Symptoms of chronic bronchitis in adults

Chronic bronchitis - symptoms

Bronchitis- an inflammatory disease of the bronchi with a lesion of their mucous membrane. There are two forms of the disease - acute and chronic. In chronic bronchitis pathological modifications are observed in all structural elements of the walls of the bronchi, and lung tissue is also often involved in the inflammatory process. It is believed that the process is chronic if the cough lasts at least 3 months a year for two years.

Causes of Chronic Bronchitis

Among the factors influencing the development of the disease, identify the main:

• dustiness of atmospheric air;
• the content in the air of various chemicals;
• hypothermia;
• decreased immune defenses of the body;
• frequent inflammation of the paranasal sinuses and oropharynx;
• frequent colds with bronchitis;
• active and passive smoking.

Symptoms of chronic bronchitis in adults

The main sign of chronic bronchitis in adults is a constant cough with the release of a large amount of mucus. Initially, the cough is worried only in the mornings, but eventually it appears at night and in the daytime, it burdens in cold and damp weather.

Uncomplicated form of chronic bronchitis is characterized by the release of clear mucous sputum and the absence of bronchial obstruction (chronic non-obstructive bronchitis). Purulent form is characterized by the presence of pus in the cough to be separated. As the disease progresses, breathing becomes more difficult, especially with physical exertion, develops shortness of breath and other disorders of respiratory activity, up to severe violations of ventilation.

Often, chronic bronchitis is accompanied by symptoms such as:

• weakness;
• weakness;
• pain in the chest;
• increased body temperature;
• blanching of the skin.

The exacerbation of chronic bronchitis is said when there is a significant increase in the above symptoms:

• increased cough and dyspnea;
• increased sputum production;
• the appearance of rapid fatigue, etc.

Symptoms of chronic smoker's bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis of a smoker is a form of the disease, the development of which is inextricably linked with smoking (both with active and with passive). It is characterized by a constant dry or wet cough with which smokers are so used that they simply do not pay attention to it.

Diagnosis of chronic bronchitis

The diagnosis of chronic bronchitis can be made by the attending physician only after at least two years of observation. A number of special diagnostic examinations are also conducted:

• X-ray picture of the chest;
• blood tests - general and biochemical;
• examination of excreted sputum;
• examination of the function of external respiration;
• bronchoscopy.

Treatment of chronic bronchitis

Like any other chronic disease, chronic bronchitis requires long-term treatment - both with exacerbation, and in the asymptomatic period of the disease.

During the exacerbation of chronic bronchitis the following types of medicines are prescribed:

• antibiotics;
• anti-inflammatory drugs;
• immunostimulants;
• preparations for liquefaction of sputum (for internal reception, in the form of inhalations).

In some cases, medical bronchoscopies are recommended (rinsing of bronchi with medicinal solutions). Also used breathing exercises, physiotherapy.

Outside exacerbations, inhalations of holin-blocking agents are used to reduce mucus production and narrowing of the bronchi. This helps improve the mucosal state and reduce the number of exacerbations.

In the absence of adequate treatment, chronic bronchitis can lead to the development of complications such as respiratory or heart failure.

WomanAdvice.ru

Treatment of bronchitis in adults

If this disease is treated lightly, it can develop into more serious pathologies. In non-neglected cases, the treatment of bronchitis in adults can be performed both in the hospital and at home. There is no single recipe that is suitable for everyone. To answer the question, how to cure bronchitis, it is necessary to understand what kind of illness it is. Physicians define it as an inflammation of the bronchial mucosa caused by infection or external factors.

Symptoms of bronchitis

For all types of bronchitis in the first stages are common symptoms. The main ones are: severe cough, sweating, chest pain, general weakness of shortness of breath, body aches, elevated body temperature. Symptoms of bronchitis can disturb a patient both during the day and at night. Often this leads to sleep disturbance, a disorder of the nervous system. Depending on the causes of the onset, several major types of bronchitis are distinguished:

• acute;
• chronic;
• the smoker's bronchitis;
• obstructive;
• allergic.

