Many parents are interested in what is obstructive bronchitis in a child and how to properly treat it to prevent the development of complications. This disease in children is quite common. The reason for this is the physiological characteristics of the body.
When inflammatory processes occur, the lumen of the bronchi can overlap almost completely. With timely diagnosis, it is successfully treated. Therapy is carried out with the use of medications and physiotherapy. Folk remedies will also be effective.
Features of the disease
The bronchi are one of the most important respiratory systems in the body. During inspiration, air passes through all respiratory organs and reaches the lungs.
If their patency is impaired, this can adversely affect the breathing process, and also provoke an insufficient supply of oxygen to the body. Obstructive bronchitis in children (ICD-10 J44) is an inflammation that affects the bronchial mucosa. This disease is quite common in children, as they have weak immunity. The frequency of development of a similar disease in childhood is very high.
Often, children under 5 suffer from bronchitis. This occurs mainly in winter, as well as during outbreaks of colds. With obstructive bronchitis, severe bronchospasm is observed.
The disease can affect either only one part or affect the bronchi from two sides at once.
Main classification
Acute obstructive bronchitis in children (ICD-10 J44) is a rather complex disease, which is characterized by severe bronchospasm. The duration of the course and severity of symptoms distinguish such forms of the disease as acute and chronic bronchitis. The first is characterized by the fact that it lasts 1-2 weeks and is manifested by severe symptoms. With timely and competent therapy, you can quickly and completely cure the disease.
Chronic bronchitis is different in that it occurs with periodic exacerbations. It develops in the absence of therapy or improper treatment of the acute form. Exacerbation periods can last more than a month. The degree of severity distinguish such degrees of bronchitis as:
- mild - the symptoms are minimally expressed, does not cause difficulty breathing;
- medium - accompanied by severe cough, fever, shortness of breath;
- severe - causes significant difficulty breathing, worsening well-being.
With a particularly complex course of the disease, there may be complete respiratory arrest and the development of heart failure. A child in this condition requires urgent hospitalization in the intensive care unit to provide emergency care.
Causes of occurrence
What is obstructive bronchitis in a child and what are the causes of its occurrence, it is worth knowing to all parents, especially if children often suffer from a cold. In almost half of all cases, a viral infection is a provoking factor. After 3 years of age, the incidence of this disease decreases, but it still occupies a leading position among all pathologies of the respiratory system.
The mechanism of development of bronchitis is quite simple, as the infection penetrates the bronchi and disrupts their normal functioning. In addition to viruses, can provoke the development of the disease:
- bacteria
- foreign bodies;
- allergens
- the presence of parasites in the body;
- hypothermia;
- effects on the respiratory system of polluted air;
- passive smoking;
- prolonged stay in a humid room.
One of the provoking factors that increase the risk of the disease is considered to be the incompletely formed respiratory system of the baby who was born prematurely.
Obstructive bronchitis in children (ICD-10 J44) is a rather complex inflammatory process, which can be primary and secondary. The latter occurs as a complication of laryngitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis. In children up to a year, the disease rarely occurs. This is mainly due to the fact that the baby practically does not communicate with his peers.
Main symptoms
To conduct high-quality comprehensive treatment, you definitely need to know what obstructive bronchitis in a child is. But it is also important which particular signs are characteristic of the disease. Symptoms usually appear 2-4 days after the onset of an infectious disease. This is preceded by a number of catarrhal phenomena, in particular, such as:
- redness, soreness, and sore throat;
- fever, chills;
- runny nose;
- dry cough;
- severe weakness.
Among the main symptoms, it is necessary to highlight noisy and rapid breathing, exhausting cough, shortness of breath. The attack of obstruction basically begins quite abruptly, progressing rapidly. The child is very anxious. He is trying to take the most comfortable sitting position, while making support on his hands.
Viscous sputum accumulates in the bronchi, which normally does not expectorate, but only irritates the mucous membrane and causes a strong cough. Breathing becomes whistling, noisy and quickened. The cough is gradually becoming stronger, more frequent and exhausting. It often happens that it causes vomiting.
Wheezing is heard even at a distance, but they do not have a clear localization and pass along with the attack. There is severe shortness of breath and it is difficult for a child to even make a normal exhalation. The temperature remains at a level of 37.5 degrees for a long time.
