Bronchitis: symptoms
Our lungs have passages – bronchi – through which air enters and exits. When the bronchi become inflamed or their inner lining is irritated, bronchitis begins. Symptoms of bronchitis begin to develop as a result of exposure to viruses or after an upper respiratory tract infection.
Correct bronchitis treatment is especially important for children and the elderly. The sooner you begin to fight the symptoms of bronchitis (in uncomplicated form, bronchitis lasts about two weeks), the more chances you have of avoiding further complications.
“The main symptoms of acute bronchitis are a sharp deterioration in general condition, intoxication, fever, productive cough, and sometimes even shortness of breath. With timely prescribed therapy, the disease passes without consequences. However, babies under one year old, due to the age-related features of the structure of the bronchi, have a risk of blockage (obstruction), ”says Olga Aleksandrova, a physician of the highest category.
The symptoms of bronchitis can be easily confused with the symptoms of a cold, especially in the early stages. Bronchitis, by the way, can accompany a cold.
In the case of acute (short-term, as doctors say) bronchitis, the symptoms often last up to two weeks. At this stage, the treatment of bronchitis is usually symptomatic, with over-the-counter medicines available to help cope with the disease.
How to get rid of pharyngitis?
When the temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius or higher, the mucus becomes thick during expectoration, coughing up blood appears, and difficulty breathing becomes very difficult – in all these cases, you need to urgently call a doctor.
Bronchitis: causes
У acute bronchitis there are a number of reasons. The development of the disease can be affected by air polluting small particles in the form of smoke or dust, chemicals (such as ammonia, chlorine or hydrogen sulfide), hypothermia, various allergens (acute allergic bronchitis is more common in people prone to allergic reactions, often he becomes a harbinger of asthma).
However, acute bronchitis is most often caused by viruses that cause colds or flu and certain bacteria (such as pneumococcus or mycoplasma). It happens that bronchitis also occurs due to measles or rubella viruses. In this case, it acts as an “addition” to the disease, is its complication.
If bronchitis is left untreated, it can progress to chronic form… The chronic form of the disease is much more serious. In chronic (long-term) bronchitis, there is an excessive production of thick mucus in the airways, which greatly impedes breathing and gas exchange. Along with emphysema, when the elasticity and strength of the lung tissue is impaired, chronic bronchitis, according to many experts, is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a disease that is often incompatible with life.
Chronic bronchitis can be caused not only by improper treatment of the disease, but also, according to medical statistics, in 80-90% of cases, smoking.
The membranes of the airways and lungs are covered with small hair-like structures called cilia. These cilia are responsible for blocking and removing bacteria and other irritants from the lungs. The chemicals in tobacco smoke paralyze the functioning of the cilia and eventually destroy them, increasing the likelihood of damage and chronic irritation of the airways.
In addition to smoking, long-term bronchitis can also be caused by long-term exposure to dust. The mechanism of this effect is similar to the action of cigarette smoke: dust suppresses the work of the cilia in the respiratory tract, which is why they are not able to maintain the required cleanliness of the environment, which means that inflammation begins in the bronchi. An inflammatory reaction in the lungs, regardless of the type of irritant, provokes the production of mucus, which leads to difficulty breathing.
Once a person develops chronic bronchitis, they become susceptible to other respiratory infections. In addition, the mechanism of saturation of organs and tissues with oxygen in the body is disrupted – ultimately this leads to heart failure.
Treatments for bronchitis
Before talking about how to treat bronchitis, we note that the disease is serious, so it cannot be started. And the necessary medications for bronchitis must be prescribed by a doctor.
If bronchitis is suspected, the patient is recommended to undergo blood and urine tests, and an x-ray. If the case is severe, an extended blood test may be required, as well as sputum culture. To relieve symptoms, says therapist Olga Alexandrova, anti-inflammatory antipyretic drugs, antiallergic (antihistamines) drugs are prescribed. If there is also a runny nose, then vasoconstrictor drops are recommended. The expert reminds and instructs:
“Treatment for a cough depends on its type and stage. For the first 2-3 days, when it is still dry, antitussive medications are used. As soon as sputum appears, expectorant and mucolytic mixtures or tablets are prescribed. In the event that there are no changes in the condition (the temperature does not decrease, breathing remains hard, and so on), the attending physician prescribes antibiotics. Additionally, physiotherapy can be carried out: inhalations, therapeutic massage, breathing exercises. Folk remedies (warming compresses, rubbing with ointments, herbal teas) play a supporting role.
In addition, as with almost any disease, you need to drink more fluids. Drinking warm water helps the phlegm to pass out faster – this will speed up the healing process. Lemon juice with honey is excellent for bronchitis – take the mixture one tablespoon at night. However, you should not get carried away with self-medication – only a doctor can tell you how to properly treat bronchitis, because in this disease, as in others, there are nuances that only an experienced specialist can know about.