Chronic obstructive bronchitis is a diffuse chronic disease of the bronchi, which is accompanied by a progressive violation of their ventilation. The main manifestations of this disease are persistent or periodic cough with sputum and shortness of breath. It is often complicated by the development of pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary heart disease, and heart failure.
The clinical picture of chronic obstructive bronchitis
Cough in chronic obstructive bronchitis has been a concern for many years. At the beginning of the disease, it occurs only in the morning, then it becomes more permanent, lasts throughout the day. Gradually, the cough becomes paroxysmal, debilitating, especially in the morning. With exacerbation and the onset of infection, sputum volume increases, the symptoms of the inflammatory syndrome join. Below we consider how to treat obstructive bronchitis (chronic) in the stage of exacerbation and remission. These stages have their own characteristics in the clinic of the disease, which are taken into account when prescribing certain methods of treatment.
Chronic obstructive bronchitis: treatment in the acute stage
Inpatient treatment and compulsory bed rest is necessary for exacerbation of chronic obstructive bronchitis with increased respiratory and heart failure, the appearance of symptoms of intoxication. Hospitalization is indicated in case of pneumonia, if necessary, diagnostic and treatment procedures.
If a patient has chronic obstructive bronchitis, treatment is primarily aimed at treating obstruction. For this purpose, anticholinergics are prescribed in high doses. With an insufficient effect of this group of drugs, short-acting beta2-agonists are added. For a more effective action, these drugs can be used as inhalations. To increase the effectiveness and reduce the risk of complications can be not only a combination of drugs, but also an increase in the dose of bronchodilators.
With further progression of the disease, methylxanthines and glucocorticosteroids are added. Systemic glucocorticosteroids are prescribed only during an exacerbation. Upon receipt of a positive clinical effect for several weeks, followed by a gradual dose reduction.
Antibiotics are prescribed only with proven infectious exacerbation of chronic obstructive bronchitis, the presence of symptoms of intoxication and purulent sputum. Usually, a course of treatment is prescribed for one to two weeks. With the development of a purulent form of obstructive bronchitis, detoxification therapy is necessary.
Chronic obstructive bronchitis: treatment in remission
The basis for the treatment of chronic obstructive bronchitis is smoking cessation, the exclusion of occupational hazards, and the exclusion of chronic foci of infection by the method of rehabilitation. Of great importance is regular breathing exercises, weight loss to normal, a diet containing a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals. These treatments are important for the contractility of the respiratory muscles and reduce their fatigue.
Improving the secretion of sputum from the bronchi is achieved by the appointment of chest massage, postural drainage, herbal medicine. Patients with an obstructive form of bronchitis should almost always take expectorant and bronchospasmolytic drugs.
Despite the fact that chronic obstructive bronchitis, the treatment of which we have considered, is a progressive disease, timely treatment can significantly slow down the development of bronchial obstruction, and prevents the development of possible complications. If chronic obstructive bronchitis in children is detected , treatment can not only stop the progression of the disease, but also cause its reverse development until complete recovery.