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The trachea is one of the organs of the respiratory system that extends the larynx and supplies air to the lungs. It begins at the level of the C6-C7 cervical vertebrae and ends at the level of Th4-Th5 of the thoracic vertebrae. The lower part of the trachea is called the bronchi. Unfortunately, infection very often causes tracheitis, which may start with a sore throat, and later lead to breathing problems, and may even turn into bronchitis. What should you know about tracheitis?
Functions of the trachea
Main functions trachea is the transport of air from the larynx to the bronchi during inhalation and also in the opposite direction during exhalation. In addition, the trachea cleans the inhaled air, because the cilia present in the epithelium of the cilia catch microorganisms, dust and dust particles, and the mucus present on the cilia sticks them together and removes them upwards in the form of a secretion, which is then expectorated. In this way, the trachea protects the rest of the respiratory system from the threat of microorganisms or even viruses and bacteria that could settle in the respiratory tract and cause infection.
Tracheitis – causes
Tracheitis is an inflammation of the middle airways that usually starts with laryngitis and also includes bronchitis if it develops further. The causes of tracheitis are primarily viruses, for example:
- flu viruses,
- paragrypy,
- rhinoviruses,
- adenowirusy i RSV.
Very rarely, a bacterial infection may be the cause atypical bacteria. It most often appears in young children as a consequence of upper respiratory tract infection.
The trachea is infected by airborne droplets when the affected person talks, sneezes, coughs and spreads the virus along with the saliva. People who are exposed to cigarette smoke for a long time are also at risk of getting tracheitis because it irritates the mucous membranes of the trachea.
Symptoms of tracheitis
The most common symptoms of tracheitis include all types of cough, usually dry cough first, and moist cough only after the disease has developed. Other symptoms include:
- wheezing
- sore throat with a scratchy feeling in the throat
- difficulties with breathing,
- low-grade fever or fever
- pains behind the breastbone,
- weakness and fatigue.
Tracheitis can also be a consequence of inflammation of the larynx or upper respiratory tract and appears as a complication after these diseases. A pharyngeal swab is taken and an X-ray of the trachea and chest is ordered to confirm the presence of tracheitis. A blood oxygen saturation test may also be performed. However, the most common diagnosis is pain symptoms and wheezing sounds when breathing.
Treatment of tracheitis
If atypical bacteria are the cause of tracheitis, antibiotic therapy is used for treatment. However, the most common cause is inflammation caused by viruses, so symptomatic treatment is used, e.g. antitussive drugs, analgesics, protecting the throat mucosa, reducing the fever and facilitating expectoration of mucus, if it has appeared. Inhalations may also be helpful to moisturize the respiratory tract, which will become severely irritated as a result of tracheitis. It is even advisable to use an air humidifier in the room where the sick person is.
| Name of the disease / condition | Trachea |
| Introduction (e.g. description of the disease) | The trachea is one of the organs of the respiratory system that extends the larynx and supplies air to the lungs. It begins at C6-C7 cervical vertebrae and ends at Th4-Th5 thoracic vertebrae. The lower part of the trachea is called the bronchi. Often, an infection results in tracheitis, which can start with a sore throat, and later lead to breathing problems, and may even turn into bronchitis. What you should know about tracheitis. |
| The name of the disease – symptoms | all types of cough, usually dry cough first, and moist cough only after the disease develops. Other symptoms include wheezing, sore throat with a scratchy throat, difficulty breathing, low fever or fever, pain behind the breastbone, weakness and tiredness. |
| Name of the disease – causes | The causes of tracheitis are primarily viruses. Very rarely, the cause may be a bacterial infection with atypical bacteria |
| The name of the disease – treatment | Antibiotics for a bacterial infection |
| Disease name – prognosis | x |
| Disease name – prophylaxis | x |
| Other important (if any) | x |