Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial cavity, developing against the background of the negative impact of a certain group of factors. These include colds, acute respiratory viral infections, damage to the body with an infection of a viral or bacterial etiology. Treatment of acute bronchitis in adults with medication is always carried out after a diagnosis. Wrong choice of the drug itself or its dosage can aggravate the course of the disease.
Disease Description
Before considering the question of how to treat acute bronchitis in adults, it is necessary to understand the essence of this disease.
Acute bronchitis is commonly understood as a diffuse inflammatory process that affects the entire bronchial tree. It is accompanied by a strong cough, sputum production. The disease often causes a visit to a doctor in the autumn and winter periods as a result of hypothermia and infection. Therefore, treatment usually involves the use of antiviral and antibacterial drugs.
The inflammatory process manifests itself after two days of common signs of a common ailment. It manifests itself in a runny nose, sore throat, chills and fever. Initially, the patient develops a strong dry cough, which, after adequate treatment, is transformed into a wet one. Sputum begins to separate intensely. The state of health after a ten-day or three-week therapy is normalized. Otherwise, when timely treatment of acute bronchitis in adults with medications is not carried out, the disease can lead to the development of complications.
Main reasons
There are several causes and factors predisposing to the disease. All of them can be of viral, infectious, chemical or allergic origin.
The etiology of acute bronchitis is quite extensive, but it is based on the following factors:
- damage to the body by influenza viruses and bacteria (pneumococci, hemophilic bacillus, streptococci, etc.);
- exposure to allergens;
- diseases of the ENT organs (tonsillitis, frontal sinusitis, sinusitis);
- frequent hypothermia of the body;
- exposure to toxic substances in the air;
- reduced immunity;
- smoking;
- violation of nasal breathing.
The impact of these factors leads to disruption of the respiratory system, pathological changes in the mucosa of the bronchial tree. As a result, viruses, bacteria and allergens freely penetrate the bronchi. Actively multiplying, they damage the mucous membrane. As a result, the lumen of the bronchi narrows, sputum production intensifies, and a cough appears. Due to the active reproduction of pathogenic flora, intoxication of the whole organism occurs, which causes the corresponding symptoms.
Clinical picture
The development of the disease begins with the appearance of signs of general malaise. There is a runny nose and sore throat, burning behind the sternum. The temperature rises to 39 degrees. The listed symptoms at first glance resemble a common cold. Then there is a dry cough with poor sputum production. Its intensity can vary from paroxysmal and barking to periodic. As the disease progresses, the cough intensifies, it becomes sonorous. Shortness of breath appears, and the discomfort behind the sternum increases.
In adults, acute bronchitis with a temperature lasts no more than 5 days. Gradually, the symptoms become less pronounced. The cough becomes wet. During attacks, a clear mucous membrane or yellowish sputum is observed.
It is worth noting that the cough is the central symptom. Around him is the diagnosis of the disease. The acute process characterizes the sudden onset and full resolution of symptoms within 2-3 weeks. Otherwise, we have to talk about a relapsing or chronic process.
Manifestations of acute obstructive bronchitis
Acute obstructive bronchitis in adults is much less common compared with children. This is due to the physiological structure of the bronchi. The disease develops as a result of narrowing of the lumen in them, which does not allow the child to breathe fully. The clinical picture is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
- temperature increase to 38-39 degrees;
- wheezing and dry rales;
- dyspnea;
- tachycardia.
The obstructive form of the disease is most dangerous for children under three years of age. With obstruction of the bronchi and swelling of the mucous membrane, the child becomes difficult to breathe. Even in the distance you can hear dry and wheezing. The child is forced to take a sitting position, tilts his head down, and when coughing raises and lowers his shoulders. An increase in temperature is observed for several days.
The acute period lasts up to three days. After this, the cough becomes softer, sputum begins to flow away, normalization of body temperature and general condition is noted. Children with a similar diagnosis need hospitalization. At home, acute obstructive bronchitis is not treated. In adults, this form of the disease practically does not occur.
Possible complications
Unwillingness to seek medical help or treating acute bronchitis as a non-serious disease can trigger the following complications:
- tachycardia;
- increase in blood pressure;
- pneumonia;
- bronchial asthma;
- pathology of endocarditis and myocarditis;
- vasculitis disease;
- glomerulonephritis.
Infection, along with blood flow, spreads quickly throughout the body. This explains the occurrence of complications affecting the cardiac and vascular systems, kidneys.
Diagnostic Methods
How to treat acute bronchitis in adults depends on the cause of the disease. Therefore, neglecting the diagnosis is unacceptable. It begins with a medical history, the study of patient complaints. Upon examination, the doctor pays attention to the following symptoms:
- the presence of high temperature;
- the presence of pulmonary sound when listening to a phonendoscope;
- identification of wheezing, wheezing noises accompanying hard breathing.
