An important reason for timely treatment is to prevent complications! What complicates acute bronchitis. How dangerous are the complications of bronchitis

Bronchitis in adults and children is a very common disease that is associated with inflammation of the bronchi. Under the influence of adverse external factors inflamed mucous membrane bronchial tree which causes the disease to develop.

Features of the disease

Doctors trace a clear seasonal dependence of this disease. This means that this diagnosis is most often made in the spring, when the weather is unstable, which makes it difficult to find the right clothes. Although bronchitis can occur at any other time of the year.

There are also certain types of climate that are very unfavorable, which is why people living in such conditions have bronchitis very often or exist in a chronic form.

The reasons

The reasons why bronchitis develops are different. The main ones are:

The disease develops due to the impact of adverse factors on the respiratory tract. Harmful substances contained in the air, when breathing, enter the bronchial mucosa, causing its irritation. With prolonged exposure, bronchitis develops. In a similar way it affects frequent change air temperature, which is also an annoying factor.

Main symptoms

Often, bronchitis is confused with a cold and they do not go to the doctor, which causes complications. Since any disease is easier to treat at an early stage, it is important what symptoms are characteristic of bronchitis in order to seek help in a timely manner.

The main features are:

• cough;
• fever (may be slight or severe);
• sore throat, spasms;
• labored breathing;
• general weakness;
• wheezing.

These phenomena can be observed in other diseases, therefore correct diagnosis can only be given by a doctor.

It is highly undesirable to self-medicate, because for right action many factors and considerations need to be taken into account.

In addition, for a successful struggle, it is necessary to identify the cause of the problem in order to eliminate it. Therefore, it is desirable that any medicines prescribed by a doctor. The patient himself needs to follow all his recommendations and not even use additional methods without consultation. Otherwise, there may be serious consequences.

Kinds

In the process of treatment, it is important not only to determine the causes. The basis of any medical measures is the definition of the type of disease, since different types bronchitis have different manifestations and demand different approach during treatment. There are several classifications this disease.

The first classification is related to the causes that cause bronchitis. According to her, they distinguish:

Another classification characterizes the form of the course of the disease. It distinguishes the following types of bronchitis:

Diagnosis and complications

Every doctor treats bronchitis in adults and children differently. The choice of treatment method is associated with the characteristics of the course of the disease, its form, causes, complications, etc. Therefore, it is so important to consult a doctor.

It is very important to make the correct diagnosis, for which special measures are necessary.

When diagnosing bronchitis use:

• listening to the lungs;
• blood analysis;
• x-ray;
• sputum analysis;
• spirography;
• bronchoscopy.

These methods are optional. Sometimes the doctor uses only a part of them. Only if there are difficulties in diagnosing, if it is not possible to determine what type of bronchitis is characteristic of the patient and what caused it, they are all used. Correct staging diagnosis can reduce the risk that there will be complications after bronchitis.

The main thing that bronchitis is dangerous for is complications. If the patient does not treat this disease, there is a possibility of its transition to a chronic form, due to which the signs of the disease will appear constantly with greater or lesser severity.

Another problem that can arise if the doctor is wrong is pneumonia. In especially advanced cases patients develop tuberculosis. Children with bronchitis can develop asthma, so it is especially important to treat this disease in them.

These consequences do not occur so often, however, they are possible, so you need to be very careful.

Complications after bronchitis are rare, especially if the doctor treats the disease correctly. For effective treatment, many circumstances must be taken into account, but with the right approach, even residual symptoms rarely appear. Some time after the completion of the course, weakness and cough may persist, but gradually these signs cease to appear. However, this does not apply to the chronic form of the disease - in this case, residual effects persist until the next exacerbation.

If a quality treatment missing, the consequences can be very serious. This is especially true for those patients who cannot eliminate the factors that provoke the problem (climate, environmental conditions). Very dangerous with bronchitis are bad habits or work in adverse conditions.

Many mistakenly consider bronchitis a benign disease due to its prevalence. However, this serious illness, which can lead to severe and sometimes even deadly consequences Therefore, it is very important to be attentive to your health.

It is necessary to strengthen the immune system, stop smoking, if necessary, it is worth changing jobs and even living conditions. It is also very undesirable to use self-treatment, it is better to consult a specialist. The more cautious patients are, the less often doctors make this diagnosis and the less effort is required to overcome it.

Undertreated acute bronchitis may become chronic. Most often, this disease occurs in damp and cold weather, especially against the background of a weakened immune system. Unfortunately, there are cases when people do not consider it necessary completely (they say, there is no time to be treated, it will pass on its own). However, this is fraught with serious consequences.

