Bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory tract that occurs as a result of the development of the inflammatory process in the bronchi. The main mechanism for the appearance of pathology is the ingress of pathogenic microorganisms and bacteria into the human body. From this article you will learn about the etiology, pathogenesis, clinic of bronchitis, the treatment and diagnosis of which should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. What is an ailment?
Clinic of bronchitis
The clinical manifestations of bronchitis directly depend on the form and stage of development of the disease. The symptoms of acute bronchitis have a number of significant differences from the clinical picture and symptoms of bronchitis in its chronic form. So, the following phenomena belong to the main manifestations of acute bronchitis:
- in the acute initial stage, a dry cough is noted, which is often accompanied by pain behind the sternum, the voice becomes hoarse, painful swallowing;
- Symptoms of general intoxication are expressed: fever, weakness, headache, fever;
- along with this, there are symptoms of a primary disease (SARS, flu, upper respiratory tract infection).
The following symptoms are characteristic of a clinic of chronic bronchitis:
- coughing attacks are present continuously for three months for two years;
- when coughing, sputum is separated (the consistency of sputum depends on the degree of damage to the bronchi: from mucous and light to mucopurulent and opaque);
- with advanced stages, shortness of breath appears and breathing is difficult as a result of obstructive processes in the bronchi and lungs.
Etiology of bronchitis
The main cause of obstructive bronchitis clinic is infection of the upper respiratory tract. Viral colds (rhinoviruses, acute respiratory viral infections, adenoviruses, flu), as well as bacterial infections (for example, streptococcus or chlamydia) contribute mainly to the development of bronchitis. It should be noted that the development of bronchitis with colds often occurs in the body, weakened by smoking, improper lifestyle, as well as the presence of a number of diseases in history.
The clinic of acute bronchitis in children and adults indicates that various external influences can also provoke the disease: inhalation of harmful chemicals, dustiness of the room, regular hypothermia. Chronic bronchitis, as a rule, is the result of untimely treatment of acute bronchitis. Among the main etiological reasons, one should also dwell on the following:
- environmental issues (air pollution from harmful emissions);
- smoking;
- harmful working conditions (for example, work in the chemical industry);
- severe cold climate tolerance.
Pathogenesis of acute and chronic bronchitis
With the progressive development of bronchitis, the walls of the bronchi, in which atrophic processes begin, are primarily affected by pathological effects. This, in turn, leads to a weakening of the protective functions of the bronchi, which causes a decrease in the function of the immune system. If an infection enters the respiratory tract, an inflammatory process develops in the body in its acute form. If appropriate drug therapy is not carried out, then the further development of the pathological process leads to edema and hyperemia of the mucous membranes, the appearance of mucopurulent exudate. With proper treatment, it will be possible to get rid of bronchitis in two to three weeks, it will take about a month to restore the function of the bronchi, but if atrophic processes have led to irreversible changes, then bronchitis becomes chronic.
Causes
With bronchitis, the walls of the bronchi are damaged, which can occur due to a number of reasons such as:
- Infection with viral infections - acute bronchitis is caused in 90% of cases by viruses. In adults, the disease is usually caused by myxoviruses (influenza, parainfluenza).
- Infection with bacterial infections - in 5-10% of cases, bacteria (streptococci, hemophils and chlamydia) become the cause of bronchitis, bacterial infections often become secondary infections as a result of a virus infection.
- Weakened immunity and vitamin deficiency.
- Hypothermia.
- Living in places with high humidity, polluted air and poor ecology.
- Active and passive smoking - when inhaling cigarette smoke, various chemicals settle on the lungs, which leads to irritation of the walls.
- Inhalation of toxic and harmful gases and toxins that damage the walls of the lungs and bronchi (ammonia, hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, etc.).
- The consequence of other chronic or acute diseases is that with incorrect or incomplete treatment, bacteria can enter the lungs and begin to spread there.
- Improper nutrition.
- Due to an allergic reaction.
Symptoms
The manifestation of acute bronchitis begins with a cold. Severe fatigue, weakness, soreness and coughing. In the midst of the disease, the cough is dry, sputum soon joins. Allocations can be both mucous and have a purulent character. Bronchitis may be accompanied by fever. A form of chronic bronchitis is diagnosed after several months of illness. A wet and painful cough with sputum torments a person every day. In contact with irritants, an increase in the cough reflex is possible. A long process leads to difficulty breathing and the development of emphysema.
What are the symptoms of infectious bronchitis? At the beginning of the disease, a dry cough, a feeling of weakness, an increase in body temperature are disturbing, when a dry cough is changed to a wet one, discomfort in the chest area joins.
And how is allergic bronchitis manifested? Contact with the pathogen gives an unpleasant sensation and the appearance of a cough. Sputum with allergic bronchitis always has a slimy secret. There is no increase in body temperature. Symptoms of bronchitis disappear when the irritant is eliminated.
