Causes, symptoms and signs. Types of bronchitis and methods of their diagnosis. Bronchitis. Treatment of bronchitis Acute and chronic bronchitis

Bronchitis is a common disease of the lower respiratory tract, characterized by an inflammatory process in the bronchial mucosa. Symptoms of bronchitis and treatment tactics depend on the form of the disease: acute or chronic, as well as the stage of development of the disease. It is necessary to treat bronchitis of any form and stage in a timely and complete manner: the inflammatory process in the bronchi not only affects the quality of life, but is also dangerous due to severe complications, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pathologies and dysfunctions of the cardiovascular system, etc.

Reasons for the development of the disease

Bronchitis in both children and adults in the vast majority of cases is a primary disease of infectious etiology. The disease most often develops under the influence of an infectious agent. Among the most common causes of primary bronchitis are the following pathogens:

• viruses: parainfluenza, influenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus, enterovirus, measles;
• bacteria (staphylococci, streptococci, Haemophilus influenzae, respiratory forms of mycoplasma, chlamydophila, pertussis pathogen);
• fungal (candida, aspergillus).

In 85% of cases, viruses become the provocateur of the infectious process. However, often with reduced immunity and the presence of a viral infection, favorable conditions arise for the activation of opportunistic flora (staphylococci, streptococci present in the body), which leads to the development of an inflammatory process with mixed flora. Identification of the primary and active components of pathogenic flora is a prerequisite for effective treatment of the disease.
Bronchitis of fungal etiology is quite rare: with normal immunity, activation of fungal flora in the bronchi is almost impossible. Mycotic damage to the bronchial mucosa is possible in case of significant disturbances in the functioning of the immune system: with congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies, after a course of radiation or chemotherapy, when taking cytostatics by cancer patients.
Other factors in the etiology of acute and chronic forms of the disease that provoke the development of an inflammatory process in the lungs include:

• foci of chronic infection in the upper respiratory tract;
• prolonged inhalation of polluted air (dust, bulk materials, smoke, fumes, gases), including smoking;
• pathology of the structure of the organs of the bronchopulmonary system.

Photo: artskvortsova/Shutterstock.com

Classification of the disease bronchitis

In the classification of the disease, there are two main forms: acute and chronic. They differ in manifestations, signs, symptoms, course of the disease and methods of therapy.

Acute bronchitis: symptoms and characteristics

The acute form occurs suddenly, proceeds violently and lasts on average 7-10 days with proper therapy. After this period, the affected cells of the bronchial walls begin to regenerate, and full recovery from inflammation of viral and/or bacterial etiology occurs after 3 weeks.
According to the nature of the disease, mild, moderate and severe degrees are distinguished. Classification is based on:

• severity of respiratory failure;
• blood and sputum test results;
• X-ray examination of the area of ​​​​bronchial lesions.

There are also different types according to the nature of the inflammatory exudate:

• catarrhal;
• purulent;
• mixed catarrhal-purulent;
• atrophic.

The classification is carried out based on the results of sputum analysis: thus, purulent bronchitis is accompanied by the presence of an abundant amount of leukocytes and macrophages in the exudate.
The degree of bronchial obstruction determines such types of diseases as acute obstructive and non-obstructive bronchitis. In children under 1 year of age, acute obstructive bronchitis occurs in the form of bronchiolitis, accompanied by blockage of both deep and small bronchi.

Acute non-obstructive form

The acute non-obstructive, or simple form is characterized by the development of a catarrhal inflammatory process in the bronchi of large and medium caliber and the absence of blockage of the bronchi with inflammatory contents. The most common cause of this form is viral infection and non-infectious agents.
As the disease progresses and with appropriate treatment, sputum leaves the bronchi during coughing, and respiratory failure does not develop.

Acute obstructive form of bronchitis

This form is especially dangerous for preschool children due to the narrowness of the respiratory tract and the tendency to bronchospasm with a small amount of sputum.
The inflammatory process, most often of a purulent or catarrhal-purulent nature, covers the bronchi of medium and small caliber, and their lumen is blocked with exudate. The muscle walls reflexively contract, causing spasm. Respiratory failure occurs, leading to oxygen starvation of the body.

Chronic form of the disease

In the chronic form, signs of the inflammatory process in the walls of the bronchi are observed for three or more months. The main symptom of chronic bronchitis is an unproductive cough, usually in the morning, after sleep. Shortness of breath may also occur, worsening with exercise.
The inflammation is chronic, occurring with periods of exacerbation and remission. Most often, the chronic form is caused by constantly acting aggressive factors: occupational hazards (smoke, fumes, soot, gases, chemical fumes). The most common provocateur is tobacco smoke from active or passive smoking.
The chronic form is typical for the adult part of the population. In children, it can develop only in the presence of immunodeficiencies, structural abnormalities of the lower respiratory system, and severe chronic diseases.

Photo: Helen Sushitskaya/Shutterstock.com

Different forms of bronchitis: signs and symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the form of the disease and in different age periods.

Symptoms in adults

A formed respiratory system, immunity and longer exposure to negative factors than in children determine the main differences in the manifestation of both acute and chronic forms of the disease in adulthood.

Acute form in adults

Most often (in 85% of cases) it occurs as a consequence of an acute respiratory viral infection. It is characterized by a rapid onset of the disease, starting with discomfort in the chest area, painful attacks of dry, non-productive cough, worsening at night, when lying down, causing pain in the pectoral and diaphragmatic muscles.

With bronchitis against the background of ARVI, general symptoms of a viral disease are observed: intoxication of the body (weakness, headaches, aching sensations in muscles, joints), hyperthermia, possible layering of catarrhal manifestations (rhinitis, sore throat, lacrimation, etc.)

Coughing in this disease is a protective mechanism that helps remove inflammatory exudate from the bronchi. With proper treatment, 3-5 days after the onset of the disease, the stage of productive cough with sputum production begins, which brings some relief. When breathing in the chest using a stethoscope or without instrumental examination, moist rales are heard.

In acute respiratory viral infections, the stage of productive cough usually coincides with the beginning of recovery from ARVI: manifestations of intoxication in the body are reduced, body temperature normalizes (or is kept within subfebrile limits). If such phenomena are not observed 3-5 days after the onset of the disease, it is necessary to diagnose the possible addition of a bacterial infection and/or the development of complications.

The total duration of the cough period is up to 2 weeks, until the bronchial tree is completely cleared of sputum. About 7-10 days after the end of the cough, a period of regeneration of epithelial cells in the walls of the bronchi lasts, after which complete recovery occurs. The average duration of the acute form of the disease in adults is 2-3 weeks; in healthy people without bad habits, the uncomplicated acute form ends with the restoration of full health of the lower respiratory tract.

Acute obstructive form

Acute obstructive form in adults is much less common than in children, and, due to physiology, poses a much lower threat to health and life, although the prognosis is based mainly on the severity of respiratory failure in the patient.

Respiratory failure in the obstructive acute form of the disease depends on the degree of blockage of the bronchial lumen by inflammatory exudate and the area of ​​bronchospasm.

The acute obstructive form is typical mainly for people diagnosed with bronchial asthma, smokers, the elderly, and those with chronic forms of lung or heart disease.
The first symptoms are shortness of breath due to oxygen deficiency, including at rest, an unproductive cough with prolonged painful attacks, wheezing in the chest with a pronounced increase in inspiration.

With moderate and severe degrees of respiratory failure, the patient strives for a semi-sitting position, sitting, with support on the forearms. The auxiliary muscles of the chest are involved in the breathing process; the expansion of the wings of the nose is visually noticeable when inhaling. With significant hypoxia, cyanosis is noted in the area of ​​the nasolabial triangle, darkening of the tissues under the nail plates on the hands and feet. Any effort causes shortness of breath, including the process of speaking.

Relief with proper therapy occurs on days 5-7 with the onset of a productive cough and removal of sputum from the bronchi. In general, the disease lasts longer than the non-obstructive form; the recovery process takes up to 4 weeks.

Symptoms and stages of the chronic form of the disease

The chronic stage is diagnosed when the cough has been bronchial for at least three months, as well as a history of certain risk factors for developing the disease. The most common factor is tobacco smoking, most often active, but passive inhalation of smoke also often leads to an inflammatory process in the walls of the bronchi.
The chronic form can occur in an erased form or in alternating acute phases and remission. As a rule, an exacerbation of the disease is observed against the background of a viral or bacterial infection, however, the acute phase in the presence of a chronic form differs from acute bronchitis against the background of general bronchial health in the severity of symptoms, duration, and the frequent addition of complications of bacterial etiology.
An exacerbation can also be triggered by changes in climatic conditions, exposure to a cold, damp environment. Without appropriate therapy, the chronic form of the disease progresses, respiratory failure increases, and exacerbations become more and more severe.
During periods of remission in the early stages of the disease, the patient may be bothered by an episodic cough after a night's sleep. As the inflammatory process increases, the clinical picture expands, complemented by shortness of breath during exercise, increased sweating, fatigue, coughing attacks at night and during periods of rest while lying down.
The later stages of the chronic form cause a change in the shape of the chest, pronounced frequent moist rales in the chest when breathing. Coughing attacks are accompanied by the release of purulent exudate, the skin acquires an earthy tint, and cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle is noticeable, first after physical activity, then at rest. The late stage of the chronic form of bronchitis is difficult to treat; without treatment, as a rule, it develops into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Symptoms in children

Photo: Travel_Master/Shutterstock.com

Among the main causes of illness in children are not only pathogenic microorganisms, but also allergens. Acute bronchitis can also be a period of the course of childhood diseases such as measles, whooping cough, and rubella.
Risk factors for the development of bronchitis are prematurity and low body weight in newborns, especially when feeding artificial breast milk substitutes, abnormal structure and pathologies of development of the bronchopulmonary system, immunodeficiency conditions, impaired nasal breathing due to a deviated nasal septum, chronic diseases accompanied by the proliferation of adenoid tissue, chronic foci of infection in the respiratory system and/or oral cavity.
The acute form of the disease in preschool children is quite common and accounts for 10% of all acute respiratory diseases in this age period, which is due to the anatomical features of the structure of the child’s respiratory system.

