Doctor's advice. Why is bronchitis dangerous?

Bronchitis is a disease in which the lower respiratory tract various pathogenic flora or allergens. In the bronchi occurs inflammatory process, as a result of which the patient begins to suffer from a severe cough. However, not many people resort to the help of qualified doctors, believing that treatment with folk remedies will be enough, and in some cases they rely only on the body's defenses.

Complications of bronchitis arising from different reasons, are dangerous not only for the respiratory tract system, but also for other organs and functions of the body.

Causes

When the first symptoms of a disease such as bronchitis are detected, the doctor immediately prescribes complex treatment to minimize the possibility of negative consequences.

However, not only untimely therapy can cause complications. They can appear in the following cases:

• misdiagnosis;
• self-medication or incorrectly prescribed course of therapy;
• ignoring the recommendations of the attending physician;
• unfinished treatment;
• the age of the patient (the disease is more difficult to cure in older patients and infants);
• hereditary diseases respiratory system;
• the presence of chronic diseases of other organs;
• living in an ecologically unfavorable area;
• bad habits, including smoking and alcohol.

Complications with bronchitis can occur as with acute form its course, and chronic.

Why is bronchitis dangerous?

Inflammatory processes in the bronchi can affect the tissues of other organs and provoke the spread of the disease.

Pneumonia

A common disease that develops as a result of untreated bronchitis is pneumonia. The danger of this disease is that it can be asymptomatic. Often, it is detected only on fluorography images.

The acute course of pneumonia is accompanied by elevated temperature body (up to 40 ° C), muscle pain and joint aches. In some cases, with pneumonia, hallucinations may occur.

Common signs of pneumonia are decreased performance, coughing fits with discharge a large number sputum, shortness of breath, sharp pains in the chest area, weight loss.

Pneumonia that occurs against the background of bronchitis with a complication takes longer to heal than in cases where it is caused, for example, by hypothermia.

Before the appointment of treatment, sputum tests are carried out in order to determine the sensitivity of the pathogenic flora to antibiotics.

Pulmonary heart

This pathology occurs only in adult patients. It is characterized by impaired functioning of cardio-vascular system as a result of increased blood pressure.

Signs of cor pulmonale are swelling of the veins in the neck, the appearance of frequent headaches, spasms in the heart and the development of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).

Pulmonary heart appears against the background of the flow chronic inflammation bronchial mucosa. It is dangerous because it can cause myocardial infarction.

Emphysema of the lungs

Prolonged narrowing of the respiratory lumen of the vessels leads to emphysema of the lungs. For this reason, air circulation and gas exchange are disrupted. The mucous membranes begin to take on a blue tint, which is due to a lack of oxygen. The chest with this disease may enlarge. Emphysema is accompanied by the appearance of shortness of breath.

Emphysema of the lungs affects the functioning of all organs, as they do not receive full nutrition. Oxygen starvation affects the functioning of the brain. A neglected form of the disease can cause death.

Pulmonary heart

Acute bronchitis Treatment of acute bronchitis with folk remedies and methods

Bronchial asthma

The main symptom of bronchial asthma is a sudden onset of cough, which makes breathing difficult, leading to shortness of breath. Particular symptoms of asthma are asthma attacks, during which the patient experiences fear of death. Often they occur at night, which increases the risk of death due to the fact that the patient does not receive timely assistance.

As a consequence of bronchitis, asthma can be aggravated by passive or active smoking, exposure to cold or damp air, and also as a result of exposure to allergens. The reaction to the allergen is the narrowing of the respiratory vessels, which leads to bronchial spasm and edema.

Asthma treatment is a lengthy process. Most often, it remains a chronic disease. Medicines only alleviate the symptoms of the disease, preventing coughing attacks from developing.

Pulmonary hypertension

A complication of bronchitis can be pulmonary hypertension... Most often, it develops due to the fact that the treatment was not carried out in full. Due to hypoxia (insufficient oxygen in the body) or heart disorders of the right ventricular type, rapid breathing occurs, wheezing appears. This affects the general performance of a person, and rapid fatigability appears. The immune system weakens, which causes the development of infectious and viral diseases.

Asthma syndrome

Asthmatic bronchitis is characterized by abundant discharge secretion of the mucous membranes of the bronchi, edema of their walls, as well as the occurrence of spasms in the lower respiratory tract. Unlike bronchial asthma, the disease does not have asthma attacks. Asthma syndrome is defined by experts as a condition of pre-asthma. Coughing fits are accompanied by shortness of breath and wheezing sounds when you exhale. With the discharge of sputum, the patient is relieved.

