Acute bronchitis is a disease accompanied by an inflammatory process in the bronchi, in which their mucosa synthesizes a large amount of sputum, causing a cough. The same viruses cause the disease as the flu or SARS. The disease occurs in all age groups. Most often, children and senior citizens are exposed to it. The risk group includes patients with chronic lung diseases, smokers and pregnant women. In order to prevent acute bronchitis in adults, flu shots should be given in a timely manner.
General information about the disease
Before entering the lungs, the air goes a long way:
- Nasal cavity.
- Larynx.
- Trachea. It is divided into two main bronchi, each of which is the beginning of smaller ones. The result is a bronchial tree.
- The bronchi are a kind of tube that is equipped with cartilage rings that perform the function of the frame. It is thanks to this device that they are not compressed. The walls of the tubes have a complex multilayer structure. Briefly, it can be said that from the inside they are covered with a membrane that includes cells of different structures. In addition, there are many glands that can produce mucus. The latter protects the respiratory tract from infection. The air is cleaned, moistened and warmed directly in the bronchi.
The entry of bacteria, viruses or toxic substances damages the cells of the mucosa. In response to this penetration, a large amount of viscous and thick secretion is synthesized. As a result, the mucous membrane becomes inflamed and swells, and the natural cleansing of the bronchi fails. Excess mucus accumulates in the airways, causing a cough. Initially, it is dry, and over time, viscous and thick sputum is released. Due to the narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi, wheezing appears. Most often, this ailment affects in the autumn-winter period, but can develop at other times. Infection occurs by airborne droplets. Drops of secretion that a sick person secretes during coughing fall into the respiratory organs of an individual.
Causes of the disease
Acute bronchitis (code J20–20.9, according to ICD-10) of the following genesis is distinguished:
- Infectious.
- Non-infectious.
- Mixed.
- Unknown.
The most common causative agents are viruses:
- Parainfluenza.
- Influenza
- Adenovirus.
- Echovirus.
- Rhinovirus.
- Respiratory syncytial.
Bacteria are less likely to cause the development of the disease. Primary acute bacterial bronchitis is observed when a secondary bacterial infection is layered on a viral one. This phenomenon is associated with the activity of conditionally pathogenic microflora of the upper respiratory tract. The factors provoking the development of the non-infectious nature of acute bronchitis (the ICD code for the tenth revision is J20.8, that is, caused by other specified agents), are:
- Smokiness.
- Dry and hot or cold air.
- Acidic vapors or alkaline.
- Ammonia.
- Hydrogen sulfide.
- Chlorine.
An ailment in the acute stage can develop when the infection and the irritating factors listed above are combined. Acute allergic bronchitis is mainly found in individuals who have a hereditary predisposition to various allergic reactions. The provoking circumstances of the disease are also:
- Harmful working conditions.
- Smoking
- Alcoholism.
- Respiratory failure by the nose.
- Improper nutrition.
- Severe severe pathologies.
- Chronic infections in the nasopharynx.
The clinical picture of the disease
Symptoms of acute bronchitis in an adult depend on the cause that provoked him. An acute onset is characteristic of the disease. In this case, the patient has:
- Intoxication with the products of the vital activity of viruses, which is manifested by headache, weakness, chills, pain in the spinal muscles and extremities, an increase in temperature to subfebrile values.
- Damage to both the upper and lower respiratory tract. With an infectious cause of the disease, there are signs of SARS, for example, a hoarse voice, rhinitis, a sensation of tickle, as well as pain in the pharynx, nasal congestion. The temperature does not rise with a mild course of pathology.
- If an acute disease is caused by a causative agent of pertussis, rubella or measles, then the individual appears all the signs of the underlying pathology.
