How to distinguish bronchitis from a regular cough? How long does it take to treat bronchitis and how dangerous is the disease? How to determine that bronchitis is going away.

Bronchitis is an infectious disease accompanied by diffuse inflammation of the bronchi. Most often it occurs against the background of colds, for example, ARVI, influenza, although it may also have a different origin. There is no single recipe that suits absolutely everyone.

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

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an inflammatory lesion of the bronchial tissues, developing as an independent nosological entity or as a complication of other diseases. In this case, there is no damage to the lung tissue, 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 previous infections (secondary).

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

ICD 10 code: J20 - J21.

– a fairly serious disease, treatment should be carried out by a doctor. He determines the optimal drugs for treatment, their dosage and combination.

Reasons

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

Main bacterial pathogens: staphylococci, pneumococci, streptococci.
The causative agents of bronchitis are 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;
working in rooms with polluted air and hazardous production;
smoking;
living in areas with unfavorable environmental conditions.

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

The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. Air pollution and increased levels of dust and toxic gases in the environment also cause considerable harm.

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

genetic predisposition;
life in unfavorable climatic conditions;
smoking (including passive smoking);
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 characteristics:

According to severity:

mild degree
medium degree
severe

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

Unilateral bronchitis. It affects either the right or left part of the bronchial tree.
Bilateral. The inflammation affected both the right and left parts of the bronchi.

According to the clinical course:

spicy;

Acute bronchitis

An acute illness is caused by short-term development, which can last from 2-3 days to two weeks. In the process, a person initially suffers from a dry cough, which then develops into a wet cough with the release of a mucous substance (sputum). If the patient is not treated, there is a high probability of the acute form becoming chronic. And then the malaise may drag on for an indefinite period of 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 of 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 much secretion or severe swelling of the bronchial mucosa.

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

Viral.
Infectious.
Bacterial.
Allergic.
Asthmatic.
Dusty.
Fungal.
Chlamydial.
Toxic.

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a long-term inflammatory disease of the 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 10%). Men get sick more often than women.

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

First signs

If your body temperature has increased, your ability to work has decreased, you suffer from weakness and a dry cough that becomes wet over time, there is a possibility that it is bronchitis.

The first signs of acute bronchitis that an adult should pay attention to:

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

Symptoms of bronchitis in adults

This disease is quite common; every person has suffered from bronchitis at least once in their life, and therefore its symptoms are well known and quickly recognized.

The main symptoms of bronchitis:

The cough can be dry (without sputum) or wet (with sputum).
A dry cough can occur with a viral or atypical infection. The most common evolution of cough is from dry to wet.
Sputum discharge, especially with a green tint, is a reliable criterion for bacterial inflammation. When the color of the sputum is white, the patient’s condition is regarded as the normal course of the disease. A yellowish color with bronchitis usually occurs in patients who smoke for a long time; pneumonia is determined by this color. Brown sputum or with blood you should be wary - this is a dangerous sign and urgent medical attention is needed.
The voice of adults, especially those who have a bad habit of smoking, simply disappears and they can only speak in a whisper. Often, there is simply wheezing in the voice and heaviness of speech, as if talking brings physical fatigue. But in fact it is! At this time, breathing is caused by frequent shortness of breath and heaviness. At night, the patient breathes not through the nose, but through the mouth, while emitting strong snoring.

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

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

Types of bronchitis	Symptoms in adults
Spicy	The appearance of a pronounced cough, which soon turns from dry to wet; Body temperature increases and can reach 39 degrees; Increased sweating is added to the general malaise; Chills occur, performance decreases; Symptoms are either moderate or severe; While listening to the chest, the doctor hears dry wheezing and harsh, diffuse breathing;
Chronic	Occurs, as a rule, in adults after repeated acute bronchitis, or with prolonged irritation of the bronchi (cigarette smoke, dust, exhaust gases, chemical vapors). Manifests itself with the following symptoms: tachycardia, pain and discomfort when coughing, pale skin, fluctuations in body temperature, heavy sweating wheezing when exhaling, hard breathing Cough. With this form of the disease, it is persistent, continuous, with insignificant sputum production, and recurrent. It is very difficult to stop the attacks.

Complications

In most cases, the disease itself is not dangerous. Complications after bronchitis, which develop with insufficiently effective treatment, pose a greater threat. The effects primarily affect the 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 tracheal stenosis;
Chronic cor pulmonale;
Cardiopulmonary failure;
Bronchiectasis.

Diagnostics

When the first symptoms of the disease occur, you should consult a therapist. It is he who performs all diagnostic measures and prescribes treatment. It is possible that the therapist will refer the patient to more specialized 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 made. The main indicator is the presence of a cough with white and yellow sputum discharge.

Diagnosis of bronchitis includes:

A chest x-ray can help diagnose pneumonia or another illness that is causing the cough. X-rays are most often prescribed for smokers, including former smokers.
Pulmonary function testing is done using a device called a spirometer. It determines the basic characteristics of breathing: how much air the lungs can hold and how quickly exhalation occurs.

Laboratory research:

General blood test - leukocytosis, shift of the leukocyte formula to the left, increased ESR.
Biochemical studies - increased blood levels of acute phase proteins, a2- and γ-globulins, increased 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

Treatment of bronchitis is a controversial and multifaceted issue, since there are a lot of methods to suppress symptoms and the primary sources of the disease. The principles on which therapeutic measures are based play an important role here.

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

The first stage is a voluntary cessation of smoking. This significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment.
At the second stage, medications are prescribed that, by stimulating receptors, dilate the bronchi: Bromide, Salbutamol, Terbutaline, Fenoterol, Ipratropium bromide.
Prescribe mucolytic and expectorant drugs that promote sputum production. They restore the ability of the bronchial epithelium and dilute sputum.
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, drinking plenty of fluids is traditionally recommended. For an adult, the daily volume of fluid consumed should be at least 3 - 3.5 liters. Alkaline fruit drink, hot milk and Borjomi in a 1:1 ratio are usually well tolerated.
The composition of the daily food intake undergoes several changes, which should become complete in terms of proteins and vitamins. The daily diet must contain a sufficient amount of proteins and vitamins. It is important to include as many fruits and vegetables as possible.
Elimination of physical and chemical factors that provoke coughing (dust, smoke, etc.);
When the air is dry, the cough is much stronger, so try to humidify 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 advisable to carry out daily wet cleaning of the patient’s room to purify the air.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is very effective for bronchitis and is prescribed along with drug therapy. Physiotherapeutic procedures include quartz treatment, UHF, ozekirite, and inhalations.

Warming the chest - is prescribed only as additional treatment procedures after an exacerbation of chronic bronchitis has been relieved or the first stage of treatment for acute bronchitis has been completed.
Massage - done when sputum is poorly discharged, ensures better opening of the bronchi and acceleration of the outflow of serous-purulent or purulent sputum.
Therapeutic breathing exercises - helps restore normal breathing and get rid of shortness of breath.
Inhalations. It’s hard to call them exclusively physical procedures, because for the most part such procedures are full-fledged therapy.

Medications for bronchitis for adults

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

Bronchodilators

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

Salbutamol,
Beroduala,
Eufillina,
Theotard.

Expectorants:

Mukaltin. Liquefies viscous mucus, facilitating its exit from the bronchi.
Products based on the herb thermopsis - Thermopsol and Codelac Broncho.
Gerbion syrup, Stoptussin phyto, Bronchicum, Pertusin, Gelomirtol are based on medicinal herbs.
ACC (acetylcysteine). An effective, direct action product. Has a direct effect on sputum. If taken in the wrong dosage, it can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and heartburn.

It is necessary to take these medications for symptoms of acute bronchitis for treatment until the phlegm leaves the bronchi completely. The duration of treatment with herbs is about 3 weeks, and with medicines 7-14 days.

Antibiotics

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

You should not try to determine on your own 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 you take drugs with antibacterial effects uncontrollably, you can seriously disrupt the intestinal microflora and cause a significant decrease in immunity. You need to take these medications strictly according to the schedule, without shortening or extending the course of treatment.

Antiseptics

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

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

Folk remedies for bronchitis

Boil some water, add 2 drops of fir, eucalyptus, pine or tea tree oil to it. Bend over the container with the resulting mixture and breathe in the steam for 5-7 minutes.
A 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 some time, the radish produces juice and can be consumed 3 times a day. This is a good way to relieve cough if you are not allergic to honey.
Treating bronchitis with calendula flowers. Pour 2 tablespoons of calendula flowers into a glass of boiling water and keep in a water bath for 15 minutes. Take for adults 1-2 tablespoons 3 times a day 15 minutes before meals.
Pour a glass of milk into an enamel bowl, add 1 tablespoon of dry sage herb, cover tightly with a lid, bring to a boil over low heat, cool and strain. Next, bring to a boil again, covering with a lid. Drink the finished product hot before bed.
Horseradish and honey. The product helps in the fight against bronchitis and lung diseases. Pass four parts of horseradish through a grater and mix with 5 parts of honey. Take one spoon after meals.
Take 2 parts licorice root and 1 part linden blossom. Make a decoction of the herb and use it for dry cough or excessively thick sputum.
10 g dried and crushed tangerine peel pour 100 ml of boiling water, leave, 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 reliance on the knowledge of a pharmacy pharmacist in adults and elderly people can cause bronchotracheitis, purulent infection, tracheobronchitis, and long rehabilitation.