Acute non-obstructive form in children

The acute non-obstructive form in childhood proceeds in the same way as in adult patients: starting with a dry cough and signs of intoxication of the body, the disease progresses to the stage of sputum production on days 3-5. The total duration of the disease in the absence of complications is 2-3 weeks.
This form is considered the most favorable in terms of prognosis for recovery, but it is more common in schoolchildren and adolescents. Due to the structure of the respiratory system, children of preschool age are more likely to develop obstructive bronchitis and bronchiolitis.

Acute obstructive form in children: symptoms and stages of the disease

Acute obstructive bronchitis is diagnosed in children under 3 years of age with a frequency of 1:4, that is, every fourth child before reaching the age of three suffers from this form of the disease at least once. Children are also prone to repeated episodes of the disease; several obstructive inflammatory processes in the bronchi during the year may indicate the manifestation of bronchial asthma. Frequent, repeating episodes of the disease also increase the likelihood of developing a chronic form, bronchiectasis, and emphysema.

The acute obstructive form occurs against the background of damage to the bronchi of small and medium calibers with the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the deep parts of the respiratory organ, blockage of the lumens and the occurrence of bronchospasm. The increased likelihood of developing obstruction is due to the anatomical narrowness of the bronchi and the increased tendency of muscle tissue to contract in response to irritants in the form of sputum, characteristic of childhood. The obstructive form in children is manifested primarily by wheezing in the chest area, shortness of breath that increases with speaking, physical activity, increased frequency of respiratory movements, and difficulty exhaling.

Cough is not a mandatory symptom; in infants or weakened children it may be absent. Respiratory failure leads to the appearance of symptoms such as cyanosis (blue discoloration of the skin) of the nasolabial triangle, fingernails and toenails. When breathing, there is a pronounced movement of retraction of the intercostal spaces, expansion of the wings of the nose. Body temperature, as a rule, remains in the subfebrile range, not exceeding 38°C. With a concomitant viral infection, catarrhal manifestations may occur: runny nose, sore throat, lacrimation, etc.

Bronchiolitis in children as a type of bronchitis: symptoms and treatment

Acute bronchiolitis is the most dangerous type of inflammatory damage to bronchial tissue in childhood. Most often, bronchiolitis is diagnosed in children under 3 years of age. The disease is dangerous with a high number of deaths (1% of cases), the most susceptible to it are children aged 5-7 months, born prematurely, with low body weight, fed with artificial formula, as well as babies with congenital anomalies of the respiratory organs and cardiac system.
The prevalence of bronchiolitis is 3% in children of the first year of life. The greatest danger is posed by a viral infection: RV viruses, which have a tropism for the tissue of the mucous surface of the small bronchi, provoke a significant proportion of bronchiolitis in children.
The following pathogens are also identified:

• cytomegalovirus;
• human herpes virus;
• varicella zoster virus (chickenpox);
• chlamydia;
• mycoplasma.

Most often, infection occurs in utero or during childbirth; the disease develops with a decrease in innate immunity, especially in the absence of breastfeeding.
The disease can be complicated by the addition of a bacterial inflammatory process with the activation of opportunistic microorganisms present in the body (streptococci, staphylococci).
The development of the disease is sudden and rapid. Primary manifestations are limited to symptoms of intoxication (lethargy, lethargy, moodiness), a slight increase in body temperature, and discharge from the nasal passages.
On the 2-3rd day, wheezing when breathing, shortness of breath begins, the child expresses anxiety, is starved of food, and cannot suck the breast, pacifier, or pacifier. The respiratory rate reaches 80 respiratory movements per minute, the pulse accelerates to 160-180 beats/min. Cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle, blanching or blueness of the skin, especially fingers and toes, is detected. There is pronounced lethargy, lethargy, lack of a revitalization complex, and no reaction upon treatment.
Bronchiolitis in infants requires immediate initiation of hospital treatment.

Diagnosis of the disease

To diagnose the disease, determine its causes, stage of development and the presence of complications, the following research methods are used:

• collecting anamnesis, analyzing patient complaints, visual examination, listening to breathing sounds with a stethoscope;
• general blood analysis;
• general sputum analysis;
• X-ray examination to exclude or confirm pneumonia as a complication of bronchitis;
• spirographic examination to determine the degree of obstruction and respiratory failure;
• bronchoscopy for suspected anatomical developmental abnormalities, the presence of a foreign body in the bronchi, tumor changes;
• computed tomography according to indications.

Treatment methods for different forms of the disease

Depending on the cause of the disease, drugs that act on the pathogen are first prescribed: antiviral medications, antibiotics, antifungals, etc.
In addition to etiotropic therapy, symptomatic treatment must be used in combination: antipyretics, mucolytic drugs (acetylcysteine, ambroxol), drugs that suppress the cough reflex, in case of severe painful coughing attacks, bronchodilators.
Both general and local drugs are used (through inhalers, nebulizers, instillations and sprays into the nasal passages, etc.).
Methods of physical therapy, gymnastics, and massage are added to drug therapy to facilitate the separation and removal of sputum.
In the treatment of the chronic form, the main role is played by the elimination of the factor that provokes the inflammatory process in the tissues of the bronchi: occupational hazards, environmental conditions, smoking. After eliminating this factor, long-term treatment is carried out with mucolytic, bronchodilator drugs, and restorative medications. It is possible to use oxygen therapy and spa treatment.

Bronchitis is a respiratory disease characterized by damage to the walls of the bronchi. Recently, there has been an increasing prevalence of bronchitis. This is due to the fact that there is constant pollution of the atmosphere with harmful and toxic gases, widespread dusty industries, smoking in adolescence, increased incidence of influenza epidemics, etc. Treatment of bronchitis must begin from the very beginning of the disease and avoid complications, special attention is paid to in the treatment of bronchitis in children.

Bronchitis can be an independent disease, or it can be a consequence of other diseases.

There are bronchitis:

Chronic.

Acute bronchitis

The viral infection begins in the nasal pharynx and then moves downwards. multiply in the cells of the trachea and bronchi (breathing tubes). Viral or bacterial infection is the main cause of acute bronchitis. Moreover, the development of the disease is not caused by the microbes that we usually become infected with influenza, but by those that are in each person’s mouth and nose. If the body is weakened, for example, due to a cold or lack of sleep, then its own microbes from the oral cavity descend into the bronchi and begin to multiply. Acute bronchitis is manifested by cough, weakness, increased fatigue, and the temperature may also rise. Some patients are concerned about shortness of breath. Doctors listen for wheezing in the lungs. Subsequently, the disease disappears without a trace.

Chronical bronchitis refers to nonspecific lung diseases.

Chronical bronchitis characterized by the following features:

Diffuse damage to the bronchial tree occurs,

There is a progressive chronic course of the disease with periods of exacerbation and remission,

The main symptoms are cough, sputum production and shortness of breath.

But in some cases there may not be periods of exacerbation.

Acute bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the bronchial mucosa. Typically, acute bronchitis occurs in combination with acute inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract. The viral infection begins in the nasal pharynx and then moves downwards. Influenza viruses multiply in the cells of the trachea and bronchi (breathing tubes). Viral or bacterial infection is the main cause of acute bronchitis. Moreover, the development of the disease is not caused by the microbes that we usually become infected with influenza, but by those that are in each person’s mouth and nose. If the body is weakened, for example, due to a cold or lack of sleep, then its own microbes from the oral cavity descend into the bronchi and begin to multiply. An acute inflammatory process can occur due to the irritating effects of smoke, dust or caustic fumes.

The mucous membrane of the bronchi in acute bronchitis has pronounced hyperemia, purulent or serous exudate is released, which determines the nature of the sputum.

In acute bronchitis, a sharp and dry cough occurs. In the first few days, sputum is difficult to clear. The temperature may rise slightly. In the blood, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is increased and there is moderate leukocytosis.

Breathing with bronchitis: with percussion (tapping on individual parts of the body) a clear pulmonary sound is detected above the lungs, often with a boxy tint. During auscultation (a diagnostic method that involves listening to sounds), in the first days of the disease, vesicular breathing (normal breathing noise) with prolonged exhalation, dry whistling or buzzing rales are detected. After coughing, the amount of wheezing may decrease. Sometimes wheezing is absent during quiet breathing and is heard only during forced breathing (with excessive activation of respiratory muscles). After 2-3 days, moist rales of various sizes may appear. Changes in other organs are often insignificant

Bronchitis: causes of bronchitis

The main causes of bronchitis can be exogenous and endogenous factors.

The main exogenous factor that leads to the development of chronic bronchitis is smoking . Many experts consider smoking one of the main causes of this lung disease. Tobacco smoke contains more than 700 components that are harmful to health. The incidence of chronic bronchitis is very closely related to the duration of smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked. In people who smoke, bronchitis is more severe than in non-smokers; with so-called passive smoking, when a person is in an atmosphere of tobacco smoke, although he himself does not smoke, cases of chronic bronchitis are also detected.

The next exogenous factor is air pollution . Nowadays, there are many particles and substances harmful to the body in the air. Smog is especially dangerous, as it can cause severe exacerbations of bronchopulmonary diseases. Smog is formed as a result of rapid air pollution by fuel combustion products that accumulate, especially in calm weather, under a layer of warm air. Smog can linger in the air for up to several days, leading to a sharp increase in lung disease exacerbations and even deaths, especially among older adults and people with chronic lung diseases.

In addition, chronic bronchitis can be caused dust, toxic vapors and gases that a person encounters at work.

It can also be a bronchial irritant flour, cotton, coal, cement and quartz dust, ammonia, chlorine vapors, various acids etc. Additionally, high air temperatures in hot shops, drafts or low temperatures in production have a negative impact on the condition of the bronchopulmonary apparatus.

Contributes to the disease of chronic bronchitis and climatic conditions . In damp and cold climates, there is an increase in the number of cases of bronchitis.

Many experts believe that a major role in the occurrence of chronic bronchitis is played by viral infections . It is assumed that bronchopulmonary infections that are transmitted in childhood can cause chronic bronchitis in adults. In acute bronchitis, the patency of the bronchi may be impaired, which leads to acute bronchitis becoming chronic.

