Diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract

Breathing is one of the most important acts of life performed by our body. The respiratory system, which consists of a number of interconnected organs, is responsible for its high-quality and full implementation. Periodically, each person is faced with violations of the activity of such parts of our body, which can be provoked by the attack of a variety of aggressive substances. Therapy of such diseases is carried out by otolaryngologists and therapists. Let's talk about what a respiratory tract infection can be, consider its symptoms and treatment in a little more detail.

What are respiratory tract infections, diseases?

Respiratory tract infections usually have a short incubation period, from two to three days to one week. Sometimes this period is several hours.

The most common disease of this type is rhinitis - an inflammatory lesion of the mucous membranes of the nasal passages. With such an ailment, the mucous membranes become swollen, inflamed, and exudate may be released. Infectious can occur against the background, measles, and other pathological conditions. Patients may experience nasal congestion, discharge, are often bothered, feel unwell, and have some watery eyes. The discharge may be yellow or green, cloudy, watery, or clear.

Another infection of the respiratory tract is an inflammatory lesion of the nasal sinuses (, or), which most often develops after damage to the nasopharynx. Patients with such disorders are usually worried about fever, difficulty in nasal breathing (up to congestion), runny nose, loss of smell, headaches in the region of the nose. There may also be a cough.

A common infectious disease of the respiratory tract is also a sore throat (). With such a disease, the patient has a fever, he has a severe sore throat (especially when swallowing), weakness appears. With tonsillitis, the tonsils increase, which makes it difficult to drink and eat, plaque may occur on them (depending on the type of disease, it can be purulent, grayish, dense, curdled).

Another infectious disease of the respiratory tract is an inflammatory lesion of the mucous membranes of the larynx. With such a disease, patients complain of a feeling of soreness in the throat, they may have a fever, a dry cough occurs, breathing becomes difficult, and general malaise appears.

Infectious lesions of the respiratory tract can also occur in the form. With such a disease, the mucous membranes of the larynx (sometimes the epiglottis and vocal cords) become inflamed in a person. Patients complain of hoarseness and roughness of the voice (it may disappear altogether), malaise, fever, and a barking cough. Stenosis or croup of the larynx may develop - a serious respiratory disorder due to swelling of the mucous membranes and spasm of the laryngeal muscles.

Possible infectious diseases of the respiratory tract include inflammatory lesions of the mucous membranes of the larynx. The disease is manifested by the classic symptoms of intoxication - fever, weakness, malaise, and patients also note the appearance of sore pain in the upper chest behind the sternum. In the mornings and at nights they are disturbed by a dry cough, during the day such a symptom is provoked by conversations, laughter, cold air. There may be sputum discharge.

Also, an infectious lesion of the respiratory tract can occur in the form of an inflammatory lesion of the mucous membranes of the bronchi. This disease often accompanies other respiratory tract infections. With bronchitis, the patient has general symptoms of intoxication, cough (dry or wet) with sputum discharge, which can be mucous or mucopurulent.

Another representative of respiratory tract infections is considered to be an inflammatory lesion of the lung tissues. Such an ailment is most often of a bacterial nature, manifested by fever, increasing weakness, decreased appetite, malaise, chills and excessive sweating. The cough is productive.

A rather rare type of respiratory tract infection is alveolitis - an inflammatory lesion of the terminal sections in the respiratory tract. Such an ailment can develop in patients with candidiasis, legionellosis, aspergillosis and cryptococcosis, etc. Patients complain of fever, severe cough and weakness. In addition, they often have cyanosis.

How is the respiratory tract infection corrected, what treatment is effective?

Many respiratory tract infections can be treated at home, but serious illnesses often require medical advice or even hospitalization.

To eliminate the causative agent of the disease, antiviral drugs can be used, it makes sense to use them on the first day after the onset of unpleasant symptoms. Such medicines are represented by Kagocel, Remantadine, etc. If the disease is of a bacterial origin, antibiotics are used, they are selected by a doctor. Angina is often treated with macrolides (Azithromycin, Erythromycin) and beta-lactams (Amoxicillin, Augmentin). For the correction of bronchitis and pneumonia, both of these groups of drugs are used, as well as drugs related to fluoroquinolones (Ofloxacin, etc.).

Quite often, the treatment of respiratory tract infections includes pathogenetic treatment aimed at interrupting the infectious process. To achieve this effect, immunomodulators are used (Cycloferon, Anaferon, Lavomax, Amiksin). With bacterial lesions, preference is given to Bronchomunal, Immudon, IRS-19, etc. In addition, anti-inflammatory combined formulations, for example, Erespal, or NSAIDs, can be used for pathogenetic therapy.

