What are the signs of bronchitis in a child? Acute simple bronchitis

Acute bronchitis occurs quite often in children, develops quickly and is a natural continuation of acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections or influenza. The occurrence of pathology is provoked by sharp seasonal temperature changes against a background of high humidity, so the peak incidence occurs in autumn and early spring.

What is acute bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi that primarily affects their mucous membrane.

Acute bronchitis is a pathological process in which the mucous membrane and walls of the bronchi become inflamed

With a protracted and complicated course of the disease, the inflammatory process can penetrate deeper, involving the fibromuscular tissue of the walls of the bronchi.

The most common cause of the development of the disease is an acute respiratory viral infection, which spreads in a descending direction from the nasopharynx to the lower Airways.

Acute bronchitis in children ranks first in frequency of occurrence and second (after pneumonia) in severity. It accounts for 50% of lesions respiratory system in kids. Every year, 100–150 children out of a thousand fall ill with bronchitis.

Causes

1. Most often, bronchitis is caused by viral pathogens (respiratory syncytial virus, cytomegalovirus, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, influenza virus, parainfluenza) and develops as a complication of the same flu, ARVI, etc. First, the child has a sore throat, and then the infection goes down, affecting large and then smaller bronchi.
2. Much less often the cause is bacterial and fungal infections(pneumococci, streptococci, Moraxella, Klebsiella, mycoplasma, Haemophilus influenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, as well as Aspergillus, Candida, etc.). Sometimes the pathology occurs as a concomitant disease with measles, whooping cough, and diphtheria.
   

   Bacterial bronchitis can also develop when small foreign objects enter the airways or inhale food.

3. Bronchitis allergic origin can be triggered by inhalation allergens that are inhaled by the child along with the air: house dust, pollen, odors of household chemicals, cigarette smoke, gasoline vapors, etc.

In addition, bronchitis of mixed origin is isolated, when a bacterial one joins the initial viral infection.

Risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing the disease:

• prematurity, birth injuries, malnutrition (chronic digestive disorder in young children, accompanied by exhaustion and lack of body weight);
• diathesis;
• congenital defects of the respiratory system;
• frequent respiratory diseases (runny nose, laryngitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis);
• anomalies of the nasopharynx (adenoids, deviated nasal septum);
• chronic infections ( purulent sinusitis, tonsillitis);
• autumn-winter period and seasonal epidemics of influenza and ARVI;
• the child’s stay in child care institutions;
• poor social and living conditions.

Kinds

By international classification acute bronchitis is divided into the following types:

Symptoms

Symptoms of the disease may vary slightly depending on the causes that provoke it and the severity of the course.

1. With bronchitis caused by RSV or influenza virus, fever and symptoms of intoxication (fever, weakness, nausea) are observed for 1–3 days. If the cause of the disease is an adenovirus or mycoplasma, the febrile period may be prolonged. In acute simple bronchitis, the results of examination of both lungs are the same, there is no change in breathing and the nature of wheezing over individual areas of the lungs.
2. Allergic bronchitis usually occurs without fever and is recurrent. During exacerbations, general malaise, sweating, and cough are noted. The disease is often combined with conjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis. It makes no sense to treat allergic bronchitis without identifying the allergen. There is a high risk of developing bronchial asthma.
3. In chronic (recurrent) bronchitis, its main symptom is a constant cough, dry during remission and wet during exacerbations. Sputum in the form of purulent discharge is difficult and in small quantities.

Clinical signs - table

		Acute simple bronchitis	Obstructive bronchitis	Acute bronchiolitis
		at first dry and frequent, on days 5–7 it becomes moist, softens and gradually goes away	dry, persistent, paroxysmal, may become moist by the end of the first week	intermittent, possible slight sputum production
Temperature		up to 38.0–38.5°С	initially high, then may become normal or low-grade (about 37°C)	normal or subfebrile (about 37°C), sometimes rises to 38–39°C
		hard, with wheezing (which changes when coughing) and prolonged exhalation; There are no signs of respiratory failure and shortness of breath (may only occur in very young children).	whistling, heard at a distance, with difficulty exhaling; scattered wheezing in the lungs; There is no obvious shortness of breath.	severe, with severe shortness of breath (when both inhalation and exhalation are difficult); respiratory failure; moist crunchy rales when listening.
Pain syndrome		chest pain; soreness and burning in the throat; headache.	soreness and burning in the respiratory tract; V in rare cases- headache.	pain in the area chest and in the stomach
External signs		hoarse voice; weakness; sweating; auxiliary muscles are not involved in breathing; cyanosis (blueness of the skin) is absent.	bloating of the chest (ribs take a horizontal position); participation in breathing of auxiliary muscles (in the area of ​​the collarbones, jugular fossa at the base of the neck); There is no cyanosis.	flaring of the wings of the nose and retraction of the chest when breathing; cyanosis of the nasolabial area or the whole body; breathing using additional muscles.
Associated symptoms		runny nose; pharyngitis, laryngitis; conjunctivitis.	rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis; moderate fever.	rhinitis, pharyngitis; fever; intoxication; tachycardia (rapid heartbeat); tachypnea (rapid shallow breathing without rhythm disturbance).
Duration of illness		up to two weeks (5–14 days)	from 10 days to 3 weeks	up to 5 months

Diagnostics

The primary diagnosis is made by a pediatrician, followed by a pulmonologist and an allergist-immunologist. Diagnostics includes analysis clinical symptoms(character of cough, etc.), listening, as well as the use of the following laboratory and instrumental methods:

• general blood analysis. An increased ESR is detected, with a viral origin of the disease - a decrease in leukocytes and an increase in lymphocytes, with a bacterial origin - an increase in leukocytes and neutrophils;
• sputum examination. Microscopic examination, bacterial culture, and PCR testing are carried out. This analysis makes it possible to exclude infection with the tuberculosis bacillus with a high probability. Blood clots in the sputum may indicate tuberculosis;
• X-rays of light. X-rays show increased vascular pattern in the lungs, especially in the lower lobes; with obstructive bronchitis and bronchiolitis - swelling of the lung tissue (increased transparency), widening of the intercostal spaces, flattening of the diaphragm;
• function research external respiration(in older children).

One of the methods for diagnosing acute bronchitis is an x-ray of the lungs.

Treatment

Acute bronchitis due to ARVI does not require specific therapy. Treatment is carried out at home. At high temperatures it is necessary to observe bed rest. A dairy-vegetable diet with a high content of vitamins and plenty of fluid (1.5–2 times higher than the age norm) is recommended. The child can be given fruit drinks, compotes, rosehip decoction, mineral water, hot milk.

Drug therapy includes:

1. Vasoconstrictor drops to restore nasal breathing (Navizin, Tizin), including those with an antiallergic effect. The use of these drugs should be short-term.
2. Antipyretics for temperatures above 38.5–39.0°C based on paracetamol in an age-specific dosage. It is not recommended to give children Aspirin, Analgin, Amidopyrin, Phenacetin due to side effects.
3. Anti-cough medications (Sinekod, Glaucin, Tusuprex, Libexin) - only for dry, persistent cough. If there is a large secretion of mucus and bronchospasms, they should not be used.
4. Expectorant drugs (Ambrobene, Eucabal, etc.) and mucolytic, sputum thinners (Lazolvan, Cysteine, Bromhexine, Chymotrypsin), orally or by inhalation. Today, there are many combination drugs with mucolytic, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-edema effects (Bronchicum).
5. Bronchodilators for bronchial obstruction in the form of inhalation or orally, in some cases rectally (Theophylline, Salbutamol, Serevent, Erespal, Foradil, Fenoterol, Clenbuterol, etc.)

Medicines for illness - gallery

Bronchicum S

Antiviral drugs and antibiotics are used strictly as prescribed by a doctor. Indications for their use:

• fever with high temperature lasting more than 3 days;
• pronounced signs of infectious intoxication;
• increased respiratory failure;
• revealed asymmetry of the lungs during examination, tapping, and listening;
• age up to 6 months;
• prematurity, birth injuries, underweight due to eating disorders;
• suspicion of a bacterial infection (lethargy, refusal to eat, shortness of breath, asymmetry of wheezing);
• inflammatory process caused by atypical pathogens.

Among the antiviral agents used are Anaferon, Arbidol, Algirem, Amizon. From antibacterial agents- penicillins (Amoxiclav, Augmentin), cephalosporins (Suprax, Cephalexin), macrolides (Rulid, Macropin, Rovamycin).

Physiotherapeutic procedures (only after overcoming the crisis) include:

1. Inhalations with expectorants (infusions and decoctions medicinal herbs, essential oils, Ambroxol, etc.).
2. UV irradiation and electrophoresis on the chest.
3. Microwave therapy (exposure to an electromagnetic field).
4. Cupping massage (for older children).
5. Vibration massage (for poor sputum separation).

Danger and complications of the disease

The prognosis of the disease is favorable. Bronchitis itself is not so dangerous; the threat is posed by complications that can develop with insufficient and inadequate treatment. Their severity depends on the age of the child, the state of his immune system, and the type of pathogen.

1. Recurrent bronchitis in childhood can lead to chronic diseases of the respiratory system in adulthood.
2. Acute simple bronchitis can be complicated by pneumonia or bronchial asthma.
3. A common complication of obstructive bronchitis is pulmonary emphysema, in which pathological changes occur in the tissues of the organ (dilation of the alveoli, swelling of the lungs).
4. Acute bronchiolitis is considered by some experts as a complication of simple or obstructive bronchitis. Bronchiolitis can lead to severe respiratory and cardiac failure, as well as hypoxemia (impaired gas composition blood, which is a low oxygen content in the blood).

Pediatric doctor and candidate medical sciences Evgeniy Komarovsky believes that treatment tactics for bronchitis should be chosen depending on the cause that triggered its development. In his opinion, in 99% of cases the disease is caused by a viral infection and only in 1% by a bacterial one. However, pediatricians very often prescribe antibiotics to children for bronchitis, the use of which not only does not help, but can also lead to serious complications.

The prescription of antibiotics is justified when the bacterial origin of the disease is clearly established or symptoms of intoxication are clearly manifested: headaches, nausea, vomiting, refusal to eat, lack of appetite.

Bronchitis in children - video

The best prevention of acute bronchitis is timely treatment of seasonal colds and respiratory viral infections. If the child does get sick, then the main task is to prevent the development of possible complications through adequate therapy.

The second most severe respiratory pathology in young children, after pneumonia, is bronchitis. Parents are sometimes very frightened by this diagnosis, and they ask the doctor many questions. I’ll say right away - bronchitis at the present stage can be treated quite successfully and goes away without a trace - if everything is done correctly.

Bronchitis is an inflammatory process of the bronchial mucosa. This disease can occur in acute or chronic form(which happens much less often in children than in adults). Most often, acute bronchitis in children begins after a viral infection (for example, influenza), which causes damage to the mucous membrane of the lower respiratory tract. Among the viral pathogens, the most common are influenza, parainfluenza, and adenoviruses. First, the child’s throat becomes inflamed, and then the infection spreads further, affecting the bronchi. As a rule, they suffer first large bronchi, then smaller ones. This is the first reason for the development of bronchitis.

The second reason is less common - a bacterial infection. Among the bacterial pathogens currently leading are streptococcus, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella. We are also talking about microbes, which are most often “transported” into the respiratory tract along with foreign bodies. A small child, talking while eating, can inhale a piece of carrot, apple or seed. In addition, young researchers love to pull everything into mouth, and may accidentally inhale small parts of toys. Foreign bodies, of course, leave the respiratory tract, but the infection may remain. This is when bronchitis develops.

The third reason why a diagnosis of bronchitis is made is mixed. That is, first a viral and then a bacterial infection enters the respiratory tract.

The fourth reason is damage to the bronchi under the influence of irritating chemical or physical factors. For example, when inhaling gasoline vapors or contaminated smoke.

The fifth reason is allergic. Some children are hypersensitive to certain allergens, such as tree or flower pollen. house dust, smells of washing powders or soaps. All this can cause a reaction in the bronchial mucosa.

Symptoms of bronchitis in children

The term “bronchitis” refers to lesions of the bronchi of any caliber; “bronchiolitis” - mainly of small bronchi and bronchioles, “tracheobronchitis” - trachea in combination with bronchi. The classification adopted in Russia distinguishes acute bronchitis, acute obstructive bronchitis, bronchiolitis (including obliterative).

Acute bronchitis against the background of an acute viral infection in most cases does not require any specific treatment. The main focus of treatment in this case is control of the symptoms of the disease and general care of the patient. The main symptoms of acute bronchitis are fever, cough, and feeling of weakness. As it became clear, the same symptoms characterize most cases of “colds”. It is important to note, however, that with an uncomplicated course of acute bronchitis, an increase in body temperature and a feeling of weakness are moderate, while in severe forms of acute respiratory viral infection it is noted serious condition sick.

The main manifestations that allow the doctor and parents to suspect the baby has bronchitis are cough, diffuse dry and variable moist rales in the lungs. The main symptoms of inflammation of the bronchial mucosa are cough (dry or hacking), elevated body temperature, chest pain, and wheezing. When you cough, you may produce phlegm. In acute bronchitis, it appears as a clear liquid without pus; in chronic bronchitis, it appears with pus.

X-rays complement the picture - when examining there are no specific signs (as, for example, with pneumonia), usually an increase in the pulmonary pattern, expansion and non-structure of the roots of the lung are determined in the absence of infiltrative and focal shadows in the lung tissue.