The next endogenous factors in the development of the disease are some diseases, including allergy . Chronic bronchitis develops as a result of mild but long-term adverse external influences, which lead to tension in the defense mechanisms, their hypertrophy and exhaustion, which only aggravates the course of the disease.

Bronchitis: signs of bronchitis

Signs of acute bronchitis

Weakness

Increased fatigue

Temperature may also rise

Some patients experience shortness of breath

Doctors listen for wheezing in the lungs.

In the initial stages, a dry cough, weakness, and a drop in temperature appear. On the 3-4th day, symptoms of acute bronchitis appear, usually the temperature rises, and a wet cough appears. Depending on the infection, fever can last 2-3 days for parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial infections, and for adenoviral and mycoplasma infections from 10 days or more. On auscultation, rough, diffuse rales spread.

Usually, cough occurs in the morning, with a large amount of sputum . And it also happens that a hacking cough bothers the patient, but there is no sputum.
The condition worsens when inhaling strong odors, contact with irritants, or even cold bedding. Cough often occurs at night, and it must be treated, otherwise bronchiectasis (dilatation of the bronchi) may occur in the lungs.

With a dry cough, doctors listen to a large amount of whistling and buzzing wheezing . However, sometimes you don’t have to be a doctor to hear this. Shortness of breath is also a symptom of bronchitis. But to make an accurate diagnosis, you need to see a doctor.

Signs of chronic bronchitis usually are:

Sputum production

In chronic bronchitis, the bronchial walls become approximately 2 times thicker than in the normal state. With an exacerbation of the inflammatory process, cellular infiltration of leukocytes and lymphoid cells occurs. Such infiltration is observed in all layers of the bronchial walls.

Cough in the initial manifestations of chronic bronchitis does not bother the patient much. Most often, a cough appears in the morning and is accompanied by a small amount of sputum. Sputum separation occurs as a result of the fact that upon awakening a person makes active movements, which are accompanied by an increase in ventilation of the lungs and an increase in the tone of the sympathetic nervous system. During the cold and damp seasons the cough usually gets worse, while during the dry and warm seasons it may stop altogether. In some patients, cough may appear only during periods of exacerbation, and during periods of remission it may be completely absent. But with the development of exacerbation of bronchitis, the cough, as a rule, intensifies and bothers patients both during the day and at night.

With bronchitis, a cough, which is accompanied by sputum production, indicates the activation of protective mechanisms to cleanse the bronchi of excess secretions. Cough occurs when vagus nerve receptors are irritated in areas located in the large bronchi, larynx and trachea. There are no such receptors in the small bronchi, so if they are damaged, the disease can pass without coughing and only manifest as shortness of breath.

Subsequently, the cough intensifies, becomes barking, painful and occurs in attacks. Such attacks are provoked by any influence: a change in the temperature of the inhaled air, the presence of irritating substances in the inhaled air. During these processes, a small amount of sputum is released. But it may not be released, since the mucus lingers and does not come out. Such a cough does not have a protective function and can lead to more severe conditions.

In patients with severe respiratory failure, the cough usually subsides later. But this is an unfavorable sign, since mucus stagnation is possible, so it is necessary to stimulate the discharge of sputum and drain the bronchi.

In chronic bronchitis occurs sputum production . However, there may be so-called dry bronchitis, in which there is no sputum production. At the beginning of the disease, there is a slight secretion of sputum, which is mucous, light in color, sometimes gray or black, depending on exposure to tobacco smoke and dust. Subsequently, mucopurulent or purulent sputum appears. This is associated with an exacerbation of the disease or acute pneumonia. Purulent sputum occurs every time the disease worsens, usually in winter. Purulent sputum is highly viscous, so the patient experiences certain difficulties when coughing up in the morning. As the disease worsens, the amount of sputum increases, and the amount of pus present in it also increases.

In some cases, with chronic bronchitis, phenomena are observed hemoptysis . There are blood streaks in the sputum.

With chronic bronchitis, approximately 50 ml of sputum is produced per day, but with purulent bronchitis this amount can be significantly higher.

Dyspnea is the next manifestation of chronic bronchitis. Most often, shortness of breath occurs with obstructive bronchitis. At first it occurs only when performing significant physical activity, and over the course of a number of years it increases. Usually the patient experiences difficulty breathing in the morning, which disappears immediately after clearing the throat. In the early stages of bronchitis, shortness of breath occurs only in acute stages and is accompanied by a severe cough.

Dyspnea in most patients occurs unnoticed and gradually and progresses over many years. Chronic bronchitis itself can occur without visible exacerbations, while shortness of breath may depend on air temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure.

If a patient with chronic bronchitis has any allergies, then he will experience bronchospasms . Sometimes this symptom is called pre-asthma.

Bronchitis can be complicated by pneumonia or become chronic. The sooner treatment is started, the better. Chronic bronchitis is especially dangerous. It is severe and difficult to treat. A special form of chronic bronchitis is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Types of chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis occurs:

Obstructive,

Non-obstructive.

At obstructive In chronic bronchitis, shortness of breath occurs during physical exertion and under the influence of various irritants - changes in temperature and the presence of irritants in the inhaled air.

With obstructive bronchitis, an unproductive cough is observed, in which the separation of sputum is preceded by significant efforts of the patient. With free breathing, the exhalation time increases slightly; exhalation is accompanied by wheezing, which is heard when the patient is lying down. With obstructive chronic bronchitis, symptoms of pulmonary emphysema are observed.

Usually, with chronic bronchitis, there is a combination of several types of bronchial obstruction:

- bronchospasm,

- inflammatory changes in the bronchi,

- increase and qualitative change in sputum,

- collapse of small bronchi.

Diagnosis of chronic bronchitis

The onset of chronic bronchitis can be detected by paying close attention to the patient’s cough. Some patients experience periodic exacerbations, they are observed seasonally or after viral respiratory diseases. This exacerbation of chronic bronchitis must be distinguished from similar symptoms of acute bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis is usually lasts no more than 2 weeks, and exacerbation of chronic bronchitis - from 3 to 4 weeks. In some patients, acute bronchitis develops into chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema may be unrelated to each other and develop simultaneously. Typically, chronic bronchitis begins in the large bronchi and gradually spreads to all parts of the bronchial tree. But it is possible for the disease to develop in a way that only small bronchi are affected. In this case, the disease occurs without visible symptoms, since these sections are not supplied with cough receptors and shortness of breath occurs much later. Therefore, the small bronchi are usually called the dead zone of the lungs.

To differentiate chronic bronchitis from other diseases with similar manifestations, you need to know that bronchitis occurs in waves. This is an important sign of chronic bronchitis.

With purulent bronchitis, fevers and intoxications may occur, and the pathological process can spread to nearby lung tissue.

As chronic bronchitis progresses, the cough further intensifies and the amount of sputum, which may contain pus, increases. The patient's condition periodically worsens due to hypothermia, the presence of viral infections and other negative factors. The number of exacerbations increases, and they become longer lasting. Shortness of breath gradually increases.

Treatment of bronchitis: treatment of chronic bronchitis

Treatment of chronic bronchitis should be individual , that is, the doctor needs to find out about the course of the patient’s illness, about his lifestyle and work.

Treatment should be timely , i.e. it should start as early as possible. In this case, it is necessary to exclude the influence of harmful factors on the body. If treatment is started late, it may not bring any results. Therefore, early diagnosis and timing of treatment should not be underestimated.

In addition, treatment of chronic bronchitis should be continuous . Many patients are prescribed constant drug treatment; in addition, they are recommended to engage in physical therapy, monitor their daily routine and adhere to a certain type of diet. For chronic bronchitis possible hospitalization , the issue of which must be decided on an individual basis. Indications for hospitalization are usually periods of exacerbation or progressive respiratory problems. Hospitalization is required if there is acute respiratory failure, which is associated with exacerbation of bronchitis, or acute pneumonia.

The most effective treatment method is endobronchial sanitation with drugs . Usually an isotonic sodium chloride solution warmed to room temperature is poured in. Sanitation is done using a laryngeal syringe or a rubber catheter, which is inserted through the nose. During this procedure, the patient sits, using a gauze napkin, he pulls the tongue forward with his hand - 5 ml of the solution is injected onto the root of the tongue. If the procedure is performed correctly, then immediately after administration the patient should develop a cough. Such infusions promote drainage of the bronchi.

When infusing medicinal solutions through a rubber catheter, it is necessary to anesthetize the mucous membrane of the nose, pharynx and larynx. Usually a solution of novocaine or dicaine is used, which is instilled into the nasal passages using a pipette. After the patient notices numbness and a “lump” in the throat, the catheter is inserted through the nose shallowly into the trachea while inhaling. If the catheter is inserted correctly, a disturbance in phonation occurs, a cough appears, and when coughing, a strong stream of air comes out through the end of the catheter.

Modern treatment methods include

In addition, an effective treatment method is bronchoscopic sanitation of bronchi . Various aerosols containing drugs that are administered into the respiratory tract are widely used in treatment. Their use creates a high local concentration and promotes distribution throughout the bronchial tree.

In case of a bacterial inflammatory process, it is carried out antibiotic treatment . They are used in the form of aerosols. Streptomycin, penicillin and other drugs are prescribed.

During an exacerbation of chronic bronchitis It is recommended to use sulfonamide drugs (biseptol, sulfapyridazine, sulfalene, etc.). Bronchodilators are also used, aminophylline is especially effective. In chronic bronchitis, sputum accumulates in the bronchi, which must be removed in a timely manner. For these purposes, expectorants are used, which are divided into mucolytics and mucoregulators. An effective expectorant is potassium iodide, which is used 1 tablespoon 5-6 times a day (3% solution). After this course of treatment, take a short break, about 2-3 days. To facilitate sputum discharge, it is recommended to give the patient plenty of fluids and use medicinal plants that increase sputum production. This is wild rosemary, coltsfoot, etc.

Various techniques are used as a supplement physiotherapy : ultrasound, ultraviolet irradiation of the chest, pine baths.

It is also necessary to carry out therapeutic exercises and massage , in which vibration movements predominate. If possible, patients with chronic bronchitis should receive sanatorium-resort treatment, which is carried out in the dry, warm season. However, sanatorium treatment is contraindicated for patients with stage II and III pulmonary heart failure; it is recommended to refer patients for treatment only during remission.