If bronchitis, especially if it is severe, is not completely cured, it can return again and again with any hypothermia. This automatically leads to the fact that the surface of the bronchi becomes too sensitive, easily vulnerable. Thus, chronic bronchitis can quickly develop, which will be much more difficult to cure.

The severe cough that accompanies chronic bronchitis leads to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure acting on the diaphragm and nearby organs. This can eventually lead to their pathology. because of chronic bronchitis there is difficulty in breathing, the body does not receive oxygen in sufficient quantities, with all the consequences negative consequences. Chronic bronchitis can lead to the development of such dangerous disease like tuberculosis. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary.

Complications that can cause untreated bronchitis

A common and dangerous complication of bronchitis is pneumonia (pneumonia). This disease occurs when the focus of inflammation "descends" through the bronchi, capturing the underlying areas. The likelihood of pneumonia is higher, the more severe the bronchitis is and the more weakened the body.

Such a serious disease as bronchial asthma, which requires long and persistent treatment, also often occurs as a result of neglected bronchitis. When the surface of the bronchi becomes too vulnerable, sensitive, any minor irritant, an allergen can cause a sharp narrowing of their gaps, which leads to an asthma attack, accompanied by a strong cough.

It's not yet complete list possible complications caused by bronchitis. But what has been said is enough to understand that this disease must be taken seriously, not to endure it on your feet, not to hope that it will go away on its own. As prescribed by the doctor, you must follow bed rest and, if necessary, undergo antibiotic treatment. If the doctor advises hospitalization, do not refuse.

To prevent complications, you need to know how dangerous bronchitis is, especially if the disease becomes chronic. Thanks to timely consultation and treatment prescribed by a doctor, the disease can pass in short span time, 4 to 7 days.

Possible Complications

If you start the disease, then it begins to affect the lungs, resulting in inflammation that develops into pneumonia. After the bronchi, the virus infects the lungs and thereby significantly complicates a full recovery. Of particular difficulty is the disease in people who constantly smoke, because their lungs are already exposed to smoke every day.

The risk area also includes:

• employees of enterprises with harmful conditions labor;
• people who have a weakened immune system;
• old people;
• children and pregnant women.

At the slightest hint of the occurrence of bronchitis, you should consult a doctor in order to avoid unpleasant and health-damaging factors, that is, bronchial asthma. In a weakened state, the bronchi are more sensitive to minor factors, resulting in irritation, painful and dry cough.

Almost every patient does not want to go to the doctor or lie in the inpatient department, but this is more likely because not everyone can answer the question of whether bronchitis is dangerous. But it is the neglect of bronchitis that entails dangerous consequences. If left untreated, it develops into a chronic disease with complications.

Pregnant women are highly susceptible to the chronic form of the disease, since aggressive medications and antibiotics are strictly prohibited for them. And given that the process homeopathic treatment long enough, the following consequences are likely:

• miscarriage;
• hypoxia in the fetus;
• the appearance of uterine hypertonicity;
• the possibility of premature birth.

The destructive effect of the virus causes the likelihood of pathologies with the further development of the fetus.

Allergic bronchitis is also considered dangerous form illness.

The victims of this disease are workers in metallurgical plants, bakeries, chemical laboratories, who are exposed to daily inhalation of harmful fumes with all manifestations of irreparable harm to the health of others. Constant work in such conditions leads to the fact that the allergy becomes quite resistant and does not respond to individual funds protection issued by the company. In this situation, there are two ways out: either a change of workplace, or a visit to the doctor twice a year, followed by a course and the use of immunomodulatory and antiallergic drugs. Frequent walks, rest, Fresh air and folk remedies.

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The occurrence of complications in children

It is the babies that are susceptible to occurrence. For this reason, at the slightest manifestation of signs of the disease, it is necessary to immediately visit a doctor for a consultation and subsequent treatment. AT early age in children, the condition of the respiratory tract is rather weak and sputum cannot pass normally and on time, while the presence of undermined immunity does not allow the body to cope with the infection on its own. With the growth of the mucosa during the disease, oxygen starvation occurs. As a result, the development of bronchial asthma, obstructive pulmonary disease and its chronic form.

Most often, the presence of bronchial asthma in older people suggests that in early childhood they had an advanced form of bronchitis. Years later, the mucosa is unable to cope with the disease, therefore it lends itself to even slight dampness, fumes, dust, temperature drops and drafts.