A leading sign of acute bronchitis is a dry and painful cough that accompanies the patient until recovery. It is paroxysmal, sonorous, rude, sometimes barking. The cough is able to enhance the burning sensation behind the chest, causes a spastic contraction of the diaphragm and overstrain of the pectoral muscles, which contributes to the appearance of pain in the peritoneal wall. During a cough, a scanty and viscous secretion in the form of sputum initially departs. Then it separates more easily, and its consistency changes to less viscous. In some cases, the secret comes out with pus. The patient has difficulty breathing, and wheezing in the lungs is heard even at a distance.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of acute bronchitis (ICD-10 code J20) is made on the basis of examination data, patient complaints, and the clinical picture. For clarification, additional diagnostics are used:
- Leukocyte OAM, ESR and C-reactive protein. An increased amount of white blood cells is observed in the blood, which indicates inflammation. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate in bronchitis may be higher than normal. C-reactive protein is one of the first to respond to the inflammatory process. In the acute stage of bronchitis, its concentration is increased.
- Sowing sputum. At the same time, a test for sensitivity to antibiotics is performed. This analysis is recommended if the bacterial nature of the disease is suspected.
- Chest x-ray. With its help, other lung pathologies are excluded.
- Spirometry. Symptoms of emphysema or asthma are detected.
Treatment of symptoms of acute bronchitis in adults
Therapy depends on the severity of the person’s condition and the cause of the illness. Usually, the doctor recommends bed rest, regular humidification in the room where the patient is located, as well as heavy drinking. Hospitalization is necessary in case of complications or when the therapy used does not improve the general condition and does not facilitate the patient’s breathing. Of the medicines prescribed:
- Antitussive - indicated for severe and prolonged coughing attacks. They are not prescribed to all individuals, since this condition is a protective reaction by which the bronchi are cleansed.
- Mucolytics or diluting bronchial secretions. They help bring out phlegm out.
- Bronchodilators - thanks to the relaxation of the smooth muscles located in the bronchi, the lumen is enlarged, which leads to their cleansing from the secret and facilitating respiratory function. They use medicines of this group when there is no airway and there is a debilitating cough.
- Antibacterial drugs. They are shown when it is confirmed that bronchitis is caused by bacteria entering the respiratory system. They are also prescribed for patients with chronic lung disease in order to prevent complications.
Clinical Therapy
The goal of treating acute bronchitis in adults is:
- Relieve and reduce the duration of coughing.
- Removal of symptoms of intoxication.
- Improving overall well-being.
- Disability recovery.
- Recovery.
- Prevention of consequences.
According to clinical recommendations, acute bronchitis is treated only with the use of complex measures. The tactics of therapy: non-drug, drug, pathogenetic. Non-medication treatment - heavy drinking, smoking cessation, elimination of external irritants (smoke, cold air, pungent odors, dust). Drug therapy includes the use of drugs of various pharmacotherapeutic groups.
- Antiviral treatment of symptoms of acute bronchitis is indicated only in the first forty-eight hours from the onset of signs of the disease or with an unfavorable epidemiological situation. The drugs of choice are Ingavirin, Oseltamivir, Zanamivir.
- A limited group of patients with chronic pathologies of the upper respiratory tract, as well as in the absence of effect and persisting symptoms of intoxication for more than seven days, are recommended to take antibacterial agents. In this case, the medications of choice are antibiotics of the macrolide group: Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, Spiramycin, or aminopilicillins: Amoxicillin, Amoxicillin / Clavulanate, Amoxicillin / Sulbactam. The duration of their intake is not more than seven days.
The pathogenetic treatment of acute bronchitis in adults is aimed at eliminating unproductive coughing, normalizing the tone of smooth muscles of the bronchi and rheological properties of the tracheobronchial secretion.
- With viscous sputum - mucolytics: Acetylcysteine, Ambroxol, Carbocysteine, as well as herbal preparations with an expectorant effect.
- In case of bronchial obstruction, bronchodilators: “Fenoterol”, “Salbutamol” and anticholinergics, for example, “Ipratropium bromide”. It is possible to use combined means in an inhalation form.
