Bronchitis is called inflammation of the bronchi resulting from a previous cold or flu. This is a rather serious disease that requires timely competent treatment, as it can trigger the onset of chronic bronchitis or asthma.
In most cases, inflammation of the bronchi, lungs is considered a seasonal disease, however, with improper treatment, serious complications can occur, and the disease develops into a chronic form.
Causes of bronchial inflammation
There are many viral infections, the penetration into the body of which provokes inflammation of the bronchi. This disease is dangerous because it is practically impossible to determine it at the initial stages, since the temperature remains within the normal range and only in the mornings there can be a dry cough.
Quite often, bronchitis is accompanied by shortness of breath and a feeling of dryness in the larynx. As the disease progresses, clear fluid is coughed up.
The occurrence of bronchitis provokes an infection that has entered the body. These could be:
- flu viruses;
- adenovirus;
- virusesparainfluenza.
Adults can suffer from bronchitis due to excessive smoking. It is worth noting that it is the inhalation of tobacco smoke that most often leads to bronchitis and is considered one of the main causes of this disease.
Symptoms of bronchial inflammation
If a patient has 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 there are signs of intoxication and shortness of breath.
It is worth noting that inflammation of the bronchi has the following symptoms:
- irritating cough that is accompanied by painful sensations;
- shortness of breath;
- increased body temperature;
- sputum secretion;
- harsh breathing, wheezing;
- severe chest swelling.
At the very beginning of the disease, the cough is dry, and then becomes wet and productive, with sputum. In this case, wheezing with prolonged exhalation is observed.
In some cases, yellowish-gray or greenish sputum is produced during coughing. With a strong development of the pathological process in the sputum, there may be blood blotches.
What can be the disease
Inflammation of the bronchi has several types, such as:
- viral;
- bacterial;
- allergic;
- fungal;
- chemical.
The first type is characterized by the fact that the lower respiratoryway. Basically, viral inflammation of the bronchi occurs in children with reduced immunity. The pathogen enters the nasopharynx and settles in the bronchi. This type of inflammation has all the characteristic features, so you can quickly diagnose the disease and start treatment.
The bacterial type of bronchitis is quite rare, but it poses a serious danger to the he alth and life of the patient. The symptoms are exactly the same as those of viral bronchitis, however, in addition, there is a thick dark-colored sputum. Treatment is with antibiotics.
In addition, there may be different types of bronchitis, in particular such as: acute, obstructive, chronic, occupational. Each individual type of bronchitis has different signs and methods of treatment, depending on the factors that provoked it.
Diagnosis of bronchitis
If a patient has inflammation of the bronchi, it is very important to conduct a timely diagnosis that will help determine the presence of the disease. The severity of the symptoms present largely depends on the stage of damage to 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 the presence of wheezing in the bronchi. Darkening of the lungs can be seen on x-ray, but this is only seen when the disease is advanced.
The severity of the disease can be determined by blood tests. The diagnosis is made by performing a leukocyte count and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate. During the diagnosis, a sputum analysis for microscopy with smear staining is mandatory. Additionally, a cytological examination of sputum with cell count is performed.
In case of protracted or chronic bronchitis, sputum cultures for microflora are necessarily carried out with the determination of sensitivity to antibiotics. They also carry out a smear and sowing from the pharynx for mushrooms.
Frequent exacerbations require mandatory bronchoscopy. The main purpose of such a study is to identify concomitant lung diseases that can provoke symptoms similar to bronchitis.
Medicated treatment
Treatment of the inflammatory process of the bronchi is carried out in a complex way, since only one method may not be effective enough.
Depending on the symptoms of inflammation of the bronchi, the treatment is selected after a thorough examination of the patient. Depending on the clinical picture of the disease, the patient may be prescribed antipyretic drugs, means to restore breathing, as well as antitussives.
Often, to eliminate mucus from the bronchi, expectorant and mucolytic drugs are prescribed, 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 signinflammation, you should immediately take antibiotics, as they will help to quickly eliminate the infection and viruses. If the patient has a dry cough, then drugs such as Pertussin, Bromhexine, Muk altin and many others will help get rid of it.
If these drugs 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 potions.
Treatment with folk remedies
Since the symptoms of inflammation of the bronchi, the treatment may be different, quite often folk methods are used as therapy. A medicine prepared on the basis of honey and radish juice is considered a very good remedy. To prepare it, you need to cut off the top of a black radish and make a small hole. Put some honey into this hole and wait until the juice appears. This juice should be taken a teaspoon in the morning and at 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 remedy twice a day for 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 is also treated in the form of inhalations, as this helps to warm up the bronchi well and achieve a fairly good effect. In the presence of bronchitis, inhalations are indicated with the use of expectorants.products, heated mineral water, anise and eucalyptus oil. For inhalation, you can use an ultrasonic or steam inhaler.
For the procedure, you can use an ordinary large pot, in which you need to heat water with the addition of herbs that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Chronic care
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 severe cough that lasts for several months.
Means that improve bronchial patency are used to treat the disease. In addition, it is very important to increase immunity. The patient is prescribed frequent and plentiful drinking, inhalation. For the treatment of cough, expectorants 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 in a timely manner and choose the right means for therapy.
The cause of inflammation in children may be insufficiently strong respiratory organs, which 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 carried out in a timely manner, thenbronchitis can lead to exhaustion of the respiratory system and asthma. In this case, the doctor prescribes antitussive, antispasmodic and decongestant drugs.
In case of a wet cough, compresses are used, but they are contraindicated with increased body temperature.
Prevention of bronchial inflammation
Any disease is better to prevent than to cure. Bronchitis is also no exception, so it is important to take various preventive measures in a timely manner.
The following can be distinguished as such:
- taking general strengthening drugs;
- vaccination of patients;
- compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
In the cold season, it is important to protect your throat, but do not dress too warmly, as this can lead to overheating and excessive sweating. For those who are prone to frequent bronchitis, tonsillitis and tonsillitis, hardening is indicated.
During an illness, it is important to maintain a diet, as well as bed rest, as this contributes to recovery. For the period of treatment, you need to stop smoking.
