Croupous inflammation is a pathological condition of the lungs, which is characterized by compaction of some parts of the respiratory organs. As a result of this phenomenon, tissues cease their full functioning and participation in the metabolic processes of gases.
Description
Few people know exactly what croupous pneumonia is. Many mistakenly confuse it with focal pneumonia, but there is one important difference between these pathologies. The latter type of disease, even during the period of active development, appears on x-rays only in a small area of the organ. But croupous inflammation is characterized by a larger area of damage, which occupies a whole lobe of the lung.
Causes of occurrence
Croupous inflammation refers to inflammation of an infectious nature caused by pathogenic microflora, which is rapidly activated when it is in human organs. Pneumonia of this kind develops as a result of the penetration of pathogenic bacteria into the body. As a rule, this happens when in contact with disease vectors.
The most common causative agent of this pathology is pneumococcus, which has a toxic effect on the body. In addition, these microbes are quite capable of causing serious damage to the lung tissue.
In some situations, croupous inflammation occurs due to the activity of staphylococci and streptococci. They are arranged in the body for a variety of various reasons, which are often associated with a strong weakening of the protective properties of the immune system.
Several possibilities are known for the penetration of pathogenic bacteria into the lungs. Pathogenic microbes can enter the body by airborne droplet, lymphogenous and hematogenous methods. Bacteria activate very quickly and destroy protective properties under favorable conditions, among which are:
- intoxication;
- prolonged nervous tension;
- severe hypothermia;
- anemia
- chest injury;
- pronounced exhaustion and fatigue;
- chronic diseases of the respiratory system.
In addition, the cause of the pathology often becomes a deficiency or an excess of vitamins. Specialists call this condition vitamin deficiency or hypervitaminosis, respectively.
Clinical picture
Croupous pneumonia progresses quite rapidly. It manifests itself almost immediately after infection by pathogenic bacteria. Pathogens produce toxic substances that gradually poison the body. These compounds easily enter the lung tissue, due to which the permeability of the walls of the organ increases. This phenomenon, in turn, exacerbates the pathological process.
Croupous inflammation should be detected in the first days after infection. Only in this case, the patient will be able to avoid the mass of unpleasant consequences of the active spread of poisonous microflora in the respiratory system.
Stages of the disease
Pathology of the lungs of the croupous species is divided into several degrees. Each of them is characterized by certain signs. All stages together last no more than 11 days.
- Stage of the tide. This stage takes only one day - this is where its main feature lies. It is possible to detect the disease at this stage by hyperemia and bacterial edema in the affected lobe of the lung. If at this stage the patient submits edematous fluid for analysis, the results will show the contents of a huge number of pathogens. At high tide, the permeability of the capillary network increases. Due to this, red blood cells eventually penetrate into the lumen of the alveoli. Then the fraction injured by microbes begins to condense, due to which this condition becomes noticeable in the picture.
- Stage of red heal. This stage develops on the second day after infection. As a result of plethora and puffiness, blood cell diapedesis rises. At this stage, not only red blood cells, but also neutrophils penetrate into the lumens of the alveoli. Between nearby cells, fibrin protein production begins. Lymph at the stage of hepatitis fills the enlarged vessels. Regional nodes are expanding significantly. The injured part of the lung becomes like a liver due to the fact that it acquires a rich red color.
- Stage of gray guardianship. This stage occurs approximately on the 5-6th day after infection. At this point, neutrophils and protein accumulate intensively in the lumens of the alveoli. Red blood cells undergo hemolysis, which is why their number is significantly reduced. As a result, the patient becomes less pronounced hyperemia. The injured lobe continues to grow, its weight is becoming more. At this stage, fibrinous croupous inflammation develops, affecting the pleura of the lung.
- Stage of permission. The last stage develops approximately on the 9-11th day from the onset of the disease. In the lung there is already fully assembled fibrous exudate. It first melts and then dissolves. Exudate fluid exits the body as sputum. It is worth noting that the last stage is the result of ongoing treatment.
Croupous and diphtheria inflammation
The morphological picture of the disease is closely related to other pathologies and possible complications. In the last stages of the disease, the surface of the serous membrane is covered with a light gray film. Given the type of epithelium and the size of the necrosis, this coating may be tightly or loosely associated with nearby tissues. As a result, experts distinguish two types of fibrinous inflammation: diphtheria and croupous.
