Most often, bronchitis develops against the background of colds, which are characterized by an inflammatory course in the mucous membranes of the bronchi. It may have a different nature. This disease often develops under the influence of aggressive external chemical (for example, harmful fumes in the air) and physical (dust, moist, cold air, sudden changes in temperature, etc.) factors.
Bronchial syndrome can be caused by a genetic predisposition (for example, allergic manifestations or congenital disorders of the bronchopulmonary system), and can result from bad habits (smoking). Therefore, before treating bronchitis, it is necessary to establish the true cause of its appearance and, if possible, eliminate it.
Forms and stages of the disease
The tactics of therapeutic treatment of bronchitis depends on the form of the pathological process, which can be acute or chronic. The disease can occur as an independent phenomenon (primary bronchitis) or appear due to complications in the presence of chronic ailments and infections (secondary bronchitis).
All forms of bronchitis differ in etiology, pathogenesis and treatment methods. In acute form, bronchitis can be simple, obstructive, obliterating, or leak, accompanied by a blockage of bronchioles (bronchiolitis). At the same time, simple and obstructive forms can occur often, alternating with each other, which is why this phenomenon is called recurrent bronchitis.
If the acute process is not completely cured, then gradually it takes a protracted form. Then the disease is called chronic bronchitis. The diagnosis of "chronic bronchitis" is determined if unwanted symptoms appear more than 2-3 times a year. In chronic cases, the disease usually manifests itself with a wet cough in the morning, with the release of a small amount of sputum. At the same time, the cough intensifies in wet and cold weather, and practically does not appear in dry and hot.
Bronchitis can be simple non-obstructive, purulent non-obstructive (both without respiratory failure), obstructive (with respiratory failure) or purulent-obstructive. All forms of the pathological process are divided according to the place of localization, the severity of the clinical picture, the presence or absence of asthmatic manifestations.
Any varieties of this disease must be treated promptly and fully, since the inflammatory process not only affects the quality of life. It is dangerous by serious complications, the transition to bronchopneumonia, the development of obstructive pulmonary disease, disorders of the cardiac system and other unpleasant pathologies.
Only a doctor can diagnose and give recommendations on how to treat bronchitis (with drugs, using physiotherapeutic methods or effective methods of traditional medicine), so there should not be any self-medication here.
Causes of occurrence
Usually, bronchitis in adults and children is a primary disease and develops against the background of the presence of an infectious agent. The most common pathogens of the inflammatory process are:
- viral infections (influenza, parainfluenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus, enterovirus, measles);
- strains of pathogenic bacteria (staphylococci, streptococci, hemophilic bacillus, respiratory forms of mycoplasma, chlamydophils, pertussis pathogens);
- fungal lesions (candida, aspergillus).
In more than 80% of cases of the onset of the disease, viral infections are provocateurs. However, with a decrease in immunity and the presence of infection in the body, favorable conditions often arise for the development of pathogenic flora, which often leads to the mixed nature of bronchitis. Therefore, it is possible to determine exactly how to treat bronchitis only after identifying the primary signs or determining the active component of the secondary disease.
Mycotic lesions of the bronchi are quite rare and during normal functioning of the immune system the occurrence of such processes is almost impossible. Fungal etiology is possible with weakened immunity, congenital or acquired forms of immunodeficiency, or after a course of treatment of cancer.
Other factors for the development of acute and chronic forms of bronchitis are:
- the presence of infectious foci in the upper respiratory tract;
- physical factors (prolonged inhalation of dust, smoke or various gases);
- bad habits (smoking or alcohol addiction);
- injuries and pathological phenomena of the respiratory system.
Disease classification
Bronchitis is divided by the severity of the course, clinical manifestations, the nature of inflammation and the mechanism of occurrence. Depending on the type and form of the disease, the question of how to treat bronchitis and cough is decided. At home or it is necessary to carry out therapy in a hospital - this is also an important moment.
Acute form of the disease
Acute bronchitis begins suddenly and has a rapid course. With the right treatment, it lasts 7-10 days. Full recovery occurs only 3 weeks after the therapy.
By the nature of the manifestation, the disease is divided into mild, moderate and severe course. In this case, species are also distinguished in accordance with the nature of the manifestation. Acute bronchitis can be catarrhal, purulent, catarrhal-purulent or atrophic.
The acute form of bronchitis is treated with antibiotics if:
- cough does not pass more than 3 weeks;
- several days the temperature is kept at 37.5-38.5 ° C;
- there is an opaque, fetid sputum with a small amount of blood;
- signs of intoxication are manifested in the form of nausea, loose stools, gray complexion, weakness, profuse sweating;
- blood test results indicate a high content of white blood cells and ESR in the blood;
- chest pains appeared;
- wheezing is heard while breathing, intercostal retraction is observed.
