Acute bronchitis usually develops on the heels of a cold or the flu. Your body's battle to defeat these infections leaves your bronchial tubes sensitive, irritated, and inflamed, explains Alan P. Brauer, M.D. This impairs the ability of the tiny hairs that line the bronchial tubes, called the cilia, to sweep mucus and other debris out of your respiratory tract. With your bronchial tubes inflamed...

There are two types of bronchitis, acute and chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis lasts for 10 to 12 days. It is mainly caused by a virus or bacteria and in some cases it may come from fungus. People suffering from acute bronchitis have the following symptoms, constant coughing with mucus, excessive fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, low fever, vibration felt when breathing, and sometimes...

Catarrh is a mucus discharge or blockage caused by the swelling of the mucous membranes in the nasal and sinus passages. Catarrh is usually associated with the common cold. However, it can be a symptom of other diseases and infections such as sinus infection, tonsillitis, ear infections and adenoid infections. Catarrh also occurs with allergies. There are early warning signs of catarrh that...

Smoking causes many health problems for the smoker. One of the major problems is the build up of toxic material in the body and in particular in the lungs. This toxic material is an irritant that causes inflammation and the breakdown of lung tissue. Stopping smoking is the only treatment, but herbs are able to assist the body to remove toxic material. Herbs are also able to provide relief from...