Obstructive bronchitis is an inflammatory disease of the lower respiratory tract with damage to the bronchi. Bronchitis, in which the bronchi are narrowed, is called obstructive. Obstruction (literally this is a narrowing, overlap) - occurs under the influence of the inflammatory process in the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles, they thicken due to edema. Edema leads to concentration of sputum in the lumen of the bronchus. Sputum “clogs” the bronchi. Air passes through the bronchi with difficulty. The patient hears whistling and wheezing in the chest, as if bagpipes are being played inside.
In an adult patient it can be acute or chronic.
Acute obstructive bronchitis
This is an inflammation in the bronchi that begins quickly and is not preceded by several years of regular coughing. To the doctor’s question “How long have you been coughing?”, the patient will answer no more than a week.
The inflammatory process in the bronchi leads to swelling and irritation. A cough appears lasting no more than 3 weeks. In acute bronchitis, inflammation does not last long, and the structure of the bronchi will be completely restored after recovery.
In 80% of cases, acute obstructive bronchitis is caused by a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. For example, influenza, parainfluenza, rhinovirus infection. Usually, people call all these pathogens, except influenza, colds. Less common causes of acute bronchitis are bacteria - mycoplasma or chlamydia pneumonia, the causative agent of whooping cough, staphylococcus, streptococcus and Haemophilus influenzae.
Chronic obstructive bronchitis
This is a chronic bronchial disease of an inflammatory nature. In this case, chronic (long-term) inflammation and swelling develop in the bronchial tree. Chronic inflammation and swelling narrow the lumen of the bronchi, which limits the flow of air into the lungs. The mechanism of obstruction coincides with the acute process that we described above. Against the background of obstruction, cough and shortness of breath intensify. Whistles and wheezing are heard in the chest. Sometimes wheezing and whistling can be heard even by people nearby. The patient has been suffering from cough for several years. The frequency of exacerbations of cough and other symptoms is two or three times a year, more than three weeks in a row.
Chronic bronchitis happens
- Obstructive
- Simple recurrent
- Asthmatic.
There are several causes of chronic obstructive bronchitis in adults. In the first place is the influence of external factors - tobacco smoking (active and passive). The second involves work related to inorganic dust (metallurgy, coal industry, etc.), the use of coal for home heating.
Other causes of this disease are infections. For example, previously suffered, poorly or lately treated bronchopulmonary diseases (consequences of untreated acute respiratory viral infections, pneumonia or childhood infections).
Asthmatic bronchitis is either undetected asthma or its onset, or pre-asthma.
How to recognize acute bronchitis
The main symptom of acute bronchitis in adults is a cough, which occurs as a response of the body to an irritant and a desire to restore patency of the airways. On average, it lasts 2-3 weeks, accompanied by other signs of colds. Cough with bronchitis changes its character over time. At first it is dry, intrusive, sometimes even annoying, debilitating. As the disease progresses, it gradually becomes wet (productive). At this moment, a protective mechanism is launched: the cells of the bronchial mucosa begin to actively produce sputum, and with it, during a wet cough, various pathogenic agents, primarily viruses and bacteria, are removed from the body. The color and consistency of sputum, among other things, can tell the doctor the cause of the disease and, therefore, the optimal treatment regimen.
In addition to coughing, bronchitis may be accompanied by symptoms such as:
- weakness, feeling of weakness, fatigue;
- increased body temperature;
- runny nose;
- sweating;
- headache;
- chest pain;
- shortness of breath (in severe cases of the disease).
The symptoms of acute bronchitis in children are the same as in adults, but may be more pronounced.
How to diagnose the disease
Before treating chronic bronchitis, it is necessary to establish a correct diagnosis. For this purpose, the doctor (usually a pulmonologist) taps and listens to the chest. To exclude more serious diseases, the patient must undergo a comprehensive examination (instrumental and laboratory).
Instrumental methods include:
- radiography and fluoroscopy of the lungs,
- bronchoscopy and bronchography,
- determination of blood gas composition.
Laboratory tests include:
- general and biochemical blood test,
- sputum analysis,
- immunological analysis.
Causes of acute bronchitis
The cause of acute bronchitis in adults in the vast majority of cases is an infection: most often viral, less often bacterial, and occasionally fungal. In addition, the disease can be of an allergic nature (due to a high concentration of allergen in the air), develop in the presence of inflammation of the adenoids or chronic foci of infection in the paranasal sinuses, against the background of tonsillitis.
It is worth considering factors that reduce local immunity and contribute to the occurrence of the disease:
- hypothermia;
- smoking;
- alcohol abuse;
- hereditary diseases;
- chronic pathology of the nasopharynx;
- unfavorable climate (dampness, cold);
- air polluted with dust or toxic impurities.
The best medicine for bronchitis
Research has found that bronchitis most often affects people with weakened immune systems and those exposed to significant risk factors.
The risk of disease is reduced if you follow a balanced diet that provides the body with essential nutrients - proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Their deficiency weakens the body's protective functions. An active, mobile lifestyle also increases resistance to respiratory diseases.
