Treatment for acute and chronic bronchitis: if sputum moves badly
A clear sign of bronchitis - productive (wet) cough, but sometimes the phlegm departs bad bronchitis due to the increased viscosity. How to distinguish it from other diseases, prevent the transition of acute forms to chronic, relieve the cough? The answers to these questions you will find below.
Forms of bronchitis and their differences
Bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory system in which inflammation is transmitted to the bronchi. It most often is a complication of colds, so it is necessary to distinguish bronchitis from other mimic diseases - pneumonia, acute respiratory infections, influenza, miliary tuberculosis and lung cancer. Some of these diseases require immediate treatment, could result in death. So not worth it when you cough - the main symptom of many diseases is to delay the visit to the doctor to pinpoint the diagnosis can only specialist after inspection.
Bronchitis is of three kinds:
- acute bronchitis - inflammation of the bronchial tree, thereby increasing bronchial secretion, leading to cough with expectoration;
- chronic bronchitis - the defeat of the bronchial tree with the restructuring of secreting apparatus of the bronchi, which is accompanied by a violation cleansing and protective functions of the bronchial tubes;
- obstructive form is inflammation, in which due to the swelling of the mucous membrane, the obstruction of the bronchi.
The chronic form is sometimes confused with an allergic reaction. These two forms are characterized by fits of coughing and frequency of exacerbations. But at the same time, in allergic bronchitis, the body temperature does not rise, and aggravation provoked solely by contact with allergens (animal dander, pollens, dust, detergents, etc.).
Acute bronchitis: treatment
Most often, the inflammation of the bronchial tubes triggered by different viruses that affect the upper respiratory tract (Rhino - and adenoviruses, influenza viruses, parainfluenza, etc.), intracellular parasites (Mycoplasma, chlamydia) and bacteria (streptococci, pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae, Bacillus, etc.). Therefore, bronchitis is a contagious disease, which quickly spreads through airborne droplets, even after brief contact with the sick person.
There are primary and secondary acute types of the disease. Secondary develops on the background of colds. The primary diagnose is much easier because the picture is not blurred symptoms of other diseases. But many experts deny this pathogenetic distinctions, asin fact, acute bronchitis is always a complication with acute respiratory diseases or damage of the bronchial mucosa of other etiology. If acute bronchitis symptoms appear with the development of the disease and include:
- sore throat, pressing pain in the upper part of the chest;
- dry cough, which disturbs the patient for several days;
- the increase in body temperature to 37,2-38⁰s;
- productive cough that occurs after dry.
Productive cough with inflammation of bronchi lasts for up to two weeks. If the cough lasts longer, it indicates incorrectly chosen treatment and the transition of bronchial inflammation from the acute form to chronic. The character of the sputum indicates the degree of development of the disease: transparent means the initial stage, and if the disease progresses without adequate treatment, the color of sputum may acquire a yellowish or greenish tint.
Depending on the etiology of the disease the patient is prescribed the antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and immunomodulatory drugs. Traces of pus in the sputum indicate mycoplasmal or bacterial infection, for which treatment the use of antibiotics. In case of viral infections antibiotics will only weaken an already depleted body, so they should be taken only with the prescription of a doctor after a precise diagnosis.
If mucus, which is expectorated by coughing accompanied by bloody discharge, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor!
The main principle of treatment of bronchial inflammation is the liquefaction of sputum is too viscous to facilitate its expectoration. Traditional medicine with this goal prescribes the patient to drink plenty of liquids (excluding drinks containing caffeine and alcohol), the use of drugs expectorants and mucolytics - means intended to liquefy the phlegm without increasing its volume. The most popular are the mucolytics Ambroxol, Bromhexine, Acetylcysteine, syrup of licorice root. Expectorants are designed to drain bronchial secretions from the respiratory tract via the activation of cough reflex. This group of drugs include derivatives of Cysteine, Himopsin, Ribonuclease, Potassium iodide, Sodium bicarbonate, etc. should Not self-medicate and in its sole discretion to choose the drug: each of them has its side effects and contraindications. So before taking medicines you must consult a doctor.
To facilitate waste sputum with abundant secretion of bronchial mucosa and effective recipes of traditional medicine, whichparticularly effective in combination with drug treatment. So, to remove toxins from the body giving the patient is diaphoretic: ginger with honey, broth of lime blossom, sage, elder. If the body temperature is not elevated, you can put the yellow card on the upper part of the chest. If sputum moves badly with bronchitis, it is an indispensable means of treatment in the home will be inhalation. For them to use decoctions of herbs breast-collection, essential oils of conifers and eucalyptus, and salt and soda solutions. But before the use of certain folk remedies is better to consult with a specialist to avoid unwanted side effects and choose the most effective method of treatment of bronchitis.
Chronic bronchitis: methods of treatment during remission and exacerbation
Inflammation of the bronchi, which passed into the chronic form, often are not only smokers, but also those who, for whatever reason, often inhales air from irritating the Airways noninfectious elements of etymology (cadmium, urethane, dust, nitrogen oxide and other chemicals). In chronic cough is repeated 3-4 times a year, the typical aggravation in cold and wet weather. During exacerbation can appear shortness of breath, sweating at night, wheezing when you exhale. There are several forms of chronic inflammation of the bronchi:
- Simple uncomplicated form: it has the same symptoms as acute bronchitis without complications.
- Purulent: sputum continuously or from time to time contains purulent blotches.
Chronic disease during periods of exacerbation treated by the same principle as the acute form of the disease, that is, products used to facilitate waste sputum.
In periods of remission of chronic diseases should be protected from temperature fluctuations and hypothermia, in order not to provoke aggravation. In addition, you should avoid the action of etiological factors such as Smoking, inhaling various types of dust, acids, alkalis, etc. to Prevent aggravation may also inhalation of humidified oxygen and a special diet. Diet includes vitamins (raw vegetables and fruits, juices and yeast drinks) and essential minerals to strengthen the immune system. If the sputum is abundant, it is necessary to restore the protein loss, which can be done using a rich in protein diet.
Excellent results in chronic bronchitis shows a Spa treatment in the Maritime mountain climate. Very popular method of strengthening the body of the patient during remission with cold douches and showers.