Chest infection...

[Scarlett]

I get this time and time again.. a nasty bug in my throat that makes it go all dry and gakky when I wake up. Hurts to swallow and feels bruised. Then the infection travels to my lungs and I get pleurisy.
This year I have been taking lots of vitamins etc and I have been far less ill, but I have that horrid cough and chest infection now.
Does anyone have any ideas (other than antibiotics) of how I can get rid?
THANKS! x

[RATTER15]

That sounds like you maybe a smoker?
or even a passive smoker?

I used to get that until I gave up smoking.

[Scarlett]

No, I have never smoked! And there is no smoke in my house. It is just a winter bug that I always get!

[hopalong]

Maybe you are allegic ti house hold dust and bed mites on your bed sheets and pillows. Try changing your bedding more once a week if you can and if make sure all surfaces are dust free.

[Eve]

You can get a lot of allergen free stuff nowadays such as bedding and anti allergen sprays, Febreze do a freshening one. No feather items such as cushions, pillows or duvets.

Do you spend much time anywhere smoky and do you live in a city of the country? Have you ever come into contact with any asbestos or lived or worked somewhere that it may be present?

Try to stick to as natural products as possible and avoid filling your house with lots of chemicals such as in most cleaning an laundry products and such. Do you have any pets?

Hoover regularly, you get get anti allergen nowadays and make sure your house is aired out properly and don't overdo it on the central heating. Maybe get your house checked out for any damp.

You could go to a reputable homeopathic healer to try something like acupuncture or reiki.

What vitamins do you take? You could try some antioxidant ones, echinacea, omega 3 fish oil and a good general multivitamin inc lots of vitamin C and exercise your chest such as swimming. Eat a good diet, lots of fresh fruit and veg, maybe try organic. Drink lots of water and cut down on caffine. A high level of hygiene is also important as is avoiding people with colds and such. If you're underweight you may need to try and get to a healthier weight.

A vaporisor or humidifier could help and you can put some oils in such as tea tree. Try some nice hot baths with some of this added too.

Have you been checked out for asthma? I had a huge amount of problems until I was diagnosed. Your doctor may be able to give some advice too. You could ask him about a pnuemonia vaccine and flu jabs and anti allergy tablets like singulair. Check no medication you're taking, prescribed or not may not be helping.

Have you ever had any tests to see if there's an underlying cause?

You may be able to get some more advice here...
http:

[Eve]

You may be able to get some more advice here...
http://www.lunguk.org/

The Alexander Technique could also help...
http://www.stat.org.uk/