The best cure for bronchitis is exercise
Bronchitis is often caused by viral infections. Vaccination helps to significantly reduce the risk of infection by viruses. Some vaccinations are given during childhood, while others are seasonal, such as the flu vaccine, which is given before the highest flu season. Even if a vaccinated person gets sick, in this case the disease is much milder and does not cause consequences.
Quitting smoking and alcohol abuse, which suppresses the effect of certain vitamins, disrupts metabolism, impairs heat exchange, also has a beneficial effect on the prevention of bronchitis and other respiratory diseases.
School of Doctor Komarovsky. About bronchitis.
Types of acute bronchitis
Depending on the nature of the inflammation, acute bronchitis can be:
- catarrhal (accompanied by an increased amount of bronchial mucus);
- fibrinous (with the formation of thick, sticky and difficult to separate sputum);
- mucopurulent/purulent (with copious amounts of mucus and discharge of pus);
- hemorrhagic (with streaks of blood in the sputum due to hemorrhages in the bronchial mucosa in severe forms of the disease).
According to the prevalence of the inflammatory process, acute bronchitis in adults is usually divided into focal, in which inflammation is localized in a limited area of the bronchi, and diffuse, covering most of the bronchial tree.
Why does chronic bronchitis occur?
Inattention to one's health.
Chronic bronchitis can be a consequence of untreated acute bronchitis or frequent respiratory diseases, or result from prolonged exposure to irritating factors on the bronchi.
Working conditions and environmental conditions are of no small importance (smog is especially dangerous). Smoking, allergies and hazardous working conditions.
Inhalation of tobacco smoke is recognized as the main cause of the development of chronic bronchitis, both active and passive.
The disease is diagnosed in smokers 3–4 times more often than in non-smokers. A high percentage of cases of chronic bronchitis occur in people with allergies. Representatives of professions who are forced to come into contact with pesticides, varnishes, paint, dust, chlorine and ammonia vapors, cement, coal and flour dust, as well as those who work at low temperatures and in drafts, often suffer from bronchitis. Attacks on the immune system.
Infectious and viral diseases, especially influenza, also provoke exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. Cold, damp climate and frequent fogs can also play a role - in this case, the risk of relapse increases in autumn, winter and spring. There is also a known hereditary predisposition to bronchitis and congenital pathologies of the bronchi, which increase susceptibility to the effects of adverse environmental factors. A weakened immune system plays a central role in the development of bronchitis: the body's resistance - the ability to resist infections and other adverse factors - decreases.
How to treat acute bronchitis
When the first signs of the disease appear (if no more than 48 hours have passed since its onset), antiviral drugs may be prescribed. Treatment of acute bronchitis with antibiotics is usually not practiced. It can be justified only if whooping cough is suspected and bacterial complications are confirmed. How to treat acute bronchitis in the presence of an intense cough? In this situation, to reduce the risk of side effects, the mechanism of action of the drug and the presence of contraindications should be taken into account. For a dry hacking cough, antitussives can be used. When coughing is accompanied by the discharge of viscous sputum, mucolytics are prescribed to improve the discharge of mucus from the respiratory tract. You can rely on herbal preparations, such as cough medicines Doctor MOM®.
There are also general recommendations that are relevant for the treatment of acute bronchitis of any nature:
- compliance with bed or semi-bed rest (depending on the patient’s condition);
- consumption of large amounts of warm fortified liquid (up to 2–2.5 liters per day). However, you should avoid drinks containing caffeine and alcohol, as they dehydrate the body and worsen inflammation. Decoctions of rose hips, raspberries and linden blossoms, fruit drinks and heated mineral water will bring benefits;
- to give up smoking;
- protecting the patient from irritating factors: dust, smoke, strong odors and toxic fumes;
- regular ventilation of the room and maintaining an optimal level of humidity in it (50-70%). To humidify the air, you can use both special climate control devices and improvised means, for example, a wet towel hung on a radiator.
In acute bronchitis, mucolytic agents are used to treat cough and facilitate mucus discharge, which thin the mucus and facilitate its removal. For example, you can use Doctor MOM® herbal cough syrup, which contains extracts of 10 medicinal herbs and has a complex effect: secretolytic (increases the secretion of protective mucus), mucolytic (reduces the viscosity of sputum), expectorant (removes phlegm), bronchodilator (relaxes the bronchi) and anti-inflammatory . The syrup is suitable for adults and children over 3 years of age. Ignoring the symptoms and inadequate treatment of acute bronchitis in adults can lead to the disease becoming chronic and the development of very serious complications.
Disease Information
Medications for bronchitis are medications that are prescribed for inflammation of the airways (bronchial tubes). It is usually caused by a viral infection (rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, influenza, etc.). There are cases where the inflammatory process developed during prolonged exposure to dust, smoking, and air pollution. Transmission of viruses occurs through airborne droplets or through direct contact of a patient with another person.
Sometimes inflammation of the bronchi can be caused by exposure to bacteria. Accordingly, the treatment strategy for such bronchitis will differ from the treatment of a disease with a viral etiology.