Prevention

Primary prevention measures:

In adults, to prevent bronchitis, it will be important to completely quit smoking, as well as regular alcohol consumption. Such abuses have a negative impact on the general condition of the body and, as a result, bronchitis and other diseases may appear.
limit exposure to harmful substances and gases that must be inhaled;
start treatment of various infections on time;
do not overcool the body;
take care of maintaining immunity;
during the heating period, maintain a normal level of air humidity in the room.

Secondary prevention includes:

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

Bronchitis in adults is a dangerous disease that cannot be treated on its own. Self-medication can lead to serious consequences in the form of loss of ability to work, in some cases even life is at risk. Timely consultation with a doctor and a timely diagnosis help to avoid complications and alleviate symptoms already in the initial stages of bronchitis.

One of the most common diseases of the upper respiratory tract is bronchitis. It can manifest itself in both adults and children in the form of various symptoms. With the inflammatory process in the bronchi, a severe cough begins, which persists for several weeks.

The main reason for the transition of the disease from the acute to the chronic stage is untimely treatment.

Therefore, it is important to know how to identify bronchitis at the initial stage at home in order to prevent complications.

Symptoms depending on the cause of the disease

Bronchitis is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial mucosa. It can manifest itself under the influence of various factors, including:

Therefore, the signs of bronchitis may differ depending on the source of the disease. There are several types of the disease that are diagnosed in adults and children, namely:

In order to correctly prescribe drug therapy, it is necessary to find out how each of the above types manifests itself.

Infectious bronchitis

The infectious type of disease is one of the most common in adults and children. It is formed under the influence of various microorganisms of a bacterial, viral or fungal nature.

Symptoms depend on the nature of the disease. If a mild form occurs, the patient experiences:

dry cough, which sometimes turns into a wet form;
weakening of the body, fatigue;
discomfort in the chest;
temperature rise to subfebrile levels (sometimes hyperthermia);
dry wheezing;
breathing hardness.

When the first symptoms of the disease appear, laboratory diagnostics may not yield results. After all, indicators indicating bronchitis are not found in the blood.

As the stage of the disease changes, signs in adults may be expressed differently. If bronchitis progresses to a moderate degree, then their intensification is noted. Among them are:

severe cough;
tension and pain in the chest and abdomen;
severe malaise and weakening of the body;
difficulty breathing;
discharge of sputum containing pus or mucus with pus;
hard breathing;
dry wheezing, turning into fine bubbly moisture.

In most cases, recognizing the onset of infectious bronchitis at home is not difficult. It is usually preceded by a viral or bacterial disease. Bronchitis in this case is a complication.

When a disease is caused by a viral infection, some characteristic symptoms are noted, for example:

Fever lasts up to 3 days. From the onset of the first signs to the end of the disease, 1 to 3 weeks pass.

If bronchitis is caused by a bacterial pathogen, then the symptoms are slightly different, namely:

The cough in adults at the initial stage is moderate and dry. With development, the appearance of sputum is observed (after 3-4 days). It comes off sparingly, has a thick consistency, is purulent in nature, and yellow-green in color.
Breathing becomes rapid, shortness of breath appears. Wet and dry rales are observed.
The person becomes lethargic, moody, and experiences muscle pain and headaches.
The temperature rises gradually to 38°C and above. Fever may last longer than with a viral infection.

The disease progresses over a period of 2 to 4 weeks.

Allergic bronchitis

A person prone to allergies often experiences an allergic type of bronchitis. Symptoms of the disease appear under the influence of common allergens, for example:

plant pollen;
animal wool and feathers;
household dust;
perfumery;
cosmetics;
household chemicals.

Recognizing bronchitis is not difficult. After all, when contact with the irritant is eliminated, the symptoms go away on their own without any treatment.

One of the features of this type of disease is the absence of purulent discharge.

There is also no increase in body temperature. In an adult allergy sufferer, bronchitis can be identified by characteristic signs, which include:

scattered dry wheezing;
the appearance of shortness of breath when exhaling;
cough under the influence of allergens;
respiratory dysfunction;
alternating periods of remission and exacerbation when contact with the irritating substance is eliminated or resumed.

Toxic-chemical bronchitis

Signs of bronchitis of the toxic-chemical type appear after inhalation of harmful substances. Such compounds include acids, organic or inorganic dust, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide.

The first symptoms appear as a deterioration in the person’s condition. He suddenly loses interest in food and experiences severe headaches. With further exposure to harmful substances, the following are detected:

An important step in eliminating dangerous signs in adults is eliminating harmful exposure. Only after this is symptomatic therapy prescribed.

Signs of various forms of bronchitis

Depending on the severity of the symptoms and the nature of the course, acute, chronic and obstructive bronchitis are distinguished. Symptoms of the disease may vary in adults. You can identify each form yourself at home, focusing on the characteristic manifestations.

Acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis occurs without obstruction, starting with a dry, frequent cough, which gradually turns into a wet one. As a result of coughing, phlegm comes out.

The disease can be detected by changes in breathing. It becomes:

There are no signs of respiratory failure or shortness of breath.

The general condition of the patient changes. In adults there are:

rise in body temperature to 38-38.5°C;
weakening of the body;
increased sweating;
painful sensations in the chest;
sore throat accompanied by burning;
headache;
concomitant diseases (pharyngitis, laryngitis, conjunctivitis);
dehydration of the body due to hyperthermia.

The acute stage of the disease lasts about two weeks.

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a consequence of untimely treatment of the acute form of the disease. In this case, a painful cough appears that bothers the patient for more than 12 weeks a year. Usually it is deep, dull, and appears after waking up. Coughing is accompanied by copious release of mucus from the bronchi.

The chronic course of the disease is not accompanied by hyperthermia.

An increase in body temperature is observed at the level of subfebrile marks. If a rise is observed to high levels, it is usually short-lived.

Exacerbation of bronchitis is associated with hypothermia, ARVI, as well as the onset of the autumn-winter period.

There are also specific symptoms of the chronic type. One of them is shortness of breath, which may get worse. It is caused by gradual obstruction of the bronchi.

When you cough, you may experience bloody discharge along with phlegm. In this case, it is imperative to visit a doctor to rule out tuberculosis or cancer.

With a long course of chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may appear.

Obstructive bronchitis

With obstructive bronchitis, there is a decrease in patency and blockage of the bronchi. The process is caused by the accumulation of mucus, tissue swelling or bronchospasm.

The onset of obstruction is characterized by special signs. One of them is a severe cough, characterized by:

dryness;
hysteria;
seizures;
intensified at night.

During severe attacks, nausea, vomiting, and lacrimation may occur.

Breathing becomes wheezing. In this case, exhalation is significantly difficult. When listening, the patient detects wheezing in the lungs. During the breathing process, the muscles of the collarbone, neck, and chest are involved. There is a soreness and burning sensation in the throat.

The fever is moderate. At the initial stage of the disease, hyperthermia is observed. Subsequently, the temperature normalizes or decreases to low-grade fever.

At the time of obstruction, other diseases may become active. In most cases, bronchitis is accompanied by rhinitis, pharyngitis, and laryngitis.

The course of the disease depends on the nature of the treatment and the severity of the symptoms. On average, signs are observed for 10-21 days.

Bronchitis must be detected at an early stage. If it is neglected, a complication may appear in the form of bronchiolitis or other diseases. Therefore, a cough that does not go away within several days requires immediate consultation with a doctor. He will diagnose and prescribe treatment according to the type of disease.

What is bronchitis?

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

ICD 10 code: J20 - J21.

Bronchitis is a fairly serious disease; treatment should be carried out by a doctor. He determines the optimal drugs for treatment, their dosage and combination.

Reasons

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

Main bacterial pathogens: staphylococci, pneumococci, streptococci.
The causative agents of bronchitis are 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;
working in rooms with polluted air and hazardous production;
smoking;
living in areas with unfavorable environmental conditions.

The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking. Air pollution and increased levels of dust and toxic gases in the environment also cause considerable harm.

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

genetic predisposition;
life in unfavorable climatic conditions;
smoking (including passive smoking);
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 characteristics:

According to severity:

mild degree
medium degree
severe

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

Unilateral bronchitis. It affects either the right or left part of the bronchial tree.
Bilateral. The inflammation affected both the right and left parts of the bronchi.

According to the clinical course:

spicy;
chronic.

Acute bronchitis

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

simple;
obstructive;
obliterating;
bronchiolitis.

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

Viral.
Infectious.
Bacterial.
Allergic.
Asthmatic.
Dusty.
Fungal.
Chlamydial.
Toxic.

Chronic bronchitis

First signs

If your body temperature has increased, your ability to work has decreased, you suffer from weakness and a dry cough that becomes wet over time, there is a possibility that it is bronchitis.