In young children, bronchitis can occur with the syndrome bronchial obstruction(blockage of small sections of the bronchi) - because of this, the main function of the respiratory system is disrupted - the exchange of gases and hypoxia develops. Bronchi of different sizes are affected; this occurs against the background of an acute respiratory viral infection, which causes characteristic clinical symptoms. Broncho-obstructive syndrome usually develops on the 3-4th day of acute respiratory viral infection and is manifested by expiratory (on exhalation) shortness of breath, noisy wheezing, scattered dry and varied wet rales in the lungs. X-ray reveals an increase in the pulmonary pattern, signs of swelling of the lung tissue (increased transparency, horizontal position of the ribs, high standing and flattening of the domes of the diaphragm) in the absence of infiltrative and focal shadows in the lungs. Relapses, that is, repeated episodes of obstructive bronchitis are always associated with ARVI and usually stop by the age of 3-4 years.

Acute bronchiolitis occurs with primary damage to the small bronchi and bronchioles. It develops, as a rule, in children of the first year of life against the background of ARVI and manifests itself in pronounced broncho-obstructive syndrome and respiratory failure. Characterized by severe shortness of breath of an expiratory (difficulty in exhaling only) or mixed (difficulty in both inhalation and exhalation) nature with the participation of auxiliary muscles - the abdomen and intercostal muscles, retraction yielding places chest, flaring of the wings of the nose, cyanosis (blue discoloration). When listening to the chest, the doctor will hear diffuse moist, finely bubbling and crepitating (as if crunching) rales. An x-ray reveals a sharp swelling of the lung tissue and a depletion of the vascular pattern.

Repeated episodes of acute bronchitis, diagnosed 2-3 times a year or more against the background of respiratory viral infections, are defined as recurrent bronchitis. Clinical and radiological manifestations during the disease period correspond to the signs of acute bronchitis. It occurs mainly in children in the first 4-5 years of life.

Timely diagnosis various forms bronchitis is necessary to select adequate therapy and monitoring systems for children.

How to treat bronchitis in children?

First of all, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that you should not self-medicate. Parents should definitely consult a doctor who will give recommendations based on the cause of the disease. Treatment is prescribed depending on the age of the patient and the characteristics of the course of the disease. For example, not all acute bronchitis requires antibiotic treatment. Such measures are generally needed only when there is a threat of a bacterial infection turning into pneumonia. However, only a doctor can determine this.

A doctor may recommend treating a child’s bronchitis at home. But if symptoms of intoxication appear, high temperature in the evenings (up to 38 degrees), shortness of breath, then hospitalization is necessary. This is especially true for young children (under 3 years old). If the child is older, treatment can be carried out at home.

The basic principle of treating children with infectious bronchitis, with all its diversity, comes down to suppressing the infectious onset, improving bronchial cleansing and general therapy. The leading role belongs to antibiotic therapy. Adequate antibiotic therapy can not only relieve the symptoms of acute inflammation, but also lead to the removal of the pathogen, reducing the duration of treatment and speedy recovery.

The choice of starting drug is carried out taking into account the probable etiology (cause) and sensitivity of the suspected pathogen to antimicrobial drugs. In this case, it is always preferable to take one drug by mouth. Currently as antibacterial drugs The first choice is most widely used by three groups of antibiotics, the so-called “gold standard” drugs: penicillins (amoxicillin, inhibitor-protected penicillins), II-III generation cephalosporins) and macrolides.

For mild to moderately severe exacerbation chronic inflammation, more often in school-age children, treatment can only be carried out with oral (by mouth) antibiotics.

In case of pronounced inflammation activity, antibiotic therapy is carried out in a “stepped” therapy mode. In this case, antibiotics are first prescribed parenterally (intravenously, intramuscularly). When the patient's condition improves (usually after 3-5 days), they switch to oral antibiotics.

If, during therapy, the child’s condition has improved, the temperature has dropped, symptoms of intoxication have disappeared, appetite has appeared, and the child has become more active, then the choice of antibiotic was made correctly and treatment should be continued. If there is no improvement or it is slight, you should change the antibiotic. Indications for changing the antibiotic or adding a second drug are clinical ineffectiveness of therapy (persistence of fever, respiratory failure, intoxication, development of complications). Moreover, in this case, therapy correction should be carried out taking into account the results microbiological research(culture) sputum. Antibiotics must be used very carefully, because later, if a more serious inflammatory disease occurs, they may lose their effectiveness. The fact is that over time, addiction to the drug sets in, and then it can no longer be used. We have to turn to other medications, which are, accordingly, more expensive. Bronchitis should be treated in combination, using, if necessary, antibacterial therapy with physical methods, including a special diet and home care.

Duration antibacterial treatment, as a rule, is 7 days (for acute bronchitis) and 10-14 days (for exacerbation chronic bronchitis).

In recent years, antibiotic administration via a nebulizer has been used in addition to oral and parenteral antibiotics.

When treating children with bronchitis, agents whose action is aimed at improving the drainage function of the bronchi must be used. Mucolytic (sputum-thinning) direct-acting drugs - cysteine ​​derivatives - thiolics (acetylcysteine) are widely used in pediatric practice. However, it must be taken into account that these drugs should be prescribed only when the sputum viscosity is significantly increased, since they can make the secretion excessively liquid, resulting in a possible risk of developing bronchorrhea and flooding the lungs with liquid sputum.

Mucoactive drugs of indirect (secretolytic) action include derivatives of the alkaloid vasicine - bromhexine and its metabolites (ambroxol) and mucoregulators based on carbocysteine. These drugs normalize the rheological parameters of secretions, accelerate mucociliary transport, and have an anti-inflammatory effect, while the liquefaction of sputum is practically not accompanied by an increase in its volume.

Drugs plant origin(roots of ipecac, licorice, marshmallow, elecampane, thermopsis herb, thyme), which have an expectorant effect reflex action, continue to be widely used in the practice of complex therapy of bronchitis.

Important elements of complex therapy for patients with bronchitis are physiotherapy, massage, postural drainage, and physical therapy.

Usually, bronchitis goes away in 2-3 weeks. But such a period is typical only with timely treatment. Unfortunately, in recent years the course of bronchitis and pneumonia has changed somewhat. The main difference is the long duration of the disease - up to 3-4 weeks. In addition, all the symptoms now began to appear more intensely. For example, sometimes children experience pain in the heart area. The severity of neurosthenic reactions becomes more frequent: the child becomes irritable.

Often, other diseases can be hidden under the mask of bronchitis. For example, congenital malformations of the lungs and bronchi. Therefore, all children who are diagnosed with chronic bronchitis need examination and treatment in specialized institutions.

Bronchitis after a cold

Sometimes, even with good care for a sick child, a cold is complicated by bronchitis of varying severity: from mild bronchitis, which occurs even without fever, to severe forms with high fever, with the addition of asthmatic syndrome. The main symptom of bronchitis is cough. At the beginning of the disease, the cough is usually dry. Gradually, the so-called “resolution” occurs, sputum appears and accumulates in the bronchi, and even without a phonendoscope, wheezing can be heard. These wheezing sometimes (when the child is small and does not know how to clear his throat) so torment parents!

When phlegm appears in the bronchi (wheezing becomes moist), we can assume that the disease has turned towards recovery. The main concern now is that the child clears his throat on time. It is clear that when the child is old enough, you can explain to him that he needs to cough and spit out sputum. It's more difficult with a small child. With every inhalation, with every exhalation, he wheezes - it seems that he himself would clear his throat for him... Sometimes in such cases, changing the position of the child helps to clear the throat. For example, your baby was lying on his right side, and you turned him to his left; at this time, sputum, under the influence of its own weight, begins to move along the walls of the bronchi, irritates them and can provoke a cough - which is what was required.

Bronchitis in children over 1 year of age.

Depending on the severity of the process, only the mucous membrane of the bronchus or its entire wall may be affected. As a rule, bronchitis occurs in spring and autumn following diseases such as rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, acute respiratory disease (acute respiratory disease); practice shows that children with adenoid growths and chronic tonsillitis suffer from bronchitis more often than other children. The causative agents of acute bronchitis can be respiratory viruses, staphylococci, streptococci, pneumococci, etc.

The onset of the disease is acute. A runny nose appears, then a dry cough. The child complains of general malaise. Body temperature rises to 38-39 °C and can last two to three days. After these days, the nature of the cough changes; the cough ceases to be dry and persistent (even exhausting), sputum begins to separate, which also changes over time - first it is mucous, then mucopurulent. Wheezing may be heard from a distance; the child clears his throat and the wheezing disappears. Recovery occurs in 7-8 days. In young children, acute bronchitis can occur with an asthmatic component, simultaneously with manifestations of exudative diathesis; Such bronchitis sometimes lasts for several weeks and ends with complications - pneumonia.

Treating bronchitis at home

Regardless of the severity of your child's bronchitis, treatment should be prescribed by a doctor. Of course, parents gain experience over time and already seem to know how to cope with colds and bronchitis (and even grandmothers tell them), but the child must be shown to the doctor. In addition to making an accurate diagnosis, he will also prescribe the correct comprehensive treatment and recommend the most modern medications. At the same time, you will show the doctor your first aid kit: perhaps something from your first aid kit will be used.

So, you will discuss the specifics with your doctor. And here are general recommendations...

Treatment of bronchitis is mainly symptomatic; a sick child is given antipyretics and expectorants; Distractive procedures are widely used (mustard plasters, warm compresses, foot baths, etc.). Antimicrobial treatment(antibiotics) are prescribed only in cases of prolonged bronchitis and when there is a threat of complications. Sulfonamides are not currently prescribed.

If a child gets sick with bronchitis, bed rest is necessary. Even though the child is on bed rest, the child should not lie still. He can sit in bed and play; he needs to change position from time to time - this will eliminate the possibility of congestion in the lungs.

Increased temperature with bronchitis - defensive reaction body. Many microbes feel great at a temperature of 36.6 °C, but already at 36.7 °C they “retire.” If the child's temperature is below 38°C, let it rise a little; if it is higher, knock it down.

If a child has bronchitis, and especially with an asthmatic component, it is important that there is always fresh air in the room... It’s cold outside, and you need to ventilate the room. Cover the child with a blanket (over the head is possible) and ventilate. You can even create a draft for a couple of minutes.

You will not harm a child with bronchitis if you start giving him a decoction of coltsfoot. Beneficial in abundance warm drink. Milk with butter and honey works quite effectively. Don't forget about inhalations, soda inhalations. When wheezing becomes moist, seek the help of distraction therapy. Steam your child's feet. For bronchitis, distraction therapy can be very effective: mustard plasters, mustard wraps, warm compresses, foot and general baths, etc. Try these treatments, but only if your child does not currently have a fever. Learn to alternate them: today you put mustard plasters on your child, tomorrow - a warming compress.

Get a massage once or twice a day.

Rubbing your feet (soles) with turpentine ointment gives a good effect: this is done at night; Apply a little ointment to the sole and rub it very, very hard with your palm (you will feel how your palm is baked), then put woolen socks on the child. And, of course, mustard plasters. You already know that mustard plasters are placed on small children through the diaper, and on older children - reverse side. Mustard plasters should not be placed on the heart area. Very easy to use pepper patch. Nowadays there are many warming ointments for children in pharmacies. If a child has acute bronchitis, decoctions and infusions of pine buds (10 grams of dried buds per glass of water), as well as decoctions and infusions of thermopsis herb (0.5-0.8 grams) have a good healing effect dried herb per glass of water).

At the onset of bronchitis, the child’s cough is dry and painful. The doctor will prescribe expectorants for your child. For your part, give your child warm milk with Borjomi, soda and honey.

If the child begins to cough up phlegm, it means that things are getting better. Now it is important to remove this phlegm regularly. Explain to your child how important it is to cough well. The lumen of the small bronchi is cleared and breathing becomes much easier.

Now the child’s cough occurs soon after changing body position. The child turned on the other side and a cough appeared. This is good. This helps cleanse the bronchi. Sputum, flowing onto the walls of the bronchi, irritates them and provokes a cough. Let the child change body position more often.

You can even have your child hang out of the bed with their feet on top, or set up an incline (feet up, head down). This promotes the flow of mucus from the bronchi.

Sputum that is expelled by coughing should not be swallowed. Explain to your child that mucus needs to be spit out.

The air in the room of a child suffering from bronchitis should not be dry. You will do well to hang wet towels in your room or use a humidifier.

Regular inhalations are very helpful for coughing. Especially alkaline ones (breathe soda steam if you don’t have an inhaler).

For acute bronchitis, the following fees are recommended for a child:
Coltsfoot sheet - part 1
Plantain leaf - 2 parts
Horsetail herb - 3 parts
Primrose herb - 4 parts
Pour 5-6 grams of the mixture with a glass of boiling water and leave for two hours. Depending on age, take 50-100 ml three times a day before meals.

Licorice root - 2 parts
Marshmallow root - 2 parts
Coltsfoot sheet - 2 parts
Fennel fruits - 1 part
Pour 5 grams of the dried mixture with a glass of boiling water and leave for up to three hours. Take 20-30 ml three times a day before meals.

For frequent bronchitis, it is recommended to use the following preparations:
Thyme herb - 1 part
Sweet clover herb - 1 part
Fennel fruits - 1 part
Peppermint leaf - 1 part
Plantain leaf - 2 parts
Marshmallow root - 2 parts
Lungwort herb - 4 parts
Coltsfoot sheet - 4 parts
Pour 3 grams (about one teaspoon) of the dried mixture into a glass of cold water, leave for up to two hours, then boil for five minutes, strain. Take a sip during the day (7-8 times possible).

Ledum herb - 1 part
Oregano herb - 1 part
Alder cones - 1 part
St. John's wort herb - 2 parts
Sage herb - 2 parts
Rowan fruits - 3 parts
Pour 1-1.5 teaspoons of the dried mixture into a glass of water, boil over low heat for 15-20 minutes, strain. Take 20-40 ml three times a day before meals.

