout life.
What cleanse the bronchi and tonsils (tonsils)
In response to the penetration of microorganisms and harmful substances into the respiratory tract, sputum and mucus begin to be produced intensively in them. Their production to some extent is a protective reaction, contributing to the elimination of harmful factors from the body. However, an excessive accumulation of mucous secretions in the respiratory system is accompanied by its stagnation, contributing to the multiplication of bacterial microflora in the respiratory tract, the occurrence of chronic inflammatory processes, allergic reactions, and bronchospasm.
For this reason, there is a need to cleanse the tonsils, trachea and bronchi. Cleaning should be comprehensive - from harmful microorganisms, microparticles, sputum, mucus and developing pathological processes.
The following symptoms indicate the need to cleanse the tonsils and bronchi:
- Frequent coughing.
- Wheezing in the airways.
- Change in the amount and properties of sputum (normal sputum is homogeneous, without color and odor, up to 100 ml per day).
- Frequent diseases of the respiratory tract (ARVI, bronchitis, laryngitis, etc.).
- Plaque or purulent foci on the glands (tonsils).
- The presence of a "respiratory" allergy, bronchospasm.
- Frequent pain and discomfort in the throat, sore, discomfort.
- Attacks of shortness of breath or choking while coughing.
Preparation and Precautions
There are ways to clean the tonsils and bronchi in both traditional and traditional medicine. Most of them are relatively safe, but it is advisable to consult a doctor before using them. This is especially true for the use of drugs or physiotherapeutic procedures, since in these cases side effects and contraindications must be taken into account.
Caution should be observed even when using recipes and methods of traditional medicine - because of the risk of allergic reactions and other undesirable effects. In addition, we must not forget that even harmless symptoms can be a sign of a serious illness, and you can find out about this only after a medical examination.
If, despite this, the procedures and manipulations are carried out without medical advice at home, then you must independently familiarize yourself with their testimonies, contraindications and reviews of other people. This will allow you to be more prepared for all kinds of surprises that may arise during the treatment process.
Effective folk remedies against sputum and mucus
There are many traditional medicine that dilutes sputum and mucus and facilitates their removal from the respiratory tract. These are mainly various herbs and herbal preparations from which infusions, decoctions and teas are prepared.
- Elecampane - this plant has many healing properties, of which, for diseases of the respiratory system, expectorant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and general strengthening effects are of importance. Usually, in folk medicine, a decoction of the roots and rhizomes of elecampane is used. Contraindications for use are severe cardiovascular and renal diseases, severe hypotension, pregnancy and lactation.
- Coltsfoot - infusions and decoctions of leaves have anti-inflammatory, expectorant and disinfectant properties, and therefore are widely used in folk medicine for diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Contraindications: individual intolerance, pregnancy, lactation, children under 2 years old.
- Oregano - the herb of the plant has anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antiseptic and many other effects, so it is almost always included in the composition of the breast fees. You can not use oregano for individual intolerance, pregnancy, stomach ulcers.
Among other plants that contribute to the secretion of the respiratory tract, melissa, chamomile, mint, licorice root can be called - they are also often included in the fees for the treatment of respiratory diseases. Use medical fees in the form of infusions, decoctions or herbal tea.
Along with expectorant products, peeling of tonsils and bronchial tubes from sputum and mucus is promoted by folk remedies with bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, softening effects. For these purposes, natural honey, milk, baking soda, propolis, rosehip, sea salt, carob syrup are widely used. Some of them are used not only for drinking, but also for gargling, rubbing tonsil lacunae, compresses.
Medications for cleansing the bronchi and tonsils
Medicines that help cleanse tonsils, bronchi and upper respiratory tract belong to several groups:
- Antimicrobial: antibiotics, sulfonamides, antiseptics for the throat, etc. These drugs help cleanse the tonsils and bronchi of pathogenic microflora, destroying pathogens.
- Bronchodilators: expand the lumen of the bronchi and eliminate their spasm, facilitating the process of breathing and the discharge of bronchial secretions.
- Expectorant: dilute sputum, increase its secretion and promote excretion from the respiratory tract.
- Antihistamines: are used in the presence of allergic processes associated with the respiratory system (bronchial asthma, bronchospastic syndrome, etc.).
- Other means: antifungal, enzymatic, glucocorticoid, immunostimulating and some others. These drugs are mainly used in various procedures - washing tonsil lacunae, bronchoscopic lavage, etc.
