Whooping Cough

Definition

Whooping cough is an acute bacterial disease characterized by a spasmodic cough with a lengthy high-pitched sound. This “whooping,” noise is made while coughing and breathing. Whooping cough not only produces a very specific sound but it is also highly contagious.

Symptoms

Whooping cough symptoms may take one to three weeks to appear after a subsequent infection. Symptoms often last for an additional six weeks to three months and can affect the entire respiratory tract. Signs and symptoms include catarrh (mucus), exhaustion, sneezing, fitful coughing, eye tearing, and poor appetite. As symptoms progress, spasmodic hacking and coughing become more rapid producing the characteristic “whooping,” sound. Continual coughing and inhalations produce large amounts of mucus. Gagging and throwing up can also occur.

Trigger

Whooping cough typically arises from a bacterial infection. It is also acquired through bronchitis, pneumonia, flu, cigarette smoking, and respiratory allergies.

Organic Cures

Aromatherapy: Steam inhalation with tea tree, basil, chamomile, camphor, eucalyptus, peppermint, rose, and thyme can help reduce symptoms and speed healing.

Diet: Drink plenty of healthy liquids. A combination of, 1-2 tbs. honey, 1 tbs. apple cider vinegar, 1 tbs. fresh lemon juice, 1 tbs. of horehound and licorice extracts, 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper, and vitamin C powder, is especially effective when added to warm, pure, strained water. Sip throughout the day. Avoid milk and all milk products, processed foods, sugars, soda, and alcohol. Eat light, and concentrate on an organic, whole foods diet, with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Incorporate brown rice, clear vegetable soups, potatoes, whole grains, garlic and onions into your diet.

Flower Essences: Crab apple and olive are helpful when dealing with the accompanying stress and exhaustion associated with whopping cough.

Herbal treatments: Useful herbal treatments including sundew, thyme, butterbur, and crazy cherry sound off, can be taken through infusions or even tinctures, many times a day.

Homeopathy: Drosera, Pertussinum, Cuprum Fulfilled, and Magnesia Phosphorica may help relieve signs and symptoms and speed healing.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the process of drinking water, applying ice, using steam and alternating cold and hot temperatures to maintain and restore health. Treatments include complete body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation and the application of warm or chilly compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective in the treatment of a wide range of conditions and can easily be utilized in the home as part of a self-care program. Numerous naturopathic physicians, physical therapists and day spas use hydrotherapy as part of their remedy therapy. We recommend several in-house hydrotherapy treatments. Please seek the advice of an alternative healthcare practitioner prior to undergoing these types of procedures to make sure they are right for you. *Purified water is essential for any hydrotherapy treatment.* Instructions to purify chlorinated bath water should be followed.

Liquid Therapy: Just about all fresh, natural vegetable juices are helpful. For additional benefits, add a clove of garlic.

Nutritional Supplements: Recommended nutrients include vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, zinc, acidophilus, garlic clove capsules, and lung glandulars.

Alternative Professional Care

If your symptoms persist despite using these remedies, seek the assistance of a competent health professional. Professional treatment therapies are useful when dealing with whooping cough. These treatments include: Acupuncture, detoxification therapy, energy medicine (Gentle Beam Generator, Ondamed), light box therapy, magnetic area therapy, naturopathic medicine, neural therapy, osteopathy, oxygen therapy, and traditional Chinese medicine. (See reference’s for descriptions of these alternative therapies.)