Carrot juice with honey. Prepare a glass of fresh carrot juice, add three teaspoons of honey, stir. Take two to three tablespoons several times a day.

Cabbage juice. Sweetened juice from fresh cabbage, take one tablespoon three to four times a day as an expectorant (you can use honey instead of sugar).

Plantain juice. Mix plantain juice and honey in equal quantities and give the child one teaspoon three times a day as an expectorant and emollient.

Marshmallow root infusion. Grind dried root marshmallow powder. Pour 5 grams of powder a glass of cold water and leave for 6-8 hours. Take two to three tablespoons three times a day.

Infusion of linden flowers. Pour one tablespoon of dried raw material into a glass of water, leave under the lid (you can also fold it under a cloth several times) for an hour, pour over it. Take half a glass three times a day.

Breathing exercises for bronchitis

Kids usually do this set of exercises with pleasure, because it resembles a game!
Crow. The child, sitting on a chair, raises both arms up to the sides while inhaling. As he exhales he says: “K-a-r-r!” and gives up.

Bug. The baby sits on a chair and holds his hands on his belt. While inhaling, turns the body to the right, abducting right hand to the side and a little back. After this, he exhales, saying “W-w-w-w-w.” Then he returns to the starting position, inhales and repeats a similar movement to the left.

Geese. The baby leans forward from a sitting position, arms should be raised to shoulder level. Simultaneously with the exhalation he says: “Gaaaaa.”

Stork. The baby does this exercise while standing. Invite him to portray a stork - arms raised to the sides, one leg raised, bent at the knee, and at the same time inhaled. As you exhale, the baby slowly lowers his arm and leg, while saying: “Shhhh.”

Crane. During inhalation, the baby’s arms rise up, and when exhaling, with the sound “Uuuuu”, they fall down along the body.

Flying. At the very end of the complex, the baby must quickly walk around the room, flapping his arms like a flying bird. The movement ends with walking with the obligatory slowing down of the pace.

All exercises must be repeated 4-5 times (last time at least an hour before bedtime). The child must pronounce sounds loudly and clearly. The main thing is that hissing sounds must be pronounced as you exhale.

Acute (simple) bronchitis- inflammatory damage to the bronchial mucosa without clinical signs of bronchial obstruction, predominantly of a viral or viral-bacterial nature. The main symptom of this type of bronchitis is a cough, which is dry at the beginning of the disease, and after 1-2 days it is wet with an increasing amount of sputum. Bronchitis is also accompanied by tracheitis (inflammation of the trachea), which causes a feeling of pressure or pain behind the sternum. Sputum is often mucous in nature; in the 2nd week it may acquire a greenish color, which is not a sign of microbial inflammation. The cough usually lasts up to 2 weeks. More prolonged cough observed in infants with RS viral infection, and in older ones - with mycoplasma and adenovirus. With tracheitis and tracheobronchitis with fibrinous deposits, the cough may bother you for 4-6 weeks in the absence of other symptoms.

With bronchitis, diffuse dry and large- and medium-bubble, less often fine-bubble rales are heard, changing with coughing. Hematological changes (in a general blood test) are inconsistent; with mycoplasma infection, the ESR may increase against the background of a normal number of leukocytes.

Bronchitis with ARVI usually develops without signs of toxicosis at subfebrile temperature - 37°C-37.5°C (or febrile in the first 1-2 days) temperature, but with adenoviral infection it can remain high for up to 7-10 days. Shortness of breath, even in children of the first year of life, can be moderate (up to 50 breaths per minute).

Mycoplasma bronchitis(caused by M. pneumoniae) is more common at school age. It usually occurs with a high temperature, contrasting with a slightly disturbed general condition and the absence of signs of toxicosis. Inflammation covers the small bronchi, which is manifested by crepitus, fine wheezing, and an increase in small elements of the pulmonary pattern on the radiograph. Unlike viral bronchitis Mycoplasma is characterized by asymmetry of wheezing. These signs, in combination with “dry” conjunctivitis (without effusion), make it possible to suspect bronchitis of this particular etiology.

Chlamydial bronchitis(caused by Chi. trachomatis) in children of the first six months of life often occurs without obstruction, severe shortness of breath, toxicosis and hematological changes; it is diagnosed when chlamydial antibodies of the IgM class are detected in any titer or class IgG in a titer above 1:64 (the diagnosis is considered reliable if the titer of IgG antibodies is lower in the mother than in the child). Chlamydial bronchitis (caused by Chi. pneumoniae) can be suspected by simultaneously occurring sore throat and/or cervical lymphadenitis. In adolescents, it often occurs with obstruction, sometimes being the debut of bronchial asthma with a late onset.

Bronchitis is very dangerous for infants, especially if you do not pay attention to it in time.

Acute simple bronchitis

What is acute bronchitis?

Recently, there has been an increase in the incidence of bronchitis among children. At the same time, the causative agents of the disease are increasingly atypical: chlamydia and mycoplasma (Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, C. Pneumoniae). Let us immediately note that infections of this type can be very dangerous and require specialized diagnosis and treatment.
In other cases, treatment of acute bronchitis is symptomatic.

Do I need to take antibiotics for acute bronchitis?

The use of antibiotics for acute bronchitis is justified only in the case of a proven bacterial infection. Most often, the addition of a bacterial infection is manifested by the following symptoms: a second wave of fever (on the 5-7th day of illness), the appearance of profuse purulent sputum, deterioration of the patient's general condition.
The problem of whether or not to take antibiotics in the treatment of acute bronchitis should be decided by the attending physician. It should be noted that taking antibiotics unnecessarily can be even more harmful than not taking them when taking these medications is actually recommended.
Due to the increasing incidence of mycoplasma and chlamydia bronchitis in children and adults, in addition to such classical antibiotics as penicillins and cephalosporins, antibiotics from the macrolide group began to be used: erythromycin, azithromycin. The type of antibiotic, dose and method of administration are determined by the attending physician.

What should you pay attention to when treating acute bronchitis in children?

I would like to draw the attention of parents to the fact that in some cases, acute bronchitis can cause some serious complications (pneumonia, bronchiolitis); in such cases, treatment at home should be stopped, and the baby should be urgently hospitalized. Here are some signs that indicate an unfavorable course of the disease and the need to see a doctor:

Temperature above 38° C for more than 3-4 days and the baby’s general condition is severe.
- Severe shortness of breath in a child: in newborns and children up to 2 months, more than 60 breaths per minute, in children aged 3 months to one year, more than 50 breaths per minute, in children from 1 year to 3 years, more than 40 breaths per minute.
- Noticeable retraction of the skin in the intercostal spaces when inhaling.

Clinical criteria for diagnosing acute simple bronchitis:

The general condition of the child is usually relatively satisfactory, and symptoms of intoxication are moderate, low-grade body temperature usually does not rise above 38°C, and respiratory failure is not pronounced. The baby has a cough with scanty and then more abundant sputum discharge. When listening to the chest, the doctor may detect scattered dry wheezing (less often, intermittent moist medium- and large-bubbly wheezes).

X-ray data consist of an increased pulmonary pattern in the hilar and basal parts of the lungs. The blood test showed minor inflammatory changes (significant leukocytosis is not typical), moderate acceleration of ESR.

The duration of the disease in uncomplicated cases ranges from 1 to 1.5-2 weeks. Bronchitis caused by adenoviral, mycoplasma and chlamydia infections has a more protracted course.

Basic principles of treatment of acute simple bronchitis

Treatment is usually carried out on an outpatient basis at home, with the exception of severe concomitant manifestations of ARVI. Against the background of acute manifestations of ARVI, the regime is half-bed, and then at home - the baby can get out of bed and carry out his usual activities.

It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids, in the form of herbal teas or infusions, fruit drinks, juices. The volume of liquid is 1.5-2 times the daily age requirement of the child. The diet is mainly dairy-vegetable with a limitation of extractive spicy dishes, seasonings, and a limitation of highly allergenic foods.

Antiviral therapy: interferon intranasally, 5 drops 4-6 times a day or in aerosols using an ultrasonic inhaler. If an adenoviral etiology of bronchitis is suspected, RNase, deoxyribonuclease. For influenza etiology, rimantadine, ribavirin, immunoglobulin against the background of acute manifestations of ARVI.

Antibiotics are not indicated in most cases. Indications for prescribing antibiotics are obvious foci of bacterial infection, pronounced inflammatory changes in the hemogram, a tendency to a protracted course of the disease.
Antibacterial therapy is prescribed individually by a doctor. Systemic antibacterial therapy is carried out only for mycoplasma and chlamydial bronchitis (macrolides are used), it is possible to prescribe local antibacterial therapy, for example, Bioparox, which in this case has an additional anti-inflammatory effect.
Depending on the nature of the cough, antitussives (codelac, codeine), (mucolytics) expectorants (erespal, lazolvan, gedelix, mucoltin) are prescribed. Centrally acting antitussives suppress a painful, obsessive dry cough in the initial phase of bronchitis. Antitussives of peripheral action are indicated for dry cough associated with irritation of the mucous membrane, usually accompanying tracheitis. Expectorants are designed to have an effect that stimulates cough. The anti-inflammatory drug fenspiride (Erespal) can help reduce inflammatory changes in the bronchial mucosa. Fenspiride acts both directly on the inflammatory process in the respiratory tract, and on the processes accompanying infectious and allergic inflammation, which is combined with the prevention of bronchoconstriction.
Aerosol inhalations - soda, soda-salt. For attacks of obstruction, nebulizer therapy. For long-lasting cough (whooping cough, whooping cough with persistent tracheitis), inhaled steroids (pulmicor, salbutamol) are effective.

Postural drainage with vibration massage for excessive mucus discharge.

Antihistamines. Antihistamines are used in children with manifestations of allergies; their drying effect can be used in patients with abundant secretion. Active motor mode for drainage function of the lungs after temperature normalization.
At normal body temperature - chest massage.

Therapy should be comprehensive in combination with immunocorrective treatment.
Discharge criteria childcare facility: normalization of body temperature, reduction of catarrhal symptoms from the nasopharynx.

Obstructive bronchitis

In domestic practice, it is customary to distinguish between acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis, but this distinction is to a certain extent arbitrary and is not recognized by many foreign pediatricians.

The terms “obstructive bronchitis” and “bronchiolitis” refer to almost the same form of bronchitis, which has only clinical differences. These terms apply mainly to children of the first 4 years of life, in whom most obstructive forms of bronchitis are caused by PC viral and parainfluenza infections. In older children, mycoplasma infection and Chi also play a role in the development of obstructive bronchitis. pneumoniae

The uniqueness of the clinical picture in infants and the rarity of the development of pneumonia allow us to consider bronchial obstruction as a reaction that protects the lungs from bacteria from the upper respiratory tract.

Obstructive bronchitis is manifested by severe difficulty breathing due to bronchospasm, prolongation of exhalation, against the background of which wheezing sounds are heard, heard during auscultation and often at a distance. Fine bubble moist rales and crepitus are heard in half of the cases.
Obstructive bronchitis is characterized by dry, rare cough, low-grade fever, the general condition often suffers little. Respiratory rate - 50, less often 60-70 per minute. Blood gas levels do not change dramatically. An x-ray shows swelling of the lungs, and a general blood test shows indicators characteristic of a viral infection.

Clinical criteria for diagnosing obstructive bronchitis:

Extended whistling exhalation, often audible remotely.
Upon examination, a distended chest is revealed ( horizontal arrangement ribs).
participation in the act of breathing of auxiliary muscles with retraction of the most pliable areas of the chest.
cough is dry, paroxysmal, persistent for a long time.
Auscultation against the background of prolonged exhalation reveals an abundance of dry, whistling, and in later stages of the disease - medium- and large-bubbly moist silent wheezing.

X-ray: horizontal arrangement of the ribs on the diaphragm, lengthening of the pulmonary fields, strengthening of the roots of the lungs, low standing of the flattened domes of the diaphragm, increased transparency of the pulmonary fields.
Changes in the blood test correspond to a viral infection (leukopenia, lymphocytosis).

An episode of obstructive bronchitis differs from an asthma attack mainly in the gradual development of obstruction. Upon subsequent observation of the child, it may turn out that this was the beginning of bronchial asthma, attacks of which also often occur against the background of ARVI.

Course and prognosis.

Although an episode of obstructive bronchitis may resemble an asthmatic attack, in most children the obstruction does not recur or recurs 1-2 times only against the background of ARVI. Risk factors for the recurrence of episodes of obstruction and the development of bronchial asthma are:
the presence of allergies in the child or his parents.
IgE level is above 100 IU/l.
development of an episode of obstruction upon contact with a non-infectious allergen.
paroxysmal nature of the development of obstruction.
recurrence of obstruction - 3 or more episodes.

In these cases, it is appropriate to talk not about the “transition of obstructive bronchitis into bronchial asthma,” but about its early onset. In this regard, all children with obstructive episodes, especially those with allergies, are recommended to create an allergen-free environment and use a hypoallergenic diet, and if obstruction recurs, treatment with ketotifen for 3-6 months.

Considering the high risk of recurrence of acute obstructive bronchitis and the formation of bronchial asthma, children who have had at least one acute obstructive bronchitis and have foci of chronic ENT or bronchopulmonary infection are recommended to undergo immunocorrective therapy with a bacterial vaccine.

Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is an inflammatory lesion of the terminal sections of the bronchial tree (small bronchi and bronchioles) in acute respiratory diseases, mainly in young children, accompanied by severe and often difficult to treat respiratory failure

Clinical criteria for diagnosing bronchiolitis:

A characteristic sign of bronchiolitis is severe expiratory (on exhalation) shortness of breath up to 80-90 per minute. The general cyanosis (blueness) of the skin is noteworthy. Auscultation reveals a mass of scattered fine bubbling rales over the lungs. Respiratory failure clearly prevails in the manifestations of infectious toxicosis. With significant respiratory failure, severe tachycardia and weakening of heart sounds are observed.

Diagnosis criteria for bronchiolitis according to Ogerro et al. (1983).
Symptom/Score
Shortness of breath more than 40/min. / 1
Whistling noise when exhaling / 2
Intercostal space retraction / 1
Diffuse fine bubbling rales / 1
Dry cough / 1
Increased body temperature / 1
Increasing the transparency of the pulmonary pattern on a radiograph / 2
Note: to make a diagnosis, the sum must exceed 6 points

Basic principles of treatment of obstructive bronchitis

Although the basic principles of treatment of children with obstructive bronchitis basically coincide with those for acute simple bronchitis, at the same time there are the following features of therapeutic tactics associated with the peculiarities of the clinical course of the disease (mainly with the severity of the obstructive syndrome).

Treatment of children with obstructive bronchitis and bronchiolitis with severe heart failure is carried out in a hospital setting, if necessary, oxygen therapy is required.

1. Bed rest in a position with the head end elevated.
2. Considering the significant loss of fluid with perspiration (intensified breathing), considerable attention is paid to adequate hydration (if necessary, parenteral).
3. Fractional feeding (liquid food is preferred). Dairy-vegetable diet.
4. Removing mucus from the upper respiratory tract with an electric suction.
5. Inhalation therapy, humidified oxygen for severe respiratory failure
6. Bronchodilators intravenously and by inhalation (aminophylline, b-adrenergic agonists). For bronchiolitis, the effect of bronchodilator drugs is insignificant.
7. Corticosteroid drugs.
8. Antiviral drugs interferon, amantadine, ribaverin.
9. Antibiotics for concomitant acute otitis media, pneumonia or other bacterial infection.
10. Mucolytic drugs.
Much attention is given to the additional use of immunotropic drugs and antiviral agents.
Measures aimed at improving bronchial conductivity.
For bronchospasm, mucolytics, bronchodilators, topical corticosteroids(beclomet, bekotide, etc.).

Recurrent bronchitis

Recurrent bronchitis is bronchitis without pronounced clinical signs of bronchospasm that recurs at least 3-4 times a year for 2 years.
Etiology - viral and viral-bacterial infection. Critical period 4-7 years.
The clinical picture of recurrent bronchitis during the period of exacerbation is almost similar to acute simple bronchitis. However, the course of the disease is protracted, sometimes up to 2-3 months.
Paraclinical data:
A “non-reactive hemogram” is characteristic (no change in the blood).
X-ray changes nonspecific.

Basic principles of treatment of recurrent bronchitis

During an exacerbation, it is treated as acute bronchitis. Much attention is paid to the additional use of immunotropic drugs, antiviral agents, and aerosol therapy. For bronchospasm, mucolytics, bronchodilators, and local corticosteroids (beclomet, becotide, etc.) are prescribed.

In the remission phase - dispensary observation and recovery in the clinic - local and climatic sanatoriums (stage 2).
Dispensary observation is stopped if there have been no exacerbations for 2 years.

Folk remedies for treating bronchitis

Folk home remedies are used only in the treatment of school-age children and only in parallel with treatment prescribed by a doctor or for prevention.

• Boil two or three leaves of coltsfoot in half a liter of fresh milk. Add a small amount (at the tip of a knife) of fresh pork fat. Take one cup of coffee in the evening before bed.
• For severe wet cough, when sputum is difficult to clear or does not clear at all, you should give 2 to 3 drops of almond oil in sugar syrup several times a day.
• If bronchitis progresses and the child begins to choke, a doctor is needed urgently, as this is already very dangerous.
• For pneumonia, bronchitis, tracheitis and persistent cough, Vanga recommended an oat decoction prepared as follows: mix 2 tablespoons of oats with the same amount of raisins and pour in 1.5 liters of cold boiled water. Cook over very low heat or simmer in the oven, covered, over low heat until half the liquid has evaporated. Cool slightly, strain, squeeze, add 1 tablespoon of natural honey to the expressed liquid and mix thoroughly. Give children a teaspoon several times a day.
• Cut the radish into small cubes, place in a saucepan and sprinkle with sugar. Bake in the oven for two hours. Strain, discard the radish pieces, and pour the liquid into a bottle. Give your child two teaspoons 3-4 times a day before meals and at night before bed.
• Collect violets and snowdrops early in the morning, while the sun is still sleeping. Store in a dark place, dry in the shade. Brew 1 tablespoon of dried flowers per glass of boiling water and keep in a water bath for 15 minutes. After it has cooled, strain. Give your child 1 tablespoon to drink 3 times a day. For small children, you can add syrup and sugar. This is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. It can be used as a gargle.
• Garlic drink: boil five medium-sized cloves of garlic, cut into small pieces or crushed, in a glass of unpasteurized milk and give to children several times a day.

Herbs and infusions for the treatment of bronchitis

When using any herbs, you must be sure that the child is not allergic to them!

Crushed angelica leaf is poured with boiling water at the rate of 10 g per 1 glass of boiling water, boiled for 5 minutes and left for 2 hours. The finished infusion is suitable for use within 2-3 days. It can be replaced with powder: 1-3 pinches per day. Angelica infusion eliminates mucus in the lungs, chest and bronchi, and relieves heartburn.

Prepare yarrow tincture: pour 30 g of herb with 0.5 cups of alcohol or 1 cup of vodka. Drink 3-4 times a day, 30-40 drops before meals for bronchitis.

An infusion of nasturtium leaf is effective for chronic bronchitis. 10 g of leaf is brewed with 1 liter of boiling water, left for 10 minutes and filtered. Drink 0.5 cups throughout the day.

For bronchitis with viscous sputum, brew 0.5 liters of boiling water with 4 tablespoons of crushed plantain leaf and leave for 4 hours. Drink 0.5 cups 4 times a day.

Boil 2-3 leaves of coltsfoot in 0.5 liters of milk and add fresh leaves to the broth on the tip of a knife lard. Drink 3 tablespoons before bed for bronchitis. Health portal www.site

Mix equal proportions of grass and lungwort flowers, picked in early spring. Brew 4 tablespoons of the mixture into 0.5 liters of boiling water and leave for 2 hours. Drink 0.5 cups 4 times a day for bronchitis.

Mix leaves and bark or young shoots of ash in equal proportions. Brew 1 tablespoon of the mixture with 1 cup of boiling water and heat over low heat for 20 minutes. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day for bronchitis.

Pour 1 glass of milk into an enamel bowl and put 1 tablespoon (without top) of finely chopped Icelandic moss. Cover the pan with a saucer or non-metallic plate and boil for 30 minutes, then strain. Drink the decoction hot before bed.

Pour 1 tablespoon of crushed oregano herb into 1 glass of boiling water, leave, covered, for 1 hour, strain. Take 1 tablespoon 5-6 times a day 30 minutes before meals. Strong oregano tea causes profuse sweating. It is drunk for colds, for convulsive coughs, for acute and chronic bronchitis as a means of enhancing the secretion of the bronchial glands.

Dilute the powdered marshmallow root with warm boiled water, bringing it to the consistency of thick sour cream. Take the resulting mixture 1 tablespoon 4 times a day before meals for coughs and chronic bronchitis.

Take 3 parts of licorice (roots) and blue cyanosis (roots), 4 parts of chamomile (flowers) and peppermint (herbs), 2 parts of valerian officinalis (roots), motherwort (herbs), St. John's wort (herbs) ). Pour 1 tablespoon of the collection into 1 cup of boiling water, keep in a closed enamel container in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes, cool at room temperature for 45 minutes, strain through 2-3 layers of gauze, squeeze and bring the volume with boiled water to the original volume. Take 0.25-0.3 cups 4-5 times a day after meals for bronchospasms.

Home remedies for bronchitis

For acute bronchitis, thoroughly mix 100 g of ground flax seeds, 20 g of anise fruit powder, 20 g of ginger root powder with 0.5 kg of garlic-honey mixture. Take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

Peel 3 heads of garlic and, together with 5 lemons with peel, but without seeds, pass through a meat grinder or grate on a fine grater, pour 1 liter of boiled water at room temperature into them and keep in a closed jar for 5 days, strain, squeeze out the rest. Take as a resolving agent for diseases of the lungs and bronchi 3 times a day, 1 tablespoon 20 minutes before meals.

Take 5-6 large cloves of garlic, grind into a paste, mix with 100 g of butter and a bunch of finely chopped dill. Morning, noon and evening spread the mixture on bread. This oil will help with bronchitis, as well as pneumonia.

Boil finely chopped garlic (1 head) in fresh milk until it becomes completely soft. Grind in the same milk, add 1 teaspoon of mint juice and 2 tablespoons of linden honey. Take 1 tablespoon every hour for the whole day, the cough will become softer.

An excellent recipe for treating bronchitis: grind 1 kg of ripe tomatoes and 50 g of garlic in a meat grinder, grate 300 g of horseradish root. Mix and add salt to taste. Place in glass jars and store tightly closed in the refrigerator. Use: children 1 teaspoon before meals 3 times a day, adults - 1 tablespoon before meals 3 times a day. Warm to room temperature before use.

Mix finely grated onions, apples, honey in a ratio of 1:1:2 by weight. For the treatment of bronchitis in children accompanied by cough, take at least 6-7 times a day, regardless of meals.

Infuse carrot juice, boiled hot milk and honey in a ratio of 5:5:1 for 4-5 hours and drink warm, 0.5 cups 4-6 times a day for bronchitis.

Fresh carrot juice mixed with warm milk in a 1:1 ratio, take 0.5 cups 4-6 times a day for bronchitis.

Mix 1 cup freshly prepared carrot juice with 2 teaspoons of honey. Take 1 tablespoon 4-5 times a day for bronchitis.

Mix 300 g of honey and 1 leaf of finely chopped aloe, pour 0.5 liters of boiled water over them, put on fire, bring to a boil and keep on low heat for 2 hours, then cool and stir. Store in a cool place. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day for bronchitis.

Several times a day, chew 1 clove of garlic with 1 teaspoon of flower honey until completely crushed for bronchitis.

Take 1.3 kg of linden honey, 1 cup of finely chopped aloe leaves, 200 g olive oil, 150 g of birch buds and 50 g of linden flowers. Before preparing the medicine, place the aloe leaves, picked and washed with boiled water, in a cold and dark place for 10 days. Melt honey and add crushed aloe leaves to it. Steam the mixture well. Separately, brew birch buds and linden blossom in 2 glasses of water and boil for 1-2 minutes. Pour the strained and squeezed broth into the cooled honey, stir and pour into 2 bottles, adding an equal amount of olive oil to each. Store in a cool place. For bronchitis, take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day. Shake before use.

To facilitate the separation of sputum, it is useful to drink lingonberry juice with sugar syrup or honey. The product should be taken 1 tablespoon as often as possible. At the same time, it is recommended to drink tea from strawberry leaves.

Prepare fresh cabbage juice, add sugar (2 teaspoons per 1 glass). Take 1 glass 2 times a day as an expectorant.

Before using folk remedies, consult your doctor.

Bronchitis is a respiratory disease that can have dangerous complications. Parents have many questions about the treatment of this disease: in what cases are antibiotics used and whether the child can be cured with inhalations and warming procedures. The baby’s condition can deteriorate sharply, it all depends on the form of the disease and age. Therefore, home treatment should always be coordinated with your doctor. To speed up recovery, you need to maintain optimal humidity and temperature in the room.

Content:

What is bronchitis? Types of disease

This is the name for inflammation of the bronchial mucosa. The disease is infectious and allergic in nature. Often the inflammatory process appears against the background of colds and flu. Most often, children get infectious bronchitis during the cold season, when the body's immune defense weakens.

The infection enters the child’s body from the outside by inhaling contaminated air. It is also possible to activate one’s own opportunistic microflora, which is facilitated by hypothermia of the body and decreased immunity.

Depending on the cause of occurrence, the following types of bronchitis are distinguished:

1. Bacterial. Its causative agents are bacteria such as streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae and pertussis, chlamydia, mycoplasma.
2. Viral. It occurs due to the penetration of influenza viruses and adenoviruses into the bronchi.
3. Allergic. It occurs when the bronchi are irritated by chemicals, dust or pollen, or particles of animal hair.

Infectious species are contagious. When a patient sneezes or coughs, the infection spreads 10 meters around.

When breastfeeding, a child has passive immunity, that is, with mother's milk he receives protective antibodies to infections. Therefore, babies under the age of 1 year suffer from bronchitis only in cases where they have abnormalities in the development of the respiratory system, they were born prematurely, or the body is weakened by other diseases.

The development of infection in the bronchi occurs when the mucus formed in them as a result of irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane dries out, blocking the respiratory passages. In this case, the ventilation of these organs is disrupted.

Causes of the disease

The causes of bronchitis in children are:

If treatment of bronchitis in children is not carried out in a timely manner or turns out to be ineffective, then the disease from an acute form becomes chronic. Moreover, it lasts for years, with periodic relapses. Most often, recurrent bronchitis occurs in children 4-7 years old. The disease recurs 3-4 times a year after a cold, for about 2 years. There are no bronchospasm attacks.

The likelihood of a complicated disease increases if the child has inflammation of the adenoids or chronic tonsillitis. Factors contributing to the occurrence of bronchitis in an infant are early weaning, unsuitable sanitary conditions, and the presence of smokers in the house.

