We will understand how the obstructive bronchitis differs from ordinary bronchitis. This is a common disease of the lower respiratory canals, which is characterized by an inflammatory process in the bronchial mucosa. Symptoms and tactics of therapy depend on in which form the pathological process proceeds: acute or chronic. In addition, the role is played by the stage of development of the disease. It is necessary to treat such a pathology of any form in a full and timely manner. The fact is that inflammatory processes in the bronchi not only affect the quality of life, but are also dangerous with serious complications in the form of pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and dysfunctions of the cardiac and vascular system. So what is the difference between obstructive bronchitis and ordinary bronchitis, it is important to find out.
Disease classification
There are two main types: acute and chronic form. They can vary in manifestations, symptoms, course of the disease and treatment methods.
Acute bronchitis
To understand the difference between acute bronchitis and obstructive, you need to describe in detail each form of the disease. Acute occurs, as a rule, all of a sudden, passes very rapidly and, with proper treatment, lasts an average of ten days. At the end of this period, the affected cells of the bronchial walls begin to regenerate, and immediately a full recovery in case of inflammation of the bacterial or viral etiology occurs after three weeks. Such bronchitis is obstructive and obstructive. Let us find out further what are the main differences between them.
Acute non-obstructive type: adult symptoms
This species is also called a simple form, which is characterized by the development of catarrhal inflammatory processes in the bronchi and the absence of blockage of the body by the inflammatory contents. The most common cause of this species is a viral infection along with non-infectious agents. As the disease progresses with appropriate therapy, sputum leaves the organ during coughing, and respiratory failure does not develop at this stage.
Symptom difference: obstructive disease
What is the difference between obstructive bronchitis and ordinary bronchitis, few know. With an obstructive form, the inflammatory process is often purulent or catarrhal in nature, covering the bronchi of small and medium caliber, with blockage of the lumen by exudate. The muscle walls can contract reflexively, causing cramping. There is respiratory failure, which leads to oxygen starvation. The difference between bronchitis and obstructive bronchitis can be determined by a qualified specialist.
How is the obstructive form manifested in adults?
It has a rather rapid onset and starts with the appearance of discomfort in the chest area, painful attacks of unproductive dry cough are possible, which intensifies at night and causes pain in the diaphragmatic and pectoral muscles. General manifestations in the form of intoxication of the body, weakness, headaches, sensations of aches, hyperthermia, rhinitis, sore throat and lacrimation are likely.
Coughing with this disease is a protective mechanism that helps the withdrawal of exudate from the bronchi. With proper treatment, five days after the onset of the disease, a stage occurs with sputum production, which carries some relief. Against the background of breathing, wet rales are heard in the chest.
What is the difference between obstructive bronchitis and chronic bronchitis?
In the presence of a chronic form, symptoms of the inflammatory process in the bronchial walls can be observed in patients for three or more months. Actually, this is the main difference from the acute varieties of the disease, which pass much faster. The main symptom of bronchitis, which occurs in a chronic form, is an unproductive cough that occurs in the morning after sleep. Dyspnea is possible, which will increase with physical exertion.
The main cause of such bronchitis is constantly acting factors in the form of occupational hazards (smoke, burning, soot, gas, fumes of chemicals and the like). The most common provocateur is tobacco smoke in the case of active or passive smoking.
It is worth noting that the chronic form is characteristic mainly for adults. In children, it develops only in case of immunodeficiency, anomalies in the structure of the lower sector of the respiratory system and as a result of serious diseases.
What is the difference between obstructive bronchitis and usual in children?
Symptoms of obstructive bronchitis in children
This disease is diagnosed in small patients up to three years old with a frequency of one to four, that is, every fourth baby before reaching the age of three at least once suffers from this form of the disease. Repeated frequent episodes increase the likelihood of chronic pathology and emphysema.
It is desirable for parents to have an idea about the difference between bronchitis and obstructive bronchitis in children. Coughing is not considered a mandatory manifestation; in infants or weakened children it is sometimes absent altogether. Respiratory failure leads to the appearance of cyanosis (blue skin tone). When breathing, the movement of the retraction of the intercostal space can be expressed, along with the expansion of the wings of the nose. The temperature, as a rule, can be kept in a subfebrile range and does not exceed thirty-eight degrees. With concomitant viral infections, some catarrhal manifestations in the form of a runny nose, sore throat, lacrimation and the like can be noted. The difference between bronchitis and obstructive bronchitis can be difficult to identify.