The first signs of acute bronchitis that an adult should pay attention to:

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

Symptoms of bronchitis in adults

This disease is quite common; every person has suffered from bronchitis at least once in their life, and therefore its symptoms are well known and quickly recognized.

The main symptoms of bronchitis:

The cough can be dry (without sputum) or wet (with sputum).
A dry cough can occur with a viral or atypical infection. The most common evolution of cough is from dry to wet.
The discharge of sputum, especially with a green tint, is a reliable criterion for bacterial inflammation. When the color of the sputum is white, the patient’s condition is regarded as the normal course of the disease. A yellowish color with bronchitis usually occurs in patients who smoke for a long time; asthma and pneumonia are determined by this color. Brown sputum or bloody sputum should alert you - this is a dangerous sign and urgent medical attention is needed.
The voice of adults, especially those who have a bad habit of smoking, simply disappears and they can only speak in a whisper. Often, there is simply wheezing in the voice and heaviness of speech, as if talking brings physical fatigue. But in fact it is! At this time, breathing is caused by frequent shortness of breath and heaviness. At night, the patient breathes not through the nose, but through the mouth, while emitting strong snoring.

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

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

Types of bronchitis	Symptoms in adults
Spicy	The appearance of a pronounced cough, which soon turns from dry to wet; Body temperature increases and can reach 39 degrees; Increased sweating is added to the general malaise; Chills occur, performance decreases; Symptoms are either moderate or severe; While listening to the chest, the doctor hears dry wheezing and harsh, diffuse breathing;
Chronic	Occurs, as a rule, in adults after repeated acute bronchitis, or with prolonged irritation of the bronchi (cigarette smoke, dust, exhaust gases, chemical vapors). Manifests itself with the following symptoms: tachycardia, pain and discomfort when coughing, pale skin, fluctuations in body temperature, heavy sweating wheezing when exhaling, hard breathing Cough. With this form of the disease, it is persistent, continuous, with insignificant sputum production, and recurrent. It is very difficult to stop the attacks.

Complications

Complications of bronchitis are:

Acute pneumonia;
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
Asthmatic bronchitis, which increases the risk of developing bronchial asthma;
Emphysema;
Pulmonary hypertension;
Expiratory tracheal stenosis;
Chronic cor pulmonale;
Cardiopulmonary failure;
Bronchiectasis.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of bronchitis includes:

A chest x-ray can help diagnose pneumonia or another illness that is causing the cough. X-rays are most often prescribed for smokers, including former smokers.
Pulmonary function testing is done using a device called a spirometer. It determines the basic characteristics of breathing: how much air the lungs can hold and how quickly exhalation occurs.

Laboratory research:

General blood test - leukocytosis, shift of the leukocyte formula to the left, increased ESR.
Biochemical studies - increased blood levels of acute phase proteins, a2- and γ-globulins, increased 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

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

The first stage is a voluntary cessation of smoking. This significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment.
At the second stage, medications are prescribed that, by stimulating receptors, dilate the bronchi: Bromide, Salbutamol, Terbutaline, Fenoterol, Ipratropium bromide.
Prescribe mucolytic and expectorant drugs that promote sputum production. They restore the ability of the bronchial epithelium and dilute sputum.
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, drinking plenty of fluids is traditionally recommended. For an adult, the daily volume of fluid consumed should be at least 3 - 3.5 liters. Alkaline fruit drink, hot milk and Borjomi in a 1:1 ratio are usually well tolerated.
The composition of the daily food intake undergoes several changes, which should become complete in terms of proteins and vitamins. The daily diet must contain a sufficient amount of proteins and vitamins. It is important to include as many fruits and vegetables as possible.
Elimination of physical and chemical factors that provoke coughing (dust, smoke, etc.);
When the air is dry, the cough is much stronger, so try to humidify 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 advisable to carry out daily wet cleaning of the patient’s room to purify the air.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is very effective for bronchitis and is prescribed along with drug therapy. Physiotherapeutic procedures include quartz treatment, UHF, ozekirite, and inhalations.

Warming the chest - is prescribed only as additional treatment procedures after an exacerbation of chronic bronchitis has been relieved or the first stage of treatment for acute bronchitis has been completed.
Massage - done when sputum is poorly discharged, ensures better opening of the bronchi and acceleration of the outflow of serous-purulent or purulent sputum.
Therapeutic breathing exercises - helps restore normal breathing and get rid of shortness of breath.
Inhalations. It’s hard to call them exclusively physical procedures, because for the most part such procedures are full-fledged therapy.

Medications for bronchitis for adults

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

Bronchodilators

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

Salbutamol,
Beroduala,
Eufillina,
Theotard.

Expectorants:

Mukaltin. Liquefies viscous mucus, facilitating its exit from the bronchi.
Products based on the herb thermopsis - Thermopsol and Codelac Broncho.
Gerbion syrup, Stoptussin phyto, Bronchicum, Pertusin, Gelomirtol are based on medicinal herbs.
ACC (acetylcysteine). An effective, direct action product. Has a direct effect on sputum. If taken in the wrong dosage, it can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and heartburn.

Antibiotics

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

Antiseptics

Folk remedies for bronchitis

Boil some water, add 2 drops of fir, eucalyptus, pine or tea tree oil. Bend over the container with the resulting mixture and breathe in the steam for 5-7 minutes.
A very old and effective recipe is a radish, a small depression is made in it, into which a teaspoon of honey is placed. After some time, the radish produces juice and can be consumed 3 times a day. This is a good way to relieve cough if you are not allergic to honey.
We treat bronchitis with calendula flowers. Pour 2 tablespoons of calendula flowers into a glass of boiling water and keep in a water bath for 15 minutes. Take for adults 1-2 tablespoons 3 times a day 15 minutes before meals.
Pour a glass of milk into an enamel bowl, add 1 tablespoon of dry sage herb, cover tightly with a lid, bring to a boil over low heat, cool and strain. Next, bring to a boil again, covering with a lid. Drink the finished product hot before bed.
Horseradish and honey. The product helps in the fight against bronchitis and lung diseases. Pass four parts of horseradish through a grater and mix with 5 parts of honey. Take one spoon after meals.
Take 2 parts licorice root and 1 part linden blossom. Make a decoction of the herb and use it for dry cough or excessively thick sputum.
Pour 10 g of dried and crushed tangerine peel into 100 ml of boiling water, leave and strain. Take 1 tablespoon 5 times a day before meals. Used as an expectorant.

Prevention

Primary prevention measures:

In adults, to prevent bronchitis, it will be important to completely quit smoking, as well as regular alcohol consumption. Such abuses have a negative impact on the general condition of the body and, as a result, bronchitis and other diseases may appear.
limit exposure to harmful substances and gases that must be inhaled;
start treatment of various infections on time;
do not overcool the body;
take care of maintaining immunity;
during the heating period, maintain a normal level of air humidity in the room.

Secondary prevention includes:

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

Bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory system, which is characterized by the presence of an inflammatory process in the bronchial tree. The cause of its appearance may be an introduced infection or prolonged exposure to allergens, dust, toxic chemical compounds, and smoke. Symptoms of bronchitis in adults may vary depending on the state of the immune system and the type of disease.

Symptoms of the chronic form

Chronic is a form of bronchitis in which cough is observed for 90 days a year for 2 years. During the course of the disease, states of remission and exacerbation are observed. During remission, a person is bothered by a constant wet cough against the background of a normal temperature and a satisfactory state of health.

Most often, exacerbations occur during the cold season, but can also occur with prolonged exposure to irritating factors. An exacerbation is accompanied by an increase in body temperature (from subfebrile to febrile levels), sweating, weakness, and chills. Shortness of breath often develops, which may become permanent after years. This occurs due to structural changes in the bronchi that appear as a result of progressive disease.

Smoking can cause chronic bronchitis. Cigarette smoke contains substances that disrupt the functioning of the cilia that cover the bronchi. Because of this, irritation and damage to the respiratory tract occurs, which develops into inflammation and disruption of the drainage function of the bronchi.

Symptoms of acute illness

After infection enters the human respiratory system, inflammation of the bronchial epithelium begins to actively develop, which is accompanied by increased secretion synthesis. Because of this, the main symptom of the disease occurs - cough. Initially, a dry, painful, nonproductive cough without sputum production appears. It may be accompanied by soreness and sharp pain in the chest.

Sometimes the cough becomes so severe that it can cause increased intracranial pressure and severe headaches.

After a few days, sputum begins to be discharged, and the cough becomes wet, which brings relief to the patient. At first, white or transparent sputum is released, but then its color may change to yellowish with impurities of pus. This indicates the presence of pathogenic flora of bacterial origin.

Due to the fact that the acute form predominantly occurs against the background of acute respiratory infections, the disease is accompanied by symptoms such as an increase in body temperature to 38°C, rhinitis, dryness and sore throat, general weakness and aches throughout the body. Signs of bronchitis in an adult may include shortness of breath, which occurs due to a decrease in the lumen of the bronchial tubes.

With proper treatment, the symptoms of the disease disappear in about 15-20 days. But if the inflammation progresses, bronchitis can develop into a chronic or other form (bronchopneumonia, pneumonia).

