Bronchitis today is rightfully considered one of the most common diseases of the respiratory system. A similar disease affects all categories of the population, regardless of age and gender. So how is bronchitis treated in adults? What methods are considered the most effective?
Bronchitis: causes and symptoms
Most often, inflammation of the bronchi has an infectious origin. Both bacteria and viruses can act as pathogens. Occasionally, the inflammatory process is the result of the activity of a fungal infection.
In addition, allergic bronchitis is quite common . In adults, this kind of disease, as a rule, occurs as a result of inhalation of toxic substances that irritate the bronchial mucosa.
Before you learn how to treat bronchitis in adults, it is worth finding out what symptoms are associated with the disease. Of course, the main manifestation of the disease is a paroxysmal cough. By the way, attacks often occur at night. The cough may be dry or accompanied by profuse sputum production depending on the severity of the disease and the nature of the pathogen. In addition, symptoms include fever, weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, loss of appetite.
How is bronchitis treated in adults?
Naturally, in the presence of the above symptoms, in particular, excruciating coughing episodes, you should consult a doctor. Only a specialist knows how to treat bronchitis in adults. In addition, the treatment regimen is determined individually and depends on the pathogen, the severity of the disease and some characteristics of the patient's body.
If the cause of the inflammation is a bacterial infection, then antibiotics are naturally used for the treatment. The most effective are considered penicillins (Flemoklav, Augmentin), as well as cephalosporins (Cefazolin, Suprax) and macrolides (Vilprafen, Macropen).
But it is worthwhile to understand that the use of antibiotics is not always advisable. Such injections for bronchitis are prescribed to adults only if severe inflammation and persistent fever are observed. On the other hand, with the viral form of the disease, antibiotic therapy is absolutely useless. But the use of immunomodulators and preparations containing interferon is very effective.
Symptomatic treatment is also important . Therefore, therapy also includes cough medications, the choice of which depends on the clinical picture. For example, with a wet cough, expectorants are used. For example, Pertussin and Mukaltin are considered very effective, as well as infusions and syrups with extracts of medicinal plants, including thermopsis and licorice root.
With severe bouts of dry cough in the first two days, drugs are used to suppress seizures, in particular, Cofex and Sinecode. If the disease is accompanied by the formation of viscous sputum, which is difficult to separate, then mucolytic drugs are used, for example, "Lazolvan", "Ambroxol".
Of course, during treatment, the patient needs bed rest, plentiful drinking (liquefies sputum and facilitates its excretion), as well as a milk and vegetable diet. With increased secretion of sputum, a massage is prescribed that helps to drain the bronchial pathways.
Antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat allergic bronchitis.