In addition to medications, many home remedies have stood the test of time. And some sicknesses need special attention at home as compared to hospitals. One such illness is respiratory tract infection, which needs utmost attention and respiratory care. Because it is a viral infection a little negligence can lead to significant health issues.

These are often caused by viruses, fungi and bacteria compromising the mouth, sinuses, nose, lungs and other body parts. The worst part is that not only adults but kids can too be a victim of such diseases. Has your respiratory infection lasted for more than 2 weeks? Well, it needs proper care and to help you here are the best home remedies to follow.

Remedy 1: Gargling Saltwater

One of the best home remedies for treating respiratory illness is to gargle salt water. Be it you have an irritated throat or nose, gargling with warm water in the morning by adding salt is helpful.

Process:

• Take a glass of lukewarm water.
• Add one teaspoon of salt.
• Wait until the salt gets dissolved in the water.
• Do it every morning and gargle until needed.

Remedy 2: Honey

Regarding respiratory care, honey is the best and most powerful remedy. Having antibacterial properties, it effectively fights against respiratory infections, thereby killing infections-causing bacteria. For better taste, you can follow the given

Process:

• Take a glass of warm water.
• Add lemon juice or milk with some honey.
• Drink and repeat this until you feel cured.

Remedy 3: Ginger

Respiratory infection? Ginger is the solution. It is one of the most effective home remedies and fights the root cause of the infection. It has antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.

Process:

• You can add salt to ginger and chew it every day.
• Or you can boil a few slices of ginger in water and consume it as ginger tea.

Remedy 4: Turmeric

Turmeric is another remedy that is useful in treating respiratory illness. With properties like anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral, they help in reducing irritation. Besides, it also increases antioxidant activity and helps in boosting immunity.

Process:

• Take ½ teaspoon of powdered turmeric.
• Next, take 1 teaspoon of honey.
• Mix both of these ingredients until a paste.
• Once prepared, consume the paste 1 or 2 times daily until you feel cured.

Remedy 5: Garlic

Garlic is another best home remedy for people with respiratory illness. With various healing properties, it inhibits the growth of bacteria, thus reducing illness. However, when using, always make sure you opt for fresh garlic.

Process:

• Take garlic on empty stomachs and make sure you take it in small amounts as it may end up upsetting your stomach.

Some Other Ways to Treat Respiratory Infection

In addition to home remedies, here are some other ways to treat respiratory illness:

i) Avoid Smoking

Do you know smoking weakens the respiratory system? Yes, it makes it more prone to infections. Therefore, one must avoid smoking and exposure to pollutants and allergens.

ii) Sit in the Sunlight

Another great way to get rid of respiratory infections is by sitting in the sun for a while. Because lack of vitamin D can be a major reason behind such illness, early morning sunlight wouldn’t be a bad option at all. Therefore, by sitting in the sun your body will soak enough vitamin D.

iii) Inhale Steam

Be it nasal congestion or irritated respiratory passages, inhaling steam is the best instant relief. By melting mucus membranes, you can clear blocked respiratory tracts. However, it is not best for pregnant women.

Process:

• Take one litre of water and boil it.
• Next, add a piece of camphor to it.
• Once done, inhale it for 10 to 15 minutes.

iv) Sleep

Quality sleep is essential to recover your body from illness. But when fighting a cough it may feel challenging to sleep soundly. But once you get into the deep stages of sleep, that is when you repair and enhance your body’s immune system.

v) Lifestyle Changes 

Whether illness or not, a healthy lifestyle goes hand in hand. A small step towards quitting unhealthy habits can lead to a better life. This includes not visiting places with a lot of pollution, wearing surgical masks, adopting healthy eating habits to boost immunity, exercising, washing your hands frequently, and more.

How to Handle Younger Patients with Respiratory Illness?

Unlike adults, younger ones are not good at taking care of themselves, they need someone whom they can rely on. This is the major reason why doctors prescribe a home device when a child has chronic breathing problems. One such device offered to them is a nebulizer machine.

It is the best as it helps younger patients breathe medications easier, directly into the lungs. Besides, the best part is that using it requires no special techniques. However, even though it is completely safe, if not kept clean it can cause more harm than good. From spacers, and masks to the tubes, keep everything clean and dry. For better understanding, you can follow the cleaning instructions that come with the machine.

When Should You See a Doctor?

A cough can last several days, but in case of a worsening cough, it can be a cause of concern. Wondering if you should see a doctor? But when? If your condition doesn’t get well or lasts longer than 3 weeks, then it’s time to see your nearby healthcare professional.

Furthermore, here are some other signs in which you may consider emergency medical help:

• Breath shortness
• Chronic cough
• Loud wheezing
• Blue complexion
• Chest pain
• Bloody mucus
• Lightheadedness
• Vomiting
• Fainting
• Choking feelings

Provide Yourself with Fast Relief

When having a respiratory problem, one minute can feel like an eternity. Keeping this in mind, MedGuard delivers a wide range of medicines and nebulizer machines, be it short quantity or bulk. Additionally, we also offer other products such as diagnostics, consumables, hygiene, furniture and equipment.

We keep ourselves stocked with every item to ensure we meet every individual’s need. You can use our products in different areas such as homes, hospitals, pharmacies, surgeries and more. Moreover, you can also rest assured knowing we offer excellent customer service and after-sales support.

Author Bio:-

Paul Clifford, Owner and CEO of Medguard, dedicates his expertise to enhancing Ireland’s healthcare infrastructure. He leads the nation’s premier wholesale and retail supplier in medical devices and consumables, offering an extensive range of over 8,000 products. Paul’s vision focuses on quality and innovation, catering to both small and large-scale medical supply needs, ranging from mobility aids to latex gloves and fire extinguishers. His leadership at Medguard marks a significant contribution to the healthcare sector.