The latter variety usually occurs on a single-layer epithelium or serous membrane. Necrosis is characterized by a shallow depth.
Diphtheria inflammation arises, as a rule, on multilayer epithelium. It is accompanied by deep necrosis and tissue damage.
However, croupous fibrinous inflammation in diphtheria develops in parallel with diphtheria. These types of pneumonia are the basis of this disease, as well as intoxication.
Often, fibrocroupous inflammation in diphtheria undergoes organization and replacement with ordinary connective tissue. On injured serous membranes, moorings and adhesions often appear. Fibrinous pneumonia can cause obliteration.
Symptoms of pathology
Croupous pneumonia has a clear clinical picture, knowing which it is possible to diagnose a disease without problems before conducting examinations and passing tests. Initially, symptoms appear as increased hyperemia. In addition, the patient may experience:
- palpable weakness;
- severe lethargy;
- migraine;
- lack of appetite;
- sheer breakdown;
- violation of the full functioning of the digestive system.
The patient feels rather bad, since croupous inflammation is characterized by a severe course.
The main symptoms can also be joined by:
- excessive sweating;
- joint aches;
- high body temperature;
- chills and fever;
- severe pain in the chest;
- shortness of breath and anguished cough.
Symptoms of croupous pneumonia are usually manifested gradually. The pain in the damaged organ increases all the time, is stabbing or cutting. Moreover, it is not equally intense. It should be borne in mind that the pain is felt not only in the damaged organ, but also gives off to the abdomen or shoulder. As a rule, the syndrome recedes a few days after infection.
Additional symptoms of the disease
On the first day of the patient, a persistent cough is disturbing. The fluid that has accumulated in the lungs is difficult to exit. As a result of an angry cough, the patient will immediately begin to feel chest pain. With each attack, it will increase. A few days later, when coughing, sputum with blood streaks begins to stand out. At this stage, the occurrence of herpes on the lips is not excluded.
In addition, the patient may experience pain in the heart. It is explained by increased pressure due to the heavy load. In addition, heart rhythm disturbances may occur that the doctor will hear during the examination.
If the patient is not properly treated, the skin may turn pale. This symptom is caused by an acute lack of oxygen. In addition, there is additionally a slight blueing of the mucous membranes.
How to treat croupous pneumonia
The treatment methods for such a pathology are determined solely by a specialist. After diagnosis, the patient is immediately sent to a hospital. First of all, antibiotics are prescribed that suppress the spread of pathogenic bacteria in the respiratory system.
Pneumococci are highly sensitive to drugs belonging to the category of penicillins. That is why they are considered the best option for the treatment of severe forms of lobar pneumonia. If microbes become resistant to penicillins, other antibiotics are prescribed to the patient. Such a replacement usually occurs within the first three days.
In the treatment of croupous pneumonia, sulfonamides are often used. They make it possible to maintain the necessary number of active substances in the blood. Such medications are contraindicated in patients suffering from kidney stones.
In the treatment, not only antibiotics are used. The patient may also be prescribed:
- expectorant;
- antifungal;
- antiherpetic;
- painkillers;
- bronchodilator;
- anti-inflammatory.
Auxiliary methods of therapy
In addition, therapeutic manipulations are recommended to the patient. The following treatment methods are considered effective:
- special physical education;
- oxygen therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- special drinking regimen;
- maintaining a healthy diet;
- regular airing of the room.
Physiotherapy exercises are used only after recovery.
Probable complications
In the absence of proper therapy, croupous inflammation can lead to severe forms of the disease. Some of these complications can cause death. This pathology can cause such diseases:
- from the lungs - cirrhosis and an abscess of the respiratory organ, pleurisy;
- extrapulmonary - toxic shock, meningitis, inflammation of the kidneys and abdominal cavity, pathological changes in blood vessels.
You can reduce the risk of serious complications with the help of modern medicines.
Pathology Prevention
The timely prevention of croupous pneumonia is considered a very important measure that avoids the re-occurrence of the disease.
Prevention consists of the following procedures:
- hardening, it is desirable to give preference to wet body wipes and air baths;
- competent treatment of viral diseases affecting the lungs;
- compliance with personal hygiene;
- prevention of hypothermia;
- daily exercise;
- creating optimal living conditions and routines;
- timely treatment of congestion in the region of the pulmonary circulation.