How to avoid complications of bronchitis?

To prevent bronchitis from flowing into a chronic form or causing other diseases, it is necessary to consult a specialist at the first manifestations of cough. Reception cannot be interrupted medicines even if the symptoms of the disease have disappeared. During treatment, one should adhere to a diet in order to exclude the ingress of allergens into the body, which can provoke a deterioration in the patient's condition. It is also recommended to drink more fluids, as it helps to drain mucus more efficiently.

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi and trachea, usually caused by various viruses and bacteria. But not always. In some cases, bronchitis can be provoked by dry, too hot or too cold air, chemical and toxic substances. If there are smokers in the family, this is another reason for the occurrence of bronchitis in a child.

The first signs of bronchitis are nasal discharge, dry cough, and fever up to 38 degrees or more. Infection with bronchitis on the street from the cold is quite rare. Cold air itself is not dangerous if the person is warmly dressed and feels comfortable. Basically, the following scheme works: the body is supercooled, the effectiveness of the mucous membrane protection and the general resistance of the body decrease. After which it is much easier for viruses to enter the body and cause illness. The patient comes home, and all the windows are closed at home, and the virus, walking around the house, enters the body of the rest of the family. In the cold season, when the heating is on, the air must be humidified. Dry contaminated air, dust, poisonous gases in most cases cause bronchitis.

How is bronchitis treated?

Never diagnose yourself. After all, the presence of a cough in a patient does not indicate precisely bronchitis, a cough can accompany any other disease. The doctor must diagnose and prescribe the necessary drugs. But very often bronchitis does not require special treatment. With a successful concurrence of circumstances, the disease disappears on the 7th day. But given that bronchitis can still cause complications, it is necessary to be observed by a doctor throughout the entire period of the disease. Especially when it comes to a child.

The people are accustomed to treating bronchitis in the following ways: putting cans or mustard plasters, rubbing the skin with badger fat, soaring feet in hot water with mustard. Doctors have long called for abandoning these methods, as their effectiveness against bronchitis has not been proven. However, these methods are not dangerous, and if you feel so comfortable, then you can use them.

There is another old one folk recipe: Take a few large onions, grind them in a meat grinder and squeeze the juice. Moisten a T-shirt in juice, put it on at night, while wrapping yourself in a blanket as warmly as possible. As people say, this method relieves from suffocating cough with bronchitis in 2 days.

Very often, parents are afraid of a child's cough and try to get rid of it as quickly as possible. But in vain, because a cough is defensive reaction organism. And if on the 5-6th day of the child's illness moist cough with green sputum, do not worry. It is necessary to treat a dry cough that irritates the bronchi and throat.

Of course, any disease is better prevented. For the prevention of bronchitis, you should abandon bad habits and even more so not to smoke where there are children. Get out to the sea and into the forest more often. There should always be fresh and humid air at home, so ventilate the room as often as possible and buy a humidifier. Do a wet cleaning at home every day, give up interior items that collect a lot of dust. And you may never know about a disease like bronchitis.

Prevention of bronchitis in adults can prevent the development of serious diseases lungs.

Bronchitis in adults is a disease for which characteristic manifestation is the formation of an inflammatory reaction in the bronchial mucosa, as a result of infectious and non-infectious etiology.

With bronchitis, a sick person has disturbances in gas metabolism, a sufficient amount of oxygen does not enter the body when severe forms obstructive bronchitis.

This pathology can occur in the form of acute or chronic inflammatory disease... It is also subdivided into simple and obstructive forms of the disease.

With any type of disease, a person develops an inflammatory reaction in mucous layer the walls of the bronchus, this causes swelling of the wall, with increased production of mucous discharge.

To clean the surface of the bronchial wall, patients have a cough, it wears a protective mechanism.

But at the same time, the mucous discharge can be very viscous, and the work of the ciliated epithelium of the bronchi can also be disrupted, which leads to the development of obstruction of the bronchial lumen.

With the development of obstruction, the course of bronchitis is more severe. It should also be noted that an adult develops the most often obstructive forms of bronchitis, with a chronic course.

Acute forms of the inflammatory process in the bronchi most often develop as complications after acute respiratory diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

The spread of inflammation occurs from top to bottom.This is possible with a late start of ARI or ARVI therapy, non-compliance with the home regime.

This disease is very common among the causes of temporary disability in adult patients.

As already mentioned, non-infectious and infectious causes that can cause bronchitis in adults. The causes of infectious genesis include the following:

• viral flora (rhinovirus, adenovirus, RS viral infections);
• bacterial flora (streptococcal, staphylococcal, pneumococcal, mycoplasma, chlamydial infections);
• fungal flora (candida).

