Focal pneumonia, or bronchopneumonia, is an inflammatory disease that affects small areas of the lung. Most often, bronchopneumonia develops in young children (up to 2-3 years). In today's article we will talk more about this disease, consider the symptoms, causes and methods of treatment of pathology. Also, recommendations will be given on the treatment of bronchopneumonia of such a well-known children's doctor and TV presenter as Evgeny Olegovich Komarovsky.
Bronchopneumonia in children requires adequate and timely treatment, otherwise the outcome of the disease can be sad. Therefore, parents should be serious about this disease and take action at the first symptoms of the disease.
Causes of pathology
Bronchopneumonia, or focal pneumonia, in children develops when exposed to various bacteria and viruses. Most often, such an ailment of an upper respiratory tract infection precedes. For example, bronchitis or SARS can provoke the disease. The most common pathogens are streptococci, pneumococci, and many viruses.
Also, pneumonia can develop when food enters the respiratory tract, squeezing the lungs with a tumor, inhaling poisonous gases, and also due to surgical intervention.
Bronchopneumonia: symptoms
In children, this pathology is manifested by the following signs:
- pallor of the skin;
- weakness
- fatigue;
- headache;
- cough (both wet and dry) with sputum;
- shortness of breath
- heart palpitations up to 110 beats per minute;
- wheezing while listening to a stethoscope;
- leukocytosis (increased white blood cells in the blood);
- increased ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) ;
- increase in body temperature to 39 º.
The foci of inflammation, as a rule, are concentrated on the bronchioles and are present either in both lungs (most often), or in one of them. Based on this, the child is diagnosed with right-sided bronchopneumonia, left-sided or bilateral. It is possible to detect foci of inflammation exclusively with the help of radiography. Most often in pediatrics there is bilateral bronchopneumonia in a child. With timely treatment, such a pathology is successfully treated.
The most dangerous bronchopneumonia in children without fever, although this condition is quite rare. The fact is that this particular form of the disease most often remains without parental attention. Due to the lack of adequate treatment, the process is delayed and aggravated. Parents should be alert for any deviations in the behavior and well-being of the child. Only in this way you can detect the disease and start treatment in time, thus protecting the baby from serious consequences.
Possible complications
Under the condition of timely and high-quality therapy, the child will recover after 2-3 weeks. If the treatment is delayed or carried out incorrectly, bronchopneumonia can provoke serious complications, namely:
- purulent otitis media;
- serous, or purulent, pleurisy;
- pericarditis;
- myocardial dystrophy;
- nephritis.
Bronchopneumonia in children: treatment
In such a difficult period, the baby needs special attention and proper care. This disease is very serious, so parents should definitely know how to treat bronchopneumonia in children.
Based on the results of blood tests and x-rays, the doctor will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Therapy is aimed primarily at the resorption of inflammatory foci. Antibiotics should be prescribed only in severe cases - this is what the well-known children's doctor E.O. Komarovsky insists on. Bronchopneumonia in children, if provoked by viral diseases, should be treated with antiviral drugs. Antibiotics in this case will not only be ineffective, but can also cause serious complications. But in some situations, you can’t do without such potent medications. If the child’s temperature is very high, signs of intoxication are observed, the child is weakened, the use of antibiotics is justified. However, only the specialist should prescribe the necessary dose of medication. Self-medication can threaten not only the health but also the life of the child. Also, Dr. Komarovsky points out the advisability of conducting physiotherapeutic procedures and adhering to a diet. Regardless of what the child has: right-sided bronchopneumonia, left-sided or bilateral - treatment should be complex and symptomatic, depending on the cause of the disease.
Home Therapy
Therapy of a typical form of bronchopneumonia can be carried out at home, treatment of more complex cases should be carried out in a hospital. This is due to the fact that the outcome of some forms of the disease can be fatal, so the constant monitoring of a specialist is very important. If bronchopneumonia is diagnosed in children, treatment should begin with an appointment with a pulmonologist (specialist in lung disease). After consulting with a doctor, folk remedies can be used to treat the ailment.
Alternative medicine
To improve the well-being of the child and speed up the healing process, recipes of traditional medicine will help.
Honey and birch buds
750 g of buckwheat honey (if this is not - you can use the usual), heat over low heat, bring it to a boil. Add 100 g of birch buds to honey. Stir the mixture thoroughly and hold for 7-8 minutes over low heat. After the mass, strain and cool. In a glass of boiled water, dilute a teaspoon of the resulting composition and give the child 30 minutes before bedtime.
Plantain
Collect the leaves of the plantain, wash them thoroughly, squeeze and dry for some time. Then spread a large towel or sheet on the bed and spread the leaves of plantain on top with an even layer. From above, put the baby on their back, put the remaining leaves to his chest. Then, wrap the baby well with a woolen blanket and leave it like this all night. This procedure should be carried out as many times as necessary.
Tar water
Pour 500 ml of medical tar into a sterile 3-liter jar, add boiling water to the top, close tightly and leave for 9 days in a warm place. Give a teaspoon of the resulting composition to the child before bedtime. The taste of the product is not very pleasant, so the baby can eat something sweet after it, most importantly, do not drink the medicine with water.
Garlic
In a clean plastic cup, several holes should be made with an awl. Peel and finely chop the head of garlic. Put the mass in a glass and allow the child to breathe over it for 15 minutes. It is recommended to carry out such a procedure as often as possible.
Honey compress
The skin of the child in the lungs should be well coated with honey. In a solution of water and vodka (in a ratio of 1: 3), soak a clean cloth and apply on top. Then wrap the treated area with cling film and wrap with a woolen cloth. Twice a day, the compress should be changed to a new one.
Regimen and diet
At the initial stage of the disease, it is recommended to observe bed rest. Be sure to ventilate and do wet cleaning daily in the room where the child is. After the body temperature is normalized, it is allowed to walk in the fresh air. However, it is important to be careful and to prevent hypothermia of the baby. After 2-3 weeks after recovery, you can resume the hardening procedures, physical activity - not earlier than after 5-6 weeks.
There are no food restrictions. It is important that the diet is balanced, with a high content of vitamins and proteins. It is necessary to ensure that food is frequent and fractional. You should be aware that babies are more prone to dehydration than adults. This threat is especially high against a background of elevated body temperature. Therefore, it is necessary to provide the child with a sufficient amount of fortified fluid, it can be warm fruit drinks, fruit drinks, herbal teas, cold mineral water.
Physiotherapeutic treatment is recommended to begin after the body temperature is normalized. Inhalations with medications that make breathing easier and facilitate sputum discharge, as well as chest massages, will be useful.
Preventative measures
In order to prevent a disease such as bronchopneumonia in children, it is important to observe personal hygiene rules and lead a healthy lifestyle from early childhood:
- wash hands regularly with soap;
- adhere to a balanced diet;
- devote enough time to physical activity;
- observe sleep and rest.
Conclusion
Bronchopneumonia in children is, of course, a serious disease, but it is successfully treated if all the recommendations of a specialist are followed. Parents always need to be alert and pay attention to the slightest changes in the condition of the child. Take care of your children and be healthy!