Comprehensive treatment of acute bronchitis : for a painful cough, antitussive drugs are prescribed; for a dry cough, it is recommended to inhale a 2% sodium bicarbonate solution; you need to drink plenty of alkaline mineral water or warm milk with soda. If the temperature is elevated, antipyretics are prescribed. For shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, use bronchodilators (theophedrine - 1 tablet), sulfa drugs or antibiotics.

Recommended for several days bed rest and mustard plasters to the chest area. After normalization of body temperature, exercise therapy, massage and physiotherapy are prescribed. Tempering procedures such as wiping, baths, swimming and contrast showers are important for acute bronchitis.

To prevent the development of bronchitis, it is necessary to reduce exposure to hazardous industries, combat excess air pollution, combat smoking, and avoid hypothermia.

Treatment of bronchitis with drugs

Treatment of bronchitis - drugs that stimulate expectoration

Reflex acting drugs

These include drugs thermopsis, istoda, marshmallow, licorice, coltsfoot And. When taken orally, drugs of this group have a moderate irritant effect on the stomach receptors, which reflexively increases the secretion of the salivary glands and bronchial mucous glands. The effect of these drugs is short-lived, so frequent, small doses are necessary (every 2-4 hours). Expectorants include copious alkaline drinks, infusions and decoctions of marshmallow and thermopsis - up to 10 times a day. Expectorants are used both during exacerbation of the disease and during remission.

Resorptive drugs : sodium and potassium iodide, sodium bicarbonate I and other salt preparations. They increase bronchial secretion, cause dilution of bronchial secretions and thereby facilitate expectoration.

Treatment of bronchitis - mucolytic drugs

Bromhexine.
Tablets and dragees 8, 12, 16 mg Medicine in a bottle.
Syrup. Solution for oral use. Adults are prescribed 8-16 mg 4 times a day.

Bisolvon.
8 mg tablets, 100 pieces per package. Solution for oral use. Elixir. Prescribe 8-16 mg 4 times a day.

Ambrobene (ambroxol).
Tablets 30 mg 20 pieces per pack. Retard capsules 75 mg, 10 and 20 pieces per package. Solution for oral use, 40 and 100 ml in bottles. Syrup 100 ml in bottles.
The usual daily dose of the drug in tablets is 60 mg. Take 1 tablet 2-3 times a day with food, with a small amount of liquid. Extended-release capsules (retard capsules) are prescribed 1 piece in the morning. The solution is prescribed in 4 ml 3 times a day for the first 2-3 days, and then 2 ml 3 times a day. The drug in the form of syrup is recommended for adults in the first 2-3 days, 10 ml 3 times a day, and then 5 ml 3 times a day.

Lazolvan.
Tablets 30 mg 50 pieces per package. Syrup 100 ml in bottles. Prescribe 30 mg 2-3 times a day.

There are also a large number of combination drugs: etc.

Medicines with anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator effects

Currently, a drug has appeared that has both an anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator effect. This drug is called erespal (fenspiride). When treated with Erespal, the degree of airway obstruction decreases, the amount of mucus produced decreases, which is associated with both a decrease in the formation and a decrease in secretion, that is, the drug acts in terms of reducing excess mucus production. Available in 80 mg tablets (30 tablets per pack). The drug is prescribed 2-3 tablets per day.

Treatment of bronchitis - aerosol therapy with phytoncides and antiseptics

Aerosol therapy with phytoncides and antiseptics can be carried out using ultrasonic inhalers, which create homogeneous aerosols with optimal particle size that penetrate to the peripheral parts of the bronchial tree. The use of drugs in the form of aerosols ensures their high local concentration and uniform distribution of the drug in the bronchial tree. Using aerosols, you can inhale the antiseptics furatsilin, rivanol, chlorophyllipt, onion or garlic juice (diluted with a 0.25% solution of novocaine in a ratio of 1:30), fir infusion, lingonberry leaf condensate, dioxidine. After aerosol therapy, postural drainage and vibration massage are performed.

Inhalations and treatment of bronchitis

During periods of remission of chronic bronchitis, secondary prevention measures are carried out aimed at preventing exacerbations. The most preferred and safest route of drug administration is inhalation, which usually does not cause serious side effects. With this method of administration, the bronchodilator drug enters directly into the bronchi. There is a wide variety of inhalers, and metered dose inhalers are the most common.

In order to ensure maximum penetration of the drug into the respiratory tract, it is very important to use the metered dose inhaler correctly.

Technique for using an inhaler next:

- Shake the inhaler (to obtain an aerosol of uniform particle size);

— remove the protective cap (many patients forget to do this);

- tilt your head back a little (to slightly straighten the upper respiratory tract and ensure free flow of medicine into the bronchi);

— turn the inhaler upside down (the mouthpiece should be at the bottom);

- exhale completely.

— Cover the mouthpiece of the inhaler tightly with your lips (so as not to spray the drug into the air).

- Starting to inhale, press the bottom of the inhaler and inhale the medicine deeply (make only one press on the bottom of the can).

- Hold your breath for 5-10 seconds (so that the medicine settles on the wall of the bronchi).

- Take a calm breath.

— If necessary, repeat the manipulation.

It is important to understand that despite feeling well, regular treatment is necessary. This is due to the fact that the progression of the process occurs imperceptibly, gradually, over many years. Therefore, when a patient experiences pronounced changes in well-being (shortness of breath with little physical exertion and at rest), the process of changes in the bronchi is already significantly expressed. Therefore, in order to stop the progression of the process, it is necessary to begin treatment as early as possible, that is, immediately from the moment of diagnosis.

Since narrowing of the bronchi plays a major role in the development and progression of chronic obstructive bronchitis, drugs that dilate the bronchi are mainly used for the permanent treatment of the disease. An ideal bronchodilator drug for the treatment of chronic obstructive bronchitis should meet the following requirements: high efficiency; minimal number and severity of adverse reactions; maintaining effectiveness despite long-term use.

Treatment of bronchitis - inhaled anticholinergics

1. Inhaled anticholinergics with bronchodilator action

Today, inhaled anticholinergic drugs best meet these requirements.
They act mainly on large bronchi. Drugs in this group are characterized by a pronounced bronchodilator effect and a minimal number of side effects. This includes atrovent, troventol, truvent .

These drugs do not cause tremor (shaking) and do not affect the cardiovascular system. Treatment with Atrovent usually begins with 2 inhalations 4 times a day. A decrease in bronchial obstruction and, therefore, an improvement in well-being occurs no earlier than 7-10 days after the start of therapy. It is possible to increase the dose of the drug to 16-24 breaths per day. Drugs in this group are used for basic long-term bronchodilator therapy. It is preferable to use a metered dose inhaler with a spacer.

Atrovent.
Metered aerosol. 300 doses of 20 mcg.

2. Inhaled short-acting B-2-agonists

They also have a bronchodilator effect. These drugs are less effective for chronic obstructive bronchitis than anticholinergics. It is recommended to use drugs in this group no more than 3-4 times a day or as prophylaxis before physical activity. The combined use of short-acting inhaled beta-2 agonists in patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis is more effective than therapy with bronchodilator drugs of the same group.

Caution is required when using beta-2 agonist drugs in elderly people, especially in the presence of cardiovascular diseases.

Side effects: possible trembling of the hands, internal tremors, tension, palpitations, nausea, vomiting.

The most common drugs in this group are the following.

Berotek (fenoterol). Metered aerosol for inhalation. 300 inhalation doses of 200 mcg.

Berotek-100 (fenoterol). (Boehringer Ingelheim, Germany). A metered aerosol containing a lower dose of the drug is 100 mcg.

Salbutamol.
Metered aerosol of 100 mcg per dose.

Ventolin (salbutamol). Aerosol inhaler 100 mcg per dose.

There is a drug that is a combination of drugs from these two groups.

Berodual (20 mcg ipratropium bromide + 50 mcg fenoterol). The two bronchodilators contained in Berodual have a stronger effect in combination than each of them individually. If combined treatment with inhaled anticholinergics and short-acting beta-2 agonists is ineffective, your doctor may recommend another group of drugs.

Treatment of bronchitis - a group of methylxanthines

Main representative methylxanthine groups is theophylline . It has a weaker bronchodilator effect compared to inhaled anticholinergics and beta-2 agonists. However, in addition to the bronchodilator effect, drugs in this group have a number of other properties: they prevent or reduce fatigue of the respiratory muscles; activate the motor ability of the ciliated epithelium; stimulate breathing.

Side effects: irritation of the gastric mucosa, pain in the epigastric region, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, insomnia, anxiety, headache, trembling, rapid heartbeat, arrhythmias, decreased blood pressure.

Of the theophylline group of drugs, its extended forms are of greatest interest.

There are a large number of drugs offered in this group. They are prescribed by a doctor. The dose and treatment regimen depend on the severity of the disease and some other individual factors.

First generation drugs (taken 2 times a day).

Teopek .
Tablets, 0.3 g. 50 pieces per package.

Slow fillin. Tablets of 0.1 and 0.2 g. 100 pieces per package.

Theotard.
Retard capsules of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 g. 20, 60 and 100 pieces per package.

Durophyllin.
Capsules of 0.125 and 0.25 g. 40 pieces per pack.

Retafil.
Tablets of 0.2 and 0.3 g. 100 pieces per package.

II generation drugs (taken once a day).

Euphylong.
Retard capsules of 0.375 and 0.25 g. 20, 50, 100 pieces per package.

Treatment of bronchitis - glucocorticosteroids

Another group of drugs that can be recommended to be taken as basic therapy are glucocorticosteroids. In chronic obstructive bronchitis, they are prescribed in cases where airway obstruction remains severe and causes disability despite smoking cessation and optimal bronchodilator therapy. The doctor usually prescribes these drugs in tablet form against the background of ongoing therapy with bronchodilators. The most common of this group is prednisolone .

All of the above drugs belong to basic therapy, that is, when prescribed, they should be taken regularly for a long time. Only in this case can you count on the success of therapy. We would like to once again emphasize the need to stop smoking as one of the factors that significantly aggravates the condition and accelerates the progression of the disease.