The main role in the successful treatment of most infectious lesions of the respiratory tract is played by the use of symptomatic agents. These are rhinitis medicines - Nazol, Pinosol, Tizin, etc., cough medicines - expectorants based on licorice, marshmallow, thyme, Pertussin and Mukaltin; mucolytics - ACC, Mukobene, Bromhexine, Ambroxol; as well as combined formulations - Bronholitin, Gedelix, Ascoril, Stoptussin. In some cases, antitussive drugs can be used - Sinekod, Libeksin, Glaucin, Bitiodin, Glauvent, etc. Angina therapy is usually carried out using Faringosept, Geksoral, Yoks, Falimint, Tantum Verde, etc.

Also, the treatment of respiratory infections often involves inhalation (using an inhaler or nebulizer) and the use of traditional medicine.

Folk recipes for respiratory tract infections

Traditional medicine specialists offer a lot of medicines based on medicinal herbs and improvised means that will help to cope with various respiratory infections.

Cold infusion. So with a runny nose, an excellent effect is obtained by taking an infusion based on thyme. Brew a tablespoon of the flowers of this plant with one glass of boiling water and leave for half an hour under the lid. Strained drink take half a glass three times a day.

Aloe juice application for a cold. Aloe juice is also great for treating a runny nose. It just needs to be instilled into the nose - three to five drops three to four times a day. Treatment of a cold with aloe juice is very effective.

Washing the nose with iodine and salt water for a runny nose. A wonderful effect with a runny nose is given by washing the nose. To do this, you should use ordinary salted water, you can also add a few drops of iodine to it.

Infusion of elderberry flowers. You can also cope with a runny nose with the help of an infusion based on black elderberry flowers. A tablespoon of crushed raw materials should be brewed with a glass of boiling water. Infuse the medicine for one hour, then strain and take half a glass three times a day. This medicine is excellent for the treatment of most respiratory diseases.

Celandine, honey, aloe juice use for runny nose and inflammation of the sinuses. Finely chop four grams of fresh grass, combine with honey, as well as with aloe juice. All ingredients must be used in equal amounts. The resulting mixture should be used for instillation into the nose - three drops in each nasal passage. Repeat this procedure five times a day.

Rosehip oil inside the nose. Even with diseases of the nasal sinuses, you can bury your nose with rosehip oil - five drops in each nasal passage.

Sage with milk for bronchitis. Folk remedies can also help in the treatment of bronchitis. So with such a disease, you can brew a tablespoon of dry sage herb with one glass of boiling milk. Cover the container with a lid and heat over low heat until boiling. After cooling the medicine and strain it. Then bring the mixture back to a boil. Drink it hot before bed, sweetened with honey.

powder for bronchitis. A remarkable expectorant effect is given by taking a medicine based on the roots of the medicinal marshmallow. Six grams of such raw materials, crushed to a powder state, must be poured with two hundred milliliters of ordinary cold water. Leave for eight to ten minutes. Take for acute and chronic bronchitis several times a day.

Folk remedy for pneumonia with aloe. Healers claim that folk remedies will help in the treatment of pneumonia. So with such a disease, it is worth preparing a glass of juice obtained from aloe, forty grams of crushed dry birch buds and sixty grams of crushed eryngium leaves. Add a kilogram of propolis oil to the prepared ingredients, as well as a kilogram of liquid honey. Heat the medicine in a water bath for a quarter of an hour, then take it in a tablespoon three times a day. Such a volume of the healing mixture should be diluted in a glass of hot milk.

In case of a serious violation of well-being against the background of infectious diseases of the respiratory system, it is necessary to consult a doctor. The feasibility of using traditional medicine is also worth discussing with a qualified specialist.

The ingress of a foreign body into the ear, nose, pharynx, trachea is most often observed in children and often poses a real threat to life (especially in the case of foreign bodies in the respiratory tract). First aid for a stuck foreign body is very important. In some cases, when a stuck foreign body threatens the life of the patient (for example, disrupts breathing), the patient should be given immediate medical attention and try to remove the foreign body. In other cases (when the foreign body does not interfere with breathing and cannot be easily removed), it is not necessary to try to remove the foreign body, but the patient should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible.