Non obstructive form in children
This type of bronchitis in children, as a rule, proceeds in exactly the same way as in adults: it all starts with a dry cough and intoxication symptoms, then the disease goes to the stage of sputum production, which occurs on the fifth day. The total duration of the disease, provided there are no complications, is usually three weeks.
This form is considered the most favorable according to the prognosis for recovery, but it is most often found among schoolchildren and adolescents. Preschool children, due to the characteristics of the respiratory system, are much more likely to get obstructive type of bronchitis. Next, we turn to the question of treating various forms of this ailment. We will understand how obstructive bronchitis differs from usual in terms of therapy.
Diagnosis of the disease
To diagnose a pathology, determine its cause, stage of development and the presence of complications, doctors resort to such research methods:
- Implementation of a medical history along with analysis of patient complaints, visual inspection, listening to breathing tones with a stethoscope.
- Blood and sputum test.
- X-ray examination to exclude or to confirm the development of pneumonia as a complication of bronchitis.
- Spirographic examination to determine the level of obstruction and respiratory failure.
- The implementation of bronchoscopy in case of suspected anatomical anomaly of development, the presence in the bronchi of a foreign body, tumor changes and so on.
- Performing computed tomography according to indications.
The main methods of therapy for various forms of bronchitis
How acute and obstructive bronchitis is treated. What is the difference?
Depending on the factors of the development of the disease, first of all, doctors prescribe drugs that affect the pathogen, we are talking about antiviral medications, antibiotics, antifungal agents and so on.
For etiotropic treatment, symptomatic therapy in the form of antipyretic drugs, mucolytic drugs (Acetylcysteine, as well as Ambroxol) and drugs that suppress the cough reflex are necessarily used in combination.
In this case, drugs of general and local effects are used (for example, inhalers, instillation and sprays in the nasal passage are applicable and so on). Methods of light physical education, massage, which facilitates the separation and elimination of sputum, as well as gymnastics, are added to drug treatment.
In the treatment of any bronchitis, an important role is played by the exclusion of factors that provoke inflammatory processes in the tissues, whether it is occupational hazards, environmental conditions, smoking and the like. After the exclusion of these provocateurs, long-term treatment is carried out with the help of mucolytic, bronchodilator drugs and medicines of general strengthening effect. Perhaps the use of oxygen therapy, as well as spa holidays.
Features of treatment of obstructive forms of bronchitis in adults
During therapy, the patient needs mandatory thorough care along with heavy drinking, facilitated nutrition, and a rich plant diet. In the process of drug exposure, doctors use bronchodilators along with vasoconstrictor drugs, antibiotics, and combination drugs. In severe cases, with a diagnosis of obstructive bronchitis, hormonal drugs are used in the form of inhalations, intravenous injections, and the like. To combat the disease, mucolytic pharmaceuticals such as Ambroxol, Acetylcysteine, Bromhexine and others are effectively used.
Chronic treatment
During an exacerbation of such bronchitis, a set of different therapeutic procedures is required. First of all, it should be a medical treatment. But in addition to drugs that fight the disease, it is also important to use vitamin complexes in order to support the health of the body. As part of the prevention of exacerbation of the chronic form of bronchitis, patients need to follow a complete diet, normalizing their sleep and wakefulness schedule, and it is also necessary to avoid any hypothermia. An effective method in the treatment will also be physiotherapy.
Therapy of obstructive bronchitis in children
The fight against such a pathological process should be comprehensive, aimed not only at reducing cough (which among many mothers and fathers becomes the most common mistake), but primarily at eliminating spasms, inflammation and swelling of the bronchi. No less important is the fight against infectious agents that called for the development of the disease in the child. You will also need a general strengthening of the immune system of the crumbs along with the restoration of normal intestinal microflora and vitamin therapy.
Obstructive Prevention
This type of bronchitis is the most common. In order to protect your child and yourself from him, you must avoid any contact with people who are sick with colds, as well as flu and any otolaryngology. It is equally important to prevent hypothermia. Doctors recommend playing sports, tempering your body, taking multivitamin complexes to increase the protective properties of the immune system.
We examined how to distinguish obstructive bronchitis from normal. The ailment considered is an inflammatory disease. The bronchi are an element of the respiratory system that connects the trachea and lungs. In this regard, in no case should the occurrence of inflammatory processes in this area of the body be possible, otherwise serious complications are possible, which will certainly affect the quality of breathing processes. In the event of a pathology, regardless of its form, it is necessary to immediately begin competent treatment.