The chronic form of the disease is characterized by a hysterical and intense cough without any discharge. During coughing, it seems that strong pressure acts not only on the lungs, but also on abdominal cavity. Thus, the effect of the diaphragm and other internal organs, which in frequent cases can cause the appearance of an imminent pathology. In addition, everyone knows that tuberculosis is the result of chronic bronchitis that has not been completely cured.

The main sign of the correctness of prescribing medications by a doctor is the enlightenment of sputum when coughing in a child. But parents should carefully monitor the child's condition: weak sputum production, shortness of breath, "whistling" breathing and frequent spasms can indicate the appearance of obstructive bronchitis. You need to see an allergist immediately. When confirming the diagnosis and treatment, it is necessary to periodically be examined by an allergist to prevent bronchial asthma.

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Complications in adults

If we do not take into account people who are susceptible to allergies and those who work in difficult allergenic conditions, adults have an increased resistance to bronchitis, in contrast to young children and pregnant women.

The occurrence of obstructive and chronic disease is the result of neglect to the treatment process.

A chronic disease leads to the appearance of bronchial asthma, since the reaction of the mucosa is immediate to all automobile gases, high humidity and smoke. With poor-quality and unsystematic treatment in adults, there is the possibility of the appearance of many different diseases:

• bronchial pneumonia;
• atelectasis in the lungs;
• pneumosclerosis;
• pleurisy;
• bronchiectasis;
• lungs' cancer.

The symptoms are initially difficult to distinguish from the common flu, seasonal colds, and are not taken seriously at first.

Very often, the treatment process is started late, as a result of which doctors have to act with radical methods in order to save the patient, prescribing aggressive drugs for use. medical preparations. But it is quite possible to do without it. If the cough is present for more than 5-7 days and there is no improvement in the state of health with a full treatment process, it is imperative to consult a doctor for further instructions.

Obstructive bronchitis is a disorder in the functioning of the lungs. In normal health, the alveoli are amenable to contraction, while a painful condition leads to their stretching, which is why it does not enter the blood right amount oxygen.

As a result, the alveoli cannot fully perform their function, that is, remove carbon dioxide from the body. Problems in the work of the lungs manifest themselves in the form of severe shortness of breath during small exertion, which healthy people do not even feel. As a result of various processes in the body, there is a high probability of oxygen starvation, which negatively affects the performance of organs and the condition of tissues.

By contacting specialists during the onset of initial symptoms, there is a chance to prevent significant complications, given how dangerous bronchitis is, without bringing the disease to the “chronic” stage.

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 in which the disease proceeds: 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: inflammatory process in the bronchi not only affects the quality of life, but is also dangerous with 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, the following pathogens are distinguished:

• 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, a provocateur infectious process become viruses. However, often with reduced immunity, the presence of a viral infection occurs favorable conditions to activate conditionally pathogenic 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 the pathogenic flora is a prerequisite for effective treatment of the disease.
Bronchitis of fungal etiology is quite rare: with normal immunity, it is almost impossible to activate the fungal flora in the bronchi. Mycotic damage to the bronchial mucosa is possible with significant disruptions in the work immune system: with congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies, after a course of radiation or chemotherapy, when taking cytostatics by oncological patients.
Other factors in the etiology of acute and chronic forms of the disease that provoke the development of the 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.

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Classification of the disease bronchitis

In the classification of the disease, two main forms are distinguished: 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 rapidly and lasts for an average of 7-10 days with proper therapy. After this period, the affected cells of the bronchial walls begin to regenerate, a full recovery from inflammation of viral and / or bacterial etiology occurs after 3 weeks.
According to the nature of the course of the disease, mild, moderate and severe are distinguished. The classification is based on:

• severity of respiratory failure;
• the results of a blood test, sputum;
• x-ray examination of the affected area of ​​the bronchi.

There are also different types in accordance with the nature of the inflammatory exudate:

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

The classification is based on the results of sputum analysis: for example, purulent bronchitis accompanied by the presence copious amounts leukocytes and macrophages in the exudate.
The degree of bronchial obstruction determines such types of disease as acute obstructive and non obstructive bronchitis. In children under the age of 1 year, acute obstructive bronchitis occurs in the form of bronchiolitis, accompanied by blockage of both deep and small bronchi.

Acute non-obstructive form

Acute non-obstructive, or simple form 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 by inflammatory contents. The most common cause of this form is viral infection and non-infectious agents.
As the disease progresses, with appropriate treatment, sputum leaves the bronchi during coughing, respiratory failure does not develop.

Acute obstructive bronchitis

Especially dangerous given form for kids preschool age in view of the narrowness of the respiratory tract and a 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, while blocking their lumen with exudate. Muscle walls reflexively contract, causing a spasm. Respiratory failure occurs, leading to oxygen starvation organism.