Symptoms of an allergic type of disease

Allergic bronchitis is characterized by the presence of attacks that appear upon contact with an irritant and completely disappear in its absence. The allergic type of disease occurs against the background of normal body temperature, but with a strong cough, which is especially painful during night sleep. Coughing attacks are associated with the location of the pathogen causing the allergy. Along with a cough, clear secretion from the nose, various rashes on the skin, and conjunctivitis may occur.

With allergic bronchitis, difficulty breathing occurs, which is especially pronounced during exhalation. It is accompanied by whistling sounds or wheezing in the chest, which are clearly audible without additional devices.

If any signs appear, you should consult a doctor who can establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe adequate therapy.

Symptoms of obstructive form

The cause of obstructive bronchitis is obstruction of the bronchial tree. This phenomenon may occur due to influenza, pneumonia, improperly selected treatment for diseases of the respiratory system, or be an independent deviation.

Signs of bronchitis in an adult manifest themselves in the form of changes in breathing, which is accompanied by loud dry wheezing and a specific whistling sound when exhaling. During the illness, severe shortness of breath is observed, which occurs due to swelling of the bronchi and the accumulation of secretions in them.

This will be useful: information on how to avoid getting infected.

Bronchitis is a common inflammatory disease. It appears not only in the cool season, but also in the warm season, when open windows that create a draft save you from the heat. Temperature changes are one of the causes of bronchitis. It can occur unexpectedly and be acute, it can be a continuation of respiratory diseases and become chronic. Prolonged or systematic inflammation of the bronchi is often the cause of bronchial asthma and general allergization of the body, and therefore requires immediate diagnosis, treatment and further prevention.

Instructions

Most often, bronchitis develops as a complication of rhinitis, pharyngitis and laryngotracheitis in acute respiratory infections. Other causes of this disease include staphylococci, streptococci, pneumococci and other microbes, the activity of which manifests itself with a general weakening of the body due to past infections, with a decrease in its protective forces, with changes in hot and cold temperatures. With the help of characteristic symptoms, you can definitely identify bronchitis and begin timely treatment.
Acute bronchitis begins abruptly, with an increase in temperature to 38 - 39 ° C and malaise. There is a feeling of chest congestion and coughing. At first, a dry cough without phlegm causes sharp pain in the chest. After 2 - 3 days, during a cough, mucous begins to be discharged, and then mucopurulent sputum begins, which brings a feeling of relief. The cough may be paroxysmal in nature.
Capillary bronchitis is worse, in which the lumens of many small bronchi are clogged with mucopurulent plugs. This leads to shortness of breath, as well as a deterioration in the general condition of the body due to intoxication. Complications to the lungs in the form of focal pneumonia or emphysema are possible.
Chronic bronchitis is a consequence of acute untreated bronchitis, impaired nasal breathing, as well as systematic exposure to adverse factors - smoking, alcohol, inhalation of harmful fumes. It appears at least 3–4 times a year and is characterized by a persistent cough with normal temperature. Chronic inflammation of the bronchial mucosa reduces their elasticity and over time can lead to bronchial asthma, as well as irreversible changes in the mucosa, without hope of recovery. Treatment of chronic bronchitis requires a longer period, so it is much easier to prevent.

KakProsto.ru⁪>

Treatment of bronchitis with folk remedies at home in adults

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi that is accompanied by certain symptoms.

Bronchitis can be successfully and quickly treated at the initial stage if its symptoms are identified in time.

But in an advanced form it gives numerous complications in adults to other organs and becomes chronic. How to treat bronchitis at home to avoid it?

The symptoms of bronchitis are as follows:

Severe cough;
Headaches;
Increased body temperature;
Weakness;
In some cases, tachycardia.

Why does bronchitis develop?

The causes of bronchitis in adults are:

Hypothermia.
Infections that enter the upper respiratory tract from the outside.
Infectious diseases of the respiratory system - flu, runny nose, ARVI.
Chronic or acute infectious diseases of other organs - pyelonephritis, cystitis.

The infection, having penetrated the respiratory tract from the outside or from the inside, penetrates into the tissues of the alveoli and bronchi. The patient feels discomfort in the throat, soreness, then a dry cough and pain appear.

If treatment for bronchitis at home is started, accumulated mucus will drain from the bronchi. This often causes the temperature to rise.

Factors that provoke the development of the disease in adults are cigarette abuse, poor working conditions, and weakened immunity. To quickly and permanently get rid of a cough, you must eliminate them too.

Timely treatment of chronic bronchitis with folk remedies will help to cope with the infection and overcome unpleasant symptoms - primarily a painful cough.

How and with what to treat acute bronchitis in adults

Three main methods are used to treat bronchitis in adults:

Drug therapy - pharmaceutical tablets, powders, solutions for injections and rinses. Antibiotics, antiseptics, analgesics, mucolytic cough suppressants are used, and, if necessary, antipyretic drugs.
Folk remedies - medicinal herbs, plants, bee products and other cough remedies.
Physiotherapy - inhalations, warming using various devices, ozokerite, quartz, massage.

With chronic bronchitis in adults, the cough is often protracted, which cannot be quickly cured. How to cure bronchitis in this case?

Treatment of bronchitis using folk remedies

Folk remedies can be effective for bronchitis in adults as both therapeutic and preventive. A variety of rubbing and compresses, inhalations and infusions help:

Defeat even a lingering cough of any nature;
Eliminate accompanying symptoms - sore throat, swelling of the mucous membrane, temperature;
Prevent the development of complications;
Strengthen your immune system.

They are made mainly from medicinal plants. Select those herbs that would help thin the mucus in the bronchi and stimulate the functioning of the patient’s immune system. These are licorice and ginseng root, eleutherococcus, nettle, echinacea.

You can prepare medicinal decoctions and infusions yourself, or purchase preparations containing extracts of these plants from a herbal pharmacy.

Cough rubs and decoctions for bronchitis in adults

Rubbing has a strong warming effect, dilates blood vessels and accelerates blood circulation. This is important if you need to quickly cure a cough. The following substances are used for adults:

Camphor alcohol.
Turpentine and ointments based on it for cough.
Essential oils.

If the cough is accompanied by symptoms such as high fever, severe weakness, chills, warming rubbing is contraindicated.

In this case, rubbing with vinegar diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio will help alleviate the patient’s condition and symptoms.

For bronchitis, drinking plenty of fluids is recommended - you need to drink at least 1.5 liters of liquid per day, especially if the temperature rises.

The following plants, fruits and herbs are suitable for preparing medicinal tea or cough decoction:

Raspberries and currants;
Violet and clover;
Elderberry and linden;
Sage and thyme;
Viburnum and rowan.

All these plants can be used not only to treat cough, but also as a diaphoretic for bronchitis in adults. We must not forget about such a proven cough remedy as warmed milk. It is good to add honey, butter, badger fat, soda, and cocoa butter to it.

Some recommend treating coughs in adults with alkaline mineral water, which also needs to be heated. The minerals contained in it help dissolve and remove phlegm and improve immunity. This is Borjomi or Essentuki.

Onion syrup helps to quickly overcome a cough. It is prepared like this: place a medium peeled onion in a saucepan and pour in 2 cups of water. When the water boils, you need to reduce the heat, add 2 tablespoons of sugar and cook over low heat for half an hour. The resulting cough decoction is taken half a glass three times a day before meals.

To cure a cough as quickly as possible, you should alternate all means and procedures. Treatment at home with folk remedies will consist of the following stages:

Regular consumption of warm drinks, including herbal infusions with honey.
Therapeutic inhalations and rinses.
Massage with fir or eucalyptus oil.
Compresses before bed (usually they are left on all night).

If massage and inhalation were performed for coughing, then there is no need to apply a compress that day.

Cough compresses for bronchitis

Cough compresses are a proven home remedy that can quickly ease the patient’s well-being and stimulate the removal of thick mucus from the bronchi. After 1-2 procedures, a dry cough turns into a wet one, mucus begins to be coughed up, and inflammation decreases.

The simplest and most affordable compress if you suffer from a severe cough is mustard plasters. They are first soaked in warm water, then placed on the back in the area of the shoulder blades on both sides of the spine. You should not keep them for more than 20 minutes - this is quite enough to get the desired therapeutic effect.

Otherwise, you may burn your skin. You can determine when it’s time to remove mustard plasters by the patient’s sensations (burning, feeling of heat on the skin under the mustard plasters) and by the characteristic red spots. To prevent burns, a bandage folded in two or three layers is applied between the mustard plaster and the skin.

Rubbing with turpentine ointment, camphor oil or ethyl alcohol also gives a good effect. But first you need to accurately determine whether the patient has a fever. The patient's chest and back are rubbed with the product, polyethylene or special paper for compresses is applied on top, then the torso is insulated with a woolen scarf or bandage.

After the procedure, you should lie down in bed under a blanket. Warm milk with honey or cocoa butter will enhance the effectiveness of the compress. After three hours, the scarf and polyethylene can be removed.

Potato compresses are applied throughout the night. To do this, potatoes need to be washed and boiled or baked in their skins. Then knead while still hot, add a little vodka, fir or camphor oil. The resulting mass is applied to the patient’s chest, covered with film, and insulated with a scarf on top. By morning the cough will be much less.