Acute

This type of bronchitis develops against the background of influenza, ARVI or sore throat. It is difficult to recognize such a "transition" independently. The symptoms of these diseases are similar (they can occur simultaneously):

• cough - paroxysmal, deep, accompanied by sputum, sometimes "barking";
• hoarseness;
• sore throat;
• weakness;
• elevated temperature (can last for several days);
• headache;
• difficulty breathing;
• coryza;
• a spasm in the chest.

With a mild course of acute bronchitis, some symptoms may be absent. The duration of treatment directly depends on timely diagnosis, proper therapy. The recovery period for bronchitis in adults is 10-20 days. If the treatment does not help, and the disease does not recede, consult a doctor, he will prescribe the necessary procedures and suitable pills for bronchitis for adults. The main difference between the acute form of pathology and other types of disease is that it is contagious.

Chronic

A distinctive sign of chronic bronchitis is the periodicity and duration. Periods of exacerbation often occur in the cold season. It is more difficult to get rid of such bronchitis than from an acute form, as it is characterized by residual phenomena, even after the course of treatment. Over the years, the disease can progress, take more severe forms. Identify this type of bronchitis can be on the characteristic symptoms.

Doctors diagnose the chronic form of the disease, if cough is present for more than three months a year, for two consecutive years. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath even with a little physical exertion. This is explained by the deformation and blockage of the bronchi that occurs with chronic bronchitis.
• Increased fatigue.
• Cough. With this form of the disease, it is persistent, uninterrupted, with a slight separation of sputum, recurrent. It is very difficult to stop the seizures.
• Bronchospasm.
• The color of sputum can be from yellow to brown, depending on the stage of the disease.

Smoker

What is the smoker's bronchitis is well known to people who have this bad habit. It occurs due to the ingress of combustion products and harmful substances into the lungs. This form of the disease is characterized by a continuous cough with sputum discharge. Attacks of morning protracted cough begin immediately after awakening, repeated throughout the day. Bronchitis smoker begins as a one-sided, but eventually flows into a two-sided. If treatment is not performed, the disease progresses, leading to the development of pneumonia and chronic cough.

Obstructive

For any bronchitis, the main symptom is a cough. In obstructive form, seizures occur in the morning, after going to the cold, at the beginning of physical activity after rest. Often cough accompanied by spasms of bronchi. With this form of the disease, there is a shortness of breath after physical activity. At first, shortness of breath appears only after severe stress, but over time it occurs during daily activities or at rest. The main causes of obstructive bronchitis in adults:

• Professional. The causative agent is harmful substances contained in the environment (for example, in hazardous industries). Getting into the body, they become the main cause of obstructive bronchitis.
• Genetic. Determined by the method of taking tests and passing the survey.

Allergic

In contrast to chronic or acute bronchitis, it is not infectious, so the use of antiviral drugs to treat the allergic form of the disease does not make sense. This type of pathology arises because of the acute sensitivity of the organism to any substance. Diagnosis of allergic bronchitis in adults will help list the symptoms:

• Increase in temperature during exacerbation of bronchitis.
• There is a relationship between external stimuli (the use of certain foods, finding near animals, taking medications) and coughing attacks.
• The manifestation of uncharacteristic symptoms for bronchitis, for example, rashes on the skin.
• Cough with bronchitis of allergic form - continuous, paroxysmal in the daytime.
• The wheeze, whistling as you exhale.

Diagnosis of the disease

To make an accurate diagnosis, the patient should consult a doctor - lung specialist. Only a specialist is able to prescribe the correct treatment for bronchitis in each individual case. It is not recommended to diagnose independently and engage in self-medication. For accurate diagnosis of pathology, adults are assigned such examinations and tests:

• bronchoscopy;
• listening to the patient with a phonendoscope;
• sputum analysis;
• fluorography;
• computed tomography of the lungs (only with chronic bronchitis);
• general blood analysis.

How to treat bronchitis in adults

If you do not know what means of treatment of bronchitis in adults are effective, self-medication should not be engaged. Lack of necessary care can lead to the fact that the disease will remain untreated. Treatment of bronchitis is not limited only to drug therapy. The complex approach successfully used physiotherapy: UHF treatment, inductothermal interblade area and halotherapy. The standard standard for the treatment of bronchitis includes 4 stages:

1. Refusal from smoking, proper nutrition.
2. The use of bronchodilators (salbutamol, erespal), the mechanism of their action is to stimulate the receptors, which leads to an expansion of the bronchi.
3. The use of expectorant and mucolytic drugs that help to withdraw phlegm.
4. The use of antibiotics (Augmentin, Biseptol) and antiviral drugs (Cycloferon).