Symptoms of various types of bronchitis

The structure of the respiratory system in children has its own characteristics. Their respiratory passages are narrower, which makes them possible to quickly close when swelling of the mucous membrane occurs. Congenital defects development of the lungs or bronchi is more pronounced in infants. After 1-1.5 years, deviations often disappear.

Children's immunity is still developing and their susceptibility to infections is increased. Respiratory muscles weaker, due to which ventilation of the respiratory organs is worse than in adults. In addition, the lung capacity of children is smaller, which contributes to the accelerated spread of pathogens.

In children, the thermoregulation of the body is not sufficiently developed. They overheat faster and catch colds more easily.

Note: Spasm and swelling of the bronchi (obstruction) develops especially quickly in infants. The resulting lack of oxygen is life-threatening.

Types of acute bronchitis

There are the following types of acute disease:

1. Simple bronchitis. The manifestations are the mildest. There are no symptoms of lack of air.
2. Obstructive bronchitis. A serious and dangerous condition in which respiratory failure may occur.
3. Bronchiolitis. Inflammation of the bronchioles (bronchial tubes with a diameter of 1 mm located in the area of ​​transition to the lungs) occurs. This leads to blockage of the pulmonary vessels and the occurrence of heart disease.

Bronchitis of any type begins with the appearance of signs of a cold, which then acquire characteristic features of the inflammatory process.

Symptoms of simple bronchitis

Against the background of a cold, the child experiences general weakness, headache, severe dry cough for up to 7 days. Drying of mucus leads to hissing in the bronchi. If the inflammation also affects the larynx, a barking cough appears. The temperature rises to 37°-38° (depending on the severity of the disease). Gradually, a dry cough turns into a wet one. Gurgling wheezing appears. If sputum discharge occurs normally, the child’s condition improves significantly. The disease in this form can last for 1-3 weeks. The severity of the manifestations depends on the age of the baby, his physical development, and general health.

If the disease is neglected, the child may experience complications such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Sometimes a disease that occurs in viral form, does not proceed quite normally. After the virus dies (about a week), the child feels better, but then his condition worsens sharply: the temperature rises, the cough intensifies, and the headache gets worse. This indicates that a bacterial infection has joined the viral infection and urgent treatment with antibiotics is required.

The infectious process can be either unilateral or bilateral. One of the signs of the disease is redness of the eyes due to inflammation of the mucous membrane (conjunctivitis).

Symptoms of obstructive bronchitis

Signs of obstruction most often appear in children under 3-4 years of age. They usually occur with a viral or allergic form of the disease. The main signs of obstructive bronchitis are noisy, hoarse breathing with prolonged exhalation, paroxysmal cough, ending with vomiting, retraction of the intercostal muscles on inspiration, swelling of the chest.

With this form of the disease, the child’s body temperature does not increase. Obstructive bronchitis can occur suddenly after the baby plays with a pet (for example, at a party) or inhales paint during repairs.

Signs of obstruction sometimes appear around the 4th day of illness with influenza or acute respiratory infections. Characteristic attacks are dry coughs that do not bring relief. Whistling sounds are heard in the lungs.

Up to 4 years of age, relapses of the disease are possible, then attacks most often stop.

Note: Obstructive bronchitis differs from bronchial asthma in that the symptoms of respiratory failure develop slowly, while with asthma the child begins to choke suddenly.

A frequently recurring obstructive process of any origin can develop into bronchial asthma.

Video: How to treat obstructive bronchitis in children

Signs of bronchiolitis

The main sign of inflammation of the bronchioles is shortness of breath. Initially, it occurs in a child if he is actively moving, but over time it also appears at rest. During inhalation, you can hear a characteristic hissing sound. When listening, the doctor hears wheezing in the lower part of the bronchi.

As a rule, with bronchiolitis the temperature rises to 38°-39°. It is more difficult for a child to exhale than to inhale. The chest and shoulders rise. The face swells and turns blue. A persistent cough with scanty sputum does not provide relief, causing chest pain. Manifestations of this condition are also dry mouth, rare urination, and rapid heartbeat.

The course of bronchitis in children of different ages

Bronchitis after a cold in a child is a common occurrence. Sometimes it occurs easily, without fever and is manifested only by a cough. In complicated cases, the temperature is high, bronchospasms and suffocation occur.

The disease usually begins with a dry cough. Gradually, sputum accumulates in the bronchi, which becomes mucopurulent. Wheezing appears; they can be considered signs of the disease transitioning to the recovery stage. At this moment, it is important to facilitate the removal of mucus and cleanse the bronchi of infection. This is easier for older children, since they already understand that they need to cough and spit out mucus.

A small child is not always able to do this on his own. Parents can help him, for example, by turning him over to the other side. In this case, sputum moves along the walls of the bronchi, causing irritation and coughing.

In infants, due to difficulties with the removal of mucus from the bronchi and its stagnation, the main symptoms are often attacks of severe coughing with shortness of breath. At the age of 2-6 months, the disease usually occurs in the form of bronchiolitis.

Typically, recovery from uncomplicated bronchitis occurs within 7-8 days. If bronchitis is complicated by obstruction, it can manifest itself within several weeks and develop into pneumonia.

Diagnosis of bronchitis

Based on the nature of the cough and the type of sputum produced, the doctor determines what type of bronchitis occurs in the child. White sputum is characteristic of viral inflammation, and a greenish-yellow tint appears with bacterial inflammation of the bronchi. With allergic bronchitis, lumps of clear mucus are coughed up.

During examination and listening to the chest, the presence of such symptoms of bronchitis in children as hoarse breathing, difficulty in exhaling, swelling of the chest, and retraction of muscles in the intercostal area is determined.

By using general analysis blood, the number of leukocytes is determined, the presence of an inflammatory process is established.

In case of dangerous complications ( severe attacks cough accompanied by high fever for more than 3 days), an x-ray of the lungs is taken. In this case, equipment with a reduced dose of radioactive radiation is used. Pneumotachometry is performed. Using a special device, the patency of the airways is examined during inhalation and exhalation.

If there are signs of an infectious disease, a sputum test is performed to determine the type of infectious agent. To diagnose bronchiolitis in infants, histological examination sputum for the presence of characteristic viruses that can live in the bronchi and lungs, the so-called respiratory syncytial infection. An important sign inflammation of the bronchi infant is cyanosis (blueness of the skin and mucous membranes), which appears as a result of cardiac and pulmonary failure.

To make a diagnosis, the presence of characteristic wheezing and shortness of breath, as well as the frequency and strength of the heartbeat, is important.

A severe cough can also occur with other diseases, such as pneumonia, laryngitis, tuberculosis. Its cause may be congenital pathology functioning of the respiratory system, exposure foreign body into the trachea. Diagnostics allows you to confirm the presence of bronchitis, prescribe correct treatment.

Video: Doctor E. Komarovsky about the cause and treatment of bronchitis

Treatment of bronchitis

First of all, parents must remember that it is under no circumstances acceptable to self-medicate. As pediatrician E. Komarovsky emphasizes, a small child with bronchitis can be harmed not only by uncontrolled use of medications, but also by improper use of home procedures.

Hospitalization is carried out in cases where acute bronchitis occurs in a complicated form (in the presence of shortness of breath, high temperature, difficulty in eating and drinking water). At home, when treating simple bronchitis, the child should stay in bed if he has a high temperature. As soon as it returns to normal, the child needs walks. fresh air.

It is necessary to often drink warm tea, compote (liquid consumption should be increased by 1.5 times compared to usual). This helps to liquefy mucus and remove it from the bronchi. Can be prepared for drinking herbal teas(linden, mint). It is useful to drink alkaline mineral water, which will help reduce the viscosity of sputum. The infant is placed to the breast as often as possible and given additional water.

Thermal procedures (inhalations, mustard plasters, foot warming baths, chest rubbing) can be carried out only in the absence of elevated body temperature.

Medicines prescribed for children with bronchitis

For acute bronchitis, the doctor prescribes antiviral drugs such as arbidol, anaferon, influferon, interferon, taking into account the age and weight of the child.

Antibiotics for bronchitis they provide effective action only when the disease is bacterial in nature. They are prescribed when thick sputum is yellow-green in color, and there is a high temperature, difficulty breathing, and symptoms of intoxication of the body (nausea, severe headache, weakness, sleep disturbance). The presence of a bacterial process can be indicated if the symptoms of the disease do not subside within 10 days after the start of antiviral treatment. Antibiotics are necessary if a child develops bronchiolitis and there is a risk of it developing into pneumonia. Children are usually prescribed azithromycin, zinnat, suprax, sumamed.

Cough remedies. The following types of drugs are used:

• expectorants (pertussin, licorice root extract, decoctions of some herbs);
• sputum thinners, such as bromhexine, lazolvan, libexin.

To thin sputum during bronchitis and cough, the drug Fluifort is used, which has proven itself in the treatment of children. It comes in the form of a syrup, which is convenient to give to a child, and even kids like the pleasant taste. The main active ingredient in the syrup is carbocysteine ​​lysine salt, it helps to liquefy and remove mucus from the lungs. Fluifort restores the structure of the mucous membranes of the respiratory system, facilitates breathing, and significantly reduces the frequency and intensity of cough. The effect of the drug is noticeable within the first hour after use and lasts up to 8 hours. The neutral pH of the syrup makes it completely safe.

Warning: Children under 2 years of age should never be given expectorants. Taking them will intensify the coughing attack. Liquefied mucus can enter the airways and lungs, leading to even more serious complications.

Antipyretics. Panadol (paracetamol), nurofen (ibuprofen), and ibuclin are used in the form of tablets, suspensions, suppositories - in forms convenient for children of any age.

Antihistamines(Zyrtec - for children over 6 months, Erius - from 1 year, Claritin - from 2 years). They are used in the treatment of allergic bronchitis in children.

Preparations for inhalation. Used for obstructive acute bronchitis. The procedures are carried out using a special inhaler. Such agents as salbutamol and Atrovent are used.

Additional procedures include chest massage, therapeutic breathing exercises, and physiotherapeutic treatment ( ultraviolet irradiation, electrophoresis). Procedures are not performed during the period of exacerbation of the disease.

Video: Therapeutic massage for coughs

The use of traditional methods for bronchitis

Traditional medicines based on natural ingredients help alleviate a child’s condition with bronchitis, preventive treatment to prevent relapses and strengthen the immune system. Such drugs, after consultation with the doctor, are taken as an addition to drug treatment.

Note: The famous Moscow doctor, chief pulmonologist of Russia, Professor L. M. Roshal, strongly recommends using the “Monastic Collection”, composed of 16 herbs (sage, string, wormwood and others) for chronic bronchitis. Herbal remedies, mustard, honey and other medicinal components used in traditional medicine cause allergies in many people. Therefore, they cannot be used by everyone.

A decoction of coltsfoot can be used as an expectorant; a decoction of St. John's wort, which has a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect, is good for soothing coughs in cases of simple bronchitis. Famous medicine for coughs with bronchitis and pneumonia, baked radish with honey is considered, oat broth. Soda inhalations also help.

Effective home treatment methods include warming and distracting procedures (foot baths, mustard plasters, cups, warming compresses on right side chest).

The most important measure to prevent bronchitis is timely treatment of colds, runny nose, infectious diseases of the throat and upper respiratory tract. The child must be hardened, accustomed to physical education, and he must spend a lot of time in the fresh air. It is necessary to add vitamins to your diet all year round.

It is important for parents to ensure that the apartment always has clean, cool, sufficiently humid air.

What treatment will quick effect? What are the consequences of this disease? These are the first questions they ask the doctor.

The disease itself is characterized by inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract, in which pulmonary edema and blockage of the bronchi occur. This makes it difficult for the mucus to pass away, the child begins to breathe heavily, and whistling and wheezing in the chest is clearly audible.

Main causes of disease in children

Obstructive bronchitis is more typical for children under 5 years of age, this is due to the anatomical features of the respiratory tract. The main reasons for the development of the disease:

• constant dampness, prolonged hypothermia, drafts;
• previous acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, acute bronchitis;
• passive smoking;
• allergic reactions.

Passive smoking becomes the main cause of the development of obstructive bronchitis. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4 thousand harmful toxic substances that have a detrimental effect not only on the smoker himself, but also on the child. Doctors have proven that passive smoking is much more dangerous than active smoking.

Symptoms of obstructive bronchitis

This type of bronchitis has several characteristic features, the manifestation of which can suggest its development:

1. Severe, paroxysmal cough, in which there is no sputum production or it appears in minimal quantities.
2. Wheezing and whistling in the chest, which intensifies with rapid exhalation.
3. The child stops eating, complaining of a complete lack of appetite.
4. Headaches are observed, children may sleep poorly and restlessly.
5. As the disease progresses, shortness of breath with difficulty breathing appears.
6. This disease may be accompanied by high fever.
7. Signs of asphyxia may appear when the child coughs for a long time and finds it difficult to inhale air.

Frequent complications after obstructive bronchitis

If you do not start timely and correct treatment, this disease causes serious complications. Each of them entails dramatic changes in the quality of life; in some cases, the disease can lead to partial disability. Therefore, at the first symptoms, the child must be shown to a doctor and examined full course treatment.

This disease is diagnosed in rare cases in childhood. With this course, the patient has a strong paroxysmal cough, which quickly turns into a wet, with copious discharge sputum. If at this moment a secondary infection occurs, purulent chronic obstructive bronchitis may develop.