First aid for a foreign body in the ear

It is far from always possible to remove a foreign body from the ear on its own, but sometimes it is still possible. So, for example, if you are one hundred percent sure that a living insect has got into your ear, then drip a warm solution of vaseline oil or glycerin into it as soon as possible. Most often, three to four drops are enough for the insect to be destroyed under the influence of an oxygen-free environment. Remember, the oil temperature should be thirty-seven to thirty-nine degrees. Don't worry if you feel like your ear is stuffed up for a while. This phenomenon is already due to oil, and not the presence of an insect. So, after such manipulations, the insect dies after three to four minutes. Once this happens, take a tissue, tilt your head to the affected side, and place the tissue to your ear. Stay in this position for fifteen to twenty minutes. That is how long it takes for the oil to be able to flow out. Most often, along with the oil, a dead insect also comes out. Even if there is no insect body on the napkin, ask someone to examine your ear. During such an examination, the body will in any case be seen, and, therefore, you can easily remove it with a cotton swab. It is very important in this case to remove the entire body completely, leaving not the slightest part of it in the ear. Otherwise, an inflammatory process may develop. When removing a foreign body from the ear, the most important thing is not to use any small tools such as tweezers or tweezers. The use of these items may cause the foreign body to push further into the ear canal. Getting it out of there will be even harder. In such cases, experts recommend using very thin objects with an unsharpened end. It can be a hairpin or the reverse side of the needle. However, these items must be used with extreme caution so as not to damage the eardrum.

Nasal congestion is a symptom in which it is difficult (or impossible) to inhale and exhale through the nasal passages, as a result of which a person breathes through the mouth more often. This symptom is also called obstructed nasal breathing. Folk remedies for nasal congestion will greatly facilitate the condition of nasal breathing.

Causes of a stuffy nose

Distinguish between temporary and prolonged nasal congestion. The causes of nasal congestion are considered depending on the duration of the course of this symptom. Temporary nasal congestion is usually caused by SARS or allergic reactions. In this case, breathing normalizes within a week. The causes of nasal congestion are chronic diseases of the nasal passages and paranasal sinuses:

Pharyngitis is a disease that is characterized by inflammation of the mucous surface (shell) of the pharynx, as well as lymphoid tissue. The causative agents of this disease are: bacteria (streptococci, pneumococci, staphylococci), viruses (adenovirus, influenza), fungi of the genus Candida. There are two types: chronic and acute pharyngitis.

A recent runny nose, flu or acute respiratory infections can cause a disease such as sinusitis. Severe headache, constantly stuffy nose, copious discharge from the nose - signs on the face - you have sinusitis. About 30% of all pathologies of ENT organs are precisely this disease, which affects both adults and children. Sinusitis is a chronic or acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinuses. Like many other diseases, sinusitis can be acute or chronic. Cause sinusitis various infections that have penetrated into the maxillary sinuses, as well as viruses, staphylococci, mycoplasmas, streptococci, fungi, chlamydia, Haemophilus influenzae.

Causes of sinusitis

One of the most common causes of this disease are infections that penetrate into the so-called maxillary sinuses, causing them to become inflamed. Sinusitis can also occur as an independent disease, but most often it is a complication after infectious diseases transferred to the wound: acute respiratory infections, tonsillitis, influenza, inflammation of the tonsils. Causes of sinusitis can be a bad tooth, an allergy or a deviated septum. One of the causes of sinusitis in children is adenoids, which are a source of constant infections.

Bronchitis is a common respiratory disease that often occurs in humans. Bronchitis primarily affects the mucous membrane lining the surface of the bronchi. Most often, bronchitis occurs due to the ingestion of any infection in the body. The cause can be both viral and bacterial, and atypical flora.

Who gets bronchitis and how?

For the most part, bronchitis develops as a complication after a cold or SARS. Can contribute to the emergence of:

- sudden and severe hypothermia
- staying in a room with high humidity for a long time
- bad habits, especially smoking
- chronic diseases that weaken the body
- long stay in a room contaminated with harmful substances.

Laryngitis (the term comes from the Greek larynx - larynx) is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx. Often, the inflammatory process affects the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx or passes to the deeper tissues of the trachea and bronchus. The disease can occur in acute or chronic form.

Symptoms of laryngitis

In acute laryngitis, the patient experiences a sore throat, perspiration; his voice "sits down" - it becomes hoarse and rough, it can completely disappear. To the cough, which is dry at the beginning, scanty sputum, which is coughed up with difficulty, is gradually added, which later becomes more abundant and begins to move easily. General malaise is sometimes accompanied by headache and fever. Nonspecific laryngitis symptoms are tachycardia, cyanosis, anxiety, autonomic disorders, rapid breathing, etc. The duration of the disease varies from several days to several weeks. At the same time, hoarseness of the voice and even its persistent loss can continue for a long time.

This disease is usually accompanied by a rather intense cough. Sometimes it is very painful.

The treatment of bronchitis is to eliminate the pathogen, stop the inflammation, and also remove the resulting sputum.

Every mother dreams of seeing her child healthy and happy. Unfortunately, in cold weather, it is quite difficult to protect the baby from colds. Significant efforts are required to achieve this desire. At first glance, the onset of a runny nose in a child is a small nuisance. But, the resulting nasal congestion negatively affects the general well-being, and may be the first sign of a viral infection.

What is a runny nose?

Runny nose is a disease that causes inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity. In most cases, a runny nose in an infant or older toddler is the main symptom of an illness: a viral infection, influenza, measles, diphtheria, or the common cold. Usually, the duration of rhinitis (runny nose) is from 7 to 12 days.

Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are the most common diseases, especially during the cold season. They are most commonly diagnosed in people with weakened immune systems, children, and the elderly. The form of URTI can be acute or chronic.

What indicates how the infection of the upper respiratory tract manifests itself, how is it treated? It is on this topic that our conversation today will go. Let us briefly dwell on the main diseases, find out the methods of drug treatment and consider one effective folk recipe for each ailment.

Infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract

We list some of the most common:

- Rhinitis (runny nose)- inflammation of the nasal mucosa. May be acute or chronic.

Main symptoms: swelling of the mucosa, dryness, itching, difficulty breathing. At the initial stage, liquid, transparent discharge from the nasal cavity occurs. In the future, the discharge becomes thick, mucopurulent, and then gradually disappear. Everything is accompanied by general malaise.

Treatment

They use vasoconstrictor, anti-inflammatory and decongestant drugs: Naphthyzine, Ephedrine hydrochloride, Galazolin (instructions for the use of each drug before using it must be studied personally from the official annotation included in the package!). For children - Nazivin. Treatment with antibiotics is possible, but only in the case of a bacterial nature of rhinitis and in the presence of complications.

Folk recipe:

Mix freshly squeezed carrot juice 1 tsp and unrefined olive oil of the same volume. Add 3 cap. fresh garlic juice. Drip 2-3 drops on each nostril. Mixture use only freshly prepared.

- Sinusitis, rhinosinusitis- infectious and inflammatory process of the paranasal sinuses, with acute or chronic course. It can be viral, bacterial, fungal or allergic in nature. It can develop in isolation, but more often it is a complication of other pathologies: measles, rhinitis, influenza or scarlet fever.

Main symptoms: general malaise, weakness and headaches, the temperature of the human body rises, abundant mucous discharge from the nose appears.

Treatment

Sinusitis that is bacterial in nature is treated with antibiotics. They are prescribed by a doctor, depending on the type of bacteria and their sensitivity to a particular drug. With a viral nature, antiviral drugs are prescribed - Neovir, Isoprinosine. Additionally, decongestant drops and sprays are used: Naphthyzin, Sanorin, Galazolin.

If sinusitis is a complication of another disease, measures are taken to treat the pathology that caused it.

Folk recipe:

Prepare freshly squeezed black radish juice. Drip into the nasal passages 2 drops for each nostril. If it burns a lot, you can dilute it with water.

- Angina (acute tonsillitis)- can be catarrhal, follicular, phlegmous and lacunae. Moreover, one variety rarely develops in its pure form. Most often, the patient has signs of at least two varieties.

characteristic common symptoms are: pain, redness of the throat, tonsils increase, catarrhal phenomena are present. There is a general malaise, weakness, fever, chills appear, lymph nodes are enlarged.

Treatment

Depending on the variety, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory drugs, local antiseptics, symptomatic drugs are prescribed. Use disinfectant solutions for gargling. If the disease is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics of a certain group are prescribed.

Folk remedy:

Mix equal amounts of elderberry, clover, and lime blossoms. Add the same amount of crushed rowan berries, viburnum, peppermint leaves and blackcurrant leaves. Mix well. Insist 2 hours in a thermos 4 tablespoons of the mixture, pouring it with a liter of boiling water. It is recommended to take half a glass several times a day.

- Pharyngitis- an inflammatory disease of the mucous membrane of the upper pharynx, tonsils and uvula. Most often it is viral in nature. It can be an independent disease, or it manifests itself as a complication of other infections, in particular, SARS, rhinitis, sinusitis, etc. It can occur as a result of alcohol abuse and smoking.
It is characterized by acute or chronic course.

Main symptoms: dryness, redness in the throat, pain when swallowing. The pharynx may become covered with purulent plaque, follicle grains may appear. Accompanied by weakness, malaise, possibly a slight increase in temperature.

Treatment

In the presence of a viral infection, drugs are prescribed: Faringosept, Falimint and Laripront. Anaferon, Tamiflu, etc. are used to reduce painful symptoms in the throat. Antibiotics are prescribed for the bacterial nature of the process.

Folk remedy:

Several times a day, inhale with a soda solution: 1 tsp per glass of boiling water. Breathe in hot steam, covering your head with a towel.

- Bronchitis- an inflammatory disease of the bronchial mucosa. It usually develops against the background of other respiratory tract infections.

Main symptoms: cough (dry or wet), weakness, malaise, other symptoms of general intoxication of the body are observed.

Treatment

An acute bacterial infection is eliminated with the help of antibiotics of a certain group. If necessary, drugs of the sulfanilamide group are prescribed: Etazol, Sulfadimetoksin. In the presence of temperature, antipyretic drugs are used: Aspirin, Paracetamol, etc. For the treatment of cough, steam inhalations are used. For better sputum discharge, they are prescribed: ACC, Libeksin, Mukaltin, etc.