Bronchodilators

Preparations of this group contribute to the removal of bronchospasm. According to the type of action, these funds from bronchitis are divided into three types: adrenomimetics, cholinolytics and combination preparations. They should be considered in more detail:

1. Adrenomimetics. Relax muscles in the walls of the bronchi, removing the spasm. An example of such a drug is Salbutamol, which is used for asthmatic and chronic bronchitis. It is contraindicated in children under 2 years of age, pregnant. Produced in different forms of the drug, there is a choice - take it inside or stab intramuscularly.
2. Cholinolytics. They have a pronounced bronchodilating ability. A bright representative of such drugs is Erespal. It is an anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator. Children under 14 years of age are prescribed as a syrup. Contraindicated with intolerance to one of the components of the drug.
3. Combined preparations. Combine the actions of cholinolytics and adrenomimetics. Example - Berodual (International nonproprietary name - Ipratropium bromide + Fenoterol). The actions of the components of the drug strengthen each other, which leads to a high effectiveness of treatment. The drug facilitates the condition with a dry or productive cough, it starts to act after 10-15 minutes.

Expectorant

The action of expectorants is aimed at excretion of sputum. This is a prerequisite for the treatment of bronchitis in adults. If the body can not independently get rid of a large amount of sputum, it stagnates, and the pathogenic bacteria begin to multiply actively in this environment. More often than other means doctors prescribe to adults such expectorants:

• Mukaltin. It liquefies viscous sputum, facilitating its release from the bronchi.
• Means based on the herb thermopsis - Termopsol and Kodelak Broncho.
• Syrup Herbion, Stoptussin phyto, Bronchicum, Pertusin, Gelomirtol - are based on medicinal herbs.
• ATSTS (acetylcysteine). Effective means of direct action. It has a direct effect on sputum. When you receive an erroneous dose, you may cause diarrhea, vomiting, and heartburn.

Antibiotics

If the bronchitis is bacterial in nature, then antibiotic treatment is prescribed. With a viral infection, they are useless. To select effective antibiotics for bronchitis, it is necessary to conduct a sputum examination. It will show what bacteria caused the disease. The list of antibiotics is now very wide, they should be selected by a doctor. Here are the main groups of such medicines:

• Aminopenicillins - Amoxiclav, Amoxicillin, Augmentin. The effect of these drugs is aimed at suppressing harmful microorganisms, but they do not cause harm to the patient's body.
• Macrolides - Macropen, Sumamed, Azithromycin, Clacid. Directly block the multiplication of bacteria.
• Fluoroquinolones - Moxifloxacin, Ofloxacin. Antibiotics of wide action. They are used to treat bronchitis, chlamydial infections, etc.
• Cephalosporins - Cefazolin, Suprax, Ceftriaxone. Effects on microorganisms resistant to penicillin.
• Flemoxin solute. Analog of Amoxicillin. Quickly absorbed into the blood. The form of release - tablets.

Inhalation

Treatment of bronchitis in adults with the help of inhalations is carried out using the following groups of drugs:

• antiseptic agents,
• anti-inflammatory,
• vasoconstrictor,
• hormonal,
• mucolytics;
• expectorating,
• immunomodulators,
• antibiotics,
• bronchodilators.

The advantage of this method is the rapid absorption of the drug. Preparations with bronchitis have a very wide range of actions, the best option is to choose only a doctor. For inhalation, such devices are used:

1. Steam inhalers. Effective in bronchitis are inhalations with essential oils and medicinal herbs.
2. Thermal Inhalers. Are one of the most affordable devices for conducting procedures at home. With such inhalations, alkaline solutions and phytopreparations are used.
3. The nebulizer. One of the most effective devices. With its help, treatment is performed at any stage of bronchitis. The device turns medicines into tiny particles that easily reach the focus of the disease.