The properties of some popular drugs from the listed groups are given in the table below.
Drug name | Pharmacological properties and features | Dosage and administration | Side effects | Contraindications |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chlorophyllipt | Antiseptic tablets for resorption, used for diseases of the oral cavity and throat. Suppresses pathogenic microflora and relieves discomfort in the throat. | For adults and children from 7 years old - dissolve in the mouth 1 tablet 3-5 times a day, 15-30 minutes after eating. Dosage for children 2-7 years - ½-1 tablet 3 times a day. After taking the drug for 2 hours, you should refrain from eating and drinking. | Rarely, allergic reactions. | Individual intolerance to the components of the drug. |
Azithromycin | Antibiotic from the macrolide group, available in the form of capsules, tablets and syrups. Effective in many infectious processes and pathologies, including inflammation of the tonsils and respiratory system diseases. | It is taken orally once a day. The daily dose for adults is 500 mg, for children - 125-250 mg, depending on age and body weight. | Gastrointestinal disorders, rarely allergic reactions. | Individual intolerance. With caution - during pregnancy, lactation, severe pathologies of the liver and kidneys. |
Eufillin | It has bronchodilator, antispasmodic, diuretic effects. It is used for a number of respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebral and renal pathologies. Relieving spasms of the bronchi, facilitates the process of breathing and the discharge of sputum from the respiratory tract. | For the course of treatment, it is usually used in the form of tablets, 0.05-0.2 g 3 times a day after meals. (Intravenous and intramuscular injections of aminophylline are used during attacks of bronchial or cardiac asthma, with brain edema and other acute conditions). | Lowering blood pressure, dizziness, tachycardia, headache, nausea, vomiting, rarely - convulsions. | Severe cardiovascular disorders, hypotension, tachycardia. Not recommended for children under 14 years of age. |
Acetylcysteine | An effective expectorant, available in various dosage forms: in the form of effervescent tablets, soluble powder, inhalation and injection solutions. |
| Allergic reactions: urticaria, pruritus, rash, rarely - bronchospasm. | Presence of an allergy to the drug, renal and hepatic insufficiency, adrenal gland diseases, pulmonary hemorrhage, stomach or duodenal ulcer. |
Ambroxol | Promotes liquefaction of bronchial secretion and increases its production. It also has anti-inflammatory and local anesthetic effects. |
| In rare cases, allergic reactions, nausea, headache occur. | Individual intolerance, peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum, history of seizures, pregnancy, lactation. |
Loratadine | An effective antihistamine, can be used for any allergic condition, including bronchospastic syndrome, bronchial asthma, allergic inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis). |
| Rarely: general weakness, drowsiness, headache, change in appetite, nausea, libido disorders. | Breastfeeding, children under 2 years old. |
Physiotherapeutic procedures and inhalations
A very effective method of influencing pathological processes in the bronchi and tonsils is the use of physiotherapy. This helps to eliminate inflammatory processes in the tissues, cleansing of all kinds of “plugs” and layers, resorption of scar-adhesions, normalization of the structure of cells and tissues.
The main physiotherapeutic procedures used to affect the bronchi and tonsils:
- ultrasound;
- microwave therapy;
- UHF;
- magnetotherapy;
- inductothermy;
- Ural federal district;
- electrophoresis.
Separately, mention should be made of inhalation, which is also referred to as physiotherapeutic procedures, but they can also be used at home without special equipment. Although various types of inhalers can be purchased at the pharmacy, many prefer the old method - hot steam inhalation (for example, through a paper funnel worn on the kettle’s nose).
For bronchitis treatment, laryngitis, tracheitis, tonsillitis and other diseases, inhalation formulations are widely used:
- Herbs decoctions - chamomile, St. John's wort, eucalyptus leaves, calendula and others;
- Saline solutions tea soda or sea salt;
- Essential oils - eucalyptus, cedar, pine, arborvitae oil, etc.
Hot steam inhalation is contraindicated in the presence of active purulent processes. Inhalations with essential oils should not be given to people prone to allergic reactions.
Tonsil lacunae washing and bronchial lavage
Effective cleansing methods are washing tonsil lacunae and bronchoscopic lavage (bronchi washing). In this case, various types of drugs are used that significantly enhance the effect of the procedure.
