During cold and flu season, breathe easier!

Inhale. Exhale. Breathing deeply to fill our lungs with fresh, vital oxygen is something we generally take for granted. It is only when a respiratory problem impairs our breathing that we fully appreciate the ability to do so freely and easily. Struggling to breathe due to inflammation, coughing, excessive mucus production, or an autoimmune response to allergies or toxins is certainly one of life's most unpleasant experiences.

Breathing is not only essential for life, but when done correctly, it contributes to better overall health. As Andrew Weil, the well-known natural medicine educator, says, "Regularly practicing conscious breathing can calm and energize and even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders."¹ Obviously, we cannot achieve these high levels of breathing until we breathe easily. 

Respiratory Conditions

There are many respiratory conditions that can impair human lung capacity. Three of the main conditions are chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD): bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema. 

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a condition of the lungs where the bronchi become inflamed and obstructed. The inflammation associated with the bronchi can lead to respiratory complications due to excess mucus, coughing, fever, sore throat, chills, and shivering.

Bronchitis can be acute or chronic. Infections, colds, or flu are common causes of acute bronchitis. Generally, acute bronchitis heals within a few weeks but can lead to more serious conditions like pneumonia.

Chronic or recurrent bronchitis is especially common in people with allergies, those working in jobs with unhealthy respiratory conditions, and smokers. Chronic bronchitis also makes it more difficult for oxygen to exchange in the lungs, which can cause stress on the heart. 

Asthma

Asthma is a lung disease that affects the airways, often in the form of a sudden "attack." Usually, asthma means that the body's immune system reacts to an allergen as a threat, causing inflammation and hypersensitivity of the airways. When the bronchi become inflamed and filled with mucus, an asthma attack can occur, worsening the inflammation.

People with asthma often experience difficulty breathing, in addition to coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness during an asthma episode. These symptoms occur when the muscles around the bronchi tighten, restricting oxygen flow.

There are two types of asthma: allergic and non-allergic. Allergic asthma can be caused by an allergen, including mold, food allergens (e.g., dairy and wheat), pet dander, chemicals, or pollutants. Non-allergic asthma can be triggered by bronchitis, changes in temperature, stress, and low blood sugar, or it can be genetic, passed down from a previous generation.

The increase in air pollution on Earth is associated with a recent increase in the incidence of asthma.²
An asthma attack can turn into a form of emphysema if left untreated, and it can also be life-threatening due to its obstruction of breathing. It is important to have asthma diagnosed by a doctor or health professional to get appropriate treatment. 

Emphysema

Emphysema is a lung disease associated with tobacco smoke or exposure to pollution. People with emphysema have damaged alveoli – the small air sacs in the lungs. This damage reduces the elasticity of the lungs, which, in turn, makes exhalation difficult and impairs oxygen exchange. Typical health consequences of emphysema include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, lung infections, and general lung inflammation.

Other respiratory conditions include:

• Common Cold – The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that usually occurs in autumn or winter. The most common virus that causes the common cold is the rhinovirus. Symptoms of a common cold often include congestion, sore throat, coughing, and sneezing. A prolonged cold can turn into bronchitis or a sinus infection. 
• Type A Flu – Type A flu, or simply "the flu," is a viral infection of the respiratory tract. The flu is extremely contagious, spread by sneezing and coughing, entering the body through the respiratory tract. Its symptoms are similar to those of the common cold – a dry throat and cough, congestion, muscle aches, fatigue, hot and cold sweats – but usually last longer, sometimes up to 2 weeks.
• Allergies – Allergic reactions can occur when the immune system overreacts to a normally non-toxic substance, thereby damaging the body.

There are many substances that can cause an allergic reaction in humans: molds, dust, pollen, metals, animal hair and dander, insect bites, certain foods (e.g., nuts, dairy, wheat), and chemicals. Side effects of allergies include congestion, wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing and swallowing, rashes, itchy eyes and skin, and fatigue. Some allergies are seasonal, the most well-known being hay fever. Hay fever symptoms are very similar to those of the common cold but tend to last longer. 

• Pneumonia – Pneumonia is another inflammatory condition of the lungs, primarily affecting the alveoli. Pneumonia is mainly caused by viral or bacterial infections (or a combination of both), especially by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. The flu virus and rhinovirus are also common causes of pneumonia. Symptoms of pneumonia can include coughing, fever, chills, chest pain, and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.

Respir-First is useful for alleviating a number of breathing-related conditions:

• Relieve bronchitis
• Relieve colds and flu
• Relieve dry cough
• Help control cough
• Relieve seasonal allergies
• Relieve excess mucus
• Tone (stimulate) weak lungs
• Relieve irritation of oral and pharyngeal mucous membranes
• Relieve throat irritation
• Strengthen the immune system