Chronic form of the disease

In the chronic form, signs of an 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 morning time days after sleep. There may also be shortness of breath that worsens with exertion.
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, fumes chemical substances). The most common provocateur tobacco smoke with 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, anomalies in the structure of the lower respiratory system, and severe chronic diseases.

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Different forms of bronchitis: signs and symptoms

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

Symptoms in adults

Formed respiratory system, immunity and longer exposure than in children negative factors cause 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) occurs as a result of an acute respiratory viral infection. It is distinguished by the rapid onset of the disease, starting with the onset of discomfort in the chest area, painful attacks of dry productive cough, aggravated 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 noted: intoxication of the body (weakness, headaches, aching muscles, joints), hyperthermia, layering of catarrhal manifestations (rhinitis, sore throat, lacrimation, etc.)

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

In acute respiratory viral infections, the stage of productive cough usually coincides with the onset of recovery from SARS: the manifestations of intoxication of the body decrease, body temperature normalizes (or remains within subfebrile limits). If no such phenomena are observed on the 3-5th day from 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, the period of regeneration of epithelial cells in the walls of the bronchi lasts, after which complete recovery occurs. Average duration acute form disease in adults is 2-3 weeks, in healthy people without bad habits, an uncomplicated acute form ends with recovery full health lower respiratory tract.

Acute obstructive form

The acute obstructive form in adults is much less common than in children, and, due to physiology, is much less dangerous to health and life, although the prognosis is based mainly on the severity of respiratory failure in the patient.

Respiratory failure with an obstructive acute form of the disease, it depends on the degree of blockage of the bronchial lumen with inflammatory exudate and the area of ​​coverage of bronchospasm.

The acute obstructive form is typical mainly for people diagnosed with bronchial asthma, smokers, the elderly, who have 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 respiratory failure, the patient tends to a half-sitting position, sitting, resting on the forearms. The auxiliary muscles of the chest are involved in the process of breathing, the expansion of the wings of the nose on inspiration is visually noticeable. With significant hypoxia, cyanosis is noted in the region 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 the 5-7th day with the onset of a productive cough and sputum withdrawal from the bronchi. In general, the disease takes longer than the non-obstructive form, the healing process takes up to 4 weeks.

Symptoms and stages of the chronic form of the disease

The chronic stage is diagnosed when bronchial form cough for at least three months, as well as a history of certain risk factors for developing the disease. The most common factor is 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 proceed in an erased form or in the alternation of the acute phase 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 health bronchi by the severity of symptoms, duration, frequent addition of complications of bacterial etiology.
Exacerbation can also be triggered by a change climatic conditions, stay in a cold, damp environment. Without appropriate therapy, the chronic form of the disease progresses, respiratory failure increases, exacerbations are more and more difficult.
During periods of remission early stages the disease of the patient may be disturbed by episodic cough after a night's sleep. As the inflammatory process progresses clinical picture expands, supplemented by shortness of breath during physical exertion, increased sweating, fatigue, coughing attacks at night and during periods of 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 during breathing. Coughing fits accompanied by discharge purulent exudate, the skin becomes earthy, cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle is noticeable, first after physical activity and then at rest. late stage the chronic form of bronchitis is difficult to treat, without treatment, as a rule, it turns into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Symptoms in children

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Among the main causes of the disease 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, rubella.
Risk factors for developing bronchitis are prematurity and underweight in newborns, especially when fed with artificial substitutes. breast milk, abnormal structure and pathology of the development of the bronchopulmonary system, immunodeficiency states, violation of the nasal type of breathing due to the curvature of the nasal septum, chronic diseases accompanied by proliferation of adenoid tissue, chronic lesions infections in the organs of 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, due to anatomical features structure of the organs of the respiratory system of the child.

Acute non-obstructive form in children

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 passes into the stage of sputum production for 3-5 days. The total duration of the disease in the absence of complications is 2-3 weeks.
This form is considered the most favorable for the prognosis of recovery, but it is more common in schoolchildren and adolescents. Children of preschool age, due to the peculiarities of the structure of the respiratory system, 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 the age of three has had this form of the disease at least once. Children are also prone to recurrent episodes of the disease; several obstructive inflammatory processes in the bronchi during the year may indicate the manifestation of bronchial asthma. Frequent recurring episodes of the disease also increase the likelihood of developing a chronic form, bronchiectasis, 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 sections of the respiratory organ, blockage of the gaps and the occurrence of bronchospasm. Increased likelihood the development of obstruction is due to the anatomical narrowness of the bronchi and characteristic of children age period increased tendency of muscle tissue to contract in response to stimuli in the form of sputum. The obstructive form in children is manifested primarily by wheezing in the chest area, shortness of breath, increasing when speaking, physical activity, increased frequency of respiratory movements, difficult exhalation.