Fungal infections occur only in the presence of persistent disorders in the patient's immunity. The reasons for non-infectious genesis include the following:

• tobacco smoking;
• inhalation industrial dust, toxic gases (industrial production);
• allergic effects;
• air pollution in large metropolitan areas.

A number of effects are also noted that help in the development of an inflammatory reaction in the bronchi:

• frequent acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections;
• violations in immunity;
• severe concomitant pathologies of other organs;
• hypothermia of the body;
• chronic inflammatory processes in the organs of the upper respiratory tract, oral cavity (frontal sinusitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, caries, pharyngitis, tracheitis);
• abuse of alcohol containing beverages.

It can also be noted that the development of chronic inflammation is possible even with untreated acute inflammation in the bronchi.

It is possible to speak about a chronic inflammatory reaction in the bronchi only if this process continues for more than three months in the previous two years.

Cases with a duration of the disease less than this period are acute forms of bronchitis.

It is also necessary to take into account the fact that the development of chronic bronchitis occurs with prolonged exposure etiological factor if chronic bronchitis is not eliminated in time.

Chronic bronchitis is more unfavorable along the course, since they cause changes in the walls of the bronchi, which are persistent. These changes with the course of the disease only intensify and do not completely disappear.

Symptoms of the disease

Acute bronchitis in adults begins mainly with signs of viral infection, which causes an increase in intoxication manifestations in the first hours or days.

The manifestations of intoxication changes in the body of patients are characterized by the presence of symptoms:

• headaches;
• chills;
• aches in joints, muscles;
• severe weakness;
• general malaise;
• fever;
• impaired appetite.

The severity of intoxication changes depends directly on the level of the body's defenses (reactivity), so when they decrease, there is a slight increase in temperature or its absence.

Then the developed inflammation in the mucous membrane of the bronchi appears, first of all, the presence of cough refers to it.

The maximum severity of cough is present in the first few days of acute bronchitis. It can be frequent, paroxysmal, painful.

It causes disturbances in the patient's sleep, severely exhausting patients. In this case, patients may experience pain in the chest.

The cough is aggravated by being in rooms with dry air, in a cold room. Over time, patients develop a wet cough, in which sputum leaves.

The nature of the sputum depends directly on what factor is causing the inflammatory process. For the infectious process of viral genesis, the presence of light or transparent sputum is characteristic.

And for the infectious process of bacterial genesis, the presence of purulent signs in the separated sputum - a greenish tint, viscous character.
If during the illness the patient develops obstruction of the lumen of the bronchi, then shortness of breath joins the cough. At the same time, violations are noted respiratory function expressed in difficulty in exhaling.

Signs of acute bronchitis are observed in patients in most cases up to 10-14 days, the most pronounced signs of the disease in the first three to five days.

With proper treatment, after this period, complete recovery occurs, but if the inflammation is not completely cured, it can turn into a chronic form of bronchitis.

The chronic form of the disease can develop as a result of incomplete treatment acute inflammation, or with prolonged exposure to provoking factors.

Chronic damage to the bronchial tree is manifested by periods of exacerbations and remissions of the disease.

Chronic bronchitis, like acute, can be simple and obstructive.

A distinctive feature of simple chronic bronchitis is that during the remission phase, a person does not have any respiratory disorders.

And the exacerbation phase is characterized by the development of all signs of acute bronchitis.

Obstructive forms of bronchitis long time do not cause severe changes in patients, a person can only complain of a slight cough during the day.

But in the absence of proper therapy, and the continuation of the effects of provoking factors, an increase in clinical manifestations occurs.

The main symptom of obstructive bronchitis is shortness of breath, but it is not pronounced at first, it occurs with severe exertion. Human long time does not pay attention to it and does not receive treatment.

In severe stages, wheezing is heard in patients, which can be with a wheezing tint (due to obstruction). Severe obstructive bronchitis can lead to permanent disability.

Obstructive bronchitis is dangerous because of the possibility of developing respiratory failure in a person, which can be fatal.

A simple form of bronchitis is dangerous by the spread of the infectious process with the development of pneumonia, pleurisy, sepsis. Frequent obstructive bronchitis can lead to the formation of secondary asthma.

Diagnosis and treatment of the disease

Diagnosis of this pathology does not cause difficulties for specialists, the main thing is to contact as soon as possible when the first signs of the disease appear.

During examinations, the form and stage of the inflammatory process in the bronchi are determined, the reason that caused the inflammatory reaction in the bronchi is determined.

