Chronic bronchitis: treatment with effective methods and signs

In medical practice, you often have to deal with chronic bronchitis. Its treatment is a rather lengthy process and requires an integrated approach. The disease most often flows into a chronic form in adults, as it is associated with the presence of progressive changes directly in the bronchial wall. There are a lot of provoking factors.

What is the mechanism of appearance?

Treatment of chronic bronchitis is complicated by the fact that with a disease the mucous membrane of the respiratory branches of the throat undergoes significant changes:

• firstly, the mechanism of mucus secretion is disrupted;
• secondly, local immunity worsens;
• thirdly, there are problems with internal cleaning;
• fourthly, the walls thicken and inflame.

Due to the above factors, it becomes much easier for infectious agents to spread. Therefore, exacerbations appear regularly. Over time, swelling forms, which affects the conductivity of the air.

Possible pathogens

Before treatment of chronic bronchitis will be carried out, the doctor must determine the type of infection. The main bacterial pathogens are various strains of streptococci, staphylococci and pneumococci. They lead to the development of inflammation in the bronchial tree.

However, the disease may be associated with the presence of a virus that provokes irritation of the mucous membrane. Specific microorganisms such as chlamydia and mycoplasma are sometimes found. They belong to the intermediate class due to their similarity with viruses and bacteria.

In many cases, the pathogenic medium is mixed. Often a viral infection opens the door for a bacterial infection. In this case, favorable conditions are formed for the spread of other microorganisms.

Classification and provoking factors

It is customary to separate all chronic bronchitis according to several criteria. Treatment in adults and children will depend on what form of the disease is currently developing.

Many factors can provoke a disease. Most often, the disease occurs after prolonged inhalation of chemical impurities in the form of tobacco smoke, exhaust gases and other toxic substances. The listed agents irritate the mucous membrane, reducing local immunity and causing a change in the secretory apparatus.

Signs of the disease

Do not delay the treatment of chronic bronchitis. Symptoms in adults and children are quite specific. If they occur, you must immediately visit a medical institution so that the doctor makes an examination. Identification of the disease in the early stages will avoid complications.

Cough is one of the main symptoms. According to its characteristics, conclusions can be drawn about the course of the disease and clinical options. It may be wet or dry. Cough with the presence of sputum is associated with the protective mechanisms of the body. In this case, there is a natural cleaning of the internal passages from excess mucus.

Coughing in chronic obstructive bronchitis in adults manifests itself in a completely different way . Treatment in this case is aimed at obtaining an expectorant effect. A feature of such a cough is the presence of wheezing directly during forced expiration.

In the initial stages of the disease, the amount of sputum may be scarce, but with the progression of the disease, its secretion increases. It usually takes on a greenish tint. The presence of such sputum allows to draw conclusions about the activation of microorganisms.

When listening, wheezing is noted. They are caused by swirls of air that occur due to the accumulation of sputum. From them, you can easily determine which part of the respiratory tract has undergone an inflammatory process. With remission, dry rales are observed. In obstructive form, they acquire a whistling character when exhaling.

Typical cases are not accompanied by shortness of breath, but it can occur with very active inflammatory processes, as well as in experienced smokers.

Treatment of chronic bronchitis in adults with drugs

At the initial stage, it is necessary to give up smoking and other bad habits, completely isolate oneself from conditions with harmful environmental factors. This will increase the effectiveness of drug treatment several times. All doctor's instructions must be strictly observed.

When treating chronic bronchitis in adults, drugs are prescribed that help to improve airway patency. These medicines include those listed in the table.

With exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, treatment involves the use of expectorants. They allow for the removal of mucus from the respiratory tract. According to the mechanism of action, drugs of this category can be divided into two groups. The first of them have a stimulating effect, and the second dilute sputum.

• "Ambroxol" is a metabolite of bromhexine. One of the widely used expectorants in medical practice. It has a stimulating effect on the serous cells of the glands, leads to an increase in the amount of secretion secreted, normalizes the composition of sputum.
• Ascoril contains three active substances. Supplied in syrup form. The tool also helps relieve cramps. The drug is not recommended to be combined with taking "Theophylline", so as not to increase the risk of side effects. It should not be consumed during pregnancy and lactation.
• Erespal helps in the treatment of chronic bronchitis with respiratory failure. It is available in solid and liquid form. It is used 1 tablet 2 times a day or 45-90 ml. The tool also has an anti-inflammatory effect. The drug is not recommended to be combined with alcohol and sedatives.

Antibiotics are used only in cases where the infection is of bacterial origin. With the right remedy, the symptoms begin to subside very quickly. Sometimes only antibacterial treatment helps. Symptoms of chronic bronchitis in adults in this case are pronounced, there is a high temperature.

The following drugs are used:

• penicillins;
• macrolides;
• fluoroquinolones;
• cephalosporins.

If necessary, topical preparations can be used. Antipyretic, antihistamines, immunotropic and other drugs, as well as vitamin complexes, can act as additional tools to help relieve or relieve symptoms.

