Alternative Treatments Information Update

French Translation

Bookmark and Share

Making Your Lungs Work Better With Water


All of us know when our lungs aren't quite working right. We feel sluggish, and our heads feel foggy. It may be that we're having an upper-respiratory infection, or some other problem.

But whatever it is, water will make your system work better, and more quickly take care of whatever the problem is. You will also feel better. The other thing water will do is keep your mouth and throat well-hydrated, because if you have an infection like that, chances are you will be coughing a lot.

Coughing is something we want to avoid. Like runny noses and sneezing, we think it's embarrassing. But remember that coughs are there to help the body get rid of something, and rather than try to make the body quit, we should help the body. I don't know about you, but I'd just as soon get over my coughing as quickly as I can. So start drinking water!

(The one time I would encourage cough suppressants -- that is, medicine to suppress the coughing reflex -- is at night. If you are having trouble sleeping because of constant coughing, take a minimum dose of cough medicine just before going to bed. Sometimes there's a very small amount of drainage that's not even noticeable when we're awake. But as soon as we lay down, the "tickling" starts, and makes it hard to sleep. Your body also needs sleep. So feel free to take something for the cough in this circumstance. On the other hand, if you are coughing up large amounts of phlegm, don't do anything to suppress the cough. Your body is getting rid of some garbage, and you don't want to stop that).

Begin by drinking more water whenever you feel chest congestion coming on. Remember, drinking water cannot hurt you. And it will usually help get rid of the nasty viruses that give us the crud feeling. So you might want to begin doubling up on the amount of water you normally drink. If you normally drink 10 glasses a day, go to 20. Even 20 is not all that much, and you will be surprised at how much better you feel.

Another water tactic that helps a lot is steam. Most of us don't have a sauna in our house, but you can easily create a sauna-like atmosphere, with no special equipment or preparation. This is the way to do it: go into the bathroom, and tightly shut the door. Plug the drain in the bathtub, and turn on the bath water full blast, and make sure the temperature is as hot as you can get it. (Don't worry ... you're not going to be bathing in this!) If you can, plug the sink drain as well, and turn the water on there as well. Make sure you don't have a fan going ... you want the steam to accumulate. The inside of the bathroom should be as humid as a tropical rainforest! Now sit down, and breathe deep. Keep breathing until the steam has subsided. What you are doing is getting your lungs full of moist, humid air, and coating the insides of your lungs with the water. This is also a good tactic with a child who is having trouble breathing due to a croupy cough. Get the bathroom nice and steamy, and carry them in there (if a young child) or take them in there with you (if older) and let them breathe deep. Don't be afraid to stay in for 15 or 20 minutes or more. This will help you (or your child) to breathe better, feel better, and your body will be the better able to loosen the congestion that makes them feel like someone's standing on their chest.

Jim Huffman, RN specializes in natural and alternative healing therapies. His first book is 'Dare to Be Free: How to Get Control of Your Time, Your Life, and Your Nursing Career,' and is aimed at helping other nurses find satisfying, dynamic careers. His website is http://www.NetworkForNurses.com and his health blog is at http://www.shababa.blogspot.com


MORE RESOURCES:

BBC News

Grammys 2012: 'Bon Iver' wins for alternative album
Los Angeles Times
The experimental folk act Bon Iver has won for alternative album at the 54th Grammy Awards for its second and self-titled album, beating several major-label peers for the honor. The project, led by Wisconsin-based singer-songwriter Justin Vernon, ...
Bon Iver wins Grammy for best alternative music albumMilwaukee Journal Sentinel
Bon Iver Grammys 2012: Justin Vernon and Band Win Best Alternative Music AlbumSpinner
Grammy-Shunning Bon Iver Wins Grammy for Best Alternative AlbumWetpaint
Just Jared
all 490 news articles »


Alternative Medicine May Impact Physical and Emotional Health - Dr. Carol ...
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Fields associated to the New Biology suggest that alternative medicine tools may impact cellular health and biochemistry and psychological well-being. 12 of these tools will be taught Feb 16, 2012, by Psychologist Dr. Carol Francis in the Los ...

and more »


Stoughton Academy offers alternative to traditional high school
The Patriot Ledger
DiClemente started looking into alternatives when a friend considered dropping out of high school. Through her research, she came across Stoughton Academy. The school offers night classes for students who have dropped out of high school or adults ...

and more »


My Fox 8

School bra search case headed to NC Supreme Court
My Fox 8
RALEIGH, NC (AP) — The case of a teenager who had to untuck her shirt and pull out her bra with her thumb as part of a search for pills at an alternative school in North Carolina is headed to the state Supreme Court. A 2-1 ruling last year by the ...
NC high court to hear case of teen who had to lift bra as part of school's ...The Republic

all 62 news articles »


Philadelphia Inquirer (blog)

Science Hints at Alternative Recipes for Life. Evolution is the Common Thread
Philadelphia Inquirer (blog)
Some insight now is coming from earthly labs, where scientists are building alternative kinds of genetic codes, and showing how they can evolve. Whether life could be built with an alien biochemistry was among the more interesting questions that came ...



Alternative Valentine's Day ideas
Gaston Gazette
Valentine's Day is just days away, and if you haven't already purchased your heart-shaped box of candy for your sweetie, here are a few ideas to make your holiday a little more special, and a lot more green. Celebrating “love” on Valentine's Day is ...



Christian-based alternative to Girl Scouts grows in St. Louis area
STLtoday.com
American Heritage Girl "Tenderheart" Bailey Nagle salutes the flag during a flag ceremony which started the troop meeting Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at St. John's Lutheran School in Ellisville. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com ...

and more »


International Business Times

SpeakToIt Voice Assistant for iPhone - Not Your Average Siri Clone
PC Magazine
By BrothaTech I originally wrote about the Speaktoit voice assistant app as an alternative to Siri for Android users. Now that the app is available for the iOS platform, it also wants to be an alternative to Siri for iPhone users as well.
Top 5 Siri Alternatives for Your iPhone and Other SmartphonesInternational Business Times
Speaktoit Releases iOS App to Compete with SiriPadGadget

all 10 news articles »


CBC.ca

Rick Santorum is the conservative alternative to reality
Washington Post (blog)
By Stephen Stromberg Rick Santorum isn't the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. He's the conservative alternative to reality. He consistently mistakes belief for truth — and even fiction for fact. On abortion, belief becomes truth: He regularly ...
Conservatives: Romney's OK if Obama is alternativeHuffington Post
Santorum Pulls A Newt: It's A 'Two-Person Race!'TPM
Our opinion: GOP campaign is driven by a force of nature: VotersTimes Record News
CBS News -The Daily Campus
all 5,082 news articles »


Report urges alternative to mass deportation of illegal immigrants
Sierra Vista Herald
Recognizing the current political reality, they have sought to market the idea of attrition through enforcement as a kinder, gentler alternative to the harsh, expensive, and unworkable strategy of mass deportation,” states the Immigration Policy Center ...

and more »

Google News

home | site map
© 2010