Determined possible complications... Therapy should begin immediately after the diagnosis is made to the patient.

Therapy includes drugs aimed at relieving the inflammatory reaction in the bronchi, for this, the etiology of bronchitis is being clarified. The required amount of treatment for bronchitis is determined only by a doctor.

Antibacterial agents are used only if there is a bacterial infection. Treatment begins with the following drugs:

• Amoxicillin;
• Flemoxin;
• Hemomycin;
• Ceftriaxone;
• Panzef.

Acute bronchitis of viral etiology is also quite common, then antiviral agents are prescribed:

• Grippferon;
• Genferon;
• Kagocel;
• Cycloferon.

The second main goal in the treatment of bronchitis is to remove mucus from the bronchi; for this, mucolytic agents are used:

• Ambroxol;
• Bromhexine;
• Acetylcysteine.

The obstruction is removed by means of expanding the lumen of the bronchial tree:

• Ipratropium bromide;
• Ventolin;
• Berodual.

Complex treatment is always prescribed for bronchitis; physiotherapeutic treatment is also used as an additional therapy. For the physiotherapy treatment of bronchitis, use:

• Electrophoresis;
• Diadynamic currents;
• Inhalation.

Inhalations can be used in physiotherapy departments or at home with the help of a nebulizer.

Only a doctor can prescribe any procedure, self-medication cannot be carried out.

Preventive measures

Prevention of bronchitis includes the elimination of all factors that can cause the development of an inflammatory reaction in the bronchi:

• mandatory smoking cessation;
• compliance with the rules of protection when working in hazardous industries;
• elimination of allergic effects on the body;
• dress strictly according to temperature conditions;
• avoid hypothermia;
• eat rationally;
• treat in time inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract and oral cavity;
• avoid contact with patients with acute respiratory diseases.

Also, the prevention of bronchitis includes and general recommendations to help avoid many inflammatory diseases:

• regular wet cleaning of premises;
• regular ventilation of the premises;
• humidification of the inhaled air;
• breathing exercises;
• regular exercise.

In addition, the prevention of bronchitis includes vaccination:

• influenza vaccine;
• pneumococcal vaccines.

Now there are also courses of vaccination against pneumococcal infections with parenteral vaccines.

It is also possible to use products containing pneumococcal lysates. These tools include:

• Broncho-munal;
• Broncho-wax.

They are applied in the form of a course admission in autumn period... Before using them, you must definitely consult a specialist.

From the above, we can conclude that the prevention of the disease allows you to prevent the development of acute forms and avoid the transition of bronchitis to the chronic form.

With lesions of the respiratory system, it is very important to carry out timely treatment in order to prevent the development of the disease and the appearance of complications. dangerous in that it can very quickly go into, which is fraught with serious health consequences.

Features of the course of bronchitis

The inflammatory process of the mucous membrane of the walls of the bronchi is called bronchitis. It is one of the most common diseases around the world. As a result of this pathology, it is noted due to swelling of the bronchi and the accumulation of a large amount of mucus in them.

Bronchitis can be acute or chronic as well. Its development is due to a viral or bacterial infection, and the main symptom indicating a lesion respiratory organs- this is a strong cough, which may be dry at first, and after a day or two it becomes wet, p.

The danger of advanced bronchitis

The disease itself is not dangerous. Complications of bronchitis, which develop against the background of ineffective or insufficient treatment, carry a great health risk. Other risk factors are misdiagnosis, untimely access to a doctor, non-compliance with medical prescriptions, weak immunity, smoking, both active and passive, as well as unfavorable climatic conditions or work on hazardous production... The most common consequences of bronchitis:

• bronchopneumonia;
• pneumosclerosis;
• bronchial asthma;
• emphysema of the lungs;
• obstruction of the bronchi;
• pulmonary hypertension;
• asthmatic syndrome;
• pneumonia;
• pulmonary heart.

Complication in the form of pneumonia

One of the most frequent complications acute bronchitis is pneumonia, diagnosed in most cases in young children and the elderly. There are several risk factors in which the pathology in question rapidly progresses and becomes complicated:

• Delayed or not completed treatment course.
• Failure to comply with medical prescriptions.
• Weakness of the body immunodeficiency states.
• Hereditary predisposition to diseases of the respiratory organs.
• Tobacco smoking.
• Accompanying illnesses.