When at least one of these signs appears, the question of where and how to treat acute bronchitis is resolved - the patient is sent to a hospital or observed on an outpatient basis. The occurrence of the disease in a child up to a year is a prerequisite for hospitalization, since there is a risk to the life of the baby. A complication of this form of bronchitis is the development of bronchopneumonia.
Changes that occur in the bronchial tree can be considered as a pre-adrenal condition that provokes the development of bronchial asthma. Other complications of acute bronchitis include the development of pulmonary emphysema, the formation of pulmonary hypertension, bronchiectasis, and cardiopulmonary failure.
How to treat obstructive bronchitis
The treatment of this type of disease in acute and chronic form is fundamentally different. General principles of treatment are reduced to:
- Eliminate the factor provoking the appearance of spasm in the bronchi (cure ARVI, tonsillitis or other infectious disease).
- Acceptance of bronchodilator drugs ("Eufillin", "Atrovent" and others).
- It is necessary to take mucolytic drugs that provide liquefaction and rapid withdrawal of sputum (Bromhexine, Ambrobene, or other similar drugs).
Do they treat bronchitis of this kind with folk remedies? Of course. In the acute course of the disease, many doctors recommend the use of decoctions and tinctures of medicinal herbs or the use of compresses with their presence. However, the use of such products must be agreed with the doctor.
In chronic forms, obstructive bronchitis is treated, eliminating the symptoms, because in this case the disease becomes incurable and takes on an irreversible character.
Disease in children
The question of how to treat obstructive bronchitis in children, for many parents becomes a real challenge. The main symptom of this form of the disease is a narrowing (obstruction) of the bronchi, as a result of which there are difficulties when exhaling. Obstructive bronchitis is especially pronounced in young children. Symptoms are:
- heavy hoarse or wheezing;
- bloating of the sternum and retraction of the intercostal tissues;
- excruciating cough that occurs in seizures and often causes vomiting.
Such a bright clinic scares parents, especially young people who do not yet know how to treat obstructive bronchitis in children. As a result, this leads to the healing of the child with potent, but not always necessary drugs.
Antibiotics, antiviral and antitussive drugs
Antiviral agents are recommended in the early days of the development of the disease. For the treatment of children under 3 years of age, candles are used (Genferon, Viferon), nasal drops and antiviral drugs in the form of syrups (Orvirem). Older children can be given tablets (Arbidol, Kagocel, Acyclovir, etc.) or capsules (for example, Ingavirin).
Bronchitis is treated with antibiotics only with certain indications:
- high temperature, which lasts more than 3 days;
- signs of intoxication;
- discharge of purulent (yellow or yellow-green) sputum;
- wheezing occurs when listening;
- according to blood testimony.
Any antibacterial drugs are divided according to the spectrum of exposure, so such drugs should be recommended only by a pediatrician.
How to treat bronchitis and cough in a child? Here, first of all, it is necessary to ensure the discharge of sputum, therefore, modern flour-regulating drugs are recommended that promote thinning and speedy discharge of bronchial secretion. Medicines of this group include drugs made on the basis of ambroxol (for example, Ambrobene, Lazolvan, etc.) and carbocysteine (Fluditec, Mucosol). Inhalations are recommended to mitigate coughing.
When the cough becomes softer, but the sputum is still poorly separated, the mucoregulators are replaced with expectorant medicines based on medicinal herbs. These are drugs such as, for example, Herbion, Doctor Mom, Bronchicum, breast collection and other varieties of expectorants. The course of treatment is 5-7 days.
What is bronchitis treated in adults?
Medications that can be prescribed for adult patients belong to such groups as:
- antiviral;
- antibacterial;
- anti-inflammatory;
- flour regulators;
- expectorant and antitussive;
- combined;
- bronchodilators.
Antiviral agents are effective in the initial stages of the development of the inflammatory process in the bronchi. In this case, adults are most often prescribed Ingavirin, Kagocel, Tamiflu and other drugs that stimulate the production of interferons in the body.
The first two drugs often solve the problem of how to treat acute bronchitis in children, but the dosage of active substances in this case should be reduced. The treatment regimen for children and adults should be determined by the doctor.
Self-medication with antibacterial drugs is unacceptable. It is necessary to go through the entire treatment regimen prescribed by a doctor. Usually, in this case, the doctor can recommend "Augmentin", "Sumamed, Panklav", "Trifamox IBL", "Flemoklav Solutab" and others.
Paracetamol is recommended as antipyretic drugs, and medicines made on the basis of fenspiride are suitable as anti-inflammatory drugs. This substance is included in drugs such as Siresp, Eladon, Epistat, and Erespal.
For dry and severe coughs, codeine preparations are recommended. They can be purchased at the pharmacy without a special doctor’s prescription. How much bronchitis is treated depends on the shape and severity of the course.