Characteristic for this condition are asthma attacks. It looks like the baby constantly takes a breath. At the same time, he feels most comfortable lying on his stomach. According to Dr. Komarovsky, the symptoms of obstructive bronchitis in children are also manifested in the form of a bluish nasolabial triangle and nails.
Additionally, symptoms of intoxication occur. Due to the peculiarities of the respiratory system of the child, infants and babies up to 3 years old often suffer from bronchitis. The older the children, the less likely it is to develop this disease.
Obstructive bronchitis in a 2-3 year old child may additionally be accompanied by pain between the shoulder blades and the discharge of viscous sputum, which has a yellowish tint. If a fever rises, then this may indicate complications of the disease.
Diagnostics
How to treat obstructive bronchitis in children can be determined by the attending doctor after diagnosis. The basis of the examination is the examination of the patient by a doctor. Then a symptom analysis and auscultation of the chest are required. A preliminary diagnosis can be made by the presence of characteristic wheezing and whistling, as well as an elongated inspiration. To confirm the diagnosis, laboratory tests are prescribed, which include:
- allergy tests;
- bacillus sputum;
- blood analysis;
- chest x-ray;
- bronchoscopy.
Laboratory studies largely depend on the severity of the course of the disease, the age of the child, as well as the presence of concomitant pathologies. To prescribe a competent treatment for bronchitis, differential diagnosis is required.
Methods are also used to determine how much air passes through the bronchi.
A blood test is required. In this case, ESR, as well as leukocyte formula, are taken into account. An increase in white blood cells indicates a bacterial infection. A relative decrease in white blood cells with an increase in the level of lymphocytes may indicate a course of viral infection. However, with a relapse of bronchitis, an attack of the disease may not be accompanied by significant changes in the composition of the blood. Examinations such as bronchoscopy, bronchogram, and tomography may also be additionally performed.
Treatment features
When symptoms of obstructive bronchitis in children appear, treatment should be started immediately to prevent the problem from aggravating and chronicity of the process. This is a very dangerous pathology that does not last long without appropriate therapy or is complicated by other diseases. There are several situations when it is necessary to conduct therapy in a hospital. These include:
- the presence of obstruction in the baby;
- the addition of symptoms such as lethargy, fever, nausea, drowsiness, loss of appetite;
- the appearance of signs of respiratory failure, in particular such as shortness of breath.
In the presence of such signs in a child, one should not refuse hospitalization in a hospital, as this can be a sign of acute pneumonia. The main goal of therapy will be to eliminate the causes that provoked the onset of the disease, as well as:
- normalization of the functioning of the respiratory system;
- elimination of obstruction;
- symptomatic therapy.
Initially, measures are being taken to cleanse the mucus from the bronchi. For this, anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator measures are carried out.
Drug treatment
How to treat obstructive bronchitis in children, largely depends on the particular course of the disease. The doctor selects the therapy individually for each patient. Relief of attacks is carried out using bronchodilators. Such drugs as Ventolin, Salbutamol, Salbuvent are used. They differ in combined composition and long-lasting effect.
Bronchodilating drugs are available in the form of tablets, syrups, aerosols, powder for the preparation of an inhalation solution. You can determine the choice of a medication only after consulting with your doctor.
With obstruction of the bronchi, which arose against the background of a cold, anticholinergic drugs have a pretty good result. Many experts recommend the use of the drug Atrovent. It is used for inhalation using a nebulizer up to 4 times a day. The doctor will help you choose the right dosage for your age. The bronchodilating effect appears after about 20 minutes.
Antihistamines for obstructive bronchitis are prescribed only for children with atopic dermatitis, as well as other similar manifestations. For babies, Zirtek drops are used, and its analogue, Claritin, is suitable for children over two years of age. Severe forms of obstruction can be removed using the Pulmicort inhalation drug, which refers to glucocorticoids. If the fever lasts more than 3 days and the inflammation does not go away, then systemic antibiotics are used.
Cough medicines are required to help ease the course of the disease. Among such funds, expectorant drugs and mucolytics should be distinguished. Flavamed, Lazolvan, Ambrobene have proven themselves well. Dosage and a single course of admission is selected depending on the age and weight of the child. For the treatment of obstructive bronchitis in children, Komarovsky does not recommend the use of antitussive drops and syrups, since they block the cough reflex.