Cough is not obligatory symptom, in infants or debilitated children, it may be absent. Respiratory failure leads to symptoms such as cyanosis (blue skin tone) of the nasolabial triangle, fingernails and toenails. When breathing, the movement of the retraction of the intercostal spaces, the expansion of the wings of the nose is expressed. Body temperature, as a rule, is kept 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 lesions of the bronchial tissues in childhood. Most often, bronchiolitis is diagnosed in children under 3 years of age. The disease is dangerous a high number deaths (1% of cases), the most susceptible to it are children of the age period of 5-7 months, born ahead of schedule, underweight, breastfed artificial mixtures, as well as babies with congenital anomalies respiratory organs and the cardiac system.
The prevalence of bronchiolitis is 3% in children of the first year of life. greatest danger is a viral infection: RV viruses, which have a tropism for the tissue of the mucous surface of small bronchi, provoke a significant part of bronchiolitis in children.
The following pathogens are also distinguished:

• cytomegalovirus;
• human herpes virus;
• chickenpox virus (chickenpox);
• chlamydia;
• mycoplasmas.

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 during the activation of opportunistic microorganisms present in the body (streptococci, staphylococci).
The development of the disease is sudden, rapid. Primary manifestations limited to symptoms of intoxication (lethargy, drowsiness, moodiness), a slight increase in body temperature, discharge from the nasal passages.
On the 2-3 day, wheezing during breathing, shortness of breath, the child expresses anxiety, turns out to be from food, cannot suckle the breast, pacifier, pacifier. The respiratory rate reaches 80 breaths per minute, the pulse accelerates to 160-180 beats per minute. Cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle, blanching or blueness is determined skin especially fingers and toes. There is a pronounced lethargy, drowsiness, lack of a revitalization complex, reactions during treatment.
Bronchiolitis in infants requires urgent initiation of inpatient treatment.

Diagnosis of the disease

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

• collection of anamnesis, analysis of patient complaints, visual inspection listening to breath 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 anomalies, the presence of foreign body in the bronchi, tumor changes;
• computed tomography according to indications.

Methods of therapy for different forms of the disease

Depending on the cause of the development of the disease, first of all, drugs that affect the pathogen are prescribed: antiviral drugs, antibiotics, antifungals etc.
For etiotropic therapy, it is necessarily used in combination symptomatic treatment: antipyretics, mucolytic drugs (acetylcysteine, ambroxol), drugs that suppress the cough reflex, with severe painful coughing attacks, bronchodilators.
The drugs used are both general and local action(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 exclusion of the factor that provokes the inflammatory process in the tissues of the bronchi: occupational hazards, environmental conditions, smoking. After elimination this factor carry out long-term treatment with mucolytic, bronchodilator drugs, general restorative drugs. It is possible to use oxygen therapy, spa treatment.

Bronchitis is infection accompanied by diffuse inflammation of the bronchi. Most often occurs against the background of colds, for example, SARS, influenza, although it may also have a different origin. Does not exist single prescription suitable for absolutely everyone.

To answer the question of how to cure bronchitis, you need to figure out what kind of disease it is. In the article, we will consider the main causes and symptoms of bronchitis in adults, and also provide a list effective methods treatment of various forms of the disease.

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an inflammatory lesion of the tissues of the bronchi, which develops as an independent nosological unit or as a complication of other diseases. In this case, lung tissue damage does not occur, and the inflammatory process is localized exclusively in the bronchial tree.

Damage and inflammation of the bronchial tree can occur as an independent, isolated process (primary) or develop as a complication against the background of existing chronic diseases and transferred infections(secondary).

The first symptoms of bronchitis in adults are: chest pain, shortness of breath, painful cough, weakness of the whole body.

• MKB code 10: J20 - J21.

- enough serious illness treatment must be carried out by a doctor. He determines the optimal drugs for treatment, their dosage and combination.

The reasons

As mentioned above, the most common and common cause of acute or chronic bronchitis among adults is a viral, bacterial or atypical flora.

• Main bacterial pathogens: staphylococci, pneumococci, streptococci.
• The causative agents of bronchitis of a viral nature: influenza virus, respiratory syncytial infection, adenovirus, parainfluenza, etc.