The range of drugs for inhalation with the use of nebulizer is very wide. In the treatment scheme is often used Pulmicort or Ventolin (prevents and eliminates bronchospasm). The latter is contraindicated in pregnancy, children under 2 years of age and with individual intolerance to the components of the medication. Some medications for treating bronchitis, such as Ambroxol, in addition to tablets and ampoules for intramuscular injections are also available as a solution for inhalation.

Ointments

Treatment of bronchitis in adults is carried out with topical preparations. To do this, ointments based on animal fats are used. They are applied by rubbing on the skin in the area of ​​the bronchi. The positive effect of the treatment is achieved by carrying out a gentle massage while applying the product. The ingredients have a warming effect, making the cough wet and lightening it. Ointments for the treatment of bronchitis can be purchased or prepared independently at home. Before using any of them it is necessary to conduct an allergy test.

Ready-made ointments are more convenient to use and more effective in the treatment of bronchitis, they contain much more useful substances. One of these drugs - Dr. IOM, which has a minimum of contraindications, is allowed for adults and children. Another popular treatment for bronchitis is bearish fat. It is applied either inside or outside. For the impact through the skin, balms Dr. Thyss, eucalyptus, "Star", Bom-Benge ointment and Bormentol, badger fat can be used.

Treatment with folk remedies

In the treatment of bronchitis in adults can be successfully used as pharmacy drugs, and cooked according to the recipes of traditional medicine. These drugs and procedures are less effective, and the course of admission lasts much longer. Here are the folk remedies that have proven effective in the treatment of bronchitis in adults:

• Aloe with honey. It is administered orally for half an hour before meals. A mixture is made of aloe, honey, melted lard and chocolate, taken in equal proportions.
• Propolis. An alcohol tincture of this remedy is made and added to tea and herbal infusions of 15 drops. It has antibacterial properties.
• Milk with soda. Successfully applied for chronic form of the disease and bronchitis of the smoker.
• Potato inhalation. Proceed according to the scheme: boil potatoes in a uniform, remove from a plate, bending over a hot pan, inhale the steam for 10 minutes. To keep the potatoes cool, cover your head with a large towel.

• Syrup of cranberries on vodka. Rub the berries (100 g), squeezing the juice, mix them with sugar (50 g). After bringing to a boil the syrup cool, and add a glass of vodka (200 ml). To withdraw phlegm, take 2-day before meals.
• Bathhouse. Part in it only after consulting a doctor.
• Warming. These procedures are carried out with a mixture of honey, mustard powder and flour (homemade mustard) or castor oil and turpentine. The mixture is superimposed on the chest area and on the back and left for the whole night. As a warming agent, papillary patches are also used.
• Compresses. For compresses used honey-oil, potato-soda mixture. Honey compress is superimposed on the back, insulated with cotton wool and left on the patient's body until the morning.

Treatment of pregnant women

Medications prescribed for the treatment of bronchitis in adults (eg, Biseptol, Levomycetin) are strictly contraindicated in pregnant women. A complete lack of therapy can lead to fetal hypoxia, a threat of abortion, bleeding and other negative consequences. An x-ray examination, prescribed for diagnosis of the disease, is strictly contraindicated.

If you suspect a bronchitis, you should see a doctor. After the examination, he will prescribe the necessary treatment, which may include:

• Abundant drink. Milk, herbal tea, tea.
• Anti-inflammatory herbal decoctions for sore throats.
• Means that facilitate a dry cough - breastfeeding, lime tea, milk with honey.
• Performance of exercises of respiratory gymnastics and physiotherapy exercises.
• If a woman lives in an area with poor ecology, it will be useful to visit a sanatorium.
• Physiotherapy (appointed only by a doctor).

If the cough does not pass in a month

Long-term treatment of bronchitis in adults at home often leads to the emergence of dangerous complications. If the cough does not go away after a month, contact the clinic. Refusal of treatment or hope for knowledge of pharmacist pharmacist, in adults and elderly people may become the cause of bronchodraheitis, purulent infection, tracheobronchitis, tracheitis and long rehabilitation.

If you followed all the doctor's prescriptions, took a medicine for bronchitis, but there was no improvement, the therapist should send you to the hospital with the transfer of the protocol of treatment. In the hospital, additional tests will be performed, you will be prescribed medication (antibiotics for adults, antiviral drugs) and procedures (dropper, physiotherapy procedures).

