The term "acute bronchitis" refers to a pathological process of an inflammatory nature. The defeat of the bronchial tree most often occurs against the background of the active life of viruses. Regular contact of the body with toxic compounds can also act as a provoking factor. Signs of acute bronchitis are similar to the clinical manifestations of colds, and therefore some people do not see a doctor in time. Meanwhile, ignoring the pathology leads to the transition of inflammation into a chronic form. Pulmonologists are involved in the treatment of the disease. It is to the specialists of this profile that you need to contact when signs of acute bronchitis appear.
Etiology and pathogenesis
Penetration of a damaging agent into the body occurs together with the inhaled air, less often - by the lymphogenous or hematogenous route. As a result, in the bronchithe process of development of inflammation starts. It is accompanied by swelling of the mucous membrane, hyperemia and, accordingly, impaired patency. After a while, a mucous or purulent secret begins to form. In addition, acute bronchitis is characterized by degenerative changes in the ciliated epithelium. In severe forms of the disease, not only the mucous membrane is involved in the pathological process, but also deeply located tissues.
Bronchitis is an infectious disease. The pathogen is transmitted by airborne droplets. The main causes of the development of the disease:
- Active vital activity of bacteria (strepto-, pneumo- and staphylococci).
- Viruses (respiratory syncytial, influenza, etc.).
- Life activity of atypical representatives (for example, mycoplasmas and chlamydia).
- Fungi.
- The presence of pathologies of a chronic nature, especially diseases of the respiratory system.
The following factors are provocative:
- Significant weakening of the immune system.
- Professional activity associated with regular contact of the body with toxic compounds.
- Hot or too cold air.
- Dust.
- Smoke.
- Chlorine.
- Pairs of alkalis and acids.
- Hydrogen sulfide.
- Tobacco smoking.
- Drinking alcohol.
- Prone to allergic reactions.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Frequent episodes of hypothermia.
- Past past severepathology.
- Unbalanced diet.
According to statistics, the most common symptoms of acute bronchitis are diagnosed in children and people over 50.
Classification
Pathology has several types. Acute bronchitis is classified as follows:
- According to the etiological factor. The disease can be infectious, non-infectious and mixed.
- According to the mechanism of development. Bronchitis can be primary or secondary. In the latter case, the pathology is a consequence of other existing diseases.
- According to the location of the lesion (bronchiolitis, tracheobronchitis).
- By the nature of the inflammatory process. The disease may be purulent or catarrhal.
- By the nature of the violation of the ventilation process. Allocate non-obstructive and obstructive acute bronchitis. Symptoms in the first case are practically absent, since the process of lung ventilation is practically not disturbed. In the obstructive form, small bronchi and bronchioles are affected.
- By the nature of the flow. The disease may be prolonged or recurrent.
A pulmonologist should deal with any type of pathology. Ignoring the signs of acute bronchitis often leads to the development of complications that pose a danger not only to he alth, but also to the life of the patient.
Clinical manifestations
Symptoms and their severity directly depend on the provoking factor and the degree of tissue damage. The pathology is characterized by an acute onset, accompanied by symptomsintoxication and damage to the respiratory tract. Bronchitis is preceded by symptoms of SARS. The patient complains of nasal congestion, pain and sore throat.
The main symptom of acute bronchitis is coughing. It appears immediately and persists for a long time. As a rule, the cough is paroxysmal in nature. It is sonorous and rough, rarely barking. During coughing, the intensity of pain in the sternum increases. The result of overstrain of muscle tissue in this area is the appearance of discomfort in the abdominal wall.
The first sign of acute bronchitis in adults and children is a dry cough. After a while, the separation of viscous and scanty sputum begins to occur. Then the nature of the pathological secret changes. After a few days, the sputum becomes viscous. It may be mucous or purulent in nature. It is separated much easier than at the initial stage of the development of pathology.
Other signs of acute bronchitis:
- Hoarse voice.
- Increase in body temperature, as a rule, to subfebrile indicators.
- Fast onset of fatigue.
- Weakness.
- Headache.
- Excessive sweating.
- Pain in the back and lower limbs.
The intensity of the clinical symptoms of acute bronchitis increases in the absence of timely treatment. The inflammatory process passes to the bronchioles, as a result of which the lumens of the tree narrow, a severe obstructive syndrome develops, gas exchange and blood circulation are disturbed.
Signs of diseaseat this stage:
- Fever.
- Cyanosis.
- Pale skin.
- Severe shortness of breath.
- Painful cough, accompanied by discharge of mucous scanty sputum.
- Excitation, suddenly replaced by drowsiness and lethargy.
- Decrease in blood pressure.
- Tachycardia.
If bronchitis is allergic in nature, an obstructive syndrome occurs, accompanied by a paroxysmal cough with the release of glassy light sputum. After contact with toxic compounds, laryngospasm develops. Patients complain of a feeling of tightness in the chest, an excruciating cough and suffocation.
Signs of acute bronchitis in children are the same as in adults. But babies endure the disease much harder.
Auscultatory signs of acute bronchitis
When the first alarming symptoms occur, you should consult a pulmonologist. The physician should be given information regarding any symptoms present, their severity and duration.
After the interview, the doctor proceeds to examine the patient. The specialist without fail listens to the condition of the respiratory tract.
