A normal cough that is accompanied by flu is not something to worry about. However, a persistent cough should not be taken lightly. If the illness worsens, then the cough often comes with mucus, which signifies a far more severe issue. Breathing difficulties, wheezing, coughing, and mucus production are often symptoms of chronic bronchitis, which falls under chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is not curable but can be managed with care.

Fighting bronchitis – Foods to avoid
People suffering from chronic bronchitis often suffer from breathing problems, persistent cough, and wheezing. As these symptoms cause more discomfort to the patient, it is advised to eliminate exposure to smoke and other pollutants. In addition, the illness can also be managed by making lifestyle changes, which include food habits. This ensures that the patient does not face any discomfort and that they remain healthy to fight against bronchitis.

There are some foods that should be avoided, and these include:

Sodium
An excessive amount of sodium (salt) often increases the patient’s discomfort by aiding water retention. People who suffer from COPD, especially chronic bronchitis, suffer from the common symptom of edema (swelling due to fluid retention) in the legs, ankles, and feet. If the consumption of food with high amounts of sodium isn’t avoided, it starts affecting the lung and heart’s ability to process liquids, leading to the worsening of the swelling. Hence, people suffering from chronic bronchitis must avoid food with high amounts of salt.

Fried food items
Fried food items frequently cause problems during digestion as the breakdown of fats takes longer than usual. This leads to a bloated abdomen, making it difficult for the patient to take deep breaths. Additionally, fried items are closely associated with weight gain, which also increases pressure on the diaphragm, leading to discomfort during the process of breathing. Foods that should be avoided include fries, fried chicken, fried pickles, jalapeno, onion rings, and fried fish.

Dairy products
Milk is considered healthy, as it is a major source of calcium and vitamins. But the breakdown of milk results in casomorphine, a chemical that increases mucus production. As a lot of mucus is produced, the body tries to expel it by coughing, which can result in pain and discomfort for a patient suffering from chronic bronchitis. So, experts advise patients to avoid even consuming a glass of warm milk at night. There are also other dairy products that might cause problems for chronic bronchitis patients; these include ice cream, buttermilk, yogurt, cheese, and butter.

Certain fruits and vegetables
It is often said that vegetables and fruits are incredibly important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and are good for health. But this isn’t always the case for patients suffering from chronic bronchitis, as some fruits and vegetables contain fermentable carbohydrates that cause bloating. This can cause extreme discomfort and can even lead to difficulty breathing. Hence some of the vegetables and fruits that should be avoided are cabbage, beans, cauliflower, peaches, melons, apples, apricots, broccoli, onion, and corn.

Processed meat
Processed meat contains nitrates that are used to extend its shelf life. The consumption of nitrate should be avoided by everyone, especially people suffering from chronic bronchitis. It often causes lung issues to worsen over time if had in large amounts. Plus, it can make matters worse for chronic bronchitis patients. Processed meat products that should be avoided are ham, bacon, and hot dogs.

These changes in lifestyle can only aid in managing the symptoms of chronic bronchitis. It is advised to visit a healthcare expert to get a treatment that suits you best.