Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi that occurs as a result of a previous cold or flu. This is a fairly serious disease that requires timely competent treatment, since it can provoke the occurrence of chronic bronchitis or asthma.
In most cases, inflammation of the bronchi and lungs is considered a seasonal disease, however, if the treatment is carried out incorrectly, there can be quite serious complications, and the disease develops into a chronic form.
Causes of bronchitis
There are many viral infections, the penetration into the body of which provokes inflammation of the bronchi. This disease is dangerous because at the initial stages it is practically impossible to determine it, since the temperature remains within the normal range and only in the mornings can there be a dry cough.
Quite often, bronchitis is accompanied by shortness of breath and a feeling of dryness in the larynx. With the progression of the disease, a clear liquid is observed during coughing.
The occurrence of bronchitis provokes an infection that has penetrated the body. It can be:
- influenza viruses;
- adenovirus;
- parainfluenza viruses.
Adults can suffer from bronchitis due to excessive smoking. It is worth noting that it is the inhalation of tobacco smoke most often leads to bronchitis and is considered one of the main causes of this disease.
Symptoms of inflammation of the bronchi
If the patient develops inflammation of the bronchi, the symptoms largely depend on the degree of damage and the severity of the inflammatory process. If the inflammatory process is acute enough, then signs of intoxication and shortness of breath appear.
It is worth noting that inflammation of the bronchi symptoms has the following:
- annoying cough, which is accompanied by pain;
- dyspnea;
- increased body temperature;
- sputum removal;
- hard breathing, wheezing;
- severe bloating.
At the very beginning of the disease, the cough is dry, and then it becomes moist and productive, with the release of sputum. In this case, wheezing with an extended exhalation is observed.
In some cases, a yellowish-gray or greenish tinge of sputum is released during a cough. With a strong development of the pathological process in the sputum, there may be dissemination of blood.
What can be the disease
Inflammation of the bronchi has several types, namely such as:
- viral;
- bacterial;
- allergic;
- fungal;
- chemical.
The first type is characterized by the fact that the lower respiratory tract is affected. Basically, viral inflammation of the bronchi occurs in children with reduced immunity. The causative agent enters the nasopharynx and settles in the bronchi. This type of inflammation has all the characteristic signs, so you can quickly diagnose the disease and begin treatment.
Bacterial type of bronchitis is quite rare, but carries a serious danger to the health and life of the patient. The signs are exactly the same as for viral bronchitis, but in addition there is a release of thick sputum of a dark color. Treatment is with antibiotics.
In addition, there can be various types of bronchitis, in particular such as: acute, obstructive, chronic, professional. Each individual type of bronchitis has various signs and methods of treatment, depending on the factors that provoked it.
Diagnosis of bronchitis
If the patient has inflammation of the bronchi, it is very important to conduct timely diagnosis, which will help determine the presence of the disease. The severity of the available symptoms largely depends on the stage of the defeat of the respiratory tract. At the very beginning of the disease, there may simply be a cough and sputum production, but in a more advanced situation, signs of intoxication of the body additionally appear.
During the diagnosis, the doctor listens for wheezing in the bronchi. When conducting an x-ray examination, you can notice dimming of the lungs, but this is only observed with an advanced stage of the disease.
The severity of the disease can be determined by conducting blood tests. The diagnosis is made by counting leukocytes and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. During diagnosis, a sputum analysis for microscopy with a smear stain is necessarily done. Additionally, a sputum cytology is performed with cell counting.
With prolonged or chronic bronchitis, sputum culture is necessarily carried out on microflora with a determination of sensitivity to antibiotics. A smear and sowing from the throat on the mushrooms is also carried out.
Frequent exacerbations require mandatory bronchoscopy. The main purpose of this study is to identify concomitant lung diseases that can provoke symptoms similar to bronchitis.
Drug treatment
Treatment of the inflammatory process of the bronchi is carried out comprehensively, since only one method can be insufficiently effective.
Depending on the symptoms of bronchial inflammation, treatment is selected after a thorough examination of the patient. Depending on the clinical picture of the disease, antipyretic drugs, breathing agents, and antitussives may be prescribed to the patient.
Often, expectorant and mucolytic drugs are prescribed to eliminate mucus from the bronchi, which are injected directly into the bronchi using a nebulizer to achieve greater effectiveness. In addition, patients are prescribed therapeutic exercises and bronchial drainage.
At the first signs of inflammation, antibiotics should be taken immediately, as they will help to quickly eliminate the infection and viruses. If the patient has a dry cough, then drugs such as Pertussin, Bromhexine, Mukaltin and many others will help get rid of it.
If these funds do not give the desired effect, then drugs are prescribed that can suppress the cough reflex. In particular, such as Codeine, which is prescribed in the form of tablets, powders and medicines.
Treatment with folk remedies
Since inflammation of the bronchi is a symptom, the treatment can have different, quite often, alternative methods are used as therapy. A medicine based on honey and radish juice is considered a very good remedy. To prepare it, you need to cut off the top of the black radish and make a small hole. Put some honey in this hole and wait for the juice to appear. This juice should be taken on a teaspoon in the morning and before bedtime.
With severe bronchitis, aloe juice is considered a good remedy. To prepare it, you need to mix aloe juice, honey, animal fat and butter. Take the drug twice a day with a teaspoon. To achieve the best effect, it is advisable to dilute the product in a glass of warm milk.
Inhalation
Inflammation of the bronchi implies treatment in the form of inhalation, as this helps to warm the bronchi well and achieve a fairly good effect. In the presence of bronchitis, inhalation is indicated using expectorants, heated mineral water, anise and eucalyptus oil. For inhalation, you can use an ultrasonic or steam inhaler.
For the procedure, you can use the usual large pan in which you need to heat the water with the addition of herbs that have anti-inflammatory effects.
Chronic disease treatment
Chronic inflammation of the bronchi is considered a rather dangerous and serious pathology, as it periodically flares up with renewed vigor. In this case, patients have a strong cough that lasts for several months.
For the treatment of the disease, agents are used that improve bronchial patency. In addition, it is very important to increase immunity. The patient is prescribed frequent and heavy drinking, inhalation. For the treatment of cough, expectorant and mucolytic drugs are used. Nutrition during this period should be balanced, containing many vitamins.
Features and treatment of bronchitis in children
Inflammation of the bronchi in children is quite acute, so you need to pay attention to the presence of a pathological process in the body and choose the right funds for the treatment.
The cause of inflammation in children may be insufficiently strong respiratory organs that become infected very quickly. Initially, the child has all the signs of a cold and is additionally tormented by bouts of severe dry cough.
If treatment is not done in a timely manner, then bronchitis can lead to exhaustion of the respiratory system and asthma. In this case, the doctor prescribes antitussive, antispasmodic and decongestant drugs.
In the case of a wet cough, compresses are used, but they are contraindicated at increased body temperature.
Prevention of bronchitis
Any disease is better to prevent than to treat. Bronchitis is also no exception, so it is important to timely carry out various preventive measures.
As such, we can distinguish:
- taking fortifying drugs;
- vaccination of patients;
- compliance with personal hygiene.
In the cold season, it is important to protect the throat, but don’t need to dress too warm, as this can lead to overheating and excessive sweating. Those who are prone to frequent bronchitis, tonsillitis and tonsillitis, shown hardening.
During the disease, it is important to follow a diet, as well as bed rest, as this helps to recover. For the period of treatment, smoking should be abandoned.