Folk remedy:

Grind to a powder 0.5 cups of beeswax. Put in a saucepan. Add 0.5 cups of sunflower oil, bee honey and resin (pine resin). Melt the mixture in a water bath until very hot, but do not boil. Cool, pour into a jar. Treat with beeswax, resin and honey by taking 1 tsp of the composition in the morning, with warm milk or weak tea. Strong black tea will weaken the effect of the medicine, and therefore it is undesirable, however, like coffee. Keep the jar in the cold.

- Tracheitis- inflammation of the tracheal mucosa. May present in acute or chronic form.

Main symptoms: severe dry cough, worse at night and in the morning, after sleep. Also, coughing fits occur when talking loudly, laughing, crying or taking a deep breath. Very often, coughing begins with changes in air temperature.

After an attack, there is a pain of a raw character that occurs behind the sternum and throat. In the presence of sputum, it can be scanty, viscous. Or abundant, with mucopurulent discharge.

Treatment

If there are signs of intoxication, sulfa drugs are prescribed. For bacterial infections, antibiotics are used. For the treatment of cough, drugs are prescribed: Codeine, Libexin, etc. Mustard plasters are put in to warm the chest (instructions, the application is on the website in the "Drugs" section).

Folk remedy:

Put 60 g of crushed propolis in a small saucepan, add 40 g of wax. Melt in a water bath. Use the hot mixture for inhalations, which you spend 10 minutes in the morning and before bedtime.

In conclusion of our conversation, we note that any infection of the upper respiratory tract is rather difficult to tolerate by most patients.

These diseases deliver a maximum of unpleasant, painful sensations, knock out of the usual rhythm of life.

Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner for help, to begin the treatment prescribed by a specialist. The sooner this is done, the less likely the development of complications and the higher the chance for a quick, effective disposal of the infection. Be healthy!

Respiratory diseases are more common during the cold season. More often they affect people with a weakened immune system, children and elderly pensioners. These diseases are divided into two groups: diseases of the upper respiratory tract and lower. This classification depends on the location of the infection.

According to the form, acute and chronic diseases of the respiratory tract are distinguished. The chronic form of the disease occurs with periodic exacerbations and periods of calm (remission). The symptoms of a particular pathology during periods of exacerbation are absolutely identical to those observed in the acute form of the same respiratory disease.

These pathologies can be infectious and allergic.

They are more often caused by pathological microorganisms, such as bacteria (ARI) or viruses (ARVI). As a rule, these ailments are transmitted by airborne droplets from sick people. The upper respiratory tract includes the nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx. Infections that enter these parts of the respiratory system cause diseases of the upper respiratory tract:

Rhinitis.
Sinusitis.
Angina.
Laryngitis.
Adenoiditis.
Pharyngitis.
Tonsillitis.

All these ailments are diagnosed year-round, but in our country the increase in incidence occurs in mid-April and September. Such respiratory diseases in children are most common.

Rhinitis

This disease is characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Rhinitis occurs in acute or chronic form. Most often it is caused by an infection, viral or bacterial, but various allergens can also be the cause. In any case, a characteristic symptom is swelling of the nasal mucosa and difficulty breathing.

The initial stage of rhinitis is characterized by dryness and itching in the nasal cavity and general malaise. The patient sneezes, the sense of smell is disturbed, sometimes subfebrile temperature rises. This state can last from several hours to two days. Further, transparent discharges from the nose join, liquid and in large quantities, then these discharges acquire a mucopurulent character and gradually disappear. The patient gets better. Breathing through the nose is restored.

Rhinitis often does not manifest itself as an independent disease, but acts as an accompaniment to other infectious diseases, such as influenza, diphtheria, gonorrhea, scarlet fever. Depending on the cause that caused this respiratory disease, treatment is directed to its elimination.

Sinusitis

It often manifests itself as a complication of other infections (measles, rhinitis, influenza, scarlet fever), but can also act as an independent disease. There are acute and chronic forms of sinusitis. In the acute form, a catarrhal and purulent course is distinguished, and in a chronic form, it is edematous-polypous, purulent or mixed.

Typical symptoms for both acute and chronic forms of sinusitis are frequent headaches, general malaise, hyperthermia (fever). As for the discharge from the nose, they are plentiful and have a mucous character. Can be observed only on one side, this happens most often. This is due to the fact that only some of the paranasal sinuses become inflamed. And this, in turn, may indicate a particular disease, for example:

Aerosinusitis.
Sinusitis.
Etmoiditis.
Sphenoiditis.
Frontit.

