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Bronchitis
– inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the bronchi. Acute bronchitis and acute bronchiolitis (inflammation of small branches of the bronchial tree – bronchioles).
Acute bronchitis can be primary or secondary.
- Primary bronchitis is the development of an independent disease, inflammation begins in the bronchi and is limited to them.
- Secondary bronchitis occurs during the course of another disease or as a complication of it (Measles, ARVI, foreign bodies entering the bronchi).
Causes of acute bronchitis
- infectious (viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc.);
- exposure to physical and chemical factors (thermal, etc.);
- – allergies;
- unknown or unspecified nature.
The most common cause of acute bronchitis is pathogens of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, measles, rubella, whooping cough, etc. A bacterial infection (staphylococcus, pneumococcus, streptococcus, etc.) can overlap with a viral one.
Acute bronchitis can also be caused by physical and chemical irritants (dust, cold/hot dry air, chlorine, ammonia, sulfur derivatives, etc.).
Transition from acute to chronic bronchitis
- Endobronchitis. The inflammatory process affects only the bronchial mucosa. Upon recovery, the structure is completely restored.
- Mesobronchitis. In severe cases of the disease, inflammation spreads to both the submucosal and muscular layers of the bronchi. This leads to disruption of their functions, deformation of the bronchial tree, because scars form. All this serves as the reason for the transition of acute inflammation into a chronic process.
Symptoms of bronchitis
- itchy and sore behind the sternum,
- feeling of weakness, lethargy.
- dry painful cough, sometimes in attacks.
- mucous/mucopurulent sputum.
- with prolonged coughing attacks – headache and dizziness.
Body temperature is often normal. If small bronchi are affected, the condition is usually more severe due to the development of bronchial obstruction (respiratory function is impaired due to obstruction of the bronchi).
With bronchiolitis, their mucous membrane swells and viscous mucus is released, disrupting the patency of the bronchial tree – shortness of breath develops and weakness increases.
Acute allergic bronchitis is characterized by a connection between the disease and exposure to an allergen, the presence of other manifestations of allergy, severe obstructive syndrome, and an increased number of eosinophils in the blood and sputum.
Allergic bronchitis is characterized by a protracted, often recurrent course. In the acute phase, deterioration of the condition, weakness, and sweating at normal body temperature are noted; cough with mucous sputum. Often allergic bronchitis is combined with allergic rhinitis or sinusitis.
Acute bronchitis usually ends with recovery within 2-3 weeks. If recovery occurs more slowly and occurs after 4-6 weeks, this is a protracted course of bronchitis. Acute bronchitis can be complicated by bronchiolitis, pneumonia (in children under 5 years of age, the elderly and debilitated patients). Often, on the 5-8th day of the disease, bacterial flora joins the viral infection.
It should also be taken into account that acute bronchitis can be a manifestation of various infectious diseases – measles, whooping cough, etc.
Bronchitis treatment
Treatment in most cases is carried out on an outpatient basis. Hospitalization is necessary if the patient’s condition is serious (for example, with severe obstructive syndrome, the development of pneumonia).
The room should be well ventilated. Smoking is prohibited. Drinking plenty of fluids is recommended. If sputum is difficult to clear, use expectorants and mucolytics (sputum thinners). To eliminate spasms, agents that dilate the bronchi are used. In severe cases of the disease, antibacterial drugs are prescribed.
To treat acute allergic bronchitis, antihistamines, bronchodilators, and in severe cases, glucocorticoid hormones in the form of inhalers are used.
Joining bronchiolitis current bronchitis is manifested by a sharp deterioration in condition. The temperature rises to 38,5-39°. Shortness of breath occurs. Characterized by a painful cough with scanty mucous sputum. Pale skin and cyanosis are noted. Symptoms of cardiovascular failure (low blood pressure, tachycardia) may be added; this is an indication for hospitalization.
Acute bronchitis lasts no more than 2 weeks, prolonged bronchitis lasts up to 2 months. The prognosis is usually favorable, recovery occurs in 5-6 weeks. During the recovery period, physiotherapy, inhalations, and physical therapy sessions are indicated.