The most gentle compress for coughs is steamed cabbage leaves with honey. Dip a cabbage leaf into boiling water and hold there for 2-3 minutes. Then squeeze lightly, generously coat with honey and apply to your chest. On top, as in previous recipes, cover with film and a woolen scarf. After an hour, the compress can be removed, the remaining honey can be washed off and the skin lubricated with a rich cream or ointment.

For resorption, you can prepare your own lollipops. To do this, heat the sugar in a saucepan over low heat until it turns into a thick golden-brown syrup.

There is no need to add water; you can add licorice or a little marshmallow root syrup. The resulting caramel should harden, then it is broken into pieces and dissolved several times a day.

Inhalations in the treatment of bronchitis

For inhalation, solutions with essential oils or decoctions of medicinal herbs, boiled potatoes, onions or garlic are used. Ideally, use an inhaler or nebulizer. But if you don’t have such devices at home, you can simply place the medicinal solution for inhalation in a saucepan or basin, cover with a towel and inhale the fumes.

The procedure must be carried out carefully so as not to get burned. Hot steam dilates blood vessels, improves blood supply to tissues, and the medicinal substance relieves inflammation and helps to liquefy mucus in the bronchi.

After inhalation, it is useful to massage so that the liquefied sputum is better removed. After the procedure, you cannot go outside for an hour. A specialist will talk about all this in the video in this article.

stopgripp.ru⁪>

Features of treatment of bronchitis in adults

Treatment of bronchitis in adults is a complex and lengthy process that requires the attention of a doctor, since any mistakes or ignoring recommendations can lead to a lot of complications for the human body.

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the entire human respiratory system: bronchi, trachea, and air ducts in the lungs. Most often the reasons are:

previous viral and infectious diseases (in such cases, bronchitis develops as a complication of an untreated disease);
smoking, including passive smoking;
chemical reagents in enterprises;
cold damp air outside, prolonged hypothermia;
diseases associated with stagnation of blood in the pulmonary circulation;
chronic forms of sinusitis, sinusitis;
previous chest injuries;
polluted air outside.

Types of bronchitis in adults

In order to understand how to treat bronchitis, it is necessary to determine the type with which the person is ill. In medicine, the following types of diseases are diagnosed:

Allergic. The cause of the disease is a certain allergen. Only the correct identification of this allergen will allow you to find out how to quickly cure bronchitis.
Tracheal. This disease has a combined form, in which the virus first causes inflammation of the trachea and then affects the bronchi.
Obstructive. This form is more common in children than in adults.
Spicy. The disease progresses rapidly and requires immediate treatment.
Chronic. This type occurs due to improper treatment of other types of bronchitis or viral, infectious diseases of the nasopharynx. This species is divided into several subspecies:

simple non-obstructive, while the person’s breathing remains normal;
purulent non-obstructive, breathing also does not change;
obstructive, breathing changes, severe wheezing appears in the chest;
purulent-obstructive, in this case the sputum in the bronchi stagnates and turns into pus.

The latter type of bronchitis is considered life-threatening. If treated incorrectly, sepsis may develop and the person will die. When visiting a doctor, the patient must indicate the severity of the disease itself. It could be:

light;
average;
heavy.

Symptoms of the disease

Depending on the type of disease, the symptoms will differ, but only slightly. In the first stages, all patients complain of weakness, general malaise, fatigue, and causeless headaches may begin. Literally after 2-3 days a strong dry cough appears, which is paroxysmal in nature. In adults, a burning sensation and heaviness appear in the chest area.

Coughing in the first stages will be unproductive, so each attack will only intensify the pain in the chest. Due to a strong cough, the voice becomes hoarse and a sore throat appears. This stage is already characterized by an increase in temperature to 38 degrees. Headaches can become unbearable as a coughing attack causes an increase in intracranial pressure. Some patients complain of pain in the muscles of the abdominal and thigh areas.

If you start timely and correct treatment, the sputum should begin to disappear on the 3rd day. Patients feel relief because there is no pain in the body, as with a dry cough. At this stage, it is extremely important to monitor the nature of the sputum. Even a slight amount of pus may indicate a bacterial infection. The general course of treatment for this disease is about 3 weeks.

Treatment of various types of bronchitis

Simple bronchitis. This type of disease can be treated at home, but only after consultation with a specialist. The attending physician will prescribe medication, physiotherapy, and folk remedies. To achieve quick results, many recommend alternating treatment methods. Antibiotics, antimicrobial agents, analgesics and mucolytics are prescribed from medications. Rubbing, compresses, massage, and inhalations are popular among traditional medicine. But they can be used only after the patient’s temperature has normalized.

Obstructive bronchitis. This type can only be treated in the acute stage; after it becomes chronic, it will be impossible to cure it completely. The entire treatment regimen consists of symptomatic therapy. Every patient should understand that treating bronchial obstruction will take a long time and be difficult. For treatment, it is recommended to choose herbal-based drugs. Thyme and essential oils from it help well. It not only has an expectorant effect, but also helps to calm inflammation and kill existing infection in the bronchi.

Considering that this type is characterized by swelling and narrowing of the bronchi and trachea, bronchodilators are prescribed. They can be in the form of tablets or inhalations. To transform a dry cough into a wet one, a mucolytic agent is prescribed, and for better sputum discharge, an expectorant is prescribed. These medications for obstructive bronchitis must have an artificial basis, since herbal preparations can cause additional allergies and provoke even greater swelling of the bronchi.

Almost all forms of this species are treated with antibiotics. They can be taken orally, but in severe cases it is recommended to administer intramuscularly or intravenously. Smoker's bronchitis. It is extremely difficult to overcome a smoker's bronchitis, since it affects not only the bronchial tree, but also areas of the lung tissue. If proper and timely treatment is not started, then this type becomes obstructive, and pathological changes in the lungs become irreversible.

Modern medicine records cases where bronchitis has been developing in a person for several years, and he is not even aware of its presence. This applies to experienced smokers. They attribute a severe paroxysmal dry cough to exposure to tobacco smoke and consider it normal. But everyone should know that a cough is a reaction of the body that warns of the development of a serious disease, so it must be treated correctly.

In most cases, patients with smoker's bronchitis are treated in the later stages, when the doctor cannot cure it completely, but only prescribes drugs that soften the symptomatic manifestations. A specialist may recommend inhalations, heating, massage, and physiotherapy. It is these methods that will allow you to remove the maximum amount of toxic substances from the bronchi.

Spicy. This type of bronchitis is treated in different ways, the methods and medications depend on the cause of the disease. If the acute form of bronchitis has a bacterial basis, a course of antibiotic is prescribed, but if it is viral, then not only antimicrobial therapy is carried out, but also anti-inflammatory. When the cough is dry and does not become wet for a long time, an expectorant is prescribed. It helps cleanse the mucous membrane of the bronchi and restore them to normal function.

If the acute form is caused by exposure to a specific allergen, then additional antihistamines are prescribed. At home, you can use compresses made from cabbage leaves, boiled potatoes, alcohol, and camphor oil. They improve blood circulation in the bronchi and remove phlegm or pus from them. Since acute bronchitis can cause complications, it is recommended to adhere to bed rest, drink more liquids, such as milk with lemon, tea, warm mineral water.

If you start timely treatment of acute bronchitis, the prognosis is positive, but if you ignore all the prescriptions, complications such as:

bronchial asthma;
pneumonia;
myocarditis;
glomerulonephritis;
vasculitis

Since inflammatory processes also affect other human organs, they gradually enter the bloodstream and spread through the vessels, kidneys and heart muscle. Chronic.

The chronic form of bronchitis requires careful diagnosis.

Instrumental and laboratory studies are carried out. It is these methods that make it possible to establish the cause of a disease that has become chronic due to improper or absent treatment. Chronic bronchitis is treated with antibacterial therapy using cough suppressants. The course of such treatment is about 10 days. Antibacterial therapy includes antibiotics, phytoncides, antiseptics, and sulfonamides.

It is actively used in the treatment of physiotherapeutic procedures. Warming with mustard plasters, cups, compresses is prescribed; the bronchi are exposed to UHF and quartz. Some experts recommend an alternative medicine method - acupuncture. You can reduce the manifestation of unpleasant symptoms with the help of such folk remedies as decoctions and tinctures of licorice root, marshmallow, string, wild rosemary. Adults are recommended to go to a Russian bathhouse, but only if there is no elevated temperature.

Treatment of bronchitis in older people

When treating a disease in older people, therapeutic measures are selected in accordance with the severity of its course. If the patient's body temperature reaches critical levels, intoxication of the body is observed, bed rest is recommended. Drinking plenty of fluids, inhalations, expectorants and bronchial dilators are prescribed. If the source of the disease is a virus, antiviral therapy is prescribed. Antibiotics are prescribed with extreme caution, since the body of an elderly person is already weakened by the disease itself, and the drugs can completely destroy the body’s defense response.

