Hope for Breathing Issues in Cervical Injuries

I agree! I was real pleased to see this, its a great development

People with paralysis at the mid-thoracic level and higher may have trouble taking in a deep breath and exhaling forcefully. Individuals with an injury at the C3 level or higher would need a ventilator because the phrenic nerve is no longer stimulated and the diaphragm wouldn’t work in order to breathe. If the individual got a respiratory infection such as pneumonia or just the common cold, they would need suction tubes to get the mucus out of the respiratory system. When the injury is between C3 and C5, it would still be an inconvenience to develop a respiratory illness because, although the diaphragm is still functioning, the intercostal and other chest muscles do not allow for good expansion. This means that their ability to fully cough up mucus is compromised. No one likes to be sick, and not being able to get rid of the mucus in the respiratory system can only be problematic in the recovery process. Also, not being able to cough up dust, mucus or saliva can lead to the development of infections.
Luckily, there are ways to PREVENT infections by eating foods to boost your immune system and foods that naturally get rid of bacteria/viruses, there are also ways to naturally thin mucus to help you cough it up.
Thyme is a very powerful herb in the fight against chest congestion because it produces antiseptic essential oils, which are naturally antibiotic. Oregano is another supporter of the immune system. It is a natural decongestant and also fights dangerous bacteria that make you sick.
Foods rich in sulfuric compounds help the body fight bacterial infections and increases resistance to bacteria. Garlic, onions, leeks, chives, kale and cabbage are examples of foods rich in sulfuric compounds.
One clove of garlic contains more than 100 sulfuric compounds powerful enough to wipe out bacteria and infection! Allicin is a sulfuric compound found in garlic that exhibits antibacterial activity against a wide range of bacteria. Garlic can be used in many different meals, but the allicin works its magic when ingested raw. The best way to eat garlic raw, is to crush it into a spoon and coat it in olive oil, then swallow it like cough syrup. This doesn’t sound appealing but it will surely help you get better in a fast and natural way.

Tips to help thin mucus:

1) Drink plenty of water
2) Eat chili peppers or dishes with cayenne peppers (thins mucus helping you cough more productively)
3) Drink mullein tea (contains saponins which help loosen phlegm)
4) Avoid milk products (they contain lactalbumin which stimulates the production of mucus in the upper and lower respiratory tract.



If you feel like you may be getting a cold, or are fighting a cold, try this recipe for a hot, healthy, vegetable soup!

1. About 8 cups of water
2. 2 containers of 900ml Campbell’s chicken broth
3. 3 stalks of celery
4. 2-3 potatoes (white or sweet potatoes)
5. 4-5 cloves of garlic crushed
6. 2 cups of kidney beans (uncooked)
7. 2-3 cups of split peas (uncooked)
8. 2 cups of barley
9. 3 large thyme springs
10. 3 oregano springs
11. 3-4 large carrots chopped

To add thickness to the soup, you may add more ingredients such as vegetables of choice or chia seeds. To make the soup less thick, add more water and broth. Cook on stove at high heat, bring water and broth to a boil and add in uncooked beans first as they take longer to cook. Then start to add in the potatoes and carrots, then add in other vegetables of choice.


For more tips on how to stay healthy while living with a SCI check out walkitoffrecovery.org/2015/03/17/preventing-illness-in-those-with-spinal-cord-injuries/#more-1001