Inflammatory diseases of the bronchi, in particular bronchitis, in adults can be caused by various reasons:

• the presence of a viral or bacterial infection in the body;
• work in rooms with polluted air and in hazardous production;
• smoking;
• living in areas with unfavorable environmental conditions.

Acute bronchitis occurs when the body is damaged by viruses, usually the same ones that cause colds and flu. The virus cannot be destroyed by antibiotics, so this type of drug is used extremely rarely.

The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. Considerable harm is also caused by air pollution, increased levels of dust and toxic gases in the environment.

There are a number of factors that can significantly increase the risk of any type of bronchitis:

• genetic predisposition;
• life in adverse climatic conditions;
• smoking (including passive);
• ecology.

Classification

In modern pulmonological practice, the following types of bronchitis are distinguished:

• having an infectious nature (bacterial, fungal or viral);
• having a non-infectious nature (arising under the influence of allergens, physical, chemical factors);
• mixed;
• with unknown etiology.

Bronchitis is classified according to a number of criteria:

According to the severity of the flow:

• mild degree
• medium degree
• severe

Depending on the symmetry of bronchial lesions, the disease is divided into:

• Unilateral bronchitis. Affects either the right or left side bronchial tree.
• Bilateral. The inflammation affected both the right and left parts of the bronchi.

By clinical course:

• spicy;

Acute bronchitis

Acute ailment is caused by short-term development, which can last from 2-3 days and up to two weeks. In the process, a person suffers at first dry, and then developing into wet cough with the release of a mucous substance (sputum). If the patient is not cured, then there is a high probability of the transition of the acute form to the chronic one. And then the malaise can drag on for an indefinite time.

In this case, the acute form of bronchitis can be of the following types:

• simple;
• obstructive;
• obliterating;
• bronchiolitis.

In adults, simple and obstructive types acute bronchitis can occur very often, following each other, which is why this course of the disease is called recurrent bronchitis. It occurs more than 3 times a year. The cause of obstruction may be too a large number of allocated secret or severe swelling bronchial mucosa.

Depending on the causative agent of the disease, there are:

• Viral.
• Infectious.
• Bacterial.
• Allergic.
• Asthmatic.
• Dust.
• Fungal.
• Chlamydial.
• Toxic.

Chronical bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a long-term inflammatory disease bronchi, progressing over time and causing structural changes and dysfunction of the bronchial tree. Among the adult population, CB occurs in 4-7% of the population (some authors claim that in 10%). Men get sick more often than women.

One of the most dangerous complications Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung tissue. In most cases, it occurs in immunocompromised patients and in the elderly. Symptoms of chronic bronchitis: cough, shortness of breath, sputum.

First signs

If the body temperature has increased, the ability to work has decreased, weakness and dry cough tormented, which eventually becomes wet, it is likely that this is bronchitis.

The first signs of acute bronchitis, which you should pay attention to an adult:

• a sharp deterioration in health and general feeling of the body;
• promotion temperature regime body;
• the manifestation of a wet cough (sometimes it can be dry);
• feeling of pressure in the chest;
• severe shortness of breath and rapid fatigue during exertion;
• lack of appetite and general apathy;
• the occurrence of intestinal dysfunction, constipation;
• pain in the head and muscle weakness;
• heaviness and burning sensation in the chest;
• chills and feeling cold, desire not to get out of bed;
• profuse runny nose.

Symptoms of bronchitis in adults

Such a disease is quite common, every person has had bronchitis at least once in his life, and therefore its symptoms are well known and quickly recognizable.

The main symptoms of bronchitis:

• The cough may be dry (no sputum production) or wet (with sputum production).
• Dry cough may occur with viral or atypical infection. Most often, the evolution of a cough from dry to wet is noted.
• Sputum discharge, especially with green tint- reliable criterion bacterial inflammation. When the color of sputum is white, the patient's condition is regarded as the normal course of the disease. yellowish color with bronchitis, it usually happens in patients who smoke for a long time, pneumonia is determined by this color. brown sputum or with blood should alert - this danger sign, necessary urgent help doctor.
• The voice of adults, especially those who have a bad habit of smoking, simply disappears and they can only speak in a whisper. Often, wheezing in the voice and the severity of speech simply appear, it feels as if the conversation is causing physical fatigue. But in fact it is! At this time, breathing is due to frequent shortness of breath and heaviness. At night, the patient breathes not through the nose, but through the mouth, while making strong snores.

In acute bronchitis, the symptoms and treatment in adults are significantly different from those that are characteristic of a disease that occurs in a chronic form.

Impaired patency of the bronchi against the background of a very long course of the disease may indicate the occurrence of a chronic process.