Thus, sinusitis often does not manifest itself as an independent disease, but serves as an indicative symptom of another pathology. In this case, it is necessary to treat the root cause, i.e. those respiratory infections that provoked the development of sinusitis.

If nasal discharge occurs on both sides, this pathology is called pansinusitis. Depending on the cause that caused this disease of the upper respiratory tract, the treatment will be aimed at eliminating it. The most commonly used antibiotic therapy.

If sinusitis is caused by chronic sinusitis, when the acute phase of the disease passes into the chronic phase, punctures are often used to quickly eliminate undesirable consequences, followed by washing with the drug "Furacilin" or saline of the maxillary sinus. This method of treatment in a short period relieves the patient of the symptoms that torment him (severe headache, swelling of the face, fever).

Adenoids

This pathology appears due to hyperplasia of the tissue of the nasopharyngeal tonsil. This is a formation that is part of the lymphadenoid pharyngeal ring. This tonsil is located in the nasopharyngeal vault. As a rule, the inflammatory process of the adenoids (adenoiditis) affects only in childhood (from 3 to 10 years). The symptoms of this pathology are:

Difficulty breathing.
Mucus discharge from the nose.
During sleep, the child breathes through the mouth.
Sleep may be disturbed.
Annoyance appears.
Possible hearing loss.
In advanced cases, the so-called adenoid facial expression appears (smoothness of the nasolabial folds).
There are laryngospasms.
Twitching of individual muscles of the face may be observed.
Deformation of the chest and skull in the front part appears in especially advanced cases.

All these symptoms are accompanied by shortness of breath, cough and, in severe cases, the development of anemia.

For the treatment of this disease of the respiratory tract in severe cases, surgical treatment is used - removal of the adenoids. At the initial stages, washing with disinfectant solutions and decoctions or infusions of medicinal herbs is used. For example, you can use the following collection:

All ingredients of the collection are taken in equal parts. If some component is missing, then you can get by with the composition that is available. The prepared collection (15 g) is poured into 250 ml of hot water and boiled over very low heat for 10 minutes, after which it is insisted for another 2 hours. The medicine prepared in this way is filtered and used in a warm form to wash the nose or instill 10-15 drops into each nostril.

Chronic tonsillitis

This pathology occurs as a result of the inflammatory process of the palatine tonsils, which has become chronic. Chronic tonsillitis often affects children, in old age it practically does not occur. This pathology is caused by fungal and bacterial infections. Other infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, such as hypertrophic rhinitis, purulent sinusitis, and adenoiditis, can provoke the development of chronic tonsillitis. Even untreated caries can become the cause of this disease. Depending on the specific cause that provoked this disease of the upper respiratory tract, treatment should be aimed at eliminating the primary source of infection.

In the case of the development of a chronic process in the palatine tonsils, the following occurs:

The growth of connective tissue.
Dense plugs form in the lacunae.
The lymphoid tissue softens.
The keratinization of the epithelium may begin.
Lymphatic outflow from the tonsils is difficult.
Nearby lymph nodes become inflamed.

Chronic tonsillitis can occur in a compensated or decompensated form.

In the treatment of this disease, physiotherapeutic procedures (UV irradiation) give a good effect, rinsing with disinfectant solutions (Furacilin, Lugolevy, 1-3% iodine, Iodglycerin, etc.) is applied topically. After rinsing, it is necessary to irrigate the tonsils with disinfectant sprays, for example, Strepsils Plus is used. Some experts advise vacuum suction, after which the tonsils are also worked out with similar sprays.

In the case of a pronounced toxic-allergic form of this disease and the absence of a positive effect from conservative treatment, surgical removal of the tonsils is performed.

Angina

The scientific name for this disease is acute tonsillitis. There are 4 types of angina:

Catarrhal.
Follicular.
Lacuna.
Phlegmous.

In the pure version, these types of angina are practically not found. There are always at least two varieties of this disease present. So, for example, with a lacuna, white-yellow purulent formations are visible in the mouths of some lacunae, and with a follicular, festering follicles shine through the mucous membrane. But in both cases, catarrhal phenomena, redness and enlargement of the tonsils are observed.

With any type of angina, the body temperature rises, the general condition worsens, chills appear and an increase in the lymphatic regional nodes is observed.

Regardless of the type of angina, rinsing with disinfectant solutions and physiotherapy are used. In the presence of purulent processes, antibiotic therapy is used.

Pharyngitis

This pathology is associated with the inflammatory process of the pharyngeal mucosa. Pharyngitis can develop as an independent disease or concomitant, for example, with SARS. This pathology can be provoked by eating too hot or cold food, as well as inhaling polluted air. Allocate acute pharyngitis and chronic. Symptoms that are observed in acute pharyngitis are as follows:

Sensation of dryness in the throat (in the region of the pharynx).
Pain during swallowing.
On examination (pharyngoscopy), signs of an inflammatory process of the palate and its posterior wall are revealed.

