Obstructive bronchitis in children can become a frequent complication of viral infections if treatment of this disease is not timely done. This disease is characterized by the fact that during its course the mucous membranes of the trachea and bronchial tree are affected . It can occur in acute and chronic form, and also eventually pass into bronchial asthma. Viral and bronchial infections provoke the onset of the disease.
Treatment of obstructive bronchitis in children is important to carry out comprehensively and in a timely manner to prevent complications.
Causes of occurrence
In children, more often than in adults, complications arise after a respiratory infection. This is due to certain physiological characteristics of the growing organism and some external factors. We can distinguish the following causes of the frequent occurrence of acute obstructive bronchitis in children:
- congestion in the bronchi;
- unformed immunity;
- narrow bronchi;
- predisposition to allergies;
- complications of childbirth and fetal pathology of the fetus;
- lack of vitamin in the body;
- frequent viral infections;
- adverse climatic conditions;
- smoking parents.
For these reasons, preschool children are much more likely to develop obstructive bronchitis than older ones. The disease can begin with a viral respiratory infection or with hypothermia of a weakened child. In a one-year-old baby, helminths can provoke the onset of this disease. There are also other causes of obstructive bronchitis in children, for example, poor heredity. If parents often suffered from this disease, then there is a high probability that the child will be exposed to it.
General symptoms
Signs of obstructive bronchitis in children are not always quite pronounced, since many colds are accompanied by the presence of cough. Unpleasant coughs must necessarily alert parents. Among the main symptoms that manifest in a child with a course of bronchitis, the following should be highlighted:
The cough mainly appears during the day and becomes stronger in the morning, as well as during physical exercises. Coughing increases dramatically in the presence of allergens that irritate the respiratory system. The intensity of the cough can be very strong, and it literally exhausts the child.
Wheezing may occur due to insufficient oxygen. Unpleasant sound is mainly heard when inhaling. The child begins to wheeze, breathes very often and intermittently. However, he does not always manage to cough up phlegm. In this case, you must definitely call a doctor.
Regarding obstructive bronchitis in children, Komarovsky says that they often have shortness of breath, especially during sleep. In severe cases, hypoxia, fatigue, increased sweating and weakness can develop. A slight temperature is also possible with obstructive bronchitis in children. Many doctors consider it not an independent disease, but a symptom that is observed in diseases with a high temperature, for example, with acute respiratory viral infections or angina.
When the first signs of the disease appear, it is imperative to consult a doctor for diagnosis and the appointment of appropriate treatment.
Features of the course of the disease in infants
Obstructive bronchitis in children under one year of age is difficult to diagnose, since the baby cannot independently explain what exactly is bothering him. However, the course of the disease can be recognized by the following signs:
- excruciating cough, up to vomiting;
- excessive bloating;
- wheezing
- a hoarse scream;
- temperature rise.
All these signs should alert parents very much, since it is very important for a baby to timely diagnose the course of the disease and conduct complex treatment.
Chronic form
Treatment of obstructive bronchitis in children must necessarily begin immediately when the first signs of the disease occur. Therapy of acute and chronic forms is somewhat different. The chronic form occurs as a result of infection and its multiplication in the respiratory tract.
The first manifestations resemble an attack of bronchial asthma, but there are no signs of allergy. A chronic syndrome occurs, as a rule, when a foreign body enters the respiratory tract.
Diagnostics
Recurrent obstructive bronchitis in children can lead to complications such as pneumonia and asthma, which is why timely and comprehensive diagnosis, as well as well-conducted treatment, are required. Diagnostics is based on the following methods:
- blood and urine tests;
- chest x-ray;
- spirometry;
- physical research;
- bronchoscopy.
In the presence of bronchitis in blood tests, the level of ESR will be increased. A chest x-ray helps to identify possible damage to lung tissue, as well as the presence of concomitant diseases.
Spirometry indicates the features of breathing, the severity of obstruction, as well as the magnitude of impaired ventilation. Physical examinations help determine the presence of wheezing and hard breathing. Using bronchoscopy, the condition of the bronchial mucosa is determined. However, the doctor often diagnoses the disease based on external examination and listening to the bronchi with a phonendoscope.
Treatment features
Treatment of obstructive bronchitis in children implies the creation of the most favorable conditions for the baby, which contribute to a more rapid recovery and normalization of well-being. If the child has a fever and fever, then he needs to strictly observe bed rest. At normal temperature, you can not adhere to this rule, but it is important to exclude significant physical exertion.
Treatment of obstructive bronchitis in children involves a whole range of different activities. To get rid of the disease, you must use:
- medications;
- folk remedies;
- inhalation.
In addition, physiotherapeutic measures, massage and gymnastics are shown, which will help eliminate inflammation and faster discharge of sputum.