If at this stage you do not begin to respond to the disease, then the patient’s breathing begins to be accompanied by wheezing and whistling, which intensifies with slow exhalation. The elevated temperature in such patients with a purulent form of bronchitis reaches critical levels. The sputum is thick, viscous, gradually changing color. Headaches appear from a strong and constant cough. In advanced cases, expectoration of blood is possible.

In order to warn further development diseases, doctors recommend providing the child with bed rest, giving more fluids, and prescribing mucolytic and expectorant drugs.

Since a child under 3 years of age has not yet fully developed the function of expectoration, it is not recommended to give expectorant drugs - this can cause stagnation of sputum and the development of unpleasant consequences.

Since obstructive bronchitis is an inflammatory process in the respiratory tract with stagnation of sputum, it can also affect the lung tissue and cause an infectious disease - pneumonia.

The main symptoms of this disease are:

• high temperature, very often up to 40 degrees;
• severe, paroxysmal cough with large sputum production;
• the child has difficulty breathing, shortness of breath may occur with minimal physical exertion;
• appetite decreases;
• the child gets tired quickly and becomes weak.

This condition poses a real threat to the child’s life. If the pathogen inflammatory processes gets into the blood, it can cause sepsis. If any organ is damaged, it can be fatal.

This is also a consequence of obstructive bronchitis in children, and it often occurs not only in them, but also in adults. The heart stops performing its function correctly, and there is a lack of oxygen. This leads to weakening of the muscles, the heart becomes overtired, the blood functions poorly and stagnates. The internal organs do not receive in the required volume all the necessary nutrients, the acid-base balance is disturbed.

The cause of this complication is allergic obstructive bronchitis. Swelling of the mucous membrane of the organ occurs periodically, the child experiences shortness of breath, coughing, and attacks of suffocation may begin.

This is one of the types of disease in which it is difficult for air to escape when breathing outside. Due to periodically occurring spasms in the bronchi, swelling of the mucous membrane develops.

Due to poor ventilation of the bronchi, gas exchange in the lungs is disrupted, and the elasticity of this organ is lost. When air is exhaled, a small amount of it remains in the lung - with subsequent inhalation, the organ stretches. This causes an increase in connective tissue, while adjacent bronchi are compressed. A child with this complication may develop shortness of breath with any physical activity. The disease itself carries chronic nature, appears more often in winter. If the necessary medical care is not provided, such reactions begin to appear all year round.

Since the respiratory system in children has its own anatomical features, any inflammatory processes in it affect not only the bronchi and lungs, but also the nose and ears. One of the common complications of obstructive bronchitis is sinusitis. Almost all children indicate nasal congestion and liquid discharge from it. As inflammatory processes progress, nasal discharge may change its characteristics: it becomes thick, green or yellow.

The ears, throat, bronchi and nose are organs that are interconnected.

Therefore, inflammation of one of them causes a reaction in the others. Otitis media as a consequence of obstructive bronchitis is extremely rare. But doctors agree that otitis media may be a consequence of inflammatory processes in the bronchi.

Prevention and treatment

So, obstructive bronchitis in children, the consequences of which are quite serious, requires the most attentive attitude. In order to avoid complications, you should seek help only from a pediatrician. In most cases, they insist on hospitalization, since there is always a risk of suffocation, especially in infants. Many drugs in childhood, which are necessary to relieve swelling of the bronchi and inflammatory processes in them, can cause a lot of side effects, acute reactions, and only emergency resuscitation measures can save the baby’s life.

It has already been proven by practice that ignoring qualified treatment in childhood causes the development of a more serious disease - bronchial asthma. Therefore, only full compliance with the doctor’s recommendations and preventive measures will help you avoid troubles and complications.

Obstructive bronchitis in children occurs quite often, but only the attentiveness of parents, their literacy, the professionalism of doctors and right choice Treatment strategies will allow you to quickly relieve all symptoms of the disease and prevent the development of complications.

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Obstructive bronchitis in children

Diseases in which breathing is impaired are the most common in pediatric practice. The leading symptom of such diseases is cough. A pronounced narrowing in the bronchi can lead to it.

What it is?

With obstructive bronchitis, severe narrowing of the bronchi occurs - obstruction. This condition is caused by numerous causes and provoking factors. As a result of obstruction, breathing is impaired. A few days after the onset of the disease, all symptoms begin to progress, which leads to a deterioration in the baby’s condition.

The bronchial tree is covered with microscopic cilia. They are found on the surface of the cells that form the bronchi. After exposure to provoking factors, the movements of the cilia are disrupted, which also contributes to impaired sputum discharge and increases obstruction.

Causes

Any bronchitis develops only after exposure to various provoking factors on the child’s body. There are quite a large number of them. They are especially dangerous for newborns and infants.

The immunity of children of the first year has not yet fully formed. Any agent foreign to the child’s body can cause severe inflammation in the bronchi. This immediately leads to bronchial obstruction.

Reasons that can cause the disease include:

Viral infections. The most common culprits of the disease: influenza and parainfluenza viruses, MS virus, adenoviruses. They easily penetrate the baby's upper respiratory tract and quickly spread through the bloodstream, reaching the bronchi and lungs. Viral infections are the leading cause of bronchial obstruction in babies in the first months of life.

Bacteria. Streptococci, staphylococci and moraxella are the most common causes that can cause bacterial forms of the disease. These microorganisms contribute to the development of severe inflammation, which leads to a pronounced narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi. The disease caused by bacterial flora has a more severe course and requires intensive care.

Allergies. When an allergen enters the body, the immune system is activated. This contributes to a large release of various biologically active substances into the blood, which strongly spasm the bronchi. Against the background of allergies, breathing is significantly impaired and shortness of breath increases.

Inhalation of polluted air. Living near large industrial enterprises or factories, the baby has a higher risk of bronchial obstruction. This occurs as a result of the constant entry of tiny toxic substances into the small bronchi. Industrial emissions quickly lead to the development of breathing problems.

Prematurity. In the third trimester of pregnancy, the final formation of the respiratory organs of the unborn baby occurs. This process occurs almost until the days of birth. If for some reason the child is born earlier, then the risk of underdevelopment of the respiratory organs increases several times. Such an anatomical defect often leads to impaired respiratory function.

Quick cessation of breastfeeding. Children who were breastfed completely a short time, have a higher risk of developing bronchitis. To fight various infections you need a good level of immunity. During breastfeeding babies receive a large amount of immunoglobulin G. These protective antibodies help them not to get sick during seasonal colds and protect them from the development of diseases of the bronchopulmonary system.

How does it arise?

The influencing provoking factor leads to the development of severe inflammation. Most viruses and bacteria enter the body through the upper respiratory tract. Settling on the epithelial cells lining the respiratory organs, they begin to have a strong toxic effect.

The incubation period varies and depends on the characteristics of the specific microorganism that causes the disease. On average, it is 7-10 days. At this time, the child does not make any complaints. There are no specific signs of the disease during the incubation period. Only weakened children may feel a little tired and drowsy.

After the end of the incubation period, the first specific symptoms characteristic of this disease appear. Active inflammatory process occurring in bronchial tree, contributes to the disruption of mucus and sputum discharge.

Babies who have anatomical defects in the structure of the bronchi have a very narrow lumen of the bronchi. Bronchial obstruction in such children develops much more often and is much more severe.

The course of diseases accompanied by bronchial obstruction may be different. It depends on the initial state of the baby’s immunity, characteristics anatomical structure organs of the respiratory system, as well as the cause that caused the disease.

According to the frequency of occurrence, all obstructive bronchitis can be divided:

Spicy. These variants of the disease are appearing for the first time. They last, on average, 1-2 weeks. After the therapy, the baby is completely cured.

Chronic. May be recurrent. They occur with periods of exacerbations and remissions. If the treatment is not well-carried out or the baby has concomitant diseases sharp forms become chronic.

Lungs. Occurs with minimally expressed symptoms. They are treated well. After the therapy, the babies fully recover. Long-term consequences the disease does not occur.

Average. The cough is more severe, annoying. Body temperature with moderately severe obstructive bronchitis rises to 38 degrees. Shortness of breath may increase. The child's general condition suffers greatly. In some cases, hospitalization and more intensive therapy are required.

Heavy. They occur with a pronounced disturbance in the general condition and well-being of the baby. Body temperature rises to 38.5-39.5 degrees, severe shortness of breath, accompanied by signs of respiratory failure. Treatment is carried out only in a children's hospital, and with the development cardiopulmonary failure- in the intensive care unit.

Symptoms

Narrowing of the bronchial lumen and impaired sputum discharge lead to the child developing specific signs of the disease:

Cough. Appears 2-3 days after the end of the incubation period. A hacking cough bothers the baby more during the daytime. May be paroxysmal.

Dyspnea. Occurs in moderate to severe disease. With shortness of breath, the number of respiratory movements per minute increases. Babies breathe more often. This symptom can be seen from the outside, paying attention to the movements of the chest during breathing.

Pain in the chest when coughing up. With bronchial obstruction, the sputum becomes very dense and thick. All attempts at coughing lead to increased pain in the chest area.

Increased body temperature. It increases to 37-39.5 degrees. Bacterial forms of the disease are accompanied by a higher temperature.

Blue discoloration of the nasolabial triangle. The skin in this area of ​​the face is very thin and sensitive. A pronounced decrease in the level of oxygen in the blood leads to the development of acrocyanosis (blue discoloration) of this area. Against the background of a pale face, the nasolabial triangle contrasts strongly.

Poor nasal breathing and redness of the pharynx. These secondary signs occur in viral and bacterial infections and often appear in a child with obstructive bronchitis.

Severe drowsiness and poor health. Sick children refuse to eat and begin to act up. Little children are more willing to be held. Prolonged coughing attacks lead to the baby starting to cry.

Thirst. It appears during severe intoxication of the body. The more severe the disease, the more clearly this symptom manifests itself in the baby.

Active movements of the ribs during breathing. Breathing movements have a large amplitude and become visible from the side.

Loud breathing. During breathing movements, bubbling sounds are heard. They arise as a result of the passage of air through tightly closed bronchi.

Diagnostics

At the first appearance of signs of bronchial obstruction, the child should be shown to a pediatrician. The doctor will conduct clinical examination and recommend additional examinations. Such tests are needed to determine the severity and cause of the disease.

To diagnose obstructive bronchitis, use:

General blood analysis. Increased white blood cell count and accelerated ESR indicate the presence of an inflammatory process. Changes and shifts in the leukocyte formula make it possible to clarify the viral or bacterial nature of the disease.

Biochemistry of blood. Allows you to identify the presence of complications that develop with respiratory pathology. Also used for differential diagnosis.

X-ray of the chest organs. This method is used in children older than one year. This study allows us to determine the degree of narrowing of the bronchi, as well as to identify concomitant diseases lungs.

Spirometry. Helps evaluate functional disorders. Indications of forced inhalation and exhalation allow doctors to draw a conclusion about the presence and severity of bronchial obstruction.

Specific laboratory tests to identify allergens. Necessary to establish the cause of bronchial obstruction in children with an allergic form of the disease.

Differential diagnosis

Narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi occurs not only with obstructive bronchitis. Bronchial obstruction syndrome can occur in various diseases. In order to correctly establish a diagnosis, differential diagnosis is required.

Most often, obstructive bronchitis can be confused with:

Stenosing laryngotracheitis. Most often caused by viruses. It usually occurs 3-4 days after the onset of a viral infection. Characterized by the appearance barking cough and severe shortness of breath.

Obliterating alveolitis. With this disease, the inner epithelial layer of the bronchi grows, which leads to the appearance and accumulation of foamy sputum. Usually the cough is paroxysmal. Often the disease leads to various complications.

Acute bronchitis. The symptoms are similar. Only spirometry can accurately establish the correct diagnosis.

Cystic fibrosis. This disease is congenital. Typically, children develop poorly and lag behind in physical development from their peers. During an exacerbation, a severe cough appears with difficult to clear and very viscous sputum. The course of the disease is quite severe. The disease requires systemic treatment.

Consequences and complications

Frequent obstructive bronchitis can lead to the development of persistent breathing problems in children. With reduced immunity, the baby experiences new exacerbations over a relatively short period of time.

Poorly performed treatment or untimely diagnosis of the disease contribute to the development of complications in the future. Persistent bronchial obstruction can lead to the development of bronchial asthma, especially if the narrowing of the bronchial lumen is caused by allergies.

Prolonged and persistent cough contributes to the formation of bronchiectasis. With this pathology, the distal sections of the bronchi expand with the formation additional cavities. Bronchiectasis contributes to the appearance of shortness of breath with increasing respiratory failure. For elimination this state surgical operations are performed.

During an exacerbation of obstructive bronchitis caused by a bacterial infection, the inflammatory process may spread to the lungs.

In this case, pneumonia or abscesses appear. They, in turn, lead to a deterioration in the baby’s well-being. Intensive antibiotic therapy is required to eliminate purulent formations.

Treatment

To eliminate the unfavorable symptoms of the disease, various methods of therapy are used. After examining the child and establishing a diagnosis, the pediatrician will recommend a specific treatment regimen, which is provided for in clinical guidelines. These medical developments contain the necessary algorithm for doctors’ actions when identifying a specific pathology.

Obstructive bronchitis should be treated from the first days after the onset of symptoms. Early Appointment medications help cope with all the adverse manifestations of the disease and prevent chronicity. Medicines that eliminate bronchial obstruction and promote better mucus discharge are prescribed by the attending physician.