As soon as body temperature returns to normal, elderly patients are advised to move actively, as this promotes the passage and removal of sputum. Such patients are also prescribed a cardiac drug with cardiac action. If the patient has a lack of blood circulation, diuretic medications are prescribed.

The best treatment is prevention!

Preventive measures for bronchitis are simple, just follow the following rules:

give up bad habits: smoking and drinking alcohol;
if the work involves increased risk and the use of aggressive chemical components, you only need to work in a protective mask;
spend as much time as possible outdoors in the form of walking, going to a public garden or park;
engage in active sports;
review your diet and its balance;
perform morning exercises, including breathing;
minimize contact with sick people;
do not overcool, do not stay in cold rooms for a long time;
carry out regular ventilation and wet cleaning in the house;
Do not self-medicate for viral or infectious diseases.

For bronchitis, treatment should be timely and professional and carried out only after consultation with your doctor.

respiratoria.ru⁪>

How to identify bronchitis

Colds are associated with cough, sore throat and fever, but inflammation of the airways is sometimes associated with more than just acute respiratory infections, such as bronchitis. In addition to viral, it is of allergic or bacterial origin. The signs of bronchitis differ for each type of infection. Are you familiar with the symptoms of this disease? The instructions below will help you recognize any of its shapes.

Types of bronchitis and their symptoms

Bronchitis is divided into types based on a variety of characteristics, but there is a general classification:

Spicy. This form is more common and is accompanied by pronounced symptoms. The cause of the disease is a viral or bacterial infection of the bronchial mucosa or exposure to allergens.
Chronic. Lack of therapy or improper treatment leads to the fact that the acute form becomes chronic. It is characterized by a less pronounced manifestation of symptoms that worsen in the spring or autumn, because at this time there is a peak in acute respiratory infections.

Spicy

Signs of acute bronchitis at an early stage resemble a common cold. Weakness and sore throat appear. Then they are joined by a dry cough, from which nothing helps, and the sputum is yellow, white or even green. The same pathogens that cause colds, during bronchitis, immerse small villi on the surface of the bronchi in mucus, which reduces their ability to purify the air. For this reason, a continuous cough and a temperature of 37 degrees or higher appear.

Simple

This type of bronchitis has a leading symptom - hard breathing due to cough, which accompanies the entire period of the disease. Other signs of the acute form:

chills;
malaise;
headache;
temperature rise to 38 degrees;
insomnia;
difficult to separate sputum;
increased heart rate;
pain in muscles, lower chest;
nasal congestion and runny nose;
increased sweating.

Obstructive

If the above signs of bronchitis are accompanied by inflammation and swelling of the bronchi due to accumulated mucus, then this form of the disease is called obstructive. It is characterized by a continuous cough with whistling and wheezing, which does not improve for a long time up to one month and often worsens after eating. Here are some more signs of obstructive bronchitis:

dyspnea;
difficulty taking a deep breath;
bluish facial skin;
dizziness;
when lying down, bubbling sounds are heard when breathing;
rapid rise in temperature.

Chronic

If acute bronchitis is not treated correctly, the disease takes on a chronic form, which is even more difficult to combat. The main symptom indicating the disease is a persistent cough, which is accompanied by the release of a large amount of mucus. Other symptoms of chronic bronchitis in adults or children during an exacerbation appear as follows:

feeling weak and overwhelmed;
chest pain syndrome;
high temperature;
pale skin;
dyspnea;
discharge of clear mucus when coughing.

Characteristic signs of bronchitis in an adult

Bronchitis can be caused not only by a cold - the disease is often the result of a weakening of the body's overall resistance to infections caused by viruses, bacteria, chemicals, fungi or allergens. For this reason, there are several forms of this disease:

Infectious. It is a consequence of creating favorable conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria such as mycoplasma or chlamydia.
Allergic. This form of bronchitis develops due to exposure of the bronchi to one or another allergen.
Toxic-chemical. Inhalation of vapors of toxic substances, general intoxication of the body lead to the development of this type of bronchitis.

Infectious nature

Mild infectious bronchitis has the following symptoms:

dry cough, gradually becoming wet;
wheezing, hard breathing;
general malaise;
feeling of discomfort in the chest;
temperature 38 and above, persisting for several days.

If the disease takes a severe form, then when coughing a feeling of pain appears due to overstrain of the chest muscles. In addition, weakness is felt more and more, breathing becomes difficult, and purulent clots are found in the sputum that comes out. Dry wheezing is also observed when breathing in an adult, which accompanies the patient throughout the whole day.

Allergic

When bronchitis is diagnosed without fever, in most cases it is an allergic form. It can occur upon contact with a provoking factor, such as bird feathers or animal fur. Inhalation of pollen or household products also often leads to the development of allergic bronchitis. Even your favorite down pillow can fail and cause this disease. Here's how to identify bronchitis of an allergic nature:

hard cough;
dyspnea;
difficulty breathing;
normal body temperature;
dry wheezing when breathing;
wave-like course of the disease.

Toxic-chemical origin

Due to the ingress of acidic vapors, dust of organic or inorganic origin and various gases into the respiratory tract, toxic-chemical bronchitis develops. Among the signs indicating this form of the disease are:

lack of appetite;
hard breathing;
headache;
tingling in the chest;
difficulty breathing;
non-stop cough;
blue discoloration of mucous membranes;
state of suffocation.

Features of the course of the disease in children

The disease in a child is much more severe also because at an early stage it is accompanied by signs of intoxication, i.e. lethargy, high fever, decreased appetite. For babies under one year of age, blockage of the bronchioles is typical, which leads to hypoxia, manifested by bluish skin, shortness of breath and the appearance of wheezing and whistling. If the baby has not had contact with the patient, then the disease develops due to sensitivity of the respiratory tract, narrower bronchi or an allergic reaction.

In children who are 2-3 years old, the early stage of the disease can be easily determined by a runny nose and heavy breathing, because the narrower air passages quickly become blocked even by a small amount of mucus. In addition, only certain medications are allowed for babies, such as mixtures or syrups. Therapy must be coordinated with a doctor, and children under 2 years of age are treated only in a hospital.

Diagnostic methods

Any diagnosis is made only on the basis of patient complaints and laboratory tests, i.e. tests and even x-rays. The following activities are carried out:

Collecting complaints, identifying characteristic signs of bronchitis, determining their duration.
General examination using a phonendoscope to listen to the lungs.
General blood test. It is prescribed to identify the causative agent of infection and signs of bronchitis by the number of leukocytes.
Sputum analysis. It is carried out for the same purpose - to determine the cause of bronchitis and the sensitivity of the pathogen to drugs, in order to know whether to take antibiotics.
Chest X-ray. This is done to rule out pneumonia.
Spirography. The study is necessary to determine possible bronchial asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease.
Computed tomography of the chest area is the most accurate among studies of the presence of lung pathology.
Bronchoscopy. Aimed at examining the throat, trachea, larynx and lower respiratory tract using a thin instrument.

Possible complications and consequences of the disease

Some diseases do not go away without leaving a trace for a person, especially if treatment is untimely or incorrect. Heredity and the bad habit of smokers are also factors that provoke negative consequences. Complications may be the following:

Bronchopneumonia is a consequence of an acute form of bronchitis, developing with a local decrease in the body’s protective functions and multiple layers of bacterial infections. It is more often observed in older people and children.
Asthmatic bronchitis is a complication of chronic bronchitis that occurs with swelling of the bronchi, i.e. obstruction. The disease is characterized by attacks of dry cough with yellowish sputum, chest congestion and a lack of air for the patient.
Emphysema. Irreversible pathological changes occur in the lung tissue - the walls of the alveoli are destroyed due to their expansion, the lungs increase in volume.
Bronchiolitis or bronchitis without cough. Damage to small elements of the bronchial tree, i.e. bronchioles, which do not have receptors, therefore there is no reaction to irritation.

The incidence of bronchitis among children 3-8 years old is quite high, which is due to the anatomical features of the bronchial tree of children and the underdevelopment of the immune system.

With proper medical care, inflammation can be treated quickly and without complications, especially if the symptoms in children are recognized in time.

Depending on the pathogen and the characteristics of the child’s body, bronchitis can take various forms. Children are most often diagnosed with:

acute bronchitis;
recurrent;
chronic;
obstructive;
allergic;
bronchiolitis.

Each type of bronchitis is characterized by both general and specific symptoms. Only taking into account the characteristics of the form of the disease can the correct treatment be selected.

Acute symptoms

Acute bronchitis is common among children of different age categories. It is characterized by an inflammatory process in the bronchial tree in the absence of damage to the lung tissue. Its occurrence is often associated with an untreated viral disease or hypothermia.

The initial stage of acute bronchitis is characterized by the appearance of such general symptoms as a feeling of malaise, apathy, headaches, and loss of appetite. Next, there is an increase in body temperature, which can be either insignificant or quite high.

In most cases, there is a fever with a temperature of 38°C.

The duration of the body's temperature reaction depends on the type of causative agent of acute bronchitis. If it was caused by a parainfluenza virus or respiratory syncytial virus, then the duration of the fever will not exceed 3 days. But if the cause was mycoplasma or adenovirus, then the increase in temperature will persist for 10 days or more.