Basically recommend using various combinations of 2-3 drugs. Initially, mucus thinners are given. Then apply inhalation with solutions that stimulate coughing. Improving the well-being of the child becomes noticeable after a week, and the full duration of therapy can be up to 3 months.
With the viral course of the disease, antiviral drugs are prescribed. You need to apply them in the early days. For very young children, Genferon suppositories, Grippferon nasal drops, Orvirem syrups are prescribed. From the age of 3, prescribe medications in tablet form, in particular, such as Kagocel, Arbidol.
To strengthen immunity, complex therapy of bronchitis necessarily includes vitamin complexes. It can be “Multitabs Baby”, “Pikovit”, “Kinder Biovital”, “Vitoron”. Recurrent obstructive bronchitis in children is treated strictly under the supervision of a doctor in a hospital.
Folk techniques
Quite successfully, the treatment of folk remedies will help to eliminate the symptoms of obstructive bronchitis in children. However, they should be used only with the permission of the attending doctor. In this case, it must be borne in mind that the constituent components can provoke an allergy.
Radish juice with honey, hot milk, a decoction of plantain, calendula, coltsfoot, licorice helps a lot. Mix 1 tbsp. carrot juice and 3 tsp honey. You need to drink the finished composition for 2 tbsp. l three times a day.
Heat the vegetable oil, moisten a towel in it, put on the chest and cover with a film. Wrap breasts on top with a clean cotton cloth. Do a compress overnight for 2 weeks. You can rub your baby’s chest with menthol, camphor, natural oils. A similar procedure stimulates blood circulation, and the inhalation of healing substances eliminates spasm and disinfects the bronchi. But only after the appointment of a doctor, because in many cases such grindings, on the contrary, are harmful.
Other techniques
With obstructive bronchitis in a child, reviews regarding the use of physiotherapeutic techniques are mostly the most positive. They help to alleviate existing symptoms, as well as normalize well-being. You can stop spasms of the bronchi with the help of Pulmicort or Berodual preparations. Therapeutic procedures are performed using a nebulizer.
Well established breathing exercises. A set of exercises begin to be performed after the acute inflammation subsides. It helps to restore the normal functioning of the bronchi, and also stimulates the discharge of sputum. During remission, breathing exercises are carried out as a prophylaxis.
Massage of the back and chest facilitates the discharge of sputum, strengthens the walls of the bronchi. Good results are also given by sound gymnastics. To do this, you need to pronounce certain sound combinations. In this case, the vocal cords transmit vibration to the bronchi.
When treating obstructive bronchitis in children, Komarovsky also recommends creating the right environment for the baby. The mucous membranes of the respiratory organs function normally only with sufficient moisture. The room should be ventilated several times a day, as well as regularly do wet cleaning. If the child is feeling fine, he can and should walk.
With obstructive bronchitis in children, clinical guidelines also relate to proper nutrition. To do this, you need to include more foods rich in vitamins and minerals. You can purchase a humidifier. This device will be very useful for all family members. Avoid contact with soft toys and carpets. Feather pillows need to be replaced with sinteponovye.
Possible complications
With obstructive bronchitis in a child, the doctor's recommendations must be followed very strictly to prevent the occurrence of dangerous complications. This disease can be very life-threatening. This is especially true for young children. The thing is that as a result of overlapping the lumen of the bronchi, mucus secreting or spasm can cause suffocation.
In addition, bronchitis can go into chronic bronchial asthma, as well as a relapsing form of the disease. In the case of the spread of infection throughout the body, the development of dangerous diseases such as inflammation of the kidneys and endocarditis is not ruled out.
Forecast
Acute obstructive bronchitis responds quite well to treatment. In children with a predisposition to allergies, the disease can become chronic. In this case, the forecast is less favorable. In addition, against the background of bronchitis, other, more dangerous diseases can occur.
Prophylaxis
Parents need to know what obstructive bronchitis in a child is and how to avoid a similar problem. As prevention, effective methods will be:
- prevention of hypothermia;
- good nutrition;
- hardening;
- increase immunity.
Do not allow the child to stay in a smoky room. In addition, you need to treat colds and flu in a timely manner. For the prevention of exacerbation of the chronic form of bronchitis during the period of remission, sanatorium treatment is recommended.