Pathology is of great danger for young children due to the age characteristics of the body. With pneumonia, in many cases, hospitalization is required, antibiotic therapy... An integrated approach to treatment is important, since other equally serious complications are likely, for example, lung abscess, septic fever, or respiratory failure. It can be recognized by the following features:

• High temperature, not less than 38 degrees.
• Dizziness.
• Cough.
• Decrease in body weight.
• Impurities of blood in the sputum.
• Absence therapeutic effect after use folk remedies, medical supplies cough, etc.
• Rapid pulse.

Most often, pneumonia develops against the background of a bacterial infection. If the treatment of bronchitis for ten or more days does not bring relief, then most likely we are talking about a complication in the form of pneumonia.

The appearance of asthmatic syndrome

Another complication of the pathology under consideration is asthmatic syndrome or. It is characterized by profuse sputum production, spasm and swelling of the bronchi. This condition often precedes asthma, and is due to such a complication by the age factor, the presence of diseases allergic origin, staphylococcal infection of the respiratory tract. Asthmatic bronchitis symptoms:

• Abundant sputum production a day after the start.

Frequent ones may indicate a high likelihood of developing bronchial asthma in the foreseeable future, therefore it is very important to stop the symptoms in time, as well as to influence the cause of the pathology.

Diagnostic measures involve:

• examination of the patient and an allergist-immunologist;
• listening to the respiratory organs;
• X-ray examination;
• blood tests for immunoglobulins;
• skin tests to identify the allergenic nature of the disease, etc.

Treatment of this complication involves an individual and comprehensive approach to each patient.

Bronchial asthma

Insufficient treatment of bronchitis often leads to the development of bronchial asthma, which manifests itself in the form of the following symptoms:

• Frequent respiratory illness accompanied by severe cough.
• Regular exacerbations, proceeding with wheezing and coughing, runny nose, sensations of heaviness and congestion in the chest, but without hyperthermia.
• Paroxysmal cough with suffocation. Often there is a threat to life, since it is not possible to stop the attack with conventional drugs.

This complication occurs against the background chronic bronchitis due to factors such as hypothermia, flu epidemic, weakening of the immune system, active and passive smoking, old or childhood age, etc. Many patients have false attacks of bronchial asthma, especially in neurasthenics and people with an unbalanced psyche. To establish the correct diagnosis, a set of examinations is prescribed - lab tests, spirometry, etc.

Another serious consequence of bronchitis is or narrowing of the bronchi, accompanied by impaired respiratory function and coughing. This condition is characterized by rapid progression, deterioration of health.

Under the influence of provoking factors, there is a violation of the specific movements of the cilia lining the mucous membrane. As a result, sputum discharge becomes more difficult, and the obstruction increases, the walls of the bronchi thicken. A person appears, especially during physical exertion, worries. Other symptoms:

• Elevated temperature.
• Expiratory dyspnea.
• Weakness, lethargy.
• Lachrymation.
• Sore throat and sore throat.
• Dry type of cough.
• Cyanosis.

Complication reasons:

• Pathogenic microorganisms.
• Accumulation of mucus in the bronchi.
• Muscle spasm of the walls of the bronchi.
• Congenital narrowing of the bronchi caused by smoking a woman during pregnancy, alcohol abuse.
• Allergy.

At chronic course illness in acute stage requires constant use to expand the bronchi and to relax smooth muscles. These are drugs such as, Fenoterol, etc. And also with obstructive bronchitis, the use of mucolytics is required. Severe respiratory failure requires use hormonal drugs as well as oxygen therapy.

Prevention of complications of bronchitis

To avoid dangerous complications bronchitis is required to start a treatment course as early as possible. The principles of therapy are to improve bronchial motility, dilute sputum and stimulate its excretion. If bronchitis is provoked by a viral infection, then antiviral drugs should be taken, and if the culprit is pathogenic bacteria, then, accordingly, antibiotics are indicated. Timely treatment- this is the main view. It is equally important to comply with the following recommendations:

• Strengthening the immune system, hardening, herbal medicine, taking immunostimulants.
• Saturated food, eating foods rich in vitamins.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Complete cessation of smoking.
• Timely appeal for medical care with various pathological symptoms.
• Providing good rest.
• Regular sports training.
• Taking vitamin complexes.

The likelihood of contracting bronchitis, in which complications often occur that carry a serious health risk, are reduced if correct image life and giving up bad habits.

Bronchitis is a common disease of the lower respiratory tract, characterized by an inflammatory process in the bronchial mucosa. The symptoms of bronchitis and the tactics of treatment depend on the form in which the disease proceeds: acute or chronic, as well as the stage of development of the disease. It is necessary to treat bronchitis of any form and stage in a timely and complete manner: the inflammatory process in the bronchi not only affects the quality of life, but is also dangerous with severe complications, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pathologies and dysfunctions of the cardiovascular system, etc.