In this disease, substances that dilute sputum and facilitate its removal from the bronchi are necessarily used. The most popular of them are acetylcysteine (included in such drugs as Atsestin, ACC, Vicks Active Ekspektomed, Fluimucil) and carbocysteine (included in Bronchobos, Libexin Muko, Fluiforta, " Fluidite ").
In addition, flour-regulating substances are used:
- Bromhexine, which is part of the Bronhostop, Bromhexine, as well as Ascoril, Bronchosan and Joset.
- Ambroxol, which is present in the composition of Ambrobene, Ambrohexal, Ambrolor, Ambrosan, Bronchoxol, Bronchorus, Flavamed, Halixol and many other drugs.
Artificial mucolytics are absorbed much better, and their presence in the patient’s body increases with complex exposure to ambroxol. Therefore, with correctly selected schemes, obstructive bronchitis in acute form can be eliminated completely.
For effective treatment of the disease, relaxation of the smooth muscles of the bronchi and elimination of spasms, bronchodilators are prescribed. These primarily include: salbutamol, which is part of Astalin, Ventolin, Salamol Eco and Berodual.
Schemes of bronchodilator therapy can differ significantly, therefore, only a doctor can determine how to treat bronchitis. If the condition of an adult patient or a small patient worsens after taking medications, especially bronchodilators, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor.
Folk techniques
You can treat bronchitis at home in a child or adult with the help of herbs and their fees. However, first of all, it is necessary to exclude the causes of coughing.
The patient needs to sweat. To do this, it is necessary to use hot broths and infusions of herbs. Wonderful sweatshops - decoctions of sage, linden blossom or plantain. The diaphoretic properties of medicinal decoctions are enhanced if raspberries or honey are added to them. These effective recipes have come to us since ancient times, when our ancestors knew exactly how to treat bronchitis in children at home without any medications.
The warming compresses and inhalations with a decoction of potatoes, baking soda or a few drops of fir oil help to cope with the disease.
If there is a nebulizer at home, then inhalation with saline solution (3 times a day) will help to soften the cough quickly. If necessary, the doctor can supplement the ionic solution with other means (for example, "Berodual", "Lazolvan").
Perfectly relieve symptoms of complicated forms of bronchitis, black radish juice with honey and licorice root infusion with linden blossom. The modern folk methods that advise how to treat obstructive bronchitis or its other forms include banana puree with warm water and sugar.
A mixture of chamomile inflorescences (4 parts), licorice and cyanosis roots (3 parts each), St. John's wort, motherwort and valerian roots (2 parts each) will help relieve bronchospasm. The mixture is brewed at the rate of 1 tbsp. spoon in 1 cup boiling water and infused in a thermos for two hours. Such an infusion is filtered and taken in 1/3 cup after each meal during the day.
Another medical treatment for bronchitis is a mixture of leaves of coltsfoot (4 parts), leaves of plantain, thyme and licorice roots (3 parts each). This mixture is brewed at the rate of 1 tbsp. spoon of 0.5 liters of boiling water and infused for 20 minutes, and then filtered. Use this broth 1/3 cup 3 times a day after meals. This recipe helps in cases where parents do not know how to treat bronchitis in a child.
In case of a chronic disease, an decoction of the roots of the Siberian source (2 teaspoons per glass of water) helps as an expectorant and antitussive. The same remedy is used for the symptoms of pneumonia.
The healing properties of aloe in the treatment of this disease are also well known. One of the popular recipes for its preparation is considered as follows:
- The fleshy leaf of aloe is mixed with 300 g of honey and ½ cup of water. Means to "evaporate" on a very low fire for two hours. Take 1 tbsp. spoon every time after eating.
Effective methods have long been known for treating bronchitis with folk remedies using infusions with pine buds. Means made with their addition quickly eliminate inflammatory processes in the bronchi and relieve cough on the third day. To prepare such healing broths, you need 5 tbsp. spoons of pine (fir) kidneys and 1 liter of boiling water. The buds of cones are brewed and insisted day. The finished infusion is stored in a cool place and consumed 1/3 cup in the morning on an empty stomach.
Assistant Treatment Techniques
With the development of any form of bronchitis, it is recommended to carry out steam inhalation with soda-alkaline solutions or breathe through a nebulizer, use drugs and apply traditional medicine techniques. Other methods that determine how to treat acute bronchitis or chronic forms of its manifestation are breathing exercises and chest massage.
It is very useful to do exercises developed by doctors Buteyko and Strelnikova. They have different methods, however, they are very effective in chronic forms of the disease and in the period of a moderate course. With obstructive bronchitis, sound gymnastics helps a lot.
Of great importance in the treatment of bronchitis is chest massage in children and adults. This method helps to improve the separation of even purulent sputum, facilitates breathing and mobilizes the compensatory ventilation mechanism of the lungs.
However, not all of these methods in the treatment of bronchitis in any age groups are equally effective at home, since it is necessary to normalize the general somatic state of a sick patient.