Complications

In most cases, the disease itself is not dangerous. Complications after bronchitis, which develop with insufficient effective treatment. The consequences are predominantly respiratory system but other organs may be affected.

Complications of bronchitis are:

• Acute pneumonia;
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
• Asthmatic bronchitis, which increases the risk of developing bronchial asthma;
• lungs;
• Pulmonary hypertension;
• expiratory stenosis of the trachea;
• Chronic cor pulmonale;
• Cardiopulmonary failure;
• bronchiectasis.

Diagnostics

When the first symptoms of the disease occur, it is necessary to contact a therapist. He is the one who does everything. diagnostic measures and prescribes treatment. It is possible that the therapist will refer the patient to narrower specialists, such as: a pulmonologist, an infectious disease specialist, an allergist.

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 actually made. The main indicator is the presence of a cough with white and yellow sputum.

Diagnosis of bronchitis includes:

• A chest x-ray can help diagnose pneumonia or another disease that is causing the cough. Radiography is most often prescribed to smokers, including former smokers.
• A lung function test is done using a device called a spirometer. It determines the basic characteristics of breathing: how much air the lungs can hold and how fast the exhalation occurs.

Laboratory research:

• Complete blood count - leukocytosis, shift leukocyte formula to the left, increased ESR.
• Biochemical studies - an increase in the blood level of acute phase proteins, a2- and y-globulins, an increase in the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme. Sometimes hypoxemia develops.
• Bacteriological examination - sputum culture.
• Serological analysis - determination of antibodies to viruses or mycoplasmas.

Treatment of bronchitis in adults

The treatment of bronchitis is a controversial and multifaceted issue, since there are a lot of methods for suppressing the symptoms and primary sources of the disease. Here important role play the principles on which therapeutic measures are based.

When the task is set - how to treat bronchitis in adults, then four main stages of treatment can be distinguished:

1. The first step is to voluntarily quit smoking. This greatly increases the effectiveness of the treatment.
2. At the second stage, assign medications which, by stimulating receptors, expand the bronchi: Bromide, Salbutamol, Terbutaline, Fenoterol, Ipratropium bromide.
3. Assign mucolytic and expectorant drugs that contribute to sputum production. They restore the ability of the epithelium of the bronchi, dilute sputum.
4. At the fourth stage of treatment of bronchitis, only antibiotics are prescribed: orally, intramuscularly and intravenously.

Compliance with the regime:

• Against the background of exacerbation of bronchitis, it is traditionally recommended plentiful drink. For an adult - the daily volume of fluid consumed should be at least 3 - 3.5 liters. Usually alkaline fruit drinks, hot milk with Borjomi in a ratio of 1: 1 are well tolerated.
• It also undergoes several changes in the composition of the daily food ration, which should become complete in terms of proteins and vitamins. Daily ration nutrition must contain sufficient amounts of proteins and vitamins. It is important to include as many fruits and vegetables as possible.
• Elimination of physical and chemical factors that provoke the appearance of a cough (dust, smoke, etc.);
• When the air is dry, the cough is much stronger, so try to moisten the air in the room where the patient is. It is best to use an air purifier and humidifier for this purpose. It is also desirable to carry out daily wet cleaning of the patient's room to purify the air.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy - very effective for bronchitis, is prescribed together with drug therapy. Among physiotherapeutic procedures, quartz treatment, UHF, ozekirite, inhalations are used.

1. Warming of the chest - is prescribed only as an additional medical procedures after the exacerbation of chronic bronchitis is removed or the first stage of acute treatment is completed.
2. Massage - done with poorly discharged sputum, provides better opening of the bronchi and acceleration of the outflow of serous-purulent or purulent sputum.
3. Therapeutic breathing exercises - helps to restore normal breathing and get rid of shortness of breath.
4. Inhalations. It is difficult to call them exclusively physiotherapy, because for the most part such procedures are a full-fledged therapy.

Bronchitis drugs for adults

Before using any medications, be sure to consult your doctor.

Bronchodilators

To improve sputum discharge, bronchodilators are prescribed. Adults with bronchitis wet cough tablets are usually prescribed:

• salbutamol,
• Beroduala,
• Eufillina,
• Theotard.

Expectorants:

• Mukaltin. Liquefies viscous sputum, facilitating its exit from the bronchi.
• Means based on the herb thermopsis - Thermopsol and Codelac Broncho.
• Syrup Gerbion, Stoptussin phyto, Bronchikum, Pertusin, Gelomirtol - are based on medicinal herbs.
• ACC (acetylcysteine). Effective remedy direct action. Has a direct effect on sputum. When taking the wrong dosage, it can cause diarrhea, vomiting, heartburn.