The reasons for the development of the disease

Bronchitis in both children and adults in the vast majority of cases is a primary disease of infectious etiology. The disease most often develops under the influence of an infectious agent. Among the most common causes of primary bronchitis, the following pathogens are distinguished:

• viruses: parainfluenza, influenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus, enterovirus, measles;
• bacteria (staphylococci, streptococci, haemophilus influenzae, respiratory forms of mycoplasma, chlamydophiles, whooping cough pathogen);
• fungal (candida, aspergillus).

In 85% of cases, viruses become a provocateur of the infectious process. However, often with reduced immunity, the presence of a viral infection, favorable conditions arise for the activation of conditionally pathogenic flora (staphylococci, streptococci present in the body), which entails the development of an inflammatory process with a mixed flora. Identification of primary and active ingredients pathogenic flora is a prerequisite for effective therapy diseases.
Bronchitis of fungal etiology is quite rare: with normal immunity, it is practically impossible to activate the fungal flora in the bronchi. Mycotic damage to the bronchial mucosa is possible with significant disturbances in the functioning of the immune system: with congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies, after a course of radiation or chemotherapy, when taking cytostatics by cancer patients.
Other factors in the etiology of acute and chronic forms of the disease that provoke the development of an inflammatory process in the lungs include:

• foci of chronic infection in the upper respiratory tract;
• prolonged inhalation of contaminated air (dust, bulk materials, smoke, fumes, gases), including smoking;
• pathology of the structure of organs bronchopulmonary system.

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Classification of the disease bronchitis

In the classification of the disease, two main forms are distinguished: acute and chronic. They differ in manifestations, signs, symptoms, course of the disease and methods of therapy.

Acute bronchitis: symptoms and characteristics

The acute form occurs suddenly, proceeds violently and lasts an average of 7-10 days with proper therapy. After this period, the affected cells of the walls of the bronchi begin to regenerate, full recovery from inflammation of viral and / or bacterial etiology occurs after 3 weeks.
By the nature of the course of the disease, mild, moderate and severe degrees are distinguished. Classification is based on:

• the severity of respiratory failure;
• the results of the analysis of blood, sputum;
• X-ray examination of the bronchial lesion area.

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

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

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

Acute non-obstructive form

Acute non-obstructive, or simple form characterized by the development of a catarrhal inflammatory process in the bronchi of large and medium caliber and the absence of blockage of the bronchi with inflammatory contents. The most common cause of this form is viral infection and non-infectious agents.
As the disease progresses, with appropriate treatment, sputum leaves the bronchi during coughing, respiratory failure does not develop.

Acute obstructive bronchitis

This form is especially dangerous for children. preschool age in view of the narrowness of the airways and a tendency to bronchospasm with a small amount of sputum.
The inflammatory process, most often of a purulent or catarrhal-purulent nature, covers the bronchi of medium and small caliber, while their lumen is blocked with exudate. Muscle walls reflexively contract, causing a spasm. Respiratory failure sets in, leading to oxygen starvation of the body.

Chronic form of the disease

In the chronic form, signs of an inflammatory process in the walls of the bronchi are observed for three or more months. The main symptom of chronic bronchitis is an unproductive cough, usually in the morning, after sleep. Shortness of breath may also occur, which increases with exertion.
The inflammation is chronic, with periods of exacerbation and remission. The most common reason chronic form there are constantly acting aggressive factors: occupational hazards (smoke, fumes, soot, gases, vapors of chemicals). The most common provocateur is tobacco smoke during active or passive smoking.
The chronic form is typical for the adult population. In children, it can develop only in the presence of immunodeficiencies, structural anomalies of the lower respiratory system, severe chronic diseases.

Photo: Helen Sushitskaya / Shutterstock.com

Different forms of bronchitis: signs and symptoms

Symptoms differ both depending on the form of the disease and in different age periods.

Symptoms in adults

Formed respiratory system, immunity and longer exposure than children negative factors cause the main differences in the manifestation of both acute and chronic forms of the disease in adulthood.

Acute form in adults

Most often (in 85% of cases) it occurs as a consequence of an acute respiratory viral infection. It is characterized by a rapid onset of the disease, starting with the onset of discomfort in the chest area, painful bouts of dry, unproductive cough, aggravated at night, when lying down, causing pain in the pectoral and diaphragmatic muscles.

With bronchitis against the background of ARVI, there are general symptoms viral disease: intoxication of the body (weakness, headaches, aching in muscles, joints), hyperthermia, possible layering of catarrhal manifestations (rhinitis, sore throat, lacrimation, etc.)