The initial stage of the disease is characterized by the presence of a painful, dry (sometimes “barking”) cough. Auscultation (listening) of the child reveals coarse dry and moist large- and medium-bubble rales. After a week, the dry cough gives way to a productive (wet) cough, accompanied by active sputum discharge. If this change occurs within a week, then this characterizes a mild form of acute bronchitis.

How are children treated?

If the correct treatment is chosen for the child, then acute bronchitis can be eliminated in 2 weeks. But at the same time, in children under two years of age, a residual cough may persist for some time.

Basic treatment of acute bronchitis for children over three years old includes:

plenty of warm drinks (tea, milk, water, compote and other liquids familiar to the child);
properly organized nutrition with an abundance of fresh vegetables and fruits. Heavy fatty and fried foods are excluded;
maintaining the required level of humidity in the room (at least 60%). This prevents drying out of the mucous membranes of the respiratory system;
regular ventilation of the room where the sick child is;
taking antipyretic drugs at temperatures above 38°C;

antibiotic therapy if a bacterial infection is detected;
taking antitussive and expectorant medications;
inhalation.

If bronchitis torments an infant, it is recommended to periodically turn him from one side to the other. This simple action stimulates the cough reflex, which is necessary for the normal discharge and dilution of mucus.

Cupping, mustard plasters and foot baths can be used as additional treatment for children over two years of age. It is also useful to lubricate the baby's chest with ointments with a warming effect. However, all these procedures can be carried out only in the absence of elevated body temperature.

Symptoms of a recurrent type of disease

Recurrent bronchitis is characterized by periodic exacerbations (3-4 times a year), tormenting the child for one and a half to two years. The disease is more common in children under 6-7 years of age. The symptoms of the disease are similar to the acute form of bronchitis, but appear periodically, during the period of exacerbation, which can last up to 30 days.

In the first days of an exacerbation, the child’s body temperature rises to 37-38°C. The fever does not last long, but a slight increase in temperature may persist for several weeks. Headaches, nasal congestion, general weakness and apathy also appear. After about 5 days, coughing attacks begin. At first it is dry, “tearing”, but after 3-4 days it becomes moist with the release of mucus, which may contain pus.

Recurrent bronchitis is characterized by scattered large- and medium-bubble or dry rales. But if the disease is localized in the large bronchi, then wheezing may be completely absent. However, it is possible to hear hard breathing in the basal areas of the bronchi.

After an exacerbation, the disease practically does not manifest itself. Only during vigorous physical activity, stress, or a sudden change in air temperature may a mild cough occur.

How to treat?

During the period of exacerbation of recurrent bronchitis, treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis, but under the constant supervision of the treating pediatrician.

The set of measures to eliminate the disease includes:

bed rest at optimal room temperature and humidity (t° - 18-22°C, humidity - 60-70%);
after the elevated body temperature subsides, regular walks in the fresh air are required;
good nutrition with an abundance of foods rich in vitamins;
taking expectorants (for example, Pertussin, marshmallow root syrup);
inhalations with soda-salt and alkaline water, infusion of sage or chamomile;
if there is a threat of developing complications of the disease, therapy with antibacterial drugs is prescribed;
the use of mustard plasters, jars, pepper plaster, warming ointments.

During the period of remission, the child should be regularly shown to a pediatrician and pulmonologist. To effectively treat recurrent bronchitis you should:

maintain a daily routine;
do morning exercises and go to exercise therapy classes;
take long walks in the fresh air with active games;
sign up for swimming, a tourist club or skiing;

Once a year, visit special health boarding houses for children with diseases of the respiratory system.

With the wrong approach or neglect of treatment, recurrent bronchitis in a child can transform into the chronic stage or bronchial asthma.

Symptoms of the chronic form in children

Chronic bronchitis can be diagnosed in a child over three years of age, since its characteristic feature is the occurrence of exacerbations three times a year for 2 or more years. The disease is dangerous for children, because it causes irreversible negative changes in the walls of the bronchial tree.

If you notice the first symptoms of the chronic stage of bronchitis, you should seek help from a qualified doctor.

Chronic bronchitis can be a consequence of regular acute respiratory diseases or constant exposure of the child to irritating factors (for example, cigarette smoke, heavily polluted air).

The main symptoms of the chronic stage:

coughing attacks that constantly torment the child. During remission it is often dry, but during exacerbation it gradually becomes moist. At the same time, a large amount of sputum of a purulent-mucous nature is expectorated;

wheezing is clearly audible, but during auscultation it is impossible to determine its clear localization. During an exacerbation, wheezing becomes more intense and can persist for 90 days or more;
shortness of breath, indicating a narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi;
fever that occurs in the first days of an exacerbation. However, during periods of remission, the temperature can rise only to subfebrile levels;
constant sweating of the child, bluish skin on the nasolabial triangle;
general weakness, regular headaches, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance.

How to treat a child?

Treatment of the chronic stage is aimed primarily at eliminating the source of inflammation and the resulting obstruction. For this we use:

antibacterial therapy, which is selected taking into account the sensitivity of pathogenic flora identified in sputum to certain medications;
expectorants and mucolytics;
inhalation;
taking vitamins B, C, nicotinic acid.

Symptoms of allergic bronchitis

Allergic bronchitis manifests itself in a child upon contact with an irritant, which can be both endo- and exogenous factors (for example, a certain food product or plant pollen).

Symptoms of the disease clearly manifest themselves during proximity to the allergen and include:

slight increase in body temperature;
the appearance of a dry cough with clear sputum. Seizures often torment the child during night sleep;
shortness of breath, and in some cases attacks of suffocation that occur during active physical activity of the child, in stressful situations, during screaming;
well-audible moist medium-bubbly rales. During exacerbation, wheezing can be heard at a distance;
tearfulness, clear and profuse nasal discharge.

How to treat?

To save a child from the disease, it is necessary to establish the exact cause of the allergic reaction. To alleviate the condition of allergic bronchitis, children are prescribed antihistamines (preferably third generation), expectorants and anti-inflammatory drugs.

To increase the resistance of the child’s body with this form of bronchitis it is useful:

hardening;
sunbathing;
therapeutic breathing exercises;
halotherapy (climate treatment with a high salt content);
hypoxic therapy (treatment with mountain air with low oxygen content).

Symptoms of obstructive form

Obstructive bronchitis is a serious disease in which there is a significant narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi or their blockage with accumulations of sputum. In the absence of timely treatment, the child may experience attacks of suffocation, threatening the development of hypoxia.

Obstructive bronchitis is most often found in children 3-4 years old, but can also appear in infants or schoolchildren.

The disease can be suspected based on symptoms such as:

the appearance of noisy breathing accompanied by whistling sounds. Pathological sounds are clearly audible even at a distance (so-called distant wheezing);
shortness of breath of expiratory or mixed type, occurring both after vigorous activity and in a calm state;
the presence of a dry paroxysmal cough with a tendency to intensify at night. At the same time, a small amount of sputum is released;
during auscultation, large- and medium-bubble or dry “whistle” rales are heard;
tachypnea, in which the chest is distended and the abdominal muscles are involved in breathing;
body temperature rises slightly or remains within normal limits;
the presence of leukocytosis, leukopenia and accelerated ESR in the blood test;

How to treat?

If obstructive bronchitis is detected in an infant, then treatment should be carried out exclusively in a hospital. Children over the age of three can undergo therapy at home, but only in the absence of suspicion of pneumonia, severe intoxication of the body and acute respiratory failure.

The complex of measures for the treatment of obstructive bronchitis in children, among other things, includes taking medications:

bronchodilators;
antitussives;
anti-inflammatory;
antihistamines;
antibacterial;
antispasmodic.

Special therapeutic drainage and postural massages have a positive effect. Parents can easily do them themselves at home. For preschool children, such procedures will help to quickly get rid of cough and phlegm accumulated in the bronchi. For school-age children, it is recommended to combine massages with breathing exercises.

Symptoms of bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is an inflammatory process affecting the smallest bronchi and bronchioles. The disease mainly occurs in children aged 3 to 5 years and can cause acute respiratory failure. Bronchiolitis is dangerous for a fragile body, so if signs of it are detected, you should urgently seek medical help.

Bronchitis in the mouths of doctors is a collective diagnosis. This is how doctors can call any inflammation of the bronchi: from bronchiolitis, which affects the bronchioles (small branches of the bronchi), to tracheitis (when the entire respiratory “trunk” suffers) and tracheobronchitis (when the bronchi suffer along with the “trunk”).

The main culprit of this inflammation is an acute respiratory viral infection (the well-known ARVI). And only in 10% of cases the causative agents are not viruses, but bacteria - streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, hemophilus influenzae and other microorganisms.

Caution: mycoplasma!

Such as mycoplasma, for example. By attacking the connective tissue of the lungs, this pathogen causes a lingering, chronic cough that can last for years. Respiratory mycoplasmosis is very similar to influenza or ARVI. But the treatment prescribed for influenza and viral infections does not help in this case.