It is necessary to take these drugs for symptoms of acute bronchitis for treatment until the sputum is completely out of the bronchi. The duration of treatment with herbs is somewhere around 3 weeks, and with medicines 7-14 days.

Antibiotics

Antibacterial therapy is used for complicated courses of acute bronchitis, when there is no effectiveness from symptomatic and pathogenetic therapy, in weakened individuals, with a change in sputum (mucous sputum changes to purulent).

You should not try to independently determine which antibiotics for bronchitis in adults will be most effective - there are several groups of drugs, each of which is active against certain microorganisms. The most commonly used:

• penicillins (Amoxiclav),
• macrolides (Azithromycin, Rovamycin),
• cephalosporins (ceftriaxone),
• fluoroquinolones (Levofloxacin).

The dosage must also be determined by the doctor. If drugs are taken uncontrollably with antibacterial action, you can seriously disrupt the intestinal microflora and cause a significant decrease in immunity. You need to drink these medicines strictly according to the scheme, without reducing or prolonging the course of treatment.

Antiseptics

Medicines with antiseptic action are used mainly in the form of inhalations. In acute bronchitis, in order to reduce the manifestation of symptoms, adults are treated with inhalations through a nebulizer with solutions of drugs such as Rivanol, Dioxidin.

The prognosis of symptoms of bronchitis with rational treatment in adults, as a rule, favorable. Complete cure usually occurs within 2-4 weeks. The prognosis of bronchiolitis is more serious and depends on timely onset intensive treatment. With late diagnosis and untimely treatment, symptoms of chronic respiratory failure may develop.

Folk remedies for bronchitis

1. Boil some water, add 2 drops of fir, eucalyptus, pine or tea tree. Lean over the container with the resulting mixture and inhale the steam for 5-7 minutes.
2. Very old and effective recipe.- this is a radish, a small depression is made in it, into which a teaspoon of honey is placed. After a while, the radish gives juice and can be consumed 3 times a day. it good way to relieve cough, if there is no allergy to honey.
3. We treat bronchitis with calendula flowers. Pour 2 tablespoons of calendula flowers with a glass of boiling water and hold in a water bath for 15 minutes. Adults take 1-2 tablespoons 3 times a day 15 minutes before meals.
4. Pour a glass of milk into an enamel bowl, add 1 tablespoon of dry sage herb to it, cover tightly, bring to a boil over low heat, cool and strain. Then bring to a boil again, covered with a lid. Finished product drink hot before bed.
5. Horseradish and honey. It helps in the fight against bronchitis and lung diseases. Pass four parts of horseradish through a grater, mix with 5 parts of honey. Take one spoonful after meals.
6. Take 2 parts licorice root and 1 part lime blossom . Make a decoction of the herb and use it for dry coughs or excessively thick sputum.
7. 10 g dried and chopped mandarin peel pour 100 ml of boiling water, insist, strain. Take 1 tablespoon 5 times a day before meals. Used as an expectorant.

Long-term treatment of bronchitis at home often leads to dangerous complications. If the cough does not go away after a month, contact the clinic. Refusal of treatment or relying on the knowledge of a pharmacy pharmacist in adults and the elderly can cause bronchotracheitis, purulent infection, tracheobronchitis, and long rehabilitation.

Prevention

Primary prevention measures:

• In adults, for the prevention of bronchitis, it will be important complete failure from smoking, as well as from the regular use of alcohol. Such abuses have a negative impact on general state body and, as a result, bronchitis and other diseases may appear.
• limit influence harmful substances and gases to be inhaled;
• start treatment of various infections on time;
• do not overcool the body;
• take care of maintaining immunity;
• during the heated period, maintain normal level humidity in the room.

Secondary prevention includes:

• Eliminate all of the above risk factors. Timely diagnosis and early start treatment of acute bronchitis (or exacerbations of chronic).
• Hardening of the body in the summer.
• Prevention (ARVI) during the epidemic (usually from November to March).
• Prophylactic use of antibacterial drugs for 5-7 days with exacerbation of bronchitis caused by a virus.
• Daily Execution breathing exercises(prevents stagnation of mucus and infection in the bronchial tree).

Bronchitis in adults dangerous disease which cannot be self-treated. Self-treatment can lead to serious consequences in the form of disability, in some cases even life is at risk. Timely access to a doctor and a timely diagnosis help to avoid complications and alleviate the symptoms already in the initial stages of bronchitis.