Auscultatory signs of acute bronchitis:
- Noises. They can be both he althy and pathological. With the expansion of the alveoli and stretching of their walls, a soft blowing sound is heard. Bronchial breathing is heard a little louder. These noises are considered normal. The main auscultatory sign of acute bronchitis in adults and children aremoist rales. In all cases, a gurgling and wheezing sound is heard well.
- Strengthening the exhalation of alveolar breathing. characteristic of obstructive bronchitis. This condition is caused by obstructed air passage and tension in the alveolar walls.
After performing auscultation, the doctor may perform bronchophony. The essence of the method is to evaluate not the breath, but the nature of the sounds made during it. The doctor asks the patient to whisper words containing the letters “h” and “p”. In a he althy person, the sounds are very quiet. Their patency in acute bronchitis deteriorates significantly.
Laboratory diagnostics
Based on the results of the survey and examination, the doctor issues a referral for examination. Laboratory diagnosis of acute bronchitis includes the following items:
- Carrying out a general blood test. The study is prescribed to confirm or exclude the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. With bronchitis, the number of leukocytes increases and the ESR increases slightly.
- Carrying out a biochemical blood test. A clinically significant indicator is the amount of C-reactive protein. It is considered a kind of marker of the inflammatory process. The higher its value, the more severe the pathology. In addition, an increase in alpha-2 globulins is a sign of acute bronchitis.
- Urine examination. It is carried out in order to assess the work of the kidneys against the background of the existing inflammatory process. Moreover, during the interpretationthe results of the analysis, the doctor can identify all sorts of complications of bronchitis.
- Microscopic examination of sputum. With bronchitis, a large number of neutrophils, dead epithelial cells and macrophages are found in the pathological secret. In the obstructive form of the disease, Kurshman's spirals are detected.
- Bacteriological examination of sputum. The analysis allows you to identify the causative agent of the disease.
Based on the data obtained, the doctor can choose the most effective antibiotics for the patient.
Instrumental diagnostics
A specialist can suspect the presence of bronchitis already during auscultation. To confirm or exclude the diagnosis, the pulmonologist draws up an x-ray referral.
Signs of acute bronchitis:
- In the lungs, the accumulation of pathological fluids is clearly visible.
- Small blood vessels are not visible on the picture.
- The root of the lung becomes blurry. In addition, it is enlarged and deformed.
In severe cases, there are no blood vessels on the x-ray, and the lung pattern is very altered.
If necessary, the doctor prescribes additional studies (pneumotachography, peak flowmetry, spirography).
Drug therapy
Regardless of the severity of the signs of acute bronchitis, treatment of adults and children should not be delayed. This is fraught with the development of life-threatening complications.
The first line of treatment for bronchitis is antibiotics. Doctorsprescribe the following means:
- Aminopenicillins. These include: "Amoxiclav", "Augmentin", "Amoxicillin".
- Macrolides. Examples of funds: "Sumamed", "Macrofoam".
- Fluoroquinolones. Most often, doctors prescribe Levofloxacin.
- Cephalosporins. For example, Cefazolin.
The choice of antibiotic is made by the doctor based on the results of the diagnosis. At the initial stages of development, their oral administration is prescribed. In severe cases, injection of the drug is indicated.
In addition, the treatment of pathology involves taking antiviral and expectorant drugs, as well as bronchodilators and multivitamin complexes. During therapy, bed rest must be observed.
Breathing exercises
Assigned to eliminate stagnation of sputum, as well as restore the mucous membrane. The most widely used breathing exercises according to Strelnikova. Its essence lies in the fact that breaths must be taken through the nose, while they must be active and loud. You need to exhale passively and silently. This can be done through both the nose and the mouth.
Breathing exercises can be done in any position. It is shown from the second day of taking antibacterial agents.
Folk treatments
The use of non-traditional methods significantly increases the effectiveness of drug therapy. But it is important to remember that folk methods should not be considered as the main treatment for acute bronchitis.
Mostactionable recipes:
- Steam inhalation. Boil a few potato tubers. Take them out of the container. Allow liquid to cool slightly. For several minutes, breathe over the water in which the tubers were boiled. If the liquid is not allowed to cool slightly, the course of the disease can be significantly worsened.
- Take equal proportions of oregano, thyme, linden, coltsfoot, licorice and plantain. Thoroughly mix the pre-dried and ground components. Take 1 tbsp. l. collection and pour it with 500 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for 2 hours. Drink in small sips throughout the day.
- Finely chop one medium onion. Mix it with honey in a ratio of 3:1. Let it brew for 3-4 hours. Take 1 tsp. twice a day. Onions can be replaced with garlic. It is not recommended to take this remedy for people suffering from chronic pathologies of the digestive system.
Any folk remedy is a potential allergen. If signs of an adverse reaction occur, treatment of the disease with non-traditional methods should be stopped.
In closing
The term "acute bronchitis" refers to an inflammatory process affecting the bronchial tree. At the initial stage of development, the clinical manifestations of the pathology are similar to the symptoms of colds. In this regard, most people go to the doctor at the stage of development of complications. A pulmonologist can make a preliminary diagnosis already during the initial appointment. He collects an anamnesis and conducts auscultation. Forconfirming his suspicions, the doctor sends the patient for a comprehensive examination. It includes both laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods.