With toxic bronchitis, a severe cough is disturbing, causing shortness of breath, shortness of breath or suffocation.
Diagnosis of bronchitis
The most mild disease, if we consider the issue of diagnosis, is bronchitis. Currently, there are many objective and modern methods for diagnosing a bronchitis clinic in children and adults:
- Conversation with the doctor. In most cases, the diagnosis of bronchitis is made on the basis of a survey of the patient and the identification of complaints associated with the respiratory system. During the survey, the doctor also finds out the approximate onset of the disease and possible causes.
- Inspection The doctor checks for breathing noises in the chest using a phonendoscope. Auscultation reveals harsh breathing, as well as the presence of dry and wet rales. For the differential diagnosis and exclusion of pneumonia and pleurisy, the use of the method of percussion is possible. In chronic bronchitis, percussion sound changes due to a change in lung tissue.
- Clinical tests. A blood and sputum test is performed to substantiate the diagnosis. With bronchitis, blood counts in the general analysis will vary depending on the pathogen. Bacterial flora will lead to an increase in ESR, as well as the number of leukocytes and neutrophils. With viral bronchitis, a decrease in the number of leukocytes and an increase in lymphocytes are noted.
- Chest x-ray in two projections - a method for diagnosing diseases of the bronchial tree.
- Spirography. A modern method for detecting a decrease in respiratory function. With bronchitis due to the inflammatory component, there is an obstruction of inspiration and expiration, which will undoubtedly affect the decrease in total lung volume.
Bronchitis treatment
The clinic and treatment of acute bronchitis consists in observing the following doctor's recommendations:
- Assigned to bed rest and complete physical and mental rest of the patient.
- It is necessary to provide the patient with a sufficient amount of drink.
- The use of the necessary physiotherapeutic methods of treatment.
- Taking the necessary medications.
- It should also be noted that depending on the reasons contributing to the development of diseases, the methods of treating the disease also differ.
Antiviral
So, in the treatment of bronchitis of viral etiology, the following antiviral types of drugs are prescribed:
- Viferon. This is a drug containing combined human interferon. This substance belongs to medicines with a wide spectrum of action, is available in the form of ointments and suppositories of various dosages. The course of therapy is from five to ten days. Among the possible side effects may be an allergic reaction.
- Laferobion. This drug can be used both for prevention and for the treatment of diseases caused by pathogens of various viruses. Available in the form of a solution. The course of therapy should not exceed ten days.
Antibacterial
As a rule, the following groups of drugs are selected for the treatment of bronchitis of bacterial origin:
- Aminopenicillins.
- Cephalosporins.
- Macrolides.
- Fluoroquinolones.
Prebiotics
Necessary prebiotics are also prescribed to prevent the development of intestinal dysbiosis in a patient. All of these substances must be used comprehensively to treat the disease. Also, all patients with bronchitis, regardless of etiology, are prescribed physiotherapeutic methods of exposure. This method of treatment is one of the oldest in medical practice; its use allows a safe way for health to achieve an effective result in influencing the disease.
Physiotherapy
In the treatment of ailment, the following physiotherapeutic methods of treatment are used:
- Inhalation. This method of exposure to the respiratory system allows it to be used in the treatment of pregnant women and children with bronchitis. For the procedure, a special inhaler device is used. This method of exposure can effectively eliminate such clinical manifestations of the disease as the presence of sputum, cough, pathogens. Also an undoubted advantage of this method is the possibility of home use.
- Massage techniques. To treat bronchitis, the masseur performs dynamic tapping and stroking with your fingertips. Mandatory in the procedure is the use of essential oils. Manipulations are carried out only on the human thoracic spine. The duration of the procedure is from five to ten minutes daily, the course of treatment is five days.
- Inductothermy. The basis of this method is the effect of heat rays on a person. Under the influence of electromagnetic waves, there is an increase in blood circulation to tissues affected by inflammation. The duration of the manipulation is twenty minutes. Depending on the severity of the condition, the course of the procedure can vary from six to twelve manipulations.
- Electrophoresis This technology is used to thin the secretions secreted from the bronchi. The procedure is performed using a special apparatus, which allows the substance to penetrate into the deeper layers of the epidermis, which helps to expand the bronchi and restore damaged organ mucous membranes.
- Halotherapy. This method consists in artificially creating a climate similar to that found in salt caves. Used to improve lung ventilation.
- Heat treatment. For this procedure, special paraffin pads are used, which are preheated and then applied to the patient’s chest, which helps to reduce cramping during coughing attacks. The duration of this manipulation is ten minutes.
Best herbs
You can also use herbs and breast fees to treat the ailment. Preparation of infusions of herbs from licorice root and thyme helps to accelerate the secretion of the bronchi. From coughing attacks, collecting herbs such as coltsfoot, elecampane root, and anise will help.