Features of the treatment of chronic obstructive bronchitis

The disease can be divided into three stages. Assessment is based on forced expiratory volume per second (abbreviated FEV1). Indicators are measured as a percentage.

1. The FEV1 value exceeds 50 percent of the set value. At this stage, the disease is not able to greatly affect the quality of life, so there is no need for constant monitoring.
2. With an FEV1 value within 35-49 percent, treatment of chronic obstructive bronchitis is carried out under the strict supervision of a specialist. The disease begins to adversely affect the quality of life.
3. If the value of FEV1 does not reach 34 percent, then inpatient and outpatient treatment is necessary in the relevant institutions. In this situation, there are negative reactions when exerting physical activity.

An incorrect treatment approach can lead to complications in the form of respiratory failure and emphysema.

Using Alternative Medicine Prescriptions

As additional measures, folk remedies for the treatment of chronic bronchitis can be used.

• Garlic oil has an excellent healing effect. It prevents bacteria from developing in the body and softens cough. You need to take 5 cloves of garlic and grind them with salt. The resulting slurry should be mixed with 100 g of butter. The finished product can be added to food, for example, in mashed potatoes.
• Carrot juice, mixed directly with sugar syrup in a ratio of 1 to 1, helps get rid of dry cough. Such a drug is allowed to be taken orally up to 5-6 times a day.
• Often, alternative treatment for chronic bronchitis is carried out with the help of young pine cones. They are ground and covered with sugar. The resulting mixture is aged for three days, after which juice is squeezed out of it. The tool is recommended to take a tablespoon 3-4 times a day.
• Inhalation with the use of sage leaves also helps. Instead, pine cones can be used. It is necessary to pour a tablespoon of raw materials with one glass of water and cook for about 15 minutes. 5-10 drops of cedar oil are added to the resulting broth. Inhalation is preferably carried out within 5 days 1-2 times.
• Treatment of chronic bronchitis at home can be carried out using black radish. It is required to grate and squeeze the juice, which must be mixed 1 to 1 with honey. The tool is used before meals for 2 tablespoons.
• Expectorant effect has licorice root. Half a liter of boiling water is poured 30 g of crushed raw materials. On low heat, the product is aged for about 10 minutes. After cooling, it is necessarily filtered. It should be taken 4 times a day for a tablespoon.
• When treating chronic bronchitis in adults with folk remedies, one should not forget about the decoction of linden flowers. A tablespoon of raw materials is poured into a glass of boiling water and aged for about one hour, filtered and taken orally three times a day before meals.
• You can use a decoction of bran. Pour 1.5 liters of water into a pot and bring to a boil. 400 g of bran is added to the container. The cooled and filtered broth is used instead of tea.
• A very simple remedy can help cough. You need to take 2 bananas and crush them, then pour a glass of boiled water. You can add sugar if desired. Take the resulting mixture in a warm form.
• In the home treatment of chronic bronchitis, beetroot syrup is often used. It helps with coughing. Beets are thoroughly washed and completely peeled. The core is then removed. Sugar is added to the resulting recess. Properly prepared beets are baked in the oven.

Breathing exercises

If you have symptoms of chronic bronchitis, breathing exercises can help. It allows you to:

• reduce the inflammatory process in the airways;
• normalize blood circulation;
• strengthen the immune system;
• restore lost drainage function;
• increase hemoglobin.

Breathing exercises are a safe and quite effective way to get rid of the disease in children. The respiratory muscles are not well developed in babies, therefore, the process of eliminating sputum is not as active as in adults. The recovery process because of this is significantly slowed down.

Engaging in breathing exercises is also necessary in the absence of pronounced symptoms of chronic bronchitis. In treatment, this can help substantially.

• The first exercise involves flexion and extension of the palms. It can be performed while standing or in a chair. Hands bend at the elbow joint and turn their palms away. With a noisy breath, fists clench. When you exhale, the palms open. 8 such movements are performed at a time. In total, up to 20 approaches are performed.
• Another exercise is best done standing up. Hands should be on the belt. After a sharp breath, a smooth exhalation is carried out, in which you need to bend a little forward. It is recommended to perform 8 repetitions.

Salt ailment treatment

Even ancient people noticed that problems with bronchi pass after staying in salt caves. In modern life, visiting such places is not an easy task, so scientists have been able to recreate similar climatic conditions that can get rid of the disease.

This treatment is called halotherapy. Sessions are held in a special chamber where certain microclimatic conditions are created. Clean air with suitable temperature and humidity is pumped inside. To all this, aerosol substances containing a salt component are added.

Final part

It must be clearly understood that the treatment of chronic bronchitis in adults and children will be successful only with an integrated approach. The combination of all these procedures can permanently eliminate the disease or greatly facilitate a person’s life. A tangible benefit can also bring a healthy lifestyle. Bad habits and a sedentary lifestyle negatively affect the work of the bronchi and the respiratory system as a whole.