For the treatment of obstructive bronchitis use:

• Agents with mucolytic effects. They help thin thick mucus and facilitate its easier passage through the bronchopulmonary tree. Preparations based on ambroxol are widely used in pediatric practice. "Ambrobene", "Lazolvan", "Flavamed" help eliminate even a severe cough. Prescribed according to age, 2-3 times a day for 7-10 days.
• Antipyretic. Prescribed when the temperature rises above 38 degrees. In children, various paracetamol-based products are used. Not assigned to long-term use. May cause allergic reactions and side effects.
• Bronchodilators. Designed to eliminate blockage in the bronchi and improve breathing. They are usually prescribed in the form of aerosols or inhalations. The effect is achieved in minutes. Short-acting bronchodilators based on salbutamol act within 5 minutes.
• Combined drugs containing bronchodilators and anticholinergic drugs. To improve bronchial conduction in children, Berodual is used. Prescribed by inhalation. The dosage and frequency of inhalations is carried out taking into account the age of the child. Usually the drug is prescribed 3-4 times a day.
• Antihistamines. Helps cope with adverse symptoms of allergic forms diseases. In children, drugs based on loratadine, Claritin, and Suprastin are used. Prescribed 1-2 times a day, usually in the first half of the day. Discharged for 7-10 days. For more severe cases - for 2-3 weeks.
• Vitamin complexes enriched with selenium. These substances are needed to combat intoxication. Biologically active ingredients, which are present in the vitamin complex, help the baby fight infection and improve the functioning of the immune system. Selenium is needed for active work immunity.
• Glucocorticosteroids. Used for severe and long term diseases. Pulmicort inhalations are usually prescribed. The drug is prescribed for long-term use. Apply 1-2 times a day until a lasting good result is achieved. May cause side effects with long-term use.
• Leukotriene receptor blockers. Helps quickly eliminate bronchospasm. They have a lasting effect. The drug "Singulair" begins to have an effect within 2 hours after administration. Apply once a day.

Treatment at home

You can help your child cope with the disease not only with the help of medicines and pills. The use of medicines prepared at home also helps to eliminate a persistent cough and improve the child’s well-being.

Methods that are safe and effective for self-use include:

Warm, plenty of drink. Alkaline mineral waters heated to a temperature of degrees are perfect. They are prescribed 20 minutes before or an hour after meals, 3-4 times a day. The course of treatment is 7-10 days. You can use “Essentuki” or “Borjomi”.

Liquorice root. This wonderful remedy improves mucus discharge and promotes better expectoration. It should be used with caution, keeping in mind possible allergic reactions. Works great even with a strong cough.

Breast fees. Such pharmaceutical drugs several enter at once medicinal plants, which have expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects. Licorice, coltsfoot, and sage help relieve coughs and improve bronchial conduction.

Radish juice. To prepare such a homemade medicine, ordinary black radish is suitable. To prepare 250 ml of drink, you only need 1 teaspoon of juice. Before use, add honey to taste.

Breathing exercises

It is used after the acute process has subsided. Typically, such gymnastics is carried out 5-6 days after the onset of the disease. The correct sequence of breathing movements helps normalize the functioning of the respiratory system and cope with adverse symptoms.

In order to improve the outflow of mucus, when performing breathing exercises, a sharp and short breath is taken. Exhale – quite slow and smooth. While exhaling, you should count to 5. Each set of exercises consists of 3-4 repetitions. It is recommended to practice every day. Even during remission, breathing exercises will be very useful.

How to conduct breathing exercises see more details in the video below.

Nutrition

The diet of a baby suffering from bronchial obstruction must be complete and contain all the necessary nutrients and vitamins.

Breastfeeding should not be canceled during the acute period of illness. Together with mother's milk the baby receives all the necessary protective antibodies that help him fight the infection that causes bronchitis.

Older children should eat small meals, at least 5-6 times a day. A child's diet should include a variety of protein foods. It is better that your baby receives some source of protein with each meal. Veal, rabbit, chicken or fish are perfect.

Try to choose leaner varieties. Fatty foods take longer to be absorbed by a weakened child's body. You can supplement proteins with cereals and vegetables. Fresh ones also work well as protein dishes. dairy products. They make a great afternoon snack or second dinner.

All dishes are best steamed, baked or stewed. They should have a more liquid consistency. Fruit and vegetable purees are great for younger children. It is not necessary to give your child foods from jars. Good choice There will be mashed cauliflower or potatoes, prepared at home.

The baby must drink enough liquid. As drinks you can use compotes, various fruit drinks and juices made from fruits and berries. Frozen fruits are also suitable for preparing healthy decoctions. Try to give your child more boiled water. This will help eliminate adverse symptoms intoxication.

Prevention

To prevent your baby from getting obstructive bronchitis, use the following recommendations:

Visit the dentist regularly with your child. Often the presence of carious and untreated teeth leads to the development of various infectious pathologies. Make sure your child brushes his teeth regularly.

Avoid catching colds. Any frequent respiratory diseases, which mainly occur during the cold season, lead to disruption of the respiratory system and reduce immunity. The risk of bronchial obstruction in frequently ill children increases several times.

Strengthen your immune system. Active walks in the fresh air, good nutrition And correct mode days contribute to the normal functioning of the immune system.

Treat inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract in a timely manner. Children suffering from chronic otitis media or sinusitis are more likely to develop obstructive bronchitis in the future. To prevent this, regularly visit an otolaryngologist with your child.

Use special room humidifiers. Too dry air contributes to breathing problems. Room humidifiers help create a comfortable and physiologically favorable microclimate in any room.

After the complex of treatment, the children feel much better. Their breathing normalizes and shortness of breath goes away. With properly selected therapy, the transition from acute to chronic does not occur. Compliance with preventive recommendations helps prevent the occurrence of new exacerbations in the future.

Dr. Komarovsky will tell you more about obstructive bronchitis in the video below.

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Features of the course and treatment of obstructive bronchitis in children

Obstructive bronchitis in children is a complex inflammatory process in the lungs, which is characterized by copious mucus production and difficulty breathing for the child. This is a fairly common disease, especially for children under 5 years of age, and can pose a serious danger because in some cases it causes pulmonary edema.

The causes and factors that influence the occurrence and development of obstructive bronchitis can be very different. During the diagnostic process, it is important for the doctor to understand what exactly was the prerequisite for the onset of the disease, since this can affect the individual path of its treatment. When making a diagnosis and consulting with a pediatrician, parents should be informed about possible scenarios for the development of the disease, the dangers and complications that may arise, as well as first aid methods for the child’s obstruction.

Causes of obstructive bronchitis

The disease often occurs due to a bacterial or viral infection entering the respiratory system. This most often occurs in children who attend kindergarten and are constantly in the environment of other microbiological systems, interacting with each other.

Factors that provoke the development of obstructive bronchitis include:

• improper formation or development of the bronchi in the womb, causing congenital pneumonia;
• birth injuries, for example, fetal hypoxia during birth;
• hereditary factors;
• low level of child immunity;
• a frequently ill child under the influence of environmental factors and people nearby;
• severe hypothermia of the body, including due to cold drinking.

To understand the general clinical picture, it is important for the pediatrician to understand the causes of obstructive bronchitis in children, on the basis of which he can prescribe an effective treatment for the disease.

Certain hereditary factors or birth defects may predispose a child to obstruction. If the airways are not developed correctly or obstructive bronchitis in children occurs as a result of age-related changes, this can make breathing difficult and cause obstruction.

Symptoms of obstructive bronchitis in children

The main and most noticeable sign of the development of obstructive bronchitis in a child is a characteristic cough with discharge significant amount sputum and mucus. In this case, the child may cough so much that a gag reflex occurs.

Other symptoms of the disease:

• increased body temperature of the child, especially at night;
• difficulty breathing, mostly when inhaling air;
• weakness and fatigue, the child looks lethargic;
• pain in the throat and chest when coughing.

Symptoms of obstructive bronchitis in a child can also affect treatment methods for the disease. Any medications can be taken only after a doctor’s prescription, even antipyretics. This is especially true in cases where obstructive bronchitis in an infant progresses, and the symptoms of the disease cause severe discomfort.

Some signs of the disease can be seen by observing the child, other symptoms become clear based on the baby’s words. With inflammation of the respiratory system, children may complain of headache, coughing, difficulty inhaling air and painful sensations in the chest area. A sick child usually eats poorly, sleeps a lot when the temperature rises, and looks lethargic and weak when awake. Sometimes other symptoms of the disease occur.

Diagnosis of bronchitis and related examinations

When considering the symptoms and signs that are tormenting the child, the doctor may suspect obstructive bronchitis in children and prescribe additional procedures examinations to identify all associated factors and characteristics of the child’s body. After this, you can understand which treatment will be most effective. The main methods for diagnosing the disease are:

• visual inspection, listening to the respiratory system with a stethoscope, palpation;
• X-ray of the lungs;
• lab tests;
• bronchoscopy;
• sputum examination.

Listening to breathing allows you to understand at what stage bronchitis is, and how you can help your child facilitate the function of enriching the body with oxygen. X-ray displays big picture diseases and allows you to see associated foci of inflammation, if any. In addition, radiography makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of complications of bronchitis or determine its treatment.

Laboratory tests of urine, blood and immunological tests can identify hereditary or chronic factors occurrence of the disease. The test results will help the doctor not only understand the causes of obstructive bronchitis, but also determine the optimal methods of treating it.

Sputum culture and examination under a microscope make it possible to determine the presence of a bacteriological or microbial environment in the respiratory system, as well as to recognize pneumonia, if any.

Any diagnostic methods are important and mandatory, since they provide the attending physician with a complete picture of the disease. Based on the results of all tests and examinations, as well as on the basis of the individual characteristics of the child’s body, the treatment process for obstructive bronchitis will be built.

Treatment process for childhood obstructive bronchitis

Treatment of obstructive bronchitis in a child should be comprehensive using various means and methods. At the same time, it is important to follow all the doctor’s recommendations and take prescribed medications, since each point in the treatment is related to the other, and only them full application will give the desired result.

Treatment often includes the following methods:

• taking an antibiotic to stop the inflammatory process and prevent complications;
• use of mucolytic drugs to stop coughing;
• breathing exercises that help remove mucus from the bronchi;
• warming the chest and drinking plenty of warm drinks;
• physiotherapy.

Use of antibiotics

With progressive obstructive bronchitis in a child, accompanied by fever and a strong expectorant cough, the use of antibiotics is inevitable; only then will treatment be effective. The doctor must decide which medicine the baby should take. Most of them have the same active ingredients and differ only in excipients. However, there are antibiotics that are fundamentally different from others.

Pediatricians often prescribe the following medications for the treatment of obstructive bronchitis in children:

1. Amoxicillin or Ampicillin. Both drugs have similar effects on the body. They actively act on bacteria such as pneumococci, streptococci and staphylococci, and also fight against hemophilus influenzae. Antibiotics are taken one serving per day, at the same time of day. The norm depends on the age and weight of the child. Their intake requires the mandatory consumption of live bacteria to normalize the flora of the stomach and intestines.
2. Cefaclor or Cephalexin. They have a detrimental effect on bacteria such as pneumococci, staphylococci, streptococci, Escherichia coli and Hemophilus influenzae, but mycobacterium tuberculosis, chlamydia and enterococci are resistant to drugs of this type. The dosage of the suspensions is also selected individually for each child, and the frequency of administration is 3 times a day. In parallel with taking such antibiotics, the doctor must prescribe Linex or Yogurt to stabilize the microflora.
3. Erythromycin or Macropen belong to the group of macrolides and cope even with bacteria that are inaccessible to other drugs. In addition, medications in this group are much less likely to cause allergic reactions in children and practically do not disturb the intestinal microflora. Another difference between these antibiotics and any others is the possibility of excretion not only through the kidneys, but also through the respiratory organs, as well as resorption in the blood.

It is strictly forbidden to prescribe antibiotics to a child or self-medicate; this can seriously aggravate the situation and provoke complications. And the medicine prescribed by the pediatrician should be taken according to the instructions until the course is completed in order for the treatment to be effective.

Coughing agents for children

In addition to antibiotics, mucolytic agents are important drugs that help in the treatment of obstructive bronchitis. For children, they most often take the form of syrups and are made from medicinal herbs, tinctures and plant extracts. For example, ivy or eucalyptus are often the main active ingredients cough syrups.

Some of the most commonly prescribed cough medications for children include:

1. Ambroxol. The syrup cleanses the lungs and bronchi well of mucus and promotes the removal of phlegm. The dosage and frequency of administration depends on the age of the child and is prescribed on the package, but infants under one year of age need to be adjusted individual scheme reception. The manufacturer does not recommend taking the medicine for more than 5 days in a row, even if signs of recovery appear.
2. Bromhexine. It has an effective coughing effect, making it easier for the child to breathe. The use of this syrup is possible for children after two years of age; it is contraindicated for infants. In addition, it should not be given to a child prone to allergic reactions to the components of the drug.
3. Doctor Mom. A natural and natural medicinal product that helps thin mucus and eliminate bronchospasm. Indicated for children aged three years and older. Taken 3 times a day in dosages according to children's age. Does not provide negative impact on the child’s body, except in cases of allergy to the components of the medicine.
4. Pectolvan Ivy. The main active ingredient is ambroxol. Activates metabolism in the respiratory organs, provoking expectoration of mucus and clearing of the bronchi. It is well absorbed into the body without leaving any side effects. Indicated for use in infants 2 times a day, and in older children - 3 times. Doses depend on the age and weight of the child.

There are also many other cough suppressants from various manufacturers. Sometimes they can be similar in their effects on the respiratory system, and one medicine can be replaced by another without significant damage to the effectiveness of the treatment. However, only a doctor can make such a decision. Self-prescribing medications to a child is not recommended.

Physiotherapeutic treatment

A concomitant method that can be used in parallel with other methods of treating obstructive bronchitis in children is physiotherapy. It has many advantages and positive reviews for its use in the treatment of inflammatory processes in the respiratory system.