The disease has a similar clinical picture with pneumonia and tuberculosis. Therefore, it is mandatory for all patients to undergo a chest x-ray.
A general blood test is also prescribed, where the level of leukocytes and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate are monitored. In case of acute bronchitis, these indicators are several times higher than normal. To determine the causative agent of the disease, a microbiological analysis of sputum is indicated.
Features of treatment at home
In a mild form, the disease passes on its own within one week. With its uncomplicated form, the main goal of therapy is to alleviate the symptoms. It is not recommended to select drugs and their dosage for this purpose on their own. Better trust your doctor.
How to treat acute bronchitis in adults at home? In agreement with the doctor, you can apply the following procedures:
- inhalation;
- massage;
- compresses;
- grindings;
- gymnastics.
Inhalations are procedures that are based on the inhalation of steam. To enhance the therapeutic effect, you can enrich it with useful components. The easiest way is to heat boiling water in a small container. A pinch of soda can be added to the liquid, then covered with a towel and inhale the vapor. Some add coniferous essential oils to the water. They contribute to the thinning of mucus, have antibacterial properties. A more modern way is inhalation using nebulizers. The device converts the treatment mixture into an aerosol that settles in areas of inflamed tissue.
As for massage, it is recommended to use the upper back during the procedure. Additionally, you can use fir oil. Contraindication is high fever.
Mustard plasters are recognized as the most ancient and at the same time effective compress. They are placed on the sternum, back and front of the calves. The duration of the procedure should be no more than 15 minutes.
Treatment of acute bronchitis in adults at home involves the use of various means for rubbing. For example, camphor alcohol with the addition of essential oils. Its use improves blood circulation in the respiratory system. Bergamot or eucalyptus oils help stop the fever. Basil oil has an expectorant effect. These funds should not be used in their pure form, it is better to mix with any base oil or cream.
Acute bronchitis, as a rule, does not favor physical activity. However, doctors recommend doing fairly simple exercises daily. It can be smooth bends, squats or muscle stretching. When practicing, you need to pay attention to breathing. A slow breath is followed by a noisy quick exhale. If the exercise is accompanied by unpleasant sensations or a deterioration in well-being, it is better to abandon them.
Drug use
Treatment of acute bronchitis in adults with drugs is always carried out under the supervision of a doctor (therapist or pulmonologist). The doctor develops individual therapy taking into account the results of the tests performed during the diagnosis. It is always comprehensive and has several goals. First you need to eliminate the cause of the disease (to destroy viruses or bacteria), then stop the unpleasant symptoms. How to treat acute bronchitis in adults?
If the cause of the disease is influenza, acute respiratory viral infections or acute respiratory infections, and this is observed in 95% of cases, prescribe antiviral agents. The most effective are recognized as "Interferon", "Viferon". Drugs should be used only at the beginning of the development of the pathological process (first 2-3 days). Then they become useless. In the case of the bacterial nature of the disease, antibiotics are prescribed. They will be described in more detail below.
In acute bronchitis, there is a certain order of prescribing anti-cough drugs. At the initial stage, when a dry cough is tormented, use "Codelac", "Sinecode" or "Glaucin." After about 3-4 days, it becomes wet, sputum is already leaving. Therefore, treatment is supplemented with Ambroxol, Mukaltin, or ACC. If the disease is accompanied by signs of obstruction, bronchodilators are used. The most effective is Berodual. The medicine is recommended to be used in the form of inhalation.
Symptomatic treatment of acute bronchitis in adults is also necessary. For example, to stop swelling of the bronchial mucosa, antihistamines are prescribed (Suprastin, Tavegil). In case of high temperature, it is mandatory to take antipyretic medicines (Ibuprofen). When the temperature is kept below 38 degrees, you should not bring it down. This reaction of the body indicates the body's struggle with viruses and bacteria.
Taking into account the duration of therapy for acute bronchitis and the need to conceive antibiotics, it is recommended to drink probiotics (Lactovit, Linex) after treatment. These drugs provide quick recovery of intestinal microflora, contribute to improving overall well-being. Also, one should not forget about hepatoprotectors - medicines to normalize the work of liver cells.
When are antibiotics prescribed?
The treatment of acute bronchitis in adults with antibiotic drugs causes a lot of controversy. Many believe that doctors prescribe them exclusively for preventive purposes, when there is a threat of bacterial infection. However, this assumption is incorrect. Often the development of the disease is preceded by the penetration of viruses into the body. The use of antibacterial agents against them is ineffective and even dangerous. They can provoke an allergic reaction, worsen the state of immunity, provoke obstruction of the bronchi.