Video advice on the treatment of bronchial cough

Treatment of bronchitis is carried out by different methods. Remember that cough treatment is only part of complex therapy. Having looked at the videos below, you will find out which signs are the first to indicate the presence of bronchitis, what is the folk remedy for this disease. In the final video, the famous pediatrician Komarovsky will explain by examples how one can not treat bronchitis (mentioning homeopathy).

First signs

Folk methods

Komarovsky about how you can not treat bronchitis

sovets.net

Chronic bronchitis-symptoms and treatment in adults

Chronical bronchitis- inflammatory disease, which is a consequence of prolonged exposure to respiratory organs of harmful external factors (allergens, dust, etc.) and pathogenic viruses, bacteria. Symptoms and methods of treatment of chronic bronchitis in adults are discussed in the article.

Symptoms of chronic bronchitis in adults

The main symptom of chronic bronchitis in both adults and children is cough. Cough is dry in the initial period of exacerbation of the disease. The patient can not clear his throat, sputum does not go away, seizures literally exhaust him. If a full-fledged treatment is carried out, then, 3-4 days later, cough becomes productive, sputum emerges from the bronchi.

In addition, with chronic bronchitis observed:

• insignificant hyperthermia (up to 37.5 degrees);
• chills;
• pain in the chest and peritoneum;
• dyspnea;
• headache;
• sweating.

Less common is hemoptysis, as a superficial dry cough causes damage to the bronchial tissue and certain areas of the lungs.

The doctor, when listening to the patient, notices dry wheezes with weakened breathing. These sounds in the respiratory system are due to the fact that the narrowed bronchi air passes with difficulty, as well as the movement of sputum.

How to treat chronic bronchitis in adults?

The treatment of bronchitis should be taken seriously, since the amateurish approach to therapy can cause serious complications (pneumonia, emphysema, asthma, etc.). As a rule, the patient undergoes a course of treatment at home under the supervision of a specialist pulmonologist or infectious disease specialist, in case of a serious course of the disease, hospitalization is shown in the hospital.

To conduct effective therapy it is important to establish the cause of the disease. If bronchitis is the result of contact of the patient with allergens or chemicals, these factors should be eliminated. With bacterial etiology of the disease, antibacterial treatment with tablets Azithromycin, Amoxicillin, etc. is carried out. In severe cases, antibiotics are administered parenterally. In addition, sulfonamides (Biseptol) and nitrofurans (furazolidone) are prescribed.

In the treatment of chronic obstructive bronchitis in adults, drugs with a bronchodilator effect are used:

• Fenoterol;
• Terbutaline;
• Salbutamol;
• Ipratropium bromide;
• Tiotropium bromide.

To improve the clearance of sputum, mucolytic and expectorant medicinal products of artificial origin (ATSTS, Ambroksil) or based on herbs (althaea, thermopsis, etc.) are used.

To reduce edema of bronchial walls, antihistamines are prescribed.

A good result in the treatment of bronchitis is:

• Inhalation (with berodualom, eufillinom, alkaline mineral waters);
• compresses;
• mustard plasters, cans;
• physiotherapy (quartz, UHF);
• position drainage;
• massage;
• Exercise therapy;
• acupuncture.

If possible, during the period of remission, sanatorium-and-spa treatment is recommended.

Treatment of chronic bronchitis in adults with folk remedies

As an adjunct to drug therapy, traditional medicine can be used. To reduce the symptomatic manifestations phyto-vegas are used:

• althea;
• Ledum;
• licorice root;
• mother-and-stepmother;
• elecampane.

Applied plants rich in phytoncides:

• bow;
• garlic;
• black radish;
• horseradish.

Attention!Food during the exacerbation of bronchitis should be balanced, the foods should contain a significant amount of protein and vitamins. You need 2-4 liters of fluid a day.

WomanAdvice.ru

Signs of bronchitis in adults

Symptoms of bronchitis may vary depending on the type of bronchitis, the causes of the disease, the causative agent of bronchitis and the characteristics of the patient's body.

