Chronic bronchitis is one of the most common respiratory diseases, manifested in diffuse inflammation of the bronchial mucosa. Do not underestimate its clinical significance. After all, it is with bronchitis that the development of a number of chronic lung diseases is associated.
For what reasons does it occur? What are the signs and symptoms of chronic bronchitis? What is its treatment? These and many other questions are worth finding answers now.
Causes
Symptoms of chronic bronchitis occur if there is progressive diffuse inflammation in the bronchi. The disease is sluggish, and it occurs due to prolonged irritating effects on the mucous membrane.
The disease is primary (independent) and secondary (a consequence of other diseases). If we talk about classification by type of course, then obstructive and non-obstructive bronchitis is distinguished. In the first case, it is more difficult to cure the disease, since sputum clogs the bronchial lumen and violates its patency.
The causes of the disease are usually allocated to the following list:
- Infections Almost all patients have a history of frequent flu, SARS, as well as other diseases of the respiratory system. That is why, in order to avoid complications, it is necessary to treat all ailments in a timely manner.
- Hypothermia and colds. Against the background of a sharp change in weather conditions in many people, signs of bronchitis worsen.
- The abuse of nicotine. Symptoms of chronic bronchitis in smokers are much more pronounced than those who do not smoke cigarettes. It is not surprising, because tobacco smoke destroys the mucous membrane of the bronchial tree. Treatment without giving up a bad habit is impossible.
- Pollutants. A protracted inflammatory process usually occurs in those people who work in industrial enterprises or live in contaminated areas.
According to WHO criteria, a disease goes into a chronic stage if a person coughs up sputum for more than 3 months (either in total for a year, or in a row).
Signs
Symptoms of chronic bronchitis can be identified in the following list:
- Frequent cough with mucopurulent sputum. Its total volume per day can reach an average of 100-150 ml.
- Constant increase in temperature in the range from 37.1 to 38.0 ° C.
- Sweating.
- Unreasonable weakness and increased fatigue.
- Expiratory dyspnea.
- Wheezing
- Swelling of veins on the neck when exhaling.
Over time, coughing becomes unproductive and whooping cough. If you start the condition, then bronchitis can drag on for many years. And the long-term course of the disease leads to the fact that the nails of the fingers and the nail phalanges thicken.
Against the background of exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, the symptoms of which are now being discussed, the manifestations of other concomitant diseases are also intensifying. Often there is decompensation of dyscirculatory encephalopathy, diabetes mellitus and IHD.
Obstructive bronchitis
This is the name of diffuse inflammation of the bronchi of medium and small caliber, which is accompanied by sharp bronchial spasms and progressive impaired lung ventilation. The causes of its occurrence are:
- Respiratory syncytial viruses.
- Flu.
- Rhinoviruses and adenoviruses.
- Parainfluenza of the third type.
- Viral and bacterial associations.
- Persistent infectious agents - chlamydia, mycoplasma and herpes.
There is one nuance that is worth noting, since we are talking about the causes and symptoms of chronic obstructive bronchitis. In adults, it is less common than in children. Every child with weakened immunity, a genetic predisposition and allergy is at risk of this disease. And among the elders, the most common ailment of this type occurs in men.
Symptoms of chronic obstructive bronchitis in adults can be identified in the following list:
- Strong headache.
- Low-grade body temperature.
- Dyspeptic disorders.
- Participation in the breathing process of the abdominals, shoulder girdle and neck muscles.
- Elongated wheezing, dry rales.
- Separation of a small amount of sputum. During the period of exacerbation, it becomes larger, and it acquires a purulent appearance.
- Respiratory disorders. Mostly wet or dry obsessive cough that does not bring relief.
- Swelling of the wings of the nose on inhalation.
Developing the topic regarding the symptoms and treatment of chronic bronchitis, exacerbations also need to be given special attention. More precisely, talk about why they arise.
