Each year, at the onset of winter, nearly half a million infants suffer from cough, bronchial congestion and breathing difficulties, symptoms that are characteristic of a respiratory inflammation well-known by mothers.
This dreaded inflammation is none other than bronchiolitis, an acute disease that affects the bronchioles, that is to say, the small airways located within the pulmonary lobules. While the disease is usually due to a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), of which the mode of transmission is usually quite fast. However, keep in mind that other viruses may also be responsible for bronchiolitis.
Contrary to what one might think, bronchiolitis cannot be treated with drugs traditionally prescribed in cases of bronchitis since, in this case, they have no effect on the disease. Thus, the only standard treatment that one can resort to is chest physiotherapy, a therapeutic treatment that can effectively unclog congested airways, thanks to a series of very specific chest massages. However, it is useful to know that it is strongly recommended to resort to physical therapy when the infection is still in its early stages. Neglecting this important step increases the risk of even more important bronchial obstruction.
Consequently, homoeopathic remedies are ideal for the treatment of bronchiolitis given that they can be implemented very early, that is to say, at the onset of the first coughs. When the remedies are administered on time, improvements can be noticed soon after. In case of very favourable development, it is even possible to avoid respiratory physiotherapy sessions which, most of the time, prove to be very unpleasant for infants. But if healing is slower and the massages are therefore required, it is useful to know that homoeopathy can, in most cases, optimize the results obtained during the sessions through better drainage of mucus . In addition, homoeopathy is particularly suitable for young children prone to recurrent respiratory infections, since this typ e of treatment helps prevent future infections while minimizing the risk of developing asthma.
In general, bronchiolitis begins with the manifestation of symptoms in the nasal mucous membranes. Thus, the disease often starts out as a mild cold before quickly evolving into a persistent cough that is characteristic of an inflammation. At this stage, the infant is already having some breathing difficulties, due to mucus build-up responsible for clogging the airways. In many cases, congestion is accompanied by wheezing that mainly occurs during bronchiolar stenosis with or without the presence of mucus. If not treated properly, bronchiolitis can sometimes result in the hospitalization of the ill infant or young child . Once the inflammation is reduced, the coughing fits may persist for more than two weeks without implying that the disease is not cured.
As soon as the first symptoms appear, administer 5 granules of Blatta orientalis 5 CH and 5 granules of Ipeca 7 CH every hour to the affected infant or young child, until the crises’ intensity progressively decrease. Once the symptoms start to wear off, it will be necessary to adapt the dosage by gradually reducing the number of takes. In case of chest physiotherapy, it will be possible to optimize the mucus drainage carried out during the therapy sessions by resorting to remedies that contain lots of Antimonium tartaricum or Drosera rotundifolia.
In terms of prevention, know that remedies that are traditionally recommended are generally made ??from Calcarea carbonia ostrearum or Sulphur Iodatum. However, preventive treatment of bronchiolitis is primarily a basic treatment, that will require tailoring by a homoeopathic physician to adjust the prescription as best as possible to prevent the emergence of future crises.
From the onset of the disease, it is imperative to consult a doctor so that he or she can determine the seriousness of your condition and prescribe an appropriate form of treatment. Although in most cases homoeopathic treatment leads to significant improvement regarding the patient’s health, it is essential to seek the advice of a healthcare professional to prevent the condition from worsening. Similarly, if symptoms persist and gain in intensity after a medical consultation, it will be particularly important to conduct a second consultation to avoid any risk of respiratory distress.
Given that bronchiolitis is a contagious disease, it is useful to recall that following some basic precautions significantly reduces the risk of contamination. Thus, it is good to know that it takes about eight hours for the respiratory syncytial virus not to be contagious anymore, which means that it is important to wash your hands before preparing a bottle, feeding, holding or changing a baby. Even in winter, it is necessary for the air within the home to be regularly renewed and for the different rooms to be well-ventilated. Finally, it is important for an infant or young child to have minimal contact with a person suffering from a cold or flu.
Good to know: Although they are sometimes prescribed, conventional drugs such as bronchodilators or corticoids are usually unable to have an effect on bronchiolitis. However, homoeopathic remedies are truly effective on the disease since, in some cases, they allow the patient to avoid chest physiotherapy