For chronic bronchitis, methods are used to increase the body's nonspecific resistance. For this purpose, adaptogens are used - Eleutherococcus extract 40 drops 3 times a day, ginseng tincture 30 drops 3 times a day, tinctures of aralia, Rhodiola rosea, pantocrine in the same doses, saparal 0.05 g 3 times a day. The effect of these drugs is multifaceted: they have a positive effect on the functioning of the immune system, metabolic processes, and increase the body’s resistance to adverse environmental influences and the influence of infectious factors.

When taking medications prescribed by your doctor, do not forget that you can speed up the healing process yourself. When treating bronchitis, it is important to eat right and drink plenty of fluids. Nutritionists advise cooking fatty fish (such as mackerel), lean meat, and gnawing pumpkin seeds.

Treatment of bronchitis is closely related to traditional medicine. Medicinal herbs for bronchitis have a complex effect by suppressing the cough reflex and relieving inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx and trachea. There are many such herbs; infusions and decoctions are prepared from them. For bronchitis, the roots, leaves and flowers of marshmallow, the roots of licorice, the leaves and flowers of mullein, the buds of Scots pine, and the herb of wild rosemary will help. The herb of ephedra horsetail and two-spikelet, the roots of licorice, tricolor violet herb, fennel fruits, roots and rhizomes of Siberian isodora will ease breathing and help expand the lumen of the bronchi. The course of treatment with all the above infusions and decoctions is 6-8 days. The roots, rhizomes, flowers and leaves of spring primrose, tricolor violet herb, fruits and seeds of anise, leaves and flowers of coltsfoot, lanceolate thermopsis herb improve the separation of sputum.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 1

For cough, cut 6-8 medium-sized radishes into very thin slices, sprinkle each slice generously with sugar and leave for 6 hours. Radish will give healing juice. Take it 1 tbsp. spoon every hour.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 2

For coughs, boil black radish juice or turnip juice with honey for 3 minutes. Drink 1 tbsp. spoon every 3 hours.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 3

For cough, mix rye, oats, barley in equal parts, add a little chicory and a pinch of bitter chopped almonds. Pour hot baked milk and drink instead of coffee

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 4.

For cough, boil a small onion in milk and drink the broth hot, 0.5 cups 3-4 times a day.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 5

Hot milk with mineral water (1:1) helps a lot when coughing.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 6

Drink hot milk with soda and honey: 1 tbsp. a spoonful of honey per glass of milk with 0.5 teaspoon of soda.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 7

Mix carrot juice and milk in equal parts. Drink 1 tbsp. spoon 6 times a day. This remedy helps with cough

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 8

For cough, pour 2 teaspoons of crushed angelica root into a glass of water and boil for 10 minutes, strain and drink a third of a glass several times a day.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 9

Wipe the ripe bananas and place them in a saucepan with hot water (2 bananas to 1 glass of water with sugar), heat and take this mixture throughout the day. Helps with cough

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 10

A decoction of rye and wheat bran, boiled with the addition of honey, helps with severe, debilitating cough.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 11

Rub a mixture of 2 parts olive oil and 1 part ammonia into your chest. This remedy is also good for coughs.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 12

Attach a piece of cloth the size of your palm, generously greased with tar, to your back between your shoulder blades. Change the compress after 2 days. Helps with severe cough

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 13

For facilitating mucus production It is useful to take lingonberry syrup with sugar or honey. Drink the syrup throughout the day, 1 tbsp as often as possible. spoon for reception. During treatment with this remedy, it is useful to drink a decoction of wild strawberry leaves instead of water or tea.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 14

In order to get rid of smoker's cough, you should drink a quarter glass of mallow decoction several times a day. To prepare it, pour 0.5 liters of milk into several mallow rhizomes and cook for 15 minutes.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 15

To cure a cough, pour water over a medium-sized lemon and boil for 10 minutes. Then squeeze the juice out of it into a glass, add 2 tbsp. spoons of glycerin and fill the glass with honey until full. Stir everything thoroughly. Take 1 teaspoon every day before meals 3 times a day until the cough stops.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 16

Pour 150 g (that’s two handfuls) of tartar flower baskets into 1.5 cups of water, add 100 g of granulated sugar and put on low heat. Boil, stirring, until the mixture is reduced by half. Strain, squeeze out the raw materials. When coughing, take 1 teaspoon 4-6 times a day before meals. The syrup is gentle and the cough goes away quickly. Course - 10 days.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 17

In 1 glass of boiling water you need to add 1 teaspoon of instant coffee, 1 teaspoon. sugar and add a drop (the size of a grain of wheat) of Zvezdochka balsam. Stir and while the water is very hot, breathe over the glass, and then drink. After this, go to bed and wrap yourself warmly.

You also need to rub your back with this balm. Do all this until the cough stops.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 18

Pass the onion through a meat grinder to fill 1 glass, add another glass of honey, stir everything. Take 1 tbsp. spoon several times a day, without washing down, until the mixture is finished. Helps well with chronic bronchitis

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 19

For a wet cough you need to take in equal parts: butter, aloe juice, melt honey. Heat and add aloe juice, stir. Drink cough medicine 1 tbsp. spoon 4 times a day. After 5 days they take a break, and then resume treatment again, and so on until complete recovery.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 20

Mix equally the herbs of chamomile, coltsfoot, thyme, eucalyptus, sage, linden. 1 tbsp. Pour a glass of boiling water over a spoonful of the mixture, bring to a boil, strain and drink hot like tea. An excellent remedy for bronchitis

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 21

Treatment of bronchitis with buckwheat. 1 tbsp. Pour a spoonful of buckwheat into a glass of water, boil for 10 minutes, strain. Drink the decoction hot. 3-4 glasses a day, and the cough will leave you in a week.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 22

If cough keeps you from sleeping in the evening, drink a glass of hot water with 3 drops of iodine. Or slowly
drink a glass of warm poppy milk: grind 3 teaspoons of poppy seeds, moisten with hot water, pour a glass of boiling milk, let stand for 15 minutes, strain and drink.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 23

Butter - 200 g, lard - 200 g, cocoa powder - 300 g, honey - 200 g, egg yolks - 15 pieces. Mix everything and cook for 10 minutes over low heat. Stir 1 teaspoon of the resulting medicine in a third of a glass of hot milk. You should drink slowly, in small sips 3 times a day. Promotes sputum separation.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 24

From chronic bronchitis and severe cough a collection of pine buds, sage, caraway, marshmallow roots and licorice.

Take 1 tbsp. spoon of pine buds, sage, cumin, marshmallow roots and licorice, you can add 1 tbsp. spoon of pine needles, pour the collection with a liter of water. Leave for half an hour, strain. Take 0.5 cups 3-4 times a day.

He was treated for 3 weeks, then took a week break and repeated the course again. Drink until the bronchi are completely cleansed and strengthened.

For prevention in the spring, prepare an infusion of pine buds. Need 1 tbsp. Pour a spoonful of kidneys into a glass of boiling water, simmer in a water bath, squeeze, and then bring the broth to its original volume. Take 3 times a day, 1 tbsp. spoon.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 25

From bronchitis and asthma Keep a 3-liter jar of Isabella grape juice in a water bath for 4 hours, then cool. Add 200 g of honey and dill, ground in a coffee grinder, to the juice. Mix everything and put it in the refrigerator. Drink a quarter glass 3 times a day after meals until the condition improves

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 26

1 tbsp. pour a glass of boiling water over a spoonful of zopnik herbs, leave for 4 hours, filter. Take 1 - 2 tbsp. spoons 3-4 times a day 30 minutes before meals. Helps with chronic bronchitis

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 27

10 g of zopnik herb is poured with 0.5 cups of vodka or alcohol, left for 20 days, filtered. Take 20 drops 3-4 times a day 30 minutes before meals (course of treatment - 2 months). For bronchitis

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 28

Treatment of bronchitis with viscous sputum. A mixture of lemon and horseradish juice helps dissolve mucus without damaging the membranes; it does not irritate the gallbladder, digestive tract, or kidneys.

Add 150 g of mashed horseradish to the juice of 3 lemons, mix everything well. Take the resulting mixture 2 times a day, 1 teaspoon in the morning on an empty stomach and before bed.

To thin out sticky mucus and improve expectoration, take 0.5 cups of warm water twice a day before meals, in which dissolve 0.5 teaspoons of soda and the same amount of salt.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 29

For relax sputum separation you need to take 1 tbsp every hour. spoon of lingonberry syrup with honey. It’s also good to drink tea with strawberry jam, stirring 2-3 teaspoons of jam in a cup of boiling water

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 30

Sunflower will help with bronchospasms. Fill a 2-liter jar a quarter of the volume with crushed sunflower leaves and flowers (they should be taken 1:1). Fill the jar to the top with vodka, close and leave for 2 weeks in a dark place. Then strain and take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day half an hour before meals.

Treatment of bronchitis Recipe No. 31

Marshmallow infusion is an effective remedy for treating bronchitis, tracheitis, acute or chronic respiratory diseases with a strong expectorant effect. Pour 1 teaspoon of marshmallow flowers into a glass of boiling water, leave for 2 hours, filter and take 1 tbsp. spoon 3 times a day, warm.

Treatment of bronchitis using inhalations

Treatment of bronchitis must begin with stimulating the passage of fluid. They have an excellent expectorant effect moisturizing inhalations. These procedures are very simple to perform. For example, you can carry out inhalations that are beneficial for the respiratory tract. Pour a glass of water into an enamel saucepan, add half a teaspoon of chamomile and licorice root and put on fire. Immediately after the water boils, add 0.5 teaspoon of baking soda and cover the saucepan with a sheet of cardboard with a hole cut in the middle. You need to breathe over the healing steam through the narrow end of the funnel (the wide one is installed above the hole in the cardboard). Inhale the steam for 10 minutes. You can also use a teapot for inhalation: breathe through your mouth through the spout.

Useful for dry cough inhalation of hot decoction of jacket potatoes. In this case, add 8 drops of fir or eucalyptus oil to half a glass of decoction. After completing the inhalation, drink the decoction. The essential oils of these substances are released from the body not by the kidneys and intestines, as usual, but by the respiratory tract, providing subsequent “inhalation in reverse”

To consolidate the results and prevent new exacerbations, you can do dry inhalations. We place a heating pad on the pillow side of the mattress, a wet cloth on it and on top - a linen bag with 1.5 kilograms of pine (fir) branches or with eucalyptus leaves (100 g). The bag should look out from under the pillow, under the patient’s nose. Thus, a person will inhale the ether of pine or eucalyptus all night.