Provoking factors include exogenous damage, spontaneous pneumothorax, arrhythmias, respiratory infections, decompensated diabetes mellitus and physical activity. With exacerbation, all of the symptoms listed are aggravated, and myalgia, fatigue, sweating, and low-grade fever appear.
Treatment
In continuation of the topic regarding the symptoms of chronic bronchitis in a child and adults, it is necessary to talk about how to treat this disease.
With an obstructive form, therapy is aimed not only at eliminating inflammation, but also at eliminating bronchospasm and their expansion. As a rule, the doctor prescribes the following drugs:
- Atrovent. This is a solution for inhalation and aerosol, which acts 10-15 minutes after application. The effect is good, but short-term - after 5 hours passes.
- Berodual. A combined drug that inhibits the reflexes that the vagus nerve causes. That is, it calms the cough.
- "Spiriva". This is an M-anticholinergic, which has a long-lasting effect. Helps relax smooth muscles in the airways.
- "Salbutamol." The action of this aerosol for inhalation is aimed at the prevention and relief of bronchial spasms.
- Fenoterol. These tablets have a bronchodilator, vasodilator and tocolytic effect.
- Salmeterol. Effective bronchodilator, which is approved for use even by patients suffering from cardiac pathologies.
- "Foradil." This drug has a bronchodilating effect. Effective in both reversible and irreversible obstruction.
A couple of words should be said about the treatment of symptoms of chronic bronchitis in children. Treatment and prevention of babies can be carried out with the same drugs as in the case of adults, but only the dosage is determined different.
However, there are drugs that are shown to them. Clenbuterol, for example. This syrup has a bronchodilator and secretolytic effect, and it is also convenient to use.
Obstructive bronchitis
Of course, it is also necessary to tell about him. Enough has been said about the symptoms and treatment of chronic obstructive bronchitis. How do they differ from each other?
The fact that with a non-obstructive form, inflammation affects the mucous membrane of large and medium bronchi. And yet, according to experts, the differences are seasonality. With non-obstructive disease, relapse occurs in the early cold spring. And in the previous case - in the last months of autumn.
Symptoms are similar, the following manifestations are observed:
- Hoarseness of voice.
- Severe coughing in the morning.
- Purulent profuse sputum.
- Weak shallow breathing.
- Dyspnea.
This is not to say that this is a specific disease that has clear differences from the previously described form of the disease. But it is precisely it that most often occurs in adults. The number of people with obstructive bronchitis varies from 8% to 20%.
Purulent bronchitis
There are varieties of the disease that deserve special attention. Purulent chronic obstructive bronchitis, the symptoms of which will now be discussed, are among those.
The two main characteristics of the disease are an increase in spasms that occur when there is a violation of the mucus outflow from the lungs and edema (this is called bronchoconstriction), and the loss of patency due to accumulating sputum.
As a rule, a disease of this form manifests itself after acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, acute respiratory infections, allergies, tracheitis and inflammation of the nasopharynx. This disease is dangerous not only by inflammation, but also by the fact that it violates the bronchial mucosa, interfering with their proper ventilation. This manifestation is fraught with preventing sputum rejection and suffocation.
The main causes of this disease are identified in the following list:
- Dustiness of the atmosphere and work in similar conditions.
- The increased content of silicon and cadmium in the air.
- Passive and active smoking (considered the main cause).
- Genetic Syndrome.
- High concentration of vapors in the air.
If we talk about the specific symptoms of chronic obstructive bronchitis of a purulent type, then we can note:
- A cough that causes discomfort and pain not only in the throat, but also in the abdomen.
- Painful sputum.
- Pallor of the skin. With complications, the usual skin color changes to cyanosis. Fingers, ears, nose, lips become unhealthy.
- Constantly fluctuating temperature.
- Tachycardia.
- Epigastric pulsation (in the area of the ribs, closer to the heart).
- Difficulty breathing, especially when exhaling.
- Swelling of the lower extremities.