Typically, the human body copes with the viral form of the disease on its own. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms of the disease.
However, untreated bronchitis can lead to unpleasant and sometimes serious consequences: the acute form can develop into chronic inflammation of the bronchi, especially if additional risk factors remain, and the development of obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, and asthma is possible.
If the condition of a patient with bronchitis does not improve within 5-7 days, you should visit a doctor to prescribe medications and, if necessary, conduct research.
The main symptom of bronchitis is a wet (productive) cough that does not stop for ten days to several weeks. With its help, the body removes phlegm that collects on the surface of the inflamed bronchi. Signs of the disease also include a feeling of “stuffiness” in the chest, shortness of breath, sometimes rapid breathing and chills (fever).
It is important to remember that these symptoms may indicate the development of other diseases, so the patient’s condition is assessed comprehensively. Such an examination can only be carried out by a doctor, who also prescribes treatment.
Types of bronchitis
There are two types of bronchitis: acute, which is commonly called a cold, and chronic.
Why is chronic bronchitis dangerous?
If chronic bronchitis is left without adequate comprehensive treatment, the patient will feel worse and worse. The list of possible complications looks serious. Among them are diseases that are difficult to cure:
- pneumonia (pneumonia);
- asthmatic syndrome, bronchial asthma;
- heart and respiratory failure;
- Pulmonary emphysema is a pathological change in the lung tissue, which is characterized by severe shortness of breath and an increase in the volume of the chest.
That is why it is so important to pay great attention to the treatment of chronic bronchitis, not only during periods of exacerbation, but also during remission.
Ascoril
"Ascoril" is prescribed for both dry and wet coughs - this drug for bronchitis reduces coughing attacks and helps you breathe easier. Ascoril is usually taken in the complex treatment of bronchitis. The remedy helps with chronic obstructive bronchitis, asthma and even some forms of tuberculosis. "Ascoril" relieves attacks of suffocation and restores normal breathing. You can buy Ascoril in the form of tablets, which are taken three times a day, one at a time. There is also “Ascoril” syrup in the pharmacy, but it is not as popular as tablets because it does not taste very pleasant. The course of treatment for bronchitis with Ascoril is determined by the doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics of each patient. Do not take the drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as in children under 6 years of age. The only disadvantage of Ascoril is that it contains flavorings and dyes.
Ascoril
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, India
As part of combination therapy for acute and chronic bronchopulmonary diseases, accompanied by the formation of difficult-to-separate viscous secretions: bronchial asthma;
tracheobronchitis; obstructive bronchitis; pneumonia; emphysema; whooping cough; pneumoconiosis; pulmonary tuberculosis. from 113
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Dr. MOM
This drug for bronchitis has a unique composition: it contains extracts from 10 medicinal plants that help remove mucus from the lungs and are excellent mucolytics. "Doctor MOM" is available in the form of syrup, lozenges and ointment. The basis of the drug is not alcohol, but water, so the medicine for bronchitis is prescribed to children from three years of age. “Doctor MOM” not only soothes the bronchial mucosa, but also reduces inflammation well. The drug makes sputum less viscous and helps it pass more easily, while it is not so painful for a person to cough. Prohibitions include pregnancy and breastfeeding. The composition contains sugar, so patients with diabetes should take this into account. This remedy for bronchitis has almost no contraindications, it tastes good, can be taken for a long time, and is even prescribed as a preventive measure for colds.
Doctor Mom syrup
Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories, India
Doctor Mom is a bronchodilator (dilates the lumen of the bronchi), expectorant, anti-inflammatory, decongestant.
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Salbutamol
"Salbutamol" is an "emergency" remedy for bronchitis. This drug relaxes the smooth muscles of the bronchi. The positive effect of the drug occurs literally in five minutes, and the effect lasts five hours. “Salbutamol” is an aerosol for inhalation, therefore, before using this remedy for bronchitis, you must consult a doctor and then strictly follow the instructions. One of the disadvantages of Salbutamol is the possible development of a “ricochet effect”, in which each subsequent attack can become more intense. That is why “Salbutamol” is exclusively an “ambulance” for an attack of suffocation: the drug quickly relieves the spasm. The medicine has many contraindications and side effects, so it is prescribed only by a doctor.
Salbutamol
Atrovent
This drug helps well with chronic bronchitis, especially if attacks of suffocation and bronchospasms occur suddenly (for example, when a person is in the cold). You can buy Atrovent in the form of an aerosol or solution for inhalation. Aerosol is a more convenient option, especially if you do not know how to use an inhaler. Judging by patient reviews, Atrovent is well tolerated and is not absorbed into the blood. This eliminates side effects such as increased blood pressure and tachycardia. Very rarely, allergic reactions may occur when using Atrovent. Contraindications include individual intolerance. This remedy for bronchitis is prescribed to adults and children over 6 years of age. The effect of taking Atrovent lasts 6-7 hours, but this drug cannot be used constantly.
Atrovent
Boehringer Ingelheim, Germany
— COPD (including chronic obstructive bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema);
- bronchial asthma of mild to moderate severity. from 184
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