Bronchial pneumonia is a type of pneumonia. Pathogenic microbes and viruses, along with oxygen, enter the organs, affecting even the smallest branches of the bronchial tree. As a result, a pathological process begins in the affected area of the lung.
Disease information
Broncho-pneumonia in adults and children can be triggered by many different bacteria and viruses. As a rule, inflammation is the result of infection of the upper respiratory tract. For example, bronchitis or even SARS can lead to the occurrence of this pathology. The most common pathogens are bacteria from the genus streptococci, pneumococci, viruses.
Among other things, bronchial pneumonia can also develop as a result of food pieces getting into the respiratory tract, the penetration of toxic gases, strong squeezing of the lungs by a pathological formation, postoperative complications.
Susceptibility to pathology
Bronchial pneumonia can affect absolutely anyone. But there are categories of people who are at increased risk. These include:
- newborns and toddlers under 3;
- infants with congenital abnormalitiesairways or lungs;
- older people over 60;
- those who already suffer from any lung disease, such as asthma or bronchitis;
- HIV carriers;
- children with congenital immune system defects;
- patients with heart disease or diabetes;
- those who smoke.
Varieties and forms
According to the international classification of pneumonia, this disease belongs to the category of community-acquired. Pathology is a mild infectious disease that develops before hospitalization due to exposure to different groups of bacteria.
According to ICD-10, bronchopneumonia is divided into several varieties, depending on the pathogen that provoked its development (International Classification of Diseases and Deaths 1992):
- streptococcal disease;
- pneumonia, a variety of which does not belong to any category;
- bacterial pathology;
- pneumonia of unknown etiology.
What factors contribute to the development of the disease? There are some of the most common:
- severe hypothermia;
- tobacco smoking;
- stay indoors with humidifiers and air conditioners;
- vitamin deficiency.
Symptoms of bronchopneumonia
There are clear signs of this disease.
- Fever. Within a few daysin a row, the patient may experience an increased body temperature in the range of 37.5-39 degrees. It is accompanied by marked weakness, lack of appetite, excessive sweating, chills, poor sleep, pain in the calves of the legs. The presence of a fever indicates that the body is fighting the infection with full force. That is why doctors categorically do not recommend the use of antipyretics at a body temperature of up to 38 degrees.
- Cough. At the initial stage of the disease, it is mostly dry, hacking and very frequent. As bronchopneumonia develops, the symptom intensifies, sputum begins to separate. It has a greenish-yellow tint, in some cases streaked with blood.
- Shortness of breath. In adults and children, bronchopneumonia also causes such an unpleasant phenomenon. In this case, the patient feels a lack of oxygen, there is frequent, but shallow breathing. In some cases, shortness of breath remains even at rest.
- Chest pain. As a rule, it is felt with deep breaths and coughing. This disease is characterized by a drawing, stabbing pain, mainly in the part of the affected lung, which usually disappears after coughing.
Features of signs in children
Broncho-pneumonia in babies is one of the most common diseases of the respiratory system. Today, there are a huge number of different ways in which the disease can be completely defeated. But a lot depends on the timeliness of therapy.
Parents should definitely know the symptoms of such a dangerous disease in order toseek qualified help in a timely manner. It is worth noting that the initial signs of pathology may lead you to think that the child has bronchitis. But in fact, at the first signals, you should immediately visit a specialist.
Due to the fact that the airways in babies are very short, and they are still devoid of protective barriers, inflammation can be literally lightning fast. Bronchopneumonia is especially dangerous for infants and newborn babies.
Signs such as cough and fever in children may be mild or even absent. Often in children, inflammation develops at normal or slightly lower body temperature. But too loud breathing and noticeable shortness of breath should alert parents.
To suspect this particular disease in a baby, you need to pay attention to an overly prolonged cold or bronchitis, lethargy, poor appetite, rapid breathing and shortness of breath. These are the main symptoms of bronchial pneumonia in children, which are the first to signal the disease.