Treatment of acute bronchitis with antibiotics in adults is indicated only in the following cases:
- the bacterial nature of the disease is proven;
- the patient has a high temperature for 4-5 days;
- when coughing in sputum, a purulent secret is determined;
- symptoms of intoxication are observed (vomiting, weakness, lack of appetite).
In order to avoid the negative effect of taking antibiotics, it is necessary to strictly observe the dosage prescribed by the doctor. The duration of admission is also determined by the doctor. Usually the treatment is no more than 7 days. You can not interrupt it yourself, even if the symptoms of the disease have disappeared.
As for the choice of antibiotics for acute bronchitis in adults, preference is usually given to drugs with a wide spectrum of action (Cefazolin, Flemoxin, Azithromycin). With a complicated form of the disease, therapy is carried out in a hospital, and antibacterial drugs are administered in the form of injections.
Help traditional medicine
Acute bronchitis in patients with strong immunity lends itself well to therapy without antibiotics, but with the use of alternative medicine. To speed up the healing process, antiviral and expectorant drugs can be prescribed.
Treatment of acute bronchitis in adults with folk remedies boils down to the use of the following recipes:
- Ginger tea. The drink has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. To prepare it, medium-sized ginger root should be chopped, boiled with boiling water and insisted for 15 minutes. You can add honey and lemon to tea. It is recommended to use it three times a day in one glass.
- Black radish. The root crop perfectly removes sputum and relieves cough. In the half of the radish, you need to make a small depression, resembling a bowl, fill with honey. Then it should be placed in a preheated oven for 10 minutes. The heating process contributes to the release of healing juice. That it should be taken a tablespoon twice a day.
- Decoction of chamomile, coltsfoot, licorice, plantain and primrose. The drink destroys viruses and facilitates the elimination of sputum. For its preparation, medicinal plants must be mixed in equal proportions, pour boiling water, leave for 30 minutes. Take it in half a glass twice a day.
- Badger fat. About 150 g of the product should be melted in a water bath, add 2 tablespoons of agave. The mixture is recommended to take one spoonful before bedtime.
Treatment of acute bronchitis in adults with folk remedies does not always allow to overcome the disease. However, with an uncomplicated form of the disease, the use of prescription drugs along with pharmacy drugs leads to recovery.
Treatment of acute bronchitis without fever
In adults, in 50% of cases, there is a course of acute bronchitis without fever. This indicator does not fully characterize the degree and severity of the pathological process. When prescribing therapy, all symptoms should be considered: cough, sputum production, its color, etc.
Patients are advised to first of all pay attention to maintaining the health of the body as a whole. For this purpose, it is necessary to abandon bad habits, eat right, identify allergens, and then exclude their direct effect.
Quite often, a course of acute bronchitis is observed in adults without fever and cough. In a similar situation, the patient is prescribed expectorant and mucolytic drugs ("Mukaltin", "Lazolvan"). The absence of cough may indicate the initial stage of the disease, the individual characteristics of the body, the absence of receptors in the bronchioles responsible for this process.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
Physiotherapy is recommended in cases where body temperature has returned to normal. Appointed procedures help relieve spasm in the bronchi, enhance sputum discharge. Most often, halotherapy and healing baths are used for these purposes. In the first case, treatment is carried out with an artificially created microclimate of salt caves. Healing baths are a relaxing water treatment. During treatment, aroma lamps with essential oils, for example, from fir or eucalyptus, are additionally used.
Recommendations for speeding up the healing process
In the first few days after the onset of adult symptoms of acute bronchitis with temperature, bed rest is indicated. After improving overall well-being, you can take walks. It is better to do this away from the carriageway to saturate the organs with oxygen.
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A prerequisite at the stage of treatment of acute bronchitis in adults with fever is heavy drinking. Up to three liters of fluid should be consumed per day. It can be either ordinary water or a variety of fruit drinks, teas, warm decoctions.
Prevention Methods
Than treating acute bronchitis in adults with drugs, it is better to regularly engage in disease prevention. Doctors give the following recommendations for its prevention:
- give up smoking and other addictions;
- use personal respiratory protection at the workplace;
- daily walk in the fresh air;
- perform breathing exercises / yoga practice;
- in the autumn-winter period to limit contacts with sick people;
- avoid hypothermia;
- regularly air the room, do wet cleaning;
- to strengthen immunity;
- for signs of a cold, seek medical attention in a timely manner.
Acute bronchitis is a serious disease, therefore its manifestations cannot be ignored. Without adequate treatment, the inflammatory process can lead to serious consequences and even complications.