Types of bronchitis

Bronchitis- an inflammation of the bronchial mucosa, triggered by a cold, SARS, influenza, adenovirus, chlamydia, mycoplasmal, banal infection. The development of the disease is associated with a decrease in the general resistance of the organism, a decrease in the protective mechanisms of the immune system to the action of various pathogens - viruses, bacteria and fungi, as well as the action of various chemicals, allergens. Overcooling, stress, overwork, contact with patients during an epidemic situation - all this gives impetus to the onset of bronchitis. If a person starts bronchitis, the causes of its appearance and determine the classification of bronchitis in adults:

• Toxic-chemical - can occur with a general poisoning of the body, inhaling poisonous and toxic air vapors
• Infectious - appears under favorable conditions for the multiplication of various pathogenic bacteria, including atypical pathogens - chlamydia, mycoplasma.
• Viral - most often is a complication of acute respiratory viral infection, influenza, and also it is caused by adenoviruses, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial and other viral infections
• Tuberculosis - caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis in the development of tuberculosis in the bronchi
• Mycobacterial - a rare species, occurs when the bronchi are affected by nontuberculous mycobacteria
• Allergic - against the background of allergic reactions of the body can occur and allergic bronchitis. Progression of which can provoke obstructive bronchitis in adults and even the emergence of bronchial asthma.

Types of bronchitis downstream:

• Acute - diffuse inflammation of the bronchi, characterized by a sharp onset and with proper treatment subsides for three to four weeks. Most often it is of an infectious nature, occurs with ARVI, influenza.
• Chronic - a progressive inflammation of the bronchi, manifested by a constant cough, but not associated with lung damage. Currently, it is the most common form of respiratory disease. If the cough lasts 3 months a year in total and so for 2 years, then this is a sign of chronic bronchitis in adults. It is characterized by an alternation of phases of fade-out and exacerbation phases. In chronic bronchitis, symptoms are a triad - cough, sputum and shortness of breath. Sputum almost always in the mornings from meager to plentiful from mucous to purulent. Shortness of breath is more pronounced, the stronger the sclerosis in the bronchi or emphysema in the lungs. Since the symptoms are nonspecific, chronic bronchitis is always differentiated from lung cancer and bronchiectasis.

Types of bronchitis for development:

• Primary - by name it is clear that it is localized on unchanged bronchi as an independent disease, while the pathological process does not go beyond the bronchi.
• Secondary - occurs as an additional manifestation, a symptom against the background of another disease, as a complication of other pathological process.

Signs of bronchitis

Infectious bronchitis- Signs of bronchitis in adults of infectious nature with mild disease are characterized by the following:

• Cough is dry, with time passing into the moist
• Weakness, feeling of weakness
• Discomfort in the chest
• Subfebrile temperature, sometimes high
• Hard breathing, dry wheezes
• The blood test does not change

If the moderate bronchitis, the symptoms in adults are as follows:

• A strong cough and as it overstrains muscles this leads to pain in the chest and stomach
• General malaise, weakness clearly pronounced
• Difficult breathing appears
• Sputum is mucopurulent or purulent
• Breath hard, rales dry and moist fine-bubbly

Allergic bronchitis -signs of bronchitis in adults are manifested when a person tends to allergic reactions. In contact with factors that cause allergies, for example, feathers and down of birds, animal hair, household chemicals, perfumes, cosmetics, dust, seasonal pollen of plants appear and the symptoms of allergic bronchitis. Its feature is that sputum when coughing is not purulent in nature and body temperature does not increase. The disease stops as soon as contact with the exciting allergen ceases.

Allergic bronchitis - symptoms:

• the temperature does not increase
• dry scattered rales appear
• breathlessness on exhale
• labored breathing
• exacerbation in contact with an allergen is quickly replaced by remission after limiting the provoking factor

Toxic bronchitis, chemical bronchitis- the disease of the respiratory tract begins due to the entry into the respiratory tract of various acid vapors, organic and inorganic dust, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. Signs of bronchitis in adults of toxic-chemical origin are:

• loss of appetite
• headache
• agonizing cough
• shortness of breath, even asphyxiation
• stitching pain in chest
• increased respiratory failure
• increases in hypoxemia
• cyanosis of mucous membranes
• hard breathing
• dry wheezes

Acute bronchitis - symptoms:

• severe cough, first dry, then moist
• high temperature 38-39 degrees
• general malaise, weakness
• increased sweating
• chills, fatigue, lack of working capacity
• symptoms can be pronounced, or moderate
• when listening - hard breathing, scattered rales
• pains in the chest
• with a serious course of the disease - dyspnea
• duration of acute bronchitis 14 days