At a specialist's appointment
If at least one of these signs occurs, you should contact a specialist. At the consultation, the doctor will conduct an examination, which should include several stages.
- Measuring body temperature.
- Lung tapping. Manipulation is performed with the fingers over the organs. With bronchopneumonia in adults and children, there is a strong shortening of the sound over the injured area of the lung. But todaythis technique is considered insufficiently informative, and it is practically not used in the diagnosis of the disease.
- Listening to the lungs. This procedure is carried out using a phonendoscope or stethoscope. The essence of the technique is to listen for wheezing in the injured area, as well as to identify weak breathing and noise from pleural friction. The manifestation of these pathological sounds depends on the form and stage of the disease, and it is not always possible to hear them.
Disease diagnosis
You can make a diagnosis of "bronchial pneumonia" based on complaints, symptoms characteristic of the disease and the examination. In order to confirm the disease, you should undergo a chest x-ray and pass several laboratory tests. In some cases, a CT scan, sputum test, bronchoscopy may also be required.
But it is radiography that is a kind of "golden" way to diagnose chronic and acute bronchial pneumonia. This research method is used twice - at the time of diagnosis, and also after a course of treatment. With the help of radiography, you can determine the effectiveness of therapy and further prognosis.
Treatment of bronchial pneumonia
Therapy includes several important steps.
- Special routine. From the first day, the patient is recommended to comply with bed rest. It is very important to periodically ventilate and clean the room. As soon as the body temperature returns to normal, it is advisable to take walks on the street. Renewhardening of the body is possible only a few weeks after recovery, and return to physical activity - after 2 months.
- Special diet. There are no food restrictions. The diet should be balanced, contain a large amount of vitamins and protein. Doctors recommend a fractional, frequent menu. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids: fruit drinks, compotes, herbal teas, mineral water. Only any drink taken should be warm.
- Physiotherapy. It is necessary to start such treatment after the normalization of body temperature. A variety of breast massages, deep inhalations with the addition of drugs that facilitate breathing and sputum production will bring great benefits.
Medicated treatment
The main method of therapy for bronchopneumonia is a course of antibiotics. The doctor should prescribe the drug on an individual basis. In this case, it is very important to take into account the type of pathogen, the stage of the disease and the likely risk factors. Antibiotics may be given as injections or tablets. In addition, other drugs are often prescribed to fight the disease:
- antipyretic;
- vitamins;
- expectorants;
- antihistamines.
In the advanced stages of the disease, the patient may be prescribed oxygen therapy. Adults can be treated at home, but children should be placed in a hospital under the supervision of a specialist. This is due to the fact that childrenthe body tolerates such diseases worse, complications are possible.
The use of expectorants to remove sputum in adults is also a prerequisite for a speedy recovery. With the help of these medicines, the ciliated epithelium is renewed, thereby accelerating the release of mucus.
In particular, doctors strongly recommend taking expectorants to clear sputum in adults in case of pneumonia, which is complicated by a strong and unproductive cough. Given the mechanism of action, modern medicines can be:
- promoting cough;
- thinning phlegm.
The most popular drugs belonging to the first category are: Gelomirtol, Terpinkod, Sinupret. These drugs are resorptive. Composition based on sodium bicarbonate and potassium iodide.
The second group includes: "ACC", "Lazolvan", "Codelac", "Ambrosan", "Bronkatar", "Tussin", "Doctor Mom", "Bromhexine".
Treatment of children
Therapy of bronchial pneumonia in childhood is carried out exclusively under the supervision of a doctor in a hospital. In some cases, the baby is placed in the intensive care unit.
If pneumonia is of a viral nature, then in case of severe illness, the child may be prescribed antiviral drugs.
Children are more susceptibledehydration. The threat is especially high in case of elevated body temperature. That is why it is very important to keep the baby's water balance normal. In some cases, it is necessary to force the introduction of fluid into the body using droppers. And to prevent shortness of breath, they inhale with oxygen.