Shortness of breath is the main manifestation of the disease, which in the literal sense of the word interferes with life. It accompanies the patient constantly, occurs even after awakening. And breathing is so heavy that the patient has to sleep in a sitting position.
Atrophic bronchitis
Another type of disease that deserves attention. With an ailment of the atrophic form, structural restructuring of the integumentary epithelium and depletion of the mucosa of the bronchial membrane occur. The following symptoms indicate its presence:
- Prolonged dry cough.
- Inability to take a deep breath.
- Sputum with significant impurities of blood.
- With an exacerbation of the process, shortness of breath and hyperthermia appear, and the cough becomes wet.
It is necessary to make a reservation that in this form, the disease often proceeds without symptoms. Chronic atrophic bronchitis may not manifest itself at all until the stage of exacerbation.
But that does not make him less dangerous. On the contrary, this disease often leads to such consequences as pulmonary hypertension, respiratory failure, emphysema, diffuse pneumosclerosis.
It is important to make a reservation that often the onset of symptoms is associated with psychoemotional stresses suffered by viral infections, the resumption of smoking and other provoking factors.
It should be noted that with a disease of this form, coughing attacks occur, and the reason for this is cold air, emotional stress, eating, and even conversation. The more insignificant the provoking factor, the stronger the sensitivity of the mucous membrane of the bronchi.
Other varieties of the disease
Talking about the symptoms of chronic bronchitis and its variants, it should be noted that there are still some forms of the disease that were not mentioned. In addition to the atrophic and purulent type, the following types of disease are distinguished:
- Catarrhal. With a disease of this form, only the upper layers of the mucous membrane are affected. Primary signs: nasal congestion and runny nose, muscle pain, hoarseness and chills. A few days after the disease, a rough, dry, tearing throat occurs and the temperature rises to 37.5 ° C.
- Fibrous. The disease of this form is characterized by the deposition of fibrin in the bronchial tree. The clinical picture is standard, but sputum is different. With fibrous bronchitis, it is so thick that it looks like fibrous cords, which are similar to casts of the lumen of the bronchi.
- Hemorrhagic. It is quite rare. With this disease, there is a risk of hemorrhage in the bronchi. This is fraught with a decrease in the volume of functioning lung tissue, the progression of respiratory failure and other consequences.
Sometimes a mixed type of disease occurs. It is diagnosed if a person has symptoms of several types of the disease listed above.
Universal drugs
Of course, if a person was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis, then only a doctor prescribes treatment for him. Because the specialist takes into account the type of disease, degree of neglect, individual characteristics of the patient and much more. But some popular drugs are worth listing:
- Antitussive: "Broncholitin", "Pakseladin", "Stoptussin". They are prescribed if a person has an unproductive, dry cough.
- Expectorants: Pectolvan, Mukaltin, Pertussin, ACC, Bromhexine, Pectolvan, Flavamed, Lazolvan. The use of these drugs contributes to the rapid passage of sputum from the walls of the bronchi.
- Combined: Codelac Forte, Herbion, Broncholithin, Sinecode and Bronchicum. These drugs not only relieve inflammation in the bronchi, but also significantly improve the respiratory system.
Mucolytics are also required. These include drugs such as Fluimucil, Atsestin, Ambrohexal, Deflegmin, Solvin, Mukodin, Flufort, Linkas, Tussin, etc.
Steam inhalation
This is a well-known folk remedy that helps to cope with the symptoms of chronic bronchitis. And with the treatment with medicines, besides, it combines successfully. Even doctors recommend regular inhalations.
They will be most effective if you add such components to the water:
- Peach, camphor, sea buckthorn or olive oil.
- Infusion of oregano, mint, coltsfoot, sage, raspberry, linden blossom, elderberry.
- Essential oil of thyme, immortelle, ginger, cinnamon, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemongrass, rosemary, lavender, clove.
The main thing is not to make the water too hot. Otherwise, a person who already suffers from such a serious illness will not warm the airways, but will burn them. And this is fraught with complications.