Physiotherapeutic treatment includes the following methods:

• massage;
• ultra-high frequency therapy;
• electrophoresis;
• inhalation;
• jars and mustard plasters.

Massotherapy

In the treatment of obstructive bronchitis in children, massage is rarely used and only by force. qualified specialist, because the mechanical impact on the child's respiratory system should be careful and careful. Massage movements help activate blood flow and metabolism in the thoracic region, which helps remove mucus and alleviate the inflammatory process.

In therapeutic massage, warm herbal or essential oil, but in small doses. The duration of exposure should not exceed 8-10 minutes, and the number of sessions in one massage course for a child should not exceed 6 times.

UHF therapy

Ultrahigh-frequency radiation for the treatment of obstructive bronchitis in children is an effective and simple method. It helps not only to stop the inflammatory process in the bronchi, but also to reduce pain when coughing. The energy of the electric field has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system.

The duration of one procedure depends on the age of the child and usually takes from 5 to 15 minutes. If you do UHF every day for a week, signs of recovery will appear, and in the future this will give significant results in the treatment of obstructive bronchitis.

Electrophoresis

To reduce the amount of mucus in the child's bronchi, electrophoresis is used. The essence of the procedure is to activate the action of the drug introduced into the body using an electric current. This method has long been used to treat inflammatory processes in the respiratory system and significantly increases the effectiveness of taking medications.

The amount and frequency of use of electrophoresis should be determined by the pediatrician depending on the age of the child and the degree of advanced disease.

Inhalations

Whether done in a doctor's office or at home, inhalations offer many benefits in treating bronchitis. Inhalations not only dilute mucus and promote expectoration, but also have an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. However, you should not use them too often, so as not to inflame the larynx.

Steam inhalations can be based on herbal infusions, although sometimes special ones are used for their implementation. medications. What exactly to use for the treatment of obstructive bronchitis in children must be decided by the pediatrician.

Banks and mustard plasters

Traditional methods of treating inflammatory processes in the respiratory system have long proven their effectiveness, so their use remains relevant today. Mustard plasters or cups not only warm the chest and help separate mucus from the bronchi, but also activate metabolism and blood circulation in the thoracic region. This action often contributes to the child’s speedy recovery.

First aid for a child with obstruction

Obstructive bronchitis in children is dangerous because bronchospasm may occur at any moment, breathing becomes difficult, and the child may begin to choke. Symptoms of this situation are whistling and wheezing in the chest. If they get worse, it may be a cause for concern.

To alleviate the child's condition, bronchodilators can be used. Their action is aimed at reducing shortness of breath and making breathing easier. The most commonly used medications are:

1. Aerosol Berodual, suitable for children over 6 years old.
2. Aerosol Salbutomol is approved for use by children over 2 years of age.
3. Teopek tablets can be used to treat children from 2 years of age.

The immediate response of parents to an attack of obstruction in a child is to:

• determine the breathing rate by counting how many breaths he takes in one minute;
• use a nebulizer with a drug that dilates the bronchi;
• provide the child with plenty of fluids;
• check the respiratory rate after taking measures.

Complications of obstructive bronchitis in children

If you do not treat obstructive bronchitis in a child or use treatment methods that do not give the desired effect, this can lead to various complications and even disability of the child.

One of the most common complications is the development of chronic bronchitis, when a child, at the slightest contact with bacteria or a virus, begins to fever and cough, and other symptoms appear. There may be 3-4 such cases throughout the year, and even more in children with weak immunity. And even preventing the disease will not give a good result.

If the infection enters the bloodstream due to improper or incomplete treatment, complications can affect any organ in the child’s body. The heart, liver or kidneys may be damaged, in which case additional treatment will be necessary.

Sometimes it happens that parents fully follow the doctor’s recommendations and use all the prescribed treatment for obstructive bronchitis, but there is no result, and the symptoms of the disease continue to progress. This may be due to incorrectly selected medications. In such cases, hospitalization of the child in a hospital and intensive treatment of bronchitis is required to avoid complications.

Prevention of obstructive bronchitis

It is easier to foresee and prevent any problem than to treat it later. Obstructive bronchitis is no exception, and its prevention is accessible and understandable. If it occurs due to hereditary factors or birth injuries, any preventive measures can only simplify and alleviate the course of the disease. However, in most situations, bronchitis can be completely avoided.

Among the main and most effective preventive measures are:

• a healthy lifestyle for both parents, especially during pregnancy;
• breastfeeding for at least the first year of the baby’s life;
• proper nutrition and saturation of the body with vitamins to strengthen the immune system and increase resistance to infectious diseases;
• organization active image child's life, swimming, sports clubs and frequent walks in the fresh air.

An important component of preventive measures is sanatorium-resort treatment, especially for children with health complications or birth injuries. At least once a year, a child should be sent on vacation to the sea or to a mountainous area, where clean air will have a beneficial effect on the respiratory system. At the same time, undergoing procedures and following the doctor’s recommendations in the sanatorium will increase the effectiveness of such a vacation and strengthen the child’s body. Prevention will bring the desired results.

If you pay attention to the child’s health and organize his life in a rich and interesting way, all diseases, including obstructive bronchitis, will go away easier, and some disorders will never affect the growing body.

Bronchitis is an inflammatory disease of the trachea and bronchi of a child, which occurs as a result of the action of provoking factors on the body (hypothermia, viral infection or bacterial infection, decreased immunity) and leads to general malaise, intoxication, cough, sputum and shortness of breath. Signs of bronchitis in children begin appear in the first 2–3 days of the disease. Characteristic of damage to the trachea and bronchi is the appearance of a dry or wet cough, wheezing in the lungs, hard or weakened breathing during auscultation (listening to the chest using a phonendoscope) and shortness of breath at night. It is these signs that distinguish bronchitis from any other inflammatory processes that affect the upper and lower respiratory tract.

It is quite easy to recognize and understand the difference between viral and bacterial bronchitis based on the symptoms of the disease.

Changes in inflamed bronchi.

Treatment of a viral type of disease

Viral bronchitis is manifested by high body temperature - above 39.0 0 C, nausea, vomiting of intestinal contents, convulsions and dry cough. Wheezing and weakened breathing are heard in the lungs. Then the cough becomes unproductive with the appearance of a small amount of mucous, clear or whitish sputum. Treatment of such bronchitis begins with the prescription of antiviral drugs.

Along with the antiviral effect, drugs of this drug group have an immunomodulatory and immunostimulating effect, due to increased output immunocompetent cells (T-lymphocytes, plasma cells, tissue basophils, B-lymphocytes, macrophages, antibodies) and stimulation of their release from the depot (lymph nodes) into the bloodstream.

Children under one year of age are prescribed Laferobion (recombinant human interferon) 150,000 IU 1-2 times a day in the form of rectal suppositories.

Children from one year to 6 years old - Laferobion at a dose of 500,000 IU 3 times a day.

For children over 6 years old, any antiviral drugs (Interferon, Groprinosin, Amiksin) in a dosage appropriate for their weight and age.

Treatment antiviral drugs carried out within 5 – 7 days.

Treatment of bacterial type of disease

Bacterial bronchitis is manifested by the appearance of moderate symptoms of intoxication, body temperature usually does not rise above 38.0 0 C, the cough in the first days of the disease is wet with the discharge of a large amount of purulent, yellow or greenish sputum with an unpleasant odor. Treatment of such manifestations of the disease begins with the prescription of antibacterial drugs. wide range actions.

The first symptoms of bronchitis are general weakness, sleep disturbance, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting of intestinal contents, lethargy, apathy, increased fatigue, weight loss. All of the above symptoms can be attributed to one manifestation - intoxication of the body.

Intoxication

Treatment of such symptoms comes down to prescribing a large amount of liquid, these can be teas with lemon and honey, rosehip, raspberry, cranberry or viburnum compote. The drink should be well warm, but not hot, so as not to further irritate the child’s throat. If swelling occurs on the face or in the ankle joint of the lower extremities, the level of fluid intake should be reduced to a minimum.

If a child develops uncontrollable vomiting or constant gagging, it is necessary to take Metoclopramide (Cerucal) - medicinal product, which has an antiemetic effect due to increased peristalsis gastrointestinal tract and stimulation of the sphincters between the esophagus and stomach, as well as between the stomach and duodenum. It is prescribed to children after one year, 1.0 ml intramuscularly 1 - 2 times a day, from 6 - 7 years old you can take the drug in tablets, 1 tablet - 3 times a day. Such vomiting usually begins in the first hours of the disease and goes away completely within a day.

If vomiting or retching does not stop for more than 24 hours, you should seek emergency medical help, since most likely, in addition to bronchitis, the child has some other pathology.

You can also relieve the developed symptoms of bronchitis by taking the drug Stimol (Citrulline malate), which is prescribed for children under 5 years old, 200 mg 1 time per day, from 6 to 15 years old, 200 mg 2 times a day, over 16 years old, 200 mg 3 times a day. day. The drug has an antitoxic effect, normalizes metabolic processes in the child’s body and is an antioxidant. The drug is available in liquid form, packaged in 10 ml bags.

The second manifestations after the onset of bronchitis are fever, aches, excessive sweating, chills and fever. Such symptoms are associated with the effect of toxic products of microorganisms on the brain, and directly on the thermoregulation center in the hypothalamus. In newborns and young children, the body's thermoregulation is at a developmental stage, and even the slightest fluctuations in the body can lead to a sharp, prolonged increase in temperature. Therefore, very strict control is necessary temperature regime and timely intake of antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs.

When fever occurs in children, treatment begins with the prescription of Paracetamol, which has an antipyretic and weak analgesic effect. Children under 2 - 3 years old can use Cefekon - suppositories with paracetamol 1 - 3 per day or drops with paracetamol up to 1 year. For children over 3 years of age, the drug is prescribed in syrup or chewable tablets 3 to 4 times a day.

If the temperature rises to high levels and does not respond well to treatment with paracetamol, Ibuprofen is prescribed, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that selectively inhibits cyclooxygenase-2, affecting the process itself inflammatory reaction. The drug also has a pronounced analgesic and anti-edematous effect.

Doses of the drug and frequency of administration are prescribed taking into account the age of the child:

This treatment is carried out for 5 – 10 days.

Cough

Cough is the main symptom of bronchitis. The cough can be dry, unproductive or productive (wet). This is determined by the discharge of sputum from the bronchi. Cough is a protective reflex of the bronchopulmonary system, thanks to which the tracheobronchial tree is cleansed of excess mucus, pathological microorganisms and their waste products, allergens, and dust.

A child's cough can be so severe and debilitating that it requires additional prescription of codeine-based antitussive medications. A children's drug with codeine is Codterpine, which additionally includes thermopsis herb. The drug is prescribed 1 tablet 2 times a day for children over 6 years of age. Treatment is continued for 7 to 10 days.

Also, a characteristic night cough for children, which appears only at night after the child has recovered, is also called a reflex cough. Treatment of this effect can begin with the use of alternative medicine, namely burnt sugar. Melt a tablespoon of sugar over the fire and pour into preheated boiled water; this remedy is suitable for children over one year of age. The cough goes away within 5–7 minutes after taking this remedy.

Possible character of sputum in bronchitis.

Sputum is a secret that is produced in the lumen of the bronchi of medium and small caliber, containing waste products of microorganisms, dead cells of the bronchial epithelium and bacteria. By the nature of the sputum, you can determine the type of pathogen:

• A viral infection is characterized by mucous, odorless, transparent or white sputum in moderate or scanty quantities.
• Characteristic of bacterial infection copious amounts sputum with an unpleasant odor and purulent character - viscous, greenish-yellow in color.

Without treatment, mucus may not leave at all and accumulate in the lumen of the bronchi, which dramatically affects air flow and can lead to shortness of breath, both with minimal physical exertion and at rest.

Treatment of this symptom involves the use of expectorants and mucolytic drugs that normalize mucociliary clearance (the movement of cilia on the surface of the ciliated epithelium in the bronchi), block the production of excessive amounts of mucus by goblet cells and reduce the viscosity of bronchial secretions.

For this effect, Ambroxol is prescribed - this universal drug, which has several forms of release suitable for both newborn children and children of high school age. The drug can be used in newborns and children under 1 year of age in the form of drops that are added to breast milk, water, juice or tea. Children from 2 to 6 years old can take the drug in syrup. For children over 7 years of age, the drug is prescribed in tablets. Also, starting from 1 year, Ambroxol can be given to children through a nebulizer - an ultrasonic inhaler.

Dyspnea

Shortness of breath is a symptom that is more often characteristic of children of newborn and primary school age due to the anatomical features of the structure of the trachea and bronchi. The degree of shortness of breath can be determined by taking into account the child’s physical activity:

• Mild shortness of breath is characterized by the appearance of suffocation only with significant physical exertion.
• Dyspnea medium degree heaviness appears during normal physical activity - walking, jumping.
• Severe shortness of breath is observed at rest, the child suffocates during sleep.

The most severe complication Bronchitis is a nocturnal attack of shortness of breath or suffocation in a child.

Treatment of this symptom involves taking short-acting bronchodilators, which, although for a short time, quickly and effectively expand the bronchi, restoring air flow. The dilation of the bronchi is caused by the elimination of spasm in the smooth muscle cells of the bronchopulmonary system.

One of the best drugs used in children's practice is Salbutamol (Ventolin), which is prescribed 1 puff every year when suffocation begins. The medicine is used only on demand, but not more than 6 times a day. Treatment lasts 7 – 10 days.

Video: Bronchitis, bronchitis in children, acute bronchitis in children