Bronchitis is a disease caused by inflammation of the bronchial tree and partially lungs, accompanied by a cough. The disease has two forms: acute and chronic. First of all, it depends on how to treat bronchitis in an adult, what drugs to take, and whether folk remedies can be dispensed with without medication.
Acute bronchitis: symptoms, causes
The causes of acute bronchitis are frequent hypothermia, bad habits (smoking and alcohol), infections in the nasal cavity. The causative agents of the disease can be bacteria, viruses, physical and chemical factors. The acute form of bronchitis is accompanied by a strong, jerky, dry cough and fever, loss of strength, "weakness", pain in the chest. This stage lasts no more than two weeks. By the end of the term, the cough becomes moist, mucus begins to separate and go out. With timely and proper treatment, acute bronchitis passes without complications and does not have any consequences.
Treatment of acute bronchitis
How to treat bronchitis in an adult, if it refers to an acute form? It is better to start treatment with harmless means, turning to traditional medicine. In acute bronchitis, an integrated approach is practiced. It:
- plentiful drink: heated mineral water, herbal teas with raspberries and honey;
- inhalation using essential oils of anise, eucalyptus and menthol;
- warming compresses.
During treatment, it is recommended to observe bed rest in a well-ventilated area, refusal of alcohol and smoking. As for medical treatment, then at this stage they take drugs to lower the temperature and relieve spasms in the bronchi,
antitussives and vitamins. Are
bronchitis treated with
antibiotics? These drugs are prescribed only in case of a bacterial infection, the symptoms of which are cough for 5-7 days, profuse purulent sputum and poor health. Along with the classic antibiotics (Penicillin, Cephalosporin), macrolides (Azithromycin, Erythromycin) are now practiced.
Chronic bronchitis: causes and symptoms of the disease
The chronic form is a cough that lasts more than 2 months. If we consider the picture in general, then bronchitis refers to it, which is repeated systematically for several years. Its main symptom is a morning cough, which, under the influence of various factors, appears day and night, and eventually becomes constant. It is accompanied by the separation of purulent sputum, shortness of breath, fatigue, wheezing and whistling during breathing. The causes of this form of the disease are “cured” episodes of acute bronchitis, weakened immunity, infectious diseases of the respiratory system, as well as prolonged irritation of the bronchial tree with harmful factors.
Chronic bronchitis treatment
How to treat bronchitis in an adult if a chronic form of this disease is established? In this case, alternative methods are not an alternative to medicines, but are considered as auxiliary. The main direction of treatment is to increase patency of the bronchi, relieve inflammation and restore immunity. Self-medication at this stage is prohibited, only a doctor can prescribe complex treatment. So, what medicines to treat bronchitis? In the list of medicines prescribed by the doctor, you will find antibiotics, mucolytic, expectorant and bronchospasmolytic drugs. Additionally, inhalation, compresses,
breast massage, physiotherapy exercises, a course of vitamins, diet and heavy drinking, oxygen therapy can be prescribed. How to treat bronchitis in an adult using folk remedies? An excellent complement will be inhalation with garlic or onions, they contain the necessary disinfectants.