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

In acute respiratory viral infections, the stage of productive cough usually coincides with the beginning of recovery from acute respiratory viral infections: the manifestations of intoxication of the body decrease, body temperature normalizes (or keeps within subfebrile limits). If no such phenomena are observed on days 3-5 from the onset of the disease, it is necessary to diagnose the probable addition of a bacterial infection and / or the development of complications.

The total duration of the cough period is up to 2 weeks, up to complete cleaning bronchial tree from sputum. About 7-10 days after the end of the cough, the period of regeneration of epithelial cells in the walls of the bronchi lasts, after which complete recovery occurs. Average duration the acute form of the disease in adults is 2-3 weeks, in healthy people without bad habits, the uncomplicated acute form ends with the restoration of full health of the lower respiratory tract.

Acute obstructive form

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

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

The acute obstructive form is characteristic mainly for people with a diagnosis of bronchial asthma, smokers, the elderly, with chronic forms of lung or heart disease.
The first symptoms are shortness of breath due to oxygen deficiency, including at rest, an unproductive cough with prolonged painful attacks, wheezing in the chest with pronounced increase in inspiration.

With moderate and severe respiratory failure, the patient strives for a half-sitting position, sitting, with support on the forearms. The process of breathing involves auxiliary musculature chest, visually noticeable expansion of the wings of the nose on inhalation. With significant hypoxia, cyanosis is noted in the area of ​​the nasolabial triangle, darkening of the tissues under the nail plates on the arms and legs. Any effort causes shortness of breath, including the process of speaking.

Relief with proper therapy occurs on the 5-7th day with the onset of productive cough and sputum removal from the bronchi. In general, the disease lasts longer than the non-obstructive form, the healing process takes up to 4 weeks.

Symptoms and stages of the chronic form of the disease

The chronic stage is diagnosed with a bronchial type of cough for at least three months, as well as a history of certain risk factors for the development of the disease. The most common factor is tobacco smoking, most often active, but passive inhalation of smoke also often leads to an inflammatory process in the walls of the bronchi.
The chronic form can proceed in an erased form or in the alternation of an acute phase and remission. As a rule, an exacerbation of the disease is observed against the background of a viral or bacterial infection, however, the acute phase in the presence of a chronic form differs from acute bronchitis against the background general health bronchi severity of symptoms, duration, frequent complications of bacterial etiology.
Aggravation can also be triggered by a change climatic conditions, stay in a cold, humid environment. Without appropriate therapy, the chronic form of the disease progresses, respiratory failure increases, exacerbations are more and more difficult.
During periods of remission, early stages the patient's illness may be disturbed by an episodic cough after a night's sleep. As the inflammatory process increases clinical picture expands, supplemented by shortness of breath during exercise, increased sweating, fatigue, coughing fits at night and during periods of rest while lying down.
The late stages of the chronic form cause a change in the shape of the chest, pronounced frequent moist wheezing in the chest when breathing. Coughing fits are accompanied by the release of purulent exudate, the skin acquires an earthy hue, cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle region is noticeable, first after physical activity, then at rest. The late stage of the chronic form of bronchitis is difficult to treat, without treatment, as a rule, it turns into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Symptoms in children

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Among the main causes of the disease in children, not only pathogenic microorganisms are distinguished, but also allergens. Acute bronchitis can also be a period in the course of childhood diseases such as measles, whooping cough, rubella.
Risk factors for the development of bronchitis are prematurity and underweight in newborns, especially when feeding with artificial breast milk substitutes, abnormal structure and pathology of the development of the bronchopulmonary system, immunodeficiency states, impaired nasal breathing due to curvature of the nasal septum, chronic diseases accompanied by the proliferation of adenoid tissue, chronic foci of infection in the respiratory system and / or oral cavity.
The acute form of the disease in preschool children occurs quite often and accounts for 10% of all acute respiratory diseases in this age period, which is due to anatomical features the structure of the respiratory system of the child.

Acute non-obstructive form in children

Acute non-obstructive form in childhood proceeds in the same way as in adult patients: starting with a dry cough and signs of intoxication of the body, the disease goes into the stage of sputum production on 3-5 days. The total duration of the disease in the absence of complications is 2-3 weeks.
This form is considered the most favorable for the prognosis of recovery, but it is more common in schoolchildren and adolescents. Children of preschool age, due to the structural features of the respiratory system, are more likely to develop obstructive bronchitis and bronchiolitis.