With prolonged nature of inflammation and inadequate treatment, as well as with further decrease of immunity, acute infectious bronchitis becomes chronic. Acute bronchitis is most often treated without the use of antibiotics, but in some casesantibiotics for bronchitis in adultsare needed. With any cough, general malaise, the patient should examine the doctor and send for radiography, for clinical blood tests. Usually, these methods for diagnosis and differentiation of bronchitis is sufficient.

zdravotvet.ru

Signs of bronchitis in adults. Treatment, symptoms, prevention

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial mucosa. Bronchi are tubes through which air moves into the lungs and from the lungs. Patients with bronchitis usually have a cough with discharge in the form of thick, colorless mucus. The disease is both acute and chronic.

In the first case, like any infectious disease, bronchitis develops rapidly and is relatively easy to treat. Upon completion of the course of treatment, the patient, as a rule, suffers from attacks of residual cough for several more weeks.

Chronic disease - a more serious case - is a constant inflammation or irritation of the bronchial mucosa and most often affects heavy smokers. A similar pattern is and often recurrent infection. The patient will need qualified medical care, since chronic bronchitis is among the conditions leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Symptoms

The most common signs of bronchitis in adults include:

• cough;
• excretion in the form of mucus (sputum) of clear, white, yellowish-gray or green color (in rare cases, streaks of blood are observed in the sputum);
• fatigue;
• shortness of breath;
• fever, fever, or chills;
• unpleasant sensations in the chest area.

In acute bronchitis, the residual cough is retained even after the medicamentous removal of inflammation. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by a wet cough for at least three months with relapses for the next two years or longer.

With a chronic illness, you may notice that from time to time your condition worsens, even the prescribed treatment seems to only aggravate the signs of bronchitis. In adults, such periods are diagnosed with acute bronchitis along with chronic bronchitis.

When to see a doctor

You should seek professional medical attention if you cough:

• lasts for three weeks and longer;
• prevents sleep at night;
• accompanied by an increase in body temperature above 38 degrees;
• accompanied by secretions in the form of colorless mucus;
• leads to expectoration of blood;
• accompanied by a sneeze or a feeling of lack of breath.

Causes of bronchitis

Acute bronchitis occurs when the body is infected with viruses, usually the same as those caused by colds and flu. The virus can not be destroyed with antibiotics, so this type of medication is used extremely rarely.

The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is smoking cigarettes. A significant harm is also caused by air pollution, an increased content of dust and toxic gases in the environment.

Risk factors

Acute or chronic bronchitis poses a real danger to your health in the presence of the following risk factors:

• Smoking cigarettes. Not only active, but also passive smokers are under threat.
• Weak immunity. Immunity weakens due to any acute illness (for example, a cold) or due to a chronic condition that disrupts the immune system. Older people and young children are more prone to infections.
• Contact with irritants. The risk of bronchitis is higher if at work you are exposed to substances that irritate the lungs. Among the stimuli are, for example, grain and tissue. Even more dangerous smoke with an admixture of chemicals.
• Reflux. Frequent attacks of heartburn strongly irritate the throat and can lead to the development of bronchitis.

Complications

Although a single episode of bronchitis usually does not cause fear, in some cases the disease can lead to pneumonia. Frequent relapses of bronchitis indicate the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pay attention to the thermometer readings: the temperature with bronchitis can remain perfectly normal (up to 37 degrees inclusive), but this fact does not say anything about the severity of the disease.

Before visiting the doctor

Treatment of bronchitis in adults is the prerogative of the therapist. However, in the case of chronic bronchitis, the therapist can refer the patient to a specialist in pulmonary diseases - a pulmonologist.

Before visiting a doctor, try to answer a few questions and write down the answers to the paper so that you do not forget about anything in the doctor's office.

So:

• Have you recently had flu or colds?
• Have you ever had pneumonia?
• What is the state of your health at the moment?
• What medicines and dietary supplements do you regularly take?
• Are you exposed to specific substances at work?

If you used to visit another doctor and take tests, show the results to the current therapist or pulmonologist.