The symptoms of pharyngitis are very similar to the signs of catarrhal angina, but, unlike it, the general condition of the patient remains normal, and there is no increase in body temperature. With this pathology, as a rule, the inflammatory process does not affect the palatine tonsils, and with catarrhal tonsillitis, on the contrary, signs of inflammation are present exclusively on them.

Chronic pharyngitis develops with an untreated acute process. Other inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, such as rhinitis, sinusitis, as well as smoking and alcohol abuse, can also provoke a chronic course.

Laryngitis

In this disease, the inflammatory process extends to the larynx. It can affect individual parts of it or capture it completely. Often the cause of this disease is voice strain, severe hypothermia or other independent diseases (measles, whooping cough, influenza, etc.).

Depending on the localization of the process on the larynx, separate areas of the lesion can be identified, which become bright red and swell. Sometimes the inflammatory process also affects the trachea, then we are talking about a disease such as laryngotracheitis.

There is no clear boundary between the upper and lower airways. The symbolic boundary between them runs at the intersection of the respiratory and digestive systems. Thus, the lower respiratory tract includes the larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs. Diseases of the lower respiratory tract are associated with infections of these parts of the respiratory system, namely:

Tracheitis.
Bronchitis.
Pneumonia.
Alveolitis.

Tracheitis

This is an inflammatory process of the mucous membrane of the trachea (it connects the larynx with the bronchi). Tracheitis can exist as an independent disease or serve as a symptom of the flu or other bacterial disease. The patient is concerned about the symptoms of general intoxication (headache, fatigue, fever). In addition, there is a sore pain behind the sternum, which is aggravated by talking, inhaling cold air and coughing. In the morning and at night, the patient is disturbed by a dry cough. In the case of a combination with laryngitis (laryngotracheitis), the patient's voice becomes hoarse. If tracheitis is manifested in combination with bronchitis (tracheobronchitis), sputum appears when coughing. With the viral nature of the disease, it will be transparent. In the case of a bacterial infection, the sputum has a gray-green color. In this case, antibiotic therapy is mandatory for treatment.

Bronchitis

This pathology manifests itself as inflammation of the bronchial mucosa. Acute respiratory diseases of any localization very often accompanies bronchitis. So, in case of inflammatory processes of the upper respiratory tract, in case of untimely treatment, the infection falls lower and bronchitis joins. This disease is accompanied by a cough. In the initial stage of the process, it is a dry cough with sputum difficult to separate. During treatment and the use of mucolytic agents, sputum liquefies and is coughed up. If bronchitis is bacterial in nature, antibiotics are used for treatment.

Pneumonia

This is an inflammatory process of the lung tissue. This disease is mainly caused by pneumococcal infection, but sometimes another pathogen can also be the cause. The disease is accompanied by high fever, chills, weakness. Often the patient experiences pain in the affected area when breathing. With auscultation, the doctor can listen to wheezing on the side of the lesion. Diagnosis is confirmed by x-ray. This disease requires hospitalization. Treatment is with antibiotic therapy.

Alveolitis

This is an inflammatory process of the terminal parts of the respiratory system - the alveoli. As a rule, alveolitis is not an independent disease, but a concomitant of another pathology. The reason for this may be:

Candidiasis.
Aspergillosis.
Legionellosis.
Cryptococcosis.
Q fever.

Symptoms of this disease are a characteristic cough, fever, severe cyanosis, general weakness. Fibrosis of the alveoli can become a complication.

Antibacterial therapy

Antibiotics for respiratory disease are prescribed only in case of a bacterial infection. If the nature of the pathology is viral in nature, then antibiotic therapy is not applied.

Most often, for the treatment of diseases of the respiratory system of an infectious nature, drugs of the penicillin series are used, such as medicines "Amoxicillin", "Ampicillin", "Amoxiclav", "Augmentin", etc.

If the selected drug does not give the desired effect, the doctor prescribes another group of antibiotics, for example, fluoroquinolones. This group includes drugs "Moxifloxacin", "Levofloxacin". These drugs successfully cope with bacterial infections that are resistant to penicillins.

Antibiotics of the cephalosporin group are most commonly used for the treatment of respiratory diseases. For this, drugs such as Cefixime (its other name is Suprax) or Cefuroxime Axetil are used (analogs of this drug are the drugs Zinnat, Aksetin and Cefuroxime).

Antibiotics of the macrolide group are used to treat atypical pneumonia caused by chlamydia or mycoplasmas. These include the drug "Azithromycin" or its analogues - the medicines "Hemomycin" and "Sumamed".