For washing tonsil lacunae, solutions of antiseptics, antibiotics, enzymes, antifungals, biologically active substances, etc. are used. For bronchoscopic lavage, antibiotics, mucolytics, glucocorticoids, enzyme preparations, nitrofurans are more often used.
Gymnastics and massage to cleanse the bronchi
Breathing exercises and chest massage can also be used to normalize the functions and cleanse the bronchi. These methods stimulate blood circulation in the chest, restore drainage functions and improve sputum discharge.
A lot of respiratory gymnastics complexes have been developed - some of them are common, others are focused on the treatment of specific diseases.
Among the most popular exercises: breath holding, alternating series of breaths through the nose and mouth, breathing movements in the "lotus position", inhale and exhale with dilution, raising and lowering hands, etc.
As for chest massage, it is advisable that it be performed by a specialist. The procedure includes rubbing in a circular motion, patting the chest in front and behind, acupressure, massage in certain positions of the body.
Features of cleansing the bronchi and tonsils in children
Not all cleansing methods suitable for adults are applicable to young children. And the smaller the child’s age, the more difficulties may arise in this regard.
Many medications are contraindicated in childhood. For example, mucolytics cannot be prescribed to infants who do not know how to expectorate sputum. Many antibiotics, bronchodilators and other drugs are contraindicated in children because of the risk of side effects.
Physiotherapeutic procedures for children should not be too intense. Monitoring the condition of the child should be very careful. This is due to the great lability of the child's body and a pronounced reaction to any effects.
Sometimes difficulties can be banal. For example, the use of some traditional medicine in children can be difficult due to their bitter taste. It should take into account the preferences of the child, his character, moods. If necessary, some procedures (for example, breathing exercises) can be performed in a playful way. Finally, in no case should you physically and mentally strain and overload the child.
Opinions and reviews of doctors
The attitude of doctors to the methods of home cleansing of the tonsils and bronchi is ambiguous. It is known that many doctors are critical of any independent methods of cleansing the body, indicating the possible harm and side effects of procedures and drugs.
There are also such doctors who generally approve of such methods and even compose them themselves, but recommend that you first consult a medical institution. This opinion is quite reasonable, since consulting with a doctor allows you to protect yourself from most surprises.
☞ Doctor I.S., pulmonologist:
“Cleansing is good, but self-medication is bad. I believe that all such procedures should be previously agreed with the doctor. Otherwise, you yourself are responsible for all risk and possible consequences. ”
☞ Doctor N.A., ENT specialist:
“Of course, there is nothing wrong with drinking, for example, milk with honey or a broth of rose hips to cleanse. Many of the traditional medicine recipes can be used on their own. Of course, there are exceptions - for example, who have frequent allergic reactions or serious illnesses. In this case, consultation with a doctor is necessary. And you shouldn’t take medicines without prescribing a specialist, even the most harmless ones. ”
Useful tips and prevention
To prevent pathologies and diseases of the tonsils or bronchi, you should adhere to certain rules and recommendations, in particular:
- Do not consume food and drink cold. The cold factor is one of the main causes of such diseases.
- Take care of oral hygiene, brush your teeth regularly.
- Timely carry out rehabilitation and treatment of chronic foci of infection, the most common of which are carious teeth.
- Avoid bad habits, especially smoking, otherwise any effort can bring only a temporary result.
- Observe preventive measures for colds: bronchitis, pneumonia, flu, SARS, etc.
Some tips regarding medication and medication:
- If there is a wet cough with sputum, do not take antitussive drugs. Suppression of the cough reflex prevents the natural cleansing of the airways.
- When using expectorants for preventive purposes, drink them no more than 4-5 days. Then stop taking it, allowing the body to clear its throat and clear itself of the secret in the airways.
- Infants should not be prescribed expectorants, as they are still unable to cough up and expectorate sputum.
- Simultaneous administration of expectorant and antitussive drugs is unacceptable.
With all the variety of methods for cleaning the tonsils and bronchi, it is often difficult to make the best choice in favor of a particular method. There are several reasons for this.
On the other hand, to make the right choice, you need to know the causes of certain pathological processes. Usually without medical assistance, this is very difficult. If cleansing is done for preventive purposes, then you need to choose the most simple and safe methods.
Due to the abundance of information resources, there is always the opportunity to find out the reviews of other people about the effectiveness and safety of various methods. Studying someone else's experience and mistakes allows you to avoid your own miscalculations, and therefore you should not neglect this opportunity either.