- If a prolonged cough persists, and signs of airway hyperresponsiveness appear, Fenspiride is prescribed, and if it is ineffective, the hormonal inhalation medications Fluticasone, Beclomethasone, Cyclesonide, or combined, for example Fluticasone + Salmeterol.
- If sputum is absent against the background of the therapy, and the cough is nasal, dry and intrusive, then peripheral and central action antitussives are indicated - Glaucin, Oxeladin, Butamirat.
ethnoscience
There are several time-tested herbal recipes that are successfully used for the treatment and prevention of the disease. Before using them, a specialist consultation is required. The recommendations of the healers are as follows:
- Drinking plenty of water - still mineral water, herbal tea drinks, tea with milk, soda with milk.
- Inhalation - over steam or aroma lamp. Finely chopped / grated onions or garlic are added to boiled water and breathed in pairs, covered with a towel. A mixture of oils of various herbs (3-5 drops), which have inflammatory properties and relieve muscle tension, is dripped onto the aroma lamp.
- Decoctions of medicinal plant materials.
- Tea made of primrose herb.
- Licorice lozenges and syrup.
- The infusion of elecampane high (1 tsp. In a glass of boiling water).
- Chest massage using honey.
- Mustard plasters.
- Humidification of air.
- Exclusion of foods containing large amounts of protein. The inclusion of seafood, leeks and green, as well as carrots in the diet. Before going to bed, you need to drink a glass of fig milk to strengthen the immune system. For this, three or four berries are added to it and boiled.
Complications
Acute bronchitis is a pathological condition that can lead to the following consequences:
- Bronchiolitis obliterans.
- Pneumonia..
- Acute heart and respiratory failure is possible in the elderly with a severe course of the disease.
- Bronchitis of asthmatic nature.
If the inflammatory process switched to bronchioles from the lungs, then a long and severe course of the disease is visible. In this case, the narrowing, and sometimes the complete absence of a bronchiolar lumen, contributes to the occurrence of severe obstructive syndrome, circulatory failure and gas exchange. If bronchiolitis joins the underlying disease, then the person’s condition deteriorates sharply. He has the following clinical picture:
- Pallor of the skin.
- Fever.
- Dyspnea.
- Cyanosis.
- A painful cough with scanty mucous secretions.
- Excitement turning into drowsiness and lethargy.
- Tachycardia.
- Pressure reduction.
Frequent acute bronchitis gradually acquire a chronic stage, the progression of which provokes the formation of emphysema, COPD and bronchial asthma.
Forecasts
In general, the outcome for patients is favorable. Acute bronchitis is a disease that ends in recovery. The structure of the mucous membrane of the respiratory system is fully restored. A worsening of the prognosis is possible in the event of acute bronchitis of a purulent nature or the formation of an inflammatory process in bronchioles. Cases of distortion of the bronchial tree and failure of the drainage function provoke a prolonged course of the disease and, as a result, the disease becomes chronic.
Prevention of acute bronchitis
Recommendations for the prevention of the disease:
- Quitting smoking.
- Exclusion of the use of alcohol-containing drinks.
- Timely and high-quality treatment of chronic infections and diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
- Increased body resistance through physical activity and healthy eating.
- Compliance with the production of sanitary and hygiene rules.
- The fight against gas and dust.
- Avoiding hypothermia.
- Prevention of the development of colds.
- Flu vaccination.
- Reception of vitamin and mineral complexes.
As you can see, the basis of preventive measures is the elimination of the possible causes of the disease.
Conclusion
Acute bronchitis is a local inflammatory process in the respiratory tract, the main symptom of which is a cough. The duration of the disease is from one to three weeks. In some people, coughing lasts up to six weeks. Such a diagnosis is made for patients with a productive or unproductive cough in the absence of other chronic bronchopulmonary pathologies. The patient receives treatment of symptoms of acute bronchitis on an outpatient basis. Emergency hospitalization is only required if serious complications occur.