Treating bronchitis with herbs. Mix the grass equally chamomile, coltsfoot, thyme, eucalyptus, sage, linden for inhalation. Take them 1 tbsp. spoon, pour 1 liter of boiling water, bring to a boil, add “Star” balm to the broth on the tip of a knife. Breathe over the healing steam as much as you can. In a day or two there will be no trace of the cough left.

The fee includes coltsfoot, plantain leaf, mint and oregano herbs, wild rosemary branches (1 teaspoon each), St. John's wort herb, eucalyptus leaf (0.5 teaspoon each). About an hour before bedtime, boil 1.2 liters of filtered water in an enamel kettle and pour in the mixture, stir and immediately remove from heat. Cover the kettle with a towel and let the herb brew for 30-40 minutes.

First, do inhalation: insert a funnel into the spout of the kettle and breathe through it for 15-20 minutes. After this, drink 1 glass of warm infusion and go to bed. There is no need to put the kettle with the infusion in the refrigerator; it is kept at room temperature. The next day, before evening, drink the entire infusion in several doses, regardless of meals. Then prepare a new infusion and repeat the procedure before going to bed. For a common cold, it is necessary to treat this way until the cough disappears.

If you have chronic bronchitis, including asthmatic bronchitis, then in order to treat or prevent exacerbations, the procedures should be carried out in courses: 15 days of inhalation and infusion, 7 days break, then inhalation again, break, etc.

Treatment of bronchitis with inhalation with propolis . 60 g of propolis and 40 g of wax must be placed in an aluminum cup with a capacity of 300 ml and placed in another large bowl with boiling water. Propolis and wax dissolve under these conditions, propolis phytoncides, together with water vapor, will sublimate. It is recommended to inhale propolis in the morning and evening, but only for 10-15 minutes.

Treating bronchitis with heat

Treating bronchitis with heating Recipe No. 1

Radish - 1 pc., flour - 2 tbsp. spoons, mustard seed powder - 2 tbsp. spoons, sunflower oil - 2 tbsp. spoons, honey - 2 tbsp. spoons.

Grate the radish on a fine grater, add flour, honey, mustard and mix thoroughly, form a flat cake.

Spread sunflower oil on your chest, place a flat cake on it (without touching the heart area), cover it with film or paper on top and wrap it in a woolen scarf. Apply a compress at night. The course of treatment is 7 days.

Treating bronchitis with heating Recipe No. 2

Mustard seed powder - 50 g, water - 2.5 cups, honey - 1 tbsp. spoon, radish juice - 50 ml.

Mix all ingredients thoroughly.

Moisten a towel with the resulting product, wring it lightly and place it on your chest. Cover the top of the towel with film and a woolen scarf. Keep the compress for 30 minutes, then wipe the skin dry and lie under the blanket for 1 hour.

Treating bronchitis with heating Recipe No. 3

Mustard seed powder - 50 g, water - 2.5 cups, honey - 1 tbsp. spoon, onion - 1 pc.

Chop the onion, mix with honey, mustard, add hot water.

Moisten a towel with the resulting product, wring it lightly and place it on your chest. Cover the top of the towel with film and a scarf. Keep the compress for at least 30 minutes, then remove and wipe your chest dry. Apply the compress only at normal body temperature. The course of treatment is 7 days.

Treating bronchitis with heating Recipe No. 4

Take 3 medium potatoes, boil them until tender, crush them and put them in a bag. Wrap the bag in a towel and place it under your back. You can leave it on all night.

Treatment of bronchitis in a child

In children, bronchitis is accompanied by severe coughing and wheezing. Even if a severe cough is not accompanied by a high temperature, you should consult a doctor immediately.

Treatment of bronchitis in a child - Recipe No. 1

Take one hundred grams of honey and the same amount of fresh oil, mix with 0.2 grams of vanillin and give the child a teaspoon three times a day.

Treatment of bronchitis in a child - Recipe No. 2

For a persistent, lingering cough in children: take one potato, one onion and one apple and cook in a liter of water until the water has evaporated by half. Let your child drink a teaspoon of the decoction three times a day.

Treatment of bronchitis in a child - Recipe No. 3

When a cough appears, the child should smear the back and chest with rendered lard, or, in extreme cases, vegetable oil, adding a little turpentine to it.

Treatment of bronchitis in a child - Recipe No. 4

If sputum appears and does not go away, then give 2-3 drops several times a day. almond oil V sugar syrup. The sick person should be placed in a warm room, covered well, and given diaphoretics from time to time: hot tea, raspberries, milk and so on.

Treatment of bronchitis in a child - Recipe No. 5

When coughing in infants, take 1 teaspoon of honey, add 2 tbsp. spoons of anise seeds and a pinch of table salt. Pour a glass of water over everything and boil over low heat for 10 minutes. Then strain, cool and give your baby 1 teaspoon every 2 hours. As the cough weakens, the dose should be reduced.

Treatment of bronchitis in a child - Recipe No. 6

If children have a persistent cough, boil a potato, an onion and an apple in 1 liter of water until the water has evaporated by half. The decoction is taken 3 times a day, 1 teaspoon.

Treatment of bronchitis in a child - Recipe No. 7

For coughs, you can also prepare the following mixture of 100 g of honey, 100 g of fresh butter and 0.2 g of vanillin (at the tip of a knife). Mix everything thoroughly and give children 1 teaspoon 3 times a day.

Treatment of bronchitis in a child - Recipe No. 8

If you have a strong cough, depending on your age, you can put mustard plasters, dry jars, warm compresses.

Breast or anise tea, anise drops, infusion of birch or pine buds are useful. For a persistent cough, inhaling turpentine or tar brings relief .

If the child begins to choke or break out in cold sweat, then the best thing is to consult a doctor, as these symptoms may indicate the onset of at In a child, croup is a serious and almost incurable disease if it is not caught immediately. While there is no doctor, you need to give the child five drops of camphor alcohol several times, for which you drop it into sugar powder, pour the powder onto the child’s tongue, and give it to drink from a spoon with water. This way it is possible to stop the seizure.

Breathing exercises for bronchitis

Gymnastics allows you to eliminate mucus and relieve inflammation in the tissues of the bronchi (bronchial tree). To achieve a positive result, you need to perform breathing exercises for several weeks. Breathing exercises for bronchitis are divided into three stages:

· preparatory or introductory stage;

· main complex;

· final stage.

1. At the beginning of the complex, inhale and exhale (through the nose) fifteen times. Then, the same number of inhalations and exhalations (through the mouth). These exercises are performed three times, with a break of five seconds.

2. Calmly inhale and exhale through your mouth. If a cough starts, you need to do the following:

a. lower your head, relax your neck muscles;

b. fold your hands on your stomach so that your navel is between your palms;

c. press your hands on your stomach, cough into the floor. This way the phlegm will go away faster.

Basic set of exercises:

1. Stand up straight, raise your arms up and stretch, standing on your toes. Inhale (through the nose) deeply. Lower your hands - exhale through your mouth, saying “oooh”. Performed five times.

2. Step in place (slowly) for two minutes. The arms are raised and spread to the sides, in the rhythm of the step - inhale through the nose. Hands lower - a strong exhalation with the sound - “oo-oo-oo”.

3. Lotus pose. Clench your hands into a fist and stretch them up. Exhale slowly through your mouth with the sound “x-x-x”. Repeat six times.

4. Sitting on the floor. Bend your legs and stretch them forward. Extend your arms in different directions - inhale through your mouth. As you exhale, lower your arms down, saying, without opening your lips, “f-f-f.”

5. Standing, legs apart. Alternately swing your arms forward and backward. Inhalations through the mouth are frequent. Exhale through the nose.

6. Standing with your feet together. Raise one arm, the other is moved to the side. Inhale through your nose. We change the position of the hands - slow and long exhalation.

The final stage of gymnastics for bronchitis:

Standing, legs together, arms down, you need to slowly lean to the side - inhale through your nose. Then get back to the starting position. Lean in the other direction - exhale slowly and calmly through your mouth. Perform six times in each direction. These simple exercises need to be performed for several weeks. Only then will you achieve a positive result. Breathing exercises for bronchitis will help you restore normal functioning of the respiratory system.

Prevention of bronchitis

First, you need to stop smoking. One of the causes of bronchitis is tobacco addiction. Secondly, eliminate the source of infection. Hypothermia and overheating should be avoided. In addition, you need to harden the body (although this is easy to say and difficult to do). It is better to start hardening from childhood. The best time to start health procedures is summer, but you need to act gradually. Foot baths are effective when the water temperature is reduced by one degree every two days.

Good nutrition plays a big role in the prevention of bronchitis. It is important that the food is rich in proteins, so do not forget about meat and fish. It is now fashionable to lose weight, but for people suffering from chronic bronchitis, low weight is a risk factor. In the spring, when there is an acute deficiency of vitamins, it is useful to take pharmaceutical preparations (multivitamins)

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the tracheobronchial tree of infectious origin, characterized by cough and general intoxication syndrome.

Causes of bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is most often caused by viruses (influenza and parainfluenza, adeno- and rhinoviruses, PC virus and Coxsackie virus), bacteria (mycoplasma and streptococci, chlamydia and Haemophilus influenzae), and sometimes fungi. Factors provoking the disease are aggressive chemicals and toxic gases, cigarette smoke, exposure to cold and hot air.

When the resistance of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, their protective function (air filtration, changes in its temperature and humidity, coughing and sneezing) are impaired, as well as when immunity is reduced, infectious agents penetrate the epithelial cells of the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles with subsequent damage. As a result, inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane develops, as well as exfoliation of the epithelium, which leads to obstruction of the bronchi and disruption of their patency. Bronchitis is extremely common, especially in children. The disease is the most common lesion of the respiratory tract. About 5% of the population suffers from bronchitis every year.