You can catch common viral infections that irritate the bronchial “tree” at any time of the year. Infections seem to divide the seasons into spheres of influence: autumn is “controlled” by rhinoviruses and parainfluenza pathogens, winter by influenza, spring by the so-called respiratory syncytial viruses and adenoviruses. Moreover, each of them can take over your body in what is called a chain - first some, and then others. So it turns out that acute inflammation of the bronchi can recur 3-6 times a year, causing bewilderment to a person who is constantly coughing: it seems to have been treated, but to no avail.

Manipulation "inhalation"

It won’t happen if ARVI treatment is not started immediately, doctors say. The main thing is not to let the inflammation “go down” inside, not to miss the moment when viruses are still in charge in the nasopharynx, causing lethargy, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat and headache.

How? Intensely rinse the irritated throat with a warm solution of alcohol tincture of calendula, eucalyptus or chamomile. This simple procedure can bring tangible results. But on one condition: if you gargle every hour or at least every two hours and at the same time use at least a glass of healing solution each time.

Don't forget about hot inhalations. What you will breathe: potato steam or steam from validol tablets filled with boiling water – it doesn’t matter. Both procedures will greatly ease your suffering.

How do you breathe? Welcome!

Are the first precious days for treatment missed? Expect a cough. A dry, irritating, sore cough indicates damage to the trachea. “Moistened” and become “softer” indicates the spread of the process deep into the respiratory tract. Usually at this time a small amount of mucous secretion begins to be coughed up and pain is felt in the lower chest. According to doctors, the pain is quite natural: coughing attacks cause the diaphragm to contract convulsively and the surrounding muscles suffer.

However, the patients themselves are neither warm nor cold from such explanations. As soon as they feel the unpleasant sensations, citizens tormented by a cough begin to ring all the bells, rushing to the first pharmacist they come across with a plea: “Give me something for the cough!”

1:0 is not in our favor

And they make a fatal mistake, dooming themselves to even greater suffering. The fact is that some medications help thin the mucus, while others are designed to suppress the cough reflex. When the bronchi are clogged with viscous mucous secretion accumulated in them, it is difficult for them to work. That is why we cough, trying to free up the clogged space. The main thing to do during this period is to liquefy the mucus and cough it up vigorously!

But how to do this if, instead of a drug that has an expectorant effect, you took a drug that suppresses the cough reflex? By self-medicating, you can easily get stagnation of mucus in the bronchi. After some time, inflammation and cough will return to you with renewed vigor.

Medicine not according to profile

Another common mistake is indiscriminate use of antibiotics and sulfa drugs. Considering that most bronchitis is caused by viruses, and these drugs do not act on viruses, the effect of such treatment is exactly the opposite: the chaotic use of antibiotics suppresses the immune system, and it cannot cope with the disease.

Another piece of advice: when taking expectorant medications, drink as much fluid as possible so that you have something to “dilute” the bronchial mucus, otherwise these medications will also be ineffective.

Do you understand now how important it is to follow your doctor’s advice when dealing with bronchitis and other diseases accompanied by a cough? Only he can competently assess your condition and prescribe the correct treatment.

Root leaves...

But you can speed up your recovery yourself. Drinking plenty of fluids, foods rich in vitamins, fatty fish (salmon, flounder, halibut, sardines, mackerel), lean meat, and pumpkin seeds will help you cope with bronchitis. And, of course, good old herbal medicine. In some cases, well-chosen medicinal herbs are more effective than drug treatment, since they have a complex effect, not only suppressing the cough reflex, but also relieving inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx and trachea, “improving” the properties of sputum.

The roots, leaves and flowers of marshmallow, the roots of licorice, the leaves and flowers of mullein, the buds of Scots pine, and the herb of wild rosemary have an enveloping and anti-inflammatory effect on the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.

The word of the professionals

Thermopsis lanceolate herb, roots, rhizomes, flowers and leaves of spring primrose, tricolor violet herb, fruits and seeds of anise, leaves and flowers of coltsfoot grass improve the separation of sputum.

The bronchodilator, dilating the lumen of the bronchi and facilitating breathing are exerted by the herb of ephedra horsetail and two-spikelet, the roots of licorice, the herb of tricolor violet, the fruits of fennel, the roots and rhizomes of Siberian isodora. The course of treatment with all the above infusions and decoctions is 6-8 days.

Do you remember? Take action! God willing, in a couple of weeks you will forget about the cough that is exhausting you. If, despite the measures taken, your condition does not improve, you should not delay. Start the examination. The best place is in a specialized pulmonology department of a hospital, where there are all the conditions to conduct not only fluoroscopy and bronchoscopy, but also microbacteriological and cytological examination of sputum. It is better not to start bronchitis.

By the way

Suffering chronicle. American scientists investigated what causes chronic cough. It turned out that in 41% of cases, a cough is associated with the consequences of a severe runny nose, due to which some of the mucus from the nose gets into the throat. In 24% - with asthma, in 21% - with gastroesophageal reflux, causing the reflux of part of the stomach contents into the esophagus. And only 5% of sufferers were diagnosed by doctors with chronic bronchitis. And in two patients who took part in the study, chronic cough was caused by... a side effect of the medications they were taking for hypertension.

Doctor pepper. Many seasonings help relieve cough. Red capsicum causes perspiration and facilitates the separation of phlegm. Cloves are an excellent pain reliever that relieves coughs and runny noses. Ginger is good for treating diseases of the upper respiratory tract. It can be added to baked goods, as well as to first and second courses.

Knowing how to identify bronchitis will help the patient promptly seek help from a doctor and take the right measures for a quick recovery. A late visit to the doctor increases the likelihood of pneumonia, but in the early stages the patient can often cope on his own. It is very important not to miss the moment when specialist help is needed.

Cough is an important symptom that appears when the respiratory tract is damaged. Based on its nature, the doctor can guess the type of disease and the degree of neglect of the process.

If a person can self-medicate for a sore throat and runny nose, then if a cough occurs, consultation with a specialist is required.

Evidence that the infection from the oropharynx has spread further can be considered the appearance of a dry hacking cough. This symptom is considered characteristic. They begin to experience inflammation in the respiratory tract, which after a few days will begin to manifest itself as a wet cough. After the cough has passed, the person, in most cases, can be considered healthy.

Differences from a cold

By “cold,” doctors mean the body’s reaction to hypothermia. This process is usually characterized by severe symptoms that occur within a short time after the provoking factor. When a patient has a cold, their own opportunistic flora is activated, so treatment often requires antibiotics. Complaints include sore throat, general intoxication, weakness, and high fever.

Bronchitis is most often triggered by a viral infection and is its continuation. Its appearance is preceded by a runny nose and sore throat, which an adult or child could complain about for several days. Inflammation in the respiratory tract causes a cough, which after 2-3 days should change to a wet one. The temperature with viral bronchitis also subsides after a few days, and the patient’s general well-being improves.

Sometimes bronchitis can occur atypically, for example, without fever. It must be remembered that cough is a symptom that indicates the need for medical examination. Bronchitis without cough is a rather rare occurrence, but sometimes such a course is possible.

Features of bronchiolitis

When the lower respiratory tract, in particular the bronchioles, is affected, another characteristic symptom appears - oxygen deficiency due to broncho-obstruction. This is more typical for children under one year of age, in whom even minor inflammation and swelling can lead to a narrowing of the respiratory tract.

Difficulty breathing leads to shortness of breath and worsening general condition the patient, cyanosis of the skin, changes that are determined by the doctor during palpation and auscultation.

How to identify acute bronchitis?

The acute form of the disease is exactly what happens most often. In 90% of cases it is caused by a viral infection. After the pathogen enters the body, the symptoms develop quite quickly, subside with proper treatment after a week and completely disappear after 10-14 days. The acute period and poor health bother the patient for only 3-4 days, the rest of the time the main discomfort is caused by coughing.

With chronic inflammation, symptoms are less pronounced. The cough may last for several months or years, and may even be considered a natural way of life for the patient. The temperature does not rise with this form, so a person rarely consults a doctor, which only aggravates the course of the pathology. It is quite difficult to identify a chronic process at home.

Differential diagnosis

IN the early stages of bronchitis, especially of viral etiology, the patient can be treated with folk remedies or physiotherapy. In severe forms of bronchitis, when inflammation is already beginning to spread to the lungs, a completely different treatment is indicated, which necessarily includes medications. The result depends on the correctness of the prescribed therapy, so it is very important to accurately determine the location of the inflammatory process and its severity. In case of acute cough, the differential diagnosis is made with:

Pneumonia.
Bronchiolitis.
Acute sinusitis.
Bronchial asthma.

If you have a cough that lasts longer than 3 weeks, you also need to find out its cause, which may include:

chronic bronchitis.
Tuberculosis.
Obstructive pulmonary disease.
Pleurisy.
Sarcoidosis and others.

Recurrent form

Some people get bronchitis too often or for too long. A doctor can diagnose recurrent bronchitis if inflammation recurs more than 3 times a year and lasts longer than 2 weeks. Most doctors believe that this is typical in childhood (up to 8 years) and is caused by:

Genetic predisposition.
Constitutional features.
Diseases suffered during fetal development or neonatal development.