Prevention

Prevention of respiratory diseases is reduced to the following:

Try not to be in places with a polluted atmosphere (near highways, hazardous industries, etc.).
Ventilate your home and workplace regularly.
In the cold season, with bursts of respiratory diseases, try not to be in crowded places.
Good results are given by tempering procedures and systematic physical exercises, morning or evening jogging.
If you feel the first signs of malaise, you should not wait for everything to go away on its own, you need to seek medical help.

By following these simple rules for the prevention of respiratory diseases, you can maintain your health even during seasonal outbreaks of respiratory diseases.

Acute infection of the upper respiratory tract (ARI / SARS, also well known to almost all adults and children as a cold) - an “acute infection”, which implies the development of a clinical picture with various symptoms, in contrast to chronic, which can occur without symptoms or with periodic manifestations .

It mainly affects the nose and throat, causing a variety of unpleasant symptoms and significantly worsening overall well-being. Unlike chronic diseases, the manifestations of which can be erased, the common cold is usually acute. When an infection enters the respiratory tract, the immune system is activated. The protective reaction of the body is manifested by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx. It is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms that disturb a cold person.

What causes disease

The cause of the disease can be a variety of viral infections. According to scientists, there are more than 200 of them. Colds are caused by viruses, which are highly contagious (in scientific terms, contagious). This infection is easily transmitted from person to person. In most cases, it is difficult to identify the specific causative agent of the common cold. That is why they usually say of unspecified acute upper respiratory tract infection. Such illnesses are different, for example, from the flu, which is caused by a specific type of virus and is easily lab-diagnosed.

Ways of infection

Airborne. Pathogenic microorganisms are contained in tiny droplets that are formed when a person with a cold sneezes and coughs. The infection spreading in this way enters the respiratory tract of a healthy person along with the air. You can get sick if you are near the patient for some time (for example, in the same room, transport, etc.). Avoiding crowded places during the peak of the "cold season" helps reduce the risk of infection.

Contact. Viral infections are also transmitted through shaking hands with a person with a cold or objects that have pathogens left on them. For example, you can become infected using shared utensils or a towel. The virus first enters the skin of the hands, and then into the respiratory tract. Good personal hygiene helps reduce the risk of infection through household items.

When and who is at higher risk of getting sick

An upper respiratory tract infection can be encountered at any time of the year. But most outbreaks occur in autumn and winter. This is due to various factors that affect the body's ability to resist viruses - cold weather, dry air in heated rooms, etc. Children are more likely to get ARVI than adults due to unformed immunity to the most common infections. In addition, viruses are very quickly transmitted from one child to another in kindergartens and schools. The risk of developing diseases of the upper respiratory tract is not affected by hereditary factors and lifestyle. Men also get colds as often as women.

What are the symptoms of an acute upper respiratory tract infection?

First symptoms acute respiratory tract infection usually appear 12 hours after infection. Usually signs incipient disease become noticeable within 3 days of exposure to the virus into the body. The most intense cold symptoms appear in the first 12-48 hours. This is another difference between widespread respiratory tract infections and the flu. In the second case, a person's health deteriorates sharply in the first hours after infection. With a cold, the standard set of symptoms includes:

frequent sneezing, itchy nose;
severe runny nose (discharge is clear and watery at first, then thickens and acquires a greenish tint);
headache;
a slight increase in temperature;
in some cases - cough.

What are the possible complications

In some patients the common cold can cause more serious respiratory problems. With complications, a bacterial infection joins a viral infection. It can affect both the nose and throat and other organs. Yes, against the backdrop of a cold often develop otitis, accompanied by inflammation and pain in the ears. If you suspect a bacterial infection, be sure to consult your doctor. According to the appointment of a specialist in this case, it is advisable to start taking antibiotics. Please note: if there are no complications, there is no point in taking such drugs - they do not act on viruses.

What to do if you get sick

During illness, drink more fluids, especially with fever and profuse sweating. This helps to quickly remove toxins from the body and prevent dehydration. In the acute period of an infectious disease of the respiratory tract, it is recommended observe bed rest, exclude physical and intellectual stress. For a speedy recovery, it is important to create comfortable conditions indoors: regularly ventilate it, maintain humidity at 50%. If you feel unwell, you should call a doctor at home. In the absence of complications, the upper respiratory tract infection resolves on its own without treatment in two weeks, while the cough may persist longer.

What drugs can be used for symptomatic treatment

To date, there is no universal remedy that helps eliminate the cause of the common cold. Patients with SARS are given symptomatic treatment. For this the following means can be used:

analgesics - to relieve headache and muscle pain, reduce temperature;
decongestants - to reduce nasal congestion;
local antiseptics - to relieve sore throat;
antitussives.

Complete medical reference book / Per. from English. E. Makhiyanova and I. Dreval.- M.: AST, Astrel, 2006.- 1104 p.

TREATMENT FOR ANY OF THE DISEASES SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED BY A DOCTOR.