Acute obstructive form in children: symptoms and stages of the disease

Acute obstructive bronchitis is diagnosed in children under 3 years of age with a frequency of 1: 4, that is, every fourth child, before reaching the age of three, has had this form of the disease at least once. Children are also prone to recurrent episodes of the disease, several obstructive inflammatory processes in the bronchi during the year may indicate the manifestation of bronchial asthma. Frequent recurrent episodes of the disease also increase the likelihood of developing a chronic form, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary emphysema.

The acute obstructive form occurs against the background of the defeat of the bronchi of small and medium calibers with the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the deep parts of the respiratory organ, blockage of the lumens and the occurrence of bronchospasm. The increased likelihood of developing obstruction is due to the anatomical narrowness of the bronchi and characteristic of children age period increased tendency of muscle tissue to contract in response to stimuli in the form of sputum. The obstructive form in children is manifested primarily by wheezing in the chest area, shortness of breath, increasing when speaking, physical activity, increased frequency of respiratory movements, difficult exhalation.

Cough is not a necessary symptom; it may be absent in infants or debilitated children. Respiratory failure leads to the appearance of symptoms such as cyanosis (blue skin tone) of the nasolabial triangle, nails on the hands and feet. When breathing, the movement of retraction of the intercostal spaces is expressed, the expansion of the wings of the nose. Body temperature, as a rule, is kept in the subfebrile range, not exceeding 38 ° C. With a concomitant viral infection, catarrhal manifestations may occur: runny nose, sore throat, lacrimation, etc.

Bronchiolitis in children as a type of bronchitis: symptoms and treatment

Acute bronchiolitis is the most dangerous type of inflammatory lesion of bronchial tissue in childhood. Most often, bronchiolitis is diagnosed in children under 3 years of age. The disease is a dangerously high number of deaths (1% of cases), the most susceptible to it are children aged 5-7 months, born ahead of time, with low body weight, who are fed with artificial formula, as well as babies with congenital anomalies of the respiratory organs and the heart system.
The prevalence of bronchiolitis is 3% in children of the first year of life. The greatest danger is a viral infection: RV viruses, which have a tropism for the tissue of the mucous surface of the small bronchi, provoke a significant part of bronchiolitis in children.
The following causative agents of the disease are also distinguished:

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

Most often, infection occurs in utero or during childbirth, the disease develops with a decrease in innate immunity, especially in the absence of breastfeeding.
The disease can be complicated by the addition of a bacterial inflammatory process with the activation of opportunistic microorganisms present in the body (streptococci, staphylococci).
The development of the disease is sudden, rapid. Primary manifestations are limited to symptoms of intoxication (lethargy, drowsiness, moodiness), a slight increase in body temperature, discharge from the nasal passages.
On days 2-3, wheezing during breathing, shortness of breath, the child expresses anxiety, turns out to be from food, cannot suck on the breast, pacifier, pacifier. The respiratory rate reaches 80 respiratory movements per minute, the pulse accelerates to 160-180 beats / min. Determined by cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle, blanching or blue skin, especially fingers, toes. There is a pronounced lethargy, drowsiness, lack of a revitalization complex, reaction when handling.
Bronchiolitis in infants requires urgent urgent hospitalization.

Diagnosis of the disease

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

• collection of anamnesis, analysis of patient complaints, visual examination, listening to breath sounds with a stethoscope;
• general blood analysis;
• general sputum analysis;
• X-ray examination to exclude or confirm pneumonia as a complication of bronchitis;
• spirographic examination to determine the degree of obstruction and respiratory failure;
• bronchoscopy with suspicion of anatomical anomalies of development, the presence foreign body in the bronchi, tumor changes;
• computed tomography according to indications.

Treatment methods for different forms of the disease

Depending on the cause of the development of the disease, first of all, drugs are prescribed that affect the pathogen: antiviral medicines, antibiotics, antifungal agents, etc.
For etiotropic therapy, symptomatic treatment is necessarily used in the complex: antipyretic drugs, mucolytic drugs (acetylcysteine, ambroxol), drugs that suppress the cough reflex, with severe painful coughing attacks, bronchodilators.
Both general and local drugs are used (through inhalers, nebulizers, instillations and sprays into the nasal passages, etc.).
TO drug therapy add methods of physiotherapy exercises, gymnastics, massage to facilitate the separation and removal of sputum.
In the treatment of the chronic form, the main role is played by the exclusion of the factor that provokes the inflammatory process in the tissues of the bronchi: occupational hazards, environmental conditions, smoking. After excluding this factor, long-term treatment is carried out with mucolytic, bronchodilator drugs, and general strengthening medicines. It is possible to use oxygen therapy, spa treatment.