What the doctor will say

Most likely, the doctor will ask you the following questions:

• When did the symptoms of the disease appear?
• Are the symptoms manifested regularly or periodically?
• Did you have episodes of bronchitis in your medical history that lasted more than three weeks? Did the temperature rise with bronchitis?
• Was there shortness of breath between relapses?
• Do bronchitis symptoms affect your sleep or work?
• Do you smoke? If so, how many years and how often?
• How much has your stamina worsened over the year?
• Do you exercise? Can you easily climb one flight of stairs? Do you walk at the same speed as always?
• What influences the improvement or deterioration of your well-being?
• Are you uncomfortable with cold air?
• Do you sneeze?
• Have you done an annual flu shot?
• Have you ever been vaccinated against pneumonia? If yes, then when?

Diagnosis of the disease

The signs of bronchitis in adults are similar in many respects to the symptoms of a common cold, so in some cases for the diagnosis of a disease you may need to not only listen to the lungs with a stethoscope, but one of the following studies:

• Radiography of the chest allows you to diagnose pneumonia or another disease that causes a cough. Radiography is most often prescribed to smokers, including former ones.
• Examination of sputum. Sputum is mucus secreted by the lungs. Her study helps diagnose whooping cough and other diseases that are treated differently than bronchitis. Treatment with antibiotics is the main measure of combating pertussis. Sputum examination also allows to determine the presence of allergic reactions.
• The lung function is examined using a device called a spirometer. It determines the basic characteristics of breathing: how much air the lungs can hold and how quickly the exhalation takes place. This study helps to identify asthma and emphysema.

Treatment

Treatment of bronchitis in adults, as a rule, is not required: without medicamental intervention, acute bronchitis passes by itself within two weeks.

Medicines

In some cases, the body needs help in the fight against the disease, and then the doctor can prescribe the following medicines:

• Antibiotics. An infectious disease is caused by either a virus or bacteria. If the doctor suspects that the bacteria caused your bronchitis, antibiotic treatment is mandatory.
• Cough medicine. Usually they are not prescribed, as there is no need to suppress a wet cough - it displays excretions that irritate the mucous membrane, from the lungs and the respiratory tract. Nevertheless, cough often prevents sleep. In such cases, antitussive drugs are taken at bedtime.
• Other medicines. If you are allergic, asthmatic or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the doctor can recommend an inhaler and other medications to relieve the inflammation and widening of narrowed airways.

Some drugs with bronchitis are used only for symptomatic treatment.

Therapy

With chronic bronchitis, you may need pulmonary rehabilitation - a program of breathing exercises aimed at facilitating breathing and improving performance. Breathing exercises neutralize the signs of bronchitis in adults and help cope with malaise.

Self-help measures

In order to feel better, use the following guidelines:

• Avoid irritation of the lungs. Do not smoke. Wear a disposable mask if you have to breathe gassed air, work with paint or detergents with a strong odor.
• Use an air humidifier. Warm moist air facilitates breathing and helps to remove mucus from the respiratory tract. Just do not forget to clean the humidifier according to the manufacturer's instructions so that bacteria and fungus do not start up in the water container.
• Observe the diet. It is desirable to eat fewer calories than usual (up to 800 calories per day), if possible, exclude from the diet not only salty foods, but salt in general.
• Save the paper with a list of medications prescribed by your doctor and make sure that all the bronchitis medications recommended by a specialist are present in your home medicine cabinet.

Prevention of bronchitis

To reduce or even eliminate the risk of bronchitis, take into account the following recommendations:

• Avoid cigarette smoke. Both active and passive smoking of cigarettes leads to the development of chronic bronchitis.
• Do vaccinations. Many cases of bronchitis develop from ordinary flu. You can avoid flu by making every year the appropriate vaccinations. Perhaps, you should also vaccinate against some types of pneumonia.
• Wash your hands. To avoid a viral infection in the future, wash your hands more often and get a new habit: use antibacterial hand gel.
• Keep the first aid kit in absolute order. Check to see if the medicine has come out of the shelf life.
• Wear a mask. If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, think about wearing a mask on the street and at work.
• Do not be afraid of physical activity. The main requirement for physical exercises for the prevention of bronchitis is moderation and dosing.

syl.ru

Similar articles