Signs and symptoms of bronchitis

One of the main manifestations of acute bronchitis is a painful dry cough, which after a few days becomes wet, with the release of mucous or mucopurulent sputum, sometimes streaked with blood. The patient may complain of chest pain. Cough often occurs at night, causing sleep disturbance. Sometimes bronchitis is accompanied by symptoms of respiratory failure in the form of difficulty exhaling, a feeling of lack of air and cyanosis of the facial skin.

Since bronchitis most often occurs in conjunction with acute respiratory diseases, the patient may experience a runny nose and redness of the pharynx, headache, weakness and general malaise, muscle and back pain, as well as chills and fever. When examining a patient with bronchitis, hard breathing, dry or moist wheezing is detected. The most common complications of bronchitis are bronchopneumonia and acute respiratory failure.

Diagnosis of bronchitis

The diagnosis of acute bronchitis is made on the basis of the clinical picture, taking into account the medical history (a history of acute respiratory infections, exposure to physical or chemical factors on the respiratory tract). To diagnose bronchitis, the following laboratory and instrumental research methods are used:

• general blood test - increase in the number of leukocytes with a shift of the formula to the left, increase in ESR
• biochemical blood test - detection of C-reactive protein, increased content of α2-globulins and sialic acids
• microscopic examination of sputum with Gram and Ziehl-Neelsen staining - detection of bronchitis pathogens and their identification
• bacteriological examination of sputum - isolation of bronchitis pathogens and determination of their sensitivity to antibiotics
• study of external respiration function (pneumotachography, spirography, peak flowmetry) - detection of bronchial obstruction

Differential diagnosis of bronchitis is carried out with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma, bronchopneumonia, tuberculosis and tumors of the respiratory system.

Treatment and prevention of bronchitis

Most often, for uncomplicated bronchitis, treatment is carried out at home with bed rest, but if symptoms of respiratory failure develop, the patient needs hospitalization. Treatment of bronchitis requires mandatory drinking of plenty of fluids (tea, fruit juice and fruit juices, heated mineral waters) of at least 3 liters per day. Determination of treatment tactics and use of medications for bronchitis is carried out after prior consultation with a doctor.

Antiviral drugs (rimantadine) are effective only in the first 2 days of the disease. In some cases, treatment of viral bronchitis is carried out with interferon drugs and anti-influenza immunoglobulin. In moderate to severe and protracted cases of bronchitis, etiotropic antibacterial drugs of the macrolide group (erythromycin and spiramycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin), penicillin (ampicillin and amoxicillin), and sometimes aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin) are prescribed.

Antipyretic drugs (aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen), as well as their combinations with vitamin C and phenylephrine (Coldrex, Fervex and Antigrippin) not only normalize body temperature, but also have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. To facilitate the discharge of sputum and improve its physical properties in case of bronchitis, expectorants (acetylcysteine, bromhexine and ambroxol), herbal infusions and alkaline inhalations are prescribed.

Antitussive drugs are used only in the presence of a painful dry cough (glaucine and broncholithin, libexin and tusuprex), and bronchodilators (ipratropium bromide and berodual) - when the presence of broncho-obstructive syndrome is established.

Prevention of bronchitis consists of preventing acute respiratory infections, their timely treatment, vaccination (influenza, pneumococcus, adenovirus), increasing the body's nonspecific resistance (hardening and vitamin prophylaxis), improving the environment (quitting smoking and protecting from dust, physical and chemical irritants ).

This is a type of disease in which the bronchial mucosa becomes infected with viral bacteria and causes inflammatory processes caused by swelling of the bronchial branches. Through these branches, the air inhaled by a person enters the lungs. At the ends of the branches there are microscopic accumulations through which air enters the blood. When viruses infect the bronchi, a lot of mucous substance is released into them, clogging the lumen of the tubes.

What causes the symptoms?

Inflammatory processes are caused by viral irritants that enter the human body. The causative agents are staphylococci, streptococci, influenza viruses, adenoviruses, and parainfluenza. But there is another type that causes this disease - atypical flora. Actually, it is something between a virus and a bacterium, which are called mycoplasma or chlamydia. In some cases, you can get sick due to a fungal infection that originated on the human body or in the house he inhabits.

The trigger for the manifestation of symptoms of the disease is not the entry of the bacteria into the body, but the weakened immunity of a person who is unable to resist a foreign irritant. A weakened immune system occurs in both adults and children, which is caused by a lack of vitamins. Vitamin C plays a particularly important role.

Types of disease

Bronchitis is divided into two forms, which differ in the symptoms of the disease. So, the forms of bronchitis are divided into chronic and acute.

Acute bronchitis

An acute illness is caused by short-term development, which can last from 2-3 days to two weeks. In the process, a person initially suffers from a dry cough, which then develops into a wet cough with the release of a mucous substance (sputum). Acute bronchitis is divided into obstructive and non-obstructive depending on the obstruction of patency in the mucous membrane.

Chronical bronchitis

Bronchial lumen

Chronic manifests itself in both adults and children, because the cause of such a complicated form of the disease is the long course of the disease, possibly even if the acute disease is not treated. Long-term exposure to irritants on the respiratory organs and bronchial branches causes the development of this form. Irritants are: smoke, dust, gases, chemical emissions, etc., which a person breathes for a long time, for example, at work.

The chronic form has another reason for the development of the disease - genetic. This reason is caused by congenital deficiency of alpha-antitrypsin. With adequate exposure to the body with medications, acute and chronic bronchitis is completely cured, and prolonged and abnormal bronchitis develops into a chronic form.

Symptoms of bronchitis

It is the symptoms of the disease that are the basis for taking decisive action to combat the disease. But first it is necessary to identify the correct disease, which actually begins to be treated.

The main indicator of the presence of a disease in the human body is a cough. Not just a cough, but a long, lingering, deep, strong and annoying one. In the initial stages, it appears dry, and subsequently with expectoration of sputum from the bronchial mucosa. When, at the beginning of the disease, a person develops a dry cough that dries and scratches the throat, people often try to wet their throats with cold water, but this also affects the further development of the disease. Cold water aggravates the situation, as a result of which it becomes the cause of further spread of the cough symptom. Often the cough begins in the evening, and at night it worsens to the maximum. That is, a person simply cannot sleep due to attacks and suffers all night. Only in the morning there may be a slight weakening, but not for long. Therefore, in this situation, it is necessary to immediately visit a doctor to identify the disease and prescribe measures to prevent it.

The moment the pathogen enters the body, the latter begins to fight, but often weakened immunity does not give a chance to overcome it. Therefore, a person immediately feels some symptoms in the throat in the form of soreness, redness or burning in the throat. Bacteria and bronchitis infections cause rhinitis and laryngitis in adults. Already on the second day, the tickling develops into coughing, which does not appear very often, but intensifies over time. Already on the third or fourth day, the cough changes from dry to wet and expectoration of sputum from the bronchi appears, which indicates damage to the mucous membrane by viruses. Sputum is usually white or yellow in color, which increases as the disease progresses. The color of such sputum indicates that, most likely, a bacterial infection has entered the body. Already on the fourth day, if measures are not taken to combat the pathogen, body temperature rises (especially in the evening). With acute, obstructive, chemical and physical symptoms, a person may suffer an increase in temperature of up to 37 degrees, and with adenoviral damage, perhaps an increase of up to 39 degrees. Therefore, temperature control and lowering it are important.

Often a person simply does not understand how serious such a disease is and ignores going to the doctor, justifying this by saying what the doctor will say is new? And such an attitude towards one’s health will simply lead to complications and, as a result, it will take longer to be treated and it will cost more.

Symptoms in adults

So, a week of cough without taking measures to eliminate it leads to the development of a chronic illness in adults caused by the acute form of the disease. The duration of treatment will increase from several weeks to a couple of months, while acute bronchitis could be cured in the first 2-3 days.

The chronic form in adults is caused by the appearance of headaches in the morning and evening, as well as symptoms of weakness, fatigue and lethargy. Even after sleep, you feel tired and unwilling to do anything. Performing physical work with symptoms of illness ends at the beginning, since weakness does not allow doing anything. Distracted attention and uncertainty prevent a person from performing any adequate action. Therefore, in this case, it is better for the patient to remain in bed without physical and mental stress.

Failure to take action even with a chronic disease will not lead to anything good; the patient’s condition will worsen daily. Appetite will disappear for another 2-3 days and the patient will only be able to drink tea and sometimes broth.

What about breathing and voice?

The voice of adults, especially those who have a bad habit of smoking, simply disappears and they can only speak in a whisper. Often, there is simply wheezing in the voice and heaviness of speech, as if talking brings physical fatigue. But in fact it is! At this time, breathing is caused by frequent shortness of breath and heaviness. At night, the patient breathes not through the nose, but through the mouth, while emitting strong snoring.

High sweating when performing minor physical efforts, but at the same time the patient is covered from head to toe with cold and hot sweat; it is especially important to avoid sweating outside when the wind is blowing or in severe frost.

Self-medication for adults

If you find the slightest signs of bronchitis, do not try to cure yourself; it is better to consult a doctor for qualified help, which will give you a chance of recovery in the first days of the disease. Bronchitis is not an ailment that can be cured at any stage; the earlier medical measures are taken, the greater the chance of getting rid of its symptoms.

Symptoms in children

Children are more susceptible to the disease than adults due to their weak and immature immunity. Symptoms of bronchitis in children differ slightly from adults.

Symptoms of recurrent bronchitis

Occurs in children periodically 2-4 times throughout the year. Symptoms of bronchitis during an exacerbation are similar to a chronic disease. It occurs on summer spring and autumn days, when the air becomes more dusty, cold weather sets in, or flowers begin to bloom and release pollen.

Symptoms of asthmatic disease

In children it has the following character of manifestation:

• temperature increase;
• an increase in histamine and immunoglobulins A and E in the child’s blood;
• night cough;
• irritable, lethargic and capricious behavior of the child.

At moments of coughing, attacks of severe suffocation are not observed, which indicates symptoms of an asthmatic nature of the disease.

Symptoms of acute bronchitis

In children, acute bronchitis manifests itself as:

1. Changes in children's behavior. They become capricious, nervous, irritable.
2. Heavy breathing and wheezing in the voice, developing into a dry cough.
3. Body temperature increases. In children it rises to 38-38.5 degrees.
4. After two or three days, a dry cough develops into a wet cough, and expectoration of sputum begins.