Drug treatment
Obstructive bronchitis in a child of 2 years and at an older age is treated by the use of bronchodilator drugs. For example, medicines such as Ventolin, Salbutamol, or Salbuvent are used. They differ in combined composition and longer duration of action. Bronchodilator drugs are available in the form of:
- syrups;
- pills
- powders for the preparation of an inhalation solution;
- aerosol cans.
The doctor’s consultation will help determine the choice of medications. In the presence of bronchial obstruction arising from ARVI, anticholinergics will be quite effective. The drug “Atrovent” earned the most positive reviews. The result of the use of this drug is noticeable literally 20 minutes after its use.
If the child has additionally observed atopic dermatitis, and also there are other concomitant manifestations of allergy, then antihistamines are prescribed. Zirtek drops and analogues of this medicine are suitable for infants, and older children can take Claritin. In severe forms of the disease, glucocorticoids can be prescribed.
Antibiotics for obstructive bronchitis in children are prescribed only if the fever persists for more than 3 days, and the inflammatory process does not decrease. In this case, the use of macrolides, cephalosporins or penicillins is indicated.
In addition, the use of cough medications is recommended. Among the wide range of such medicines, it is necessary to distinguish medicines with ambroxol, for example, Ambrobene, Lazolvan, Flavamed. Dosage is determined individually and depends on the weight and age of the child. After the course of treatment, when coughing fits become less painful, expectorants are prescribed. Preference is best given to the following herbal medicines:
- "Bronchosan";
- Gedelix;
- "Herbion";
- "Dr. Mom";
- "Prospan";
- Tussin.
Depending on the features of the course of the disease, the doctor may additionally prescribe other drugs at his discretion.
Inhalation
In order to quickly and effectively cure acute obstructive bronchitis in children, reduce swelling and facilitate the passage of sputum, inhalations are prescribed using a nebulizer. To eliminate dry and painful cough, as well as sputum that is difficult to separate, mucolytics are used, which additionally have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Inhalations with the use of herbs have a good effect. All medications for the nebulizer are selected taking into account the age and well-being of the child.
Massage and gymnastics
With obstructive bronchitis in a 2-year-old child, massage and breathing exercises are very useful, as they contribute to a faster discharge of sputum. You just need to gently tap the palm of your hand on the back of the child. At an older age, children are recommended to take a breath, while conducting a light tapping on the chest.
Special breathing exercises, which stimulate the body and help get rid of accumulated sputum, are also recommended. For example, a child may inflate a balloon or blow out a candle.
Folk remedies
When obstructive bronchitis is diagnosed in a child, folk remedies can be used only after consulting a treating doctor so as not to aggravate the condition of the baby. Unconventional methods have been used for a long time and have already managed to prove their effectiveness.
Various warming compresses can be very useful, but they can not be taken if the child has even a slight temperature. For the best discharge of sputum, it is recommended to drink lingonberry syrup. Do not put cans, mustard plasters, and also do inhalations with the help of essential oils, since such actions can provoke a bronchospasm.
When is hospitalization required?
If the disease proceeds in a very serious stage, then obstructive bronchitis in children Komarovsky recommends treating exclusively in a hospital. Among the main indications for urgent hospitalization of a child, it is necessary to highlight:
- small age of the baby;
- the appearance of signs of body poisoning;
- the presence of respiratory failure.
If respiratory contractions become more frequent, then this is a serious reason for further observation in a hospital. With a lack of oxygen, pronounced blueness of the lips is observed.
If the child is undergoing therapy at home, then do not neglect the recommendations of the attending doctor, as this can lead to very serious and dangerous consequences.
What could be the complications?
The course of the disease is very difficult to predict in advance. As a rule, when carrying out the correct treatment, complications do not arise, only unpleasant symptoms can periodically appear that pass when a certain age is reached. However, with the progression of the inflammatory process, a significant decrease in the local defense of the body can be observed. This leads to complications, among which are:
- pneumonia
- emphysema;
- bronchial asthma;
- acute respiratory failure.
Absolutely any pathological process that develops against the background of the course of obstructive bronchitis, in its own way, can be dangerous. Some complications can persist even throughout life, significantly reducing its duration and bringing torment. Acute conditions threaten that the healing process slows down significantly, which seriously undermines the child’s health and can lead to death.
Preventive actions
In order to prevent the occurrence of obstructive bronchitis and subsequently prevent the development of dangerous complications, certain preventive measures must be taken, which include:
- vaccinations against childhood infectious diseases;
- timely treatment of inflammatory processes of the respiratory system;
- elimination of contact with allergens;
- preventing foreign bodies from entering the respiratory system;
- avoidance of sudden temperature changes;
- gradual hardening of the body.
If a child is at least once ill with obstructive bronchitis, then there is a high probability of relapse. That is why it is important to have funds available that will help quickly stop the first signs of the disease.