If the disease is detected in children at the developmental stage, treatment of bronchitis will take up to one or two weeks.

Symptoms of chronic bronchitis

The chronic form is more dangerous for children than for adults. Since this form can prevent the onset of bronchial asthma. Therefore, parents should not allow such a phenomenon to occur, but if this happens, then strictly undertake treatment. Follow all doctor's instructions and be treated until complete recovery. The symptoms are the same as for an acute illness, only slightly less pronounced.

Symptoms of obstructive form

It occurs as a result of viral damage to small branches, caused by expansion of the muscular system, swelling of the mucous membrane and a large amount of sputum released from the body. Symptoms of obstructive bronchitis appear in the form of intense coughing attacks. A disease of this kind in children causes special complications, since intense coughing develops into deep attacks of suffocation, which can lead to death. Often, untreated obstructive disease develops into a chronic form.

In children, an obstructive symptom manifests itself in the presence of bronchospasm. The child has difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. It occurs due to blockage of the bronchial branches, which also causes a cough, but without the ability to cough up sputum.

Symptoms of the non-obstructive form

A non-obstructive diagnosis is more gentle and does not cause complications if treatment measures are taken on time. Therefore, people do not consider themselves sick, and the cough that occurs periodically is explained by the body’s protective reaction from dust or cigarette smoke. It is a periodic cough with sputum discharge that is the only sign by which the disease is determined. It often occurs in the morning or before bed, but can also be caused by a cold stream of air that a person inhales.

Diagnosis of bronchitis

The diagnosis of “acute or chronic bronchitis” is made by a qualified doctor after examining the patient. The main indicators are complaints, on their basis the diagnosis is made. The main indicator is the presence of a cough with white and yellow sputum discharge.

It is also important to know that the presence of a cough in a person does not mean that he has bronchitis. Coughing is a consequence of the body's defense reaction, which is intended to clear the airways.

Determination of the disease with maximum efficiency is carried out through the following factors:

• blood tests determine inflammation;
• pneumotachometry, by which the doctor determines external respiration;
• X-ray of the lungs, which gives an explanatory picture of the processes occurring inside.

Identification of the obstructive form is carried out through studies for the presence of:

• bouts of dry cough;
• visual examination of the chest and throat;
• wheezing with long delays;

An additional examination is carried out for signs of wheezing and dry sounds, and a chest X-ray is taken.

Having made a diagnosis, the doctor immediately prescribes medication, which the patient must strictly follow. Treatment is usually carried out at home.

Treatment of bronchitis

The most important factor in how to treat bronchitis is its immediate identification in a hospital. Early treatment of bronchitis will prevent complications and get rid of symptoms in a matter of days. Therapeutic actions to treat the disease include:

• compliance with bed rest, especially during exacerbations;
• the patient must be provided with plenty of hot drinks, preferably 1-2 cups of tea per hour;
• ventilation of the room (without creating drafts) and humidification of the air. In dry air, the disease is more difficult;
• use of antipyretics.

People are sometimes afraid of hospital walls and do not want to visit a doctor for fear of what he may require for examination and treatment. Therefore, the question of “how to treat bronchitis, in a hospital or not?” is very popular. If the disease is severe and combined with ARVI, then treatment is best carried out in a hospital. It is understood that if you develop acute bronchitis, you will not be able to escape the hospital bed, because you will begin to feel unwell from chronic bronchitis.

Treatment of chronic bronchitis

Treatment involves a number of measures, depending on the stages in which the disease is located. A chronic disease in the acute stages involves the elimination of inflammatory processes occurring in the bronchi. It is also necessary to carry out a number of activities:

• normalization of salivation;
• improving airway ventilation and eliminating spasms;
• maintaining heart function.

At the final stages it is necessary:

• completely eliminate foci of infections;
• carry out health improvement at resorts;
• do breathing exercises.

Antibiotics for bronchitis are used to act directly on areas of pathogen proliferation. The following drugs are used for mucus secretion: Lazolvan, Bromhexine. Bronchospasms are eliminated with a medication called Atrovent, which thins the mucus and removes it from the bronchial branches. You can achieve complete recovery in 1-2 months.

Treatment of acute bronchitis

The acute form of the disease is treated with medical antiviral drugs. And if the treatment does not have an effect, then the doctor has the right to prescribe antibiotics for bronchitis, but after the causative agent has been identified. To enable expectoration of sputum, mucolytics are prescribed to dissolve the sputum and remove it from the body. Treatment also involves the use of herbal remedies, syrups and inhalations both at home and in the clinic.

Effective antibiotics for bronchitis, which are prescribed exclusively by a doctor:

• Amoxicillin;
• Arlet;
• Macropen;
• Levofloxacin;
• Cefazolin.

The doctor may prescribe antibiotics for children under and over one year old, if the disease is complicated and requires immediate attention.

Prevention

Carrying out breathing exercises can improve the removal of mucus and improve breathing. Physiotherapeutic treatment of bronchitis is carried out in the last stages, when the symptoms are minor. Follow-up treatment is necessary with electrophoresis, inhalation and UHF therapy.

When the mucous membrane of the bronchi becomes inflamed, they speak of bronchitis.

According to the course, acute and chronic bronchitis are distinguished.

The disease is said to be acute when it lasts no more than 3 weeks.

If the patient suffers from coughing attacks for 3 months for at least 2 years, this indicates chronic bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis always occurs against the background of colds, while chronic bronchitis can either be a consequence of untreated acute bronchitis, or it occurs immediately, independently, against the background of long-acting provoking factors.

Causes

Bronchitis, especially acute bronchitis, is most often caused by infectious agents. These can be viruses (adenovirus, parainfluenza, influenza and others), bacteria (pneumococci, staphylococci), as well as atypical pathogens, which include chlamydia and mycoplasma. In some cases, bronchitis is caused by fungi.

Predisposing factors for bronchitis include the following:

• smoking;
• alcohol abuse;
• occupational hazards (inhalation of toxic fumes and dust);
• hypothermia of the body;
• polluted atmosphere, especially in large cities;
• climatic conditions (cold areas);
• chronic pathology of the upper respiratory tract;
• deformed chest.

Kinds

Acute bronchitis is divided into infectious and non-infectious. There is also a distinction between acute bronchitis of an allergic nature and unspecified.

Chronic bronchitis can be either primary (an independent disease) or secondary, if there are problems in the bronchopulmonary system.

Based on the presence or absence of a bronchospastic component, chronic bronchitis is divided into obstructive (difficulty breathing) and non-obstructive.

According to the sputum discharge, chronic bronchitis can be catarrhal, purulent, hemorrhagic and fibrinous.

Both acute and chronic bronchitis, depending on the level of the affected bronchi, is divided into proximal (if large bronchi are involved) and distal, when bronchioles are involved in the process (bronchiolitis).

In terms of severity, bronchitis can be mild, moderate or severe.

Symptoms of bronchitis

Acute bronchitis

The disease usually begins acutely, as a complication of acute respiratory viral infection, with a rise in temperature to febrile levels (38-39°C), weakness, weakness, and fatigue.

The patient is concerned about increased sweating and, of course, cough. At the beginning of the disease, the cough is dry, “barking” and very tiring for the patient. Dry scattered wheezing and harsh breathing are heard over the entire surface of the lungs. During percussion, a thickening of the sound is noted.

Soon sputum begins to separate and the cough becomes wet. Moist rales are heard in the lungs, breathing softens. In severe cases, shortness of breath occurs.

Chronical bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis develops against the background of constantly acting irritating factors or as a complication of acute bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis is accompanied by cough, sputum production and shortness of breath. At the beginning of the process, sputum is released only in the morning (accumulates in the bronchi in a horizontal position), then its volume increases and can reach 150 ml per day.

The sputum may be clear, purulent, or mixed with blood. The cough is usually dry and debilitating for the patient.

Shortness of breath at the beginning of the disease occurs only during physical exertion; as the process progresses, shortness of breath bothers the patient even at rest. Dry wheezing sounds are heard in the lungs.

Patients with chronic bronchitis often note increased sweating at night, the so-called “wet pillow” symptom.

Diagnostics

Differential diagnosis of acute bronchitis should be carried out with diseases of the upper respiratory tract (tracheitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis). Differential diagnosis of chronic bronchitis is carried out with pneumonia, bronchiectasis, and lung cancer.

In the diagnosis of bronchitis, auscultation of the lungs (listening) is required, on the basis of which the presence of wheezing and its nature are determined.

A swab from the throat and nose for microflora and sputum culture are also indicated, with the obligatory determination of the sensitivity of the cultured pathogens to antibiotics.

An x-ray examination of the chest is prescribed, during which an increase in the bronchopulmonary pattern is determined.

For chronic bronchitis, bronchoscopy (examination of the bronchi from the inside) is indicated.

Treatment of bronchitis

Treatment of bronchitis is carried out by a pulmonologist, or, in the absence of one, by a general practitioner.

Antibiotics for bronchitis

In case of exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and in case of acute bronchitis, antibiotics of various groups are prescribed.

It can be:

• cephalosporins (ceftriaxone, kefzol),
• macrolides (Sumamed, azithromycin),
• tetracyclines (doxycycline), etc.

The form of antibiotic administration depends on the severity of the disease. For mild bronchitis they are prescribed orally, for moderate and severe bronchitis they are prescribed by injection. The patient is advised to rest in bed and drink plenty of alkaline fluids. Food should be easily digestible and fortified. Inhalations with medicinal herbs are also prescribed.

To facilitate the discharge of sputum and soften the cough, libexin, bromhexine, and mucaltin are indicated. In case of shortness of breath, aminophylline and teopeca tablets or aerosols (salbutamol, berotec) are prescribed.

Consequences and prognosis

Acute bronchitis can be complicated by pneumonia, become chronic or bronchial asthma. The prognosis for acute illness is favorable.

In chronic bronchitis, as the disease progresses, emphysema, bronchiectasis, and cardiopulmonary failure may develop. If the manifestations are ignored, as well as without appropriate treatment, the prognosis for chronic bronchitis is unfavorable.