The disease is chronic bronchitis and its treatment

As a complication of acute bronchitis can be a chronic bronchitis is sluggish inflammatory process in the bronchi, which is accompanied by frequent periods of exacerbation. This process triggers a gradual change of the bronchial mucosa, from superficial to deeper layers, as well as pathological changes of the secretory apparatus of the bronchi.

Features of this disease

Unlike acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis is manifested in the form of cough and expectoration for at least a period of ninety days in a year, repeat for at least two years in a row. However, sometimes this diagnosis is even those who have no pronounced cough, it is sputum, which they habitually swallow.

Causes of chronic bronchitis are rooted in contact during the breathing of harmful substances in the respiratory tract. For example, as the cause may be exposure to tobacco smoke, chemical volatile compounds, such as smoke from burning coal, sulfur dioxide, etc.. Often regular inhalation of such substances can be caused by living or working in adverse conditions, such as metallurgical plants, chemical plants, mines, etc..

Too often, however, chronic bronchitis is manifested by the consequences of acute bronchitis. In turn, acute bronchitis develops on the background of infections (adenovirus, influenza, parainfluenza, etc.) or inhaled bacteria (pneumococci, streptococci, Haemophilus influenzae, sticks).

In General, the types of bronchitis depend on the origin of the disease and can be classified as: viral bronchitis, allergic, fungal, bacterial, chemical. That is why it is extremely important to refer to specialists for correct diagnosis to treatment was quite effective.

What to do when the signs of bronchitis?

As a rule, if manifested symptoms of the disease, it means that it is worsening. The most striking symptoms that accompany exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, are expressed hysterical non-productive cough, usually dry but sometimes with abundant expectoration, shortness of breath. And if there is a bronchitis and a viral disease, to this list, you can add increase in body temperature, headache, excessive sweating, etc..

Another one of the common symptoms that accompany chronic simple bronchitis, is a progressive shortness of breath during physical exertion. It is caused by the fact thatunder the influence of harmful substances, the structure of the bronchi is gradually deformed and the process of blockage (obstruction). In the initial stage it is still possible to restore the normal functioning of the bronchial tubes to hold the corresponding treatment, but at later stages, especially if bronchitis is not treated, the deformity becomes irreversible.

Sometimes cough during acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis may be accompanied by traces of blood in the sputum, and though such cases are not typical for this disease, yet experts recommend immediately seek help from a doctor to make sure that it is not a manifestation of tuberculosis or lung cancer.

Since the chronic form of the disease does not develop in one day, many patients are not even aware they have this disease. At increased risk are smokers, the tobacco people, archivists and other dusty areas, and even those who have a bacterial infection of the bronchi passing into the chronic form.

Most importantly, what is the difference between simple bronchitis and chronic bronchitis - is the irreversibility of the changes occurring with the bronchi as a result of recent.

After all, if the inflammation and dysfunction of the bronchi in normal bronchitis takes place immediately after the recovery, in the case of chronic changes affect deeper levels, and the restoration of the bronchi in its previous form is impossible.

The consequences of the disease

If chronic bronchitis is not treated, over time it can progress to a more complex and dangerous disease - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Often the acute stage of chronic bronchitis have on the offseason, against the background of reduced temperature and reduced levels of immunity. It can be as the spring and autumn season.

In the initial stage the symptoms are so mild (mild dry cough, throat irritation, etc.) that the patient may not pay attention to such manifestations, believing them due to mild colds. The disabled person is not violated, and he can lead a normal lifestyle.

For children age situation with chronic bronchitis is somewhat different. First of all, for children under three years of age, diagnosed with it chronic disease in principle can not be delivered, even if they are sick for more than three months annually for two consecutive years. Up to three years, children may be more susceptible to bronchitis for over six months, but even with hospital treatment the diagnosis will mean, most likely, a varietyrecurrent bronchitis or acute type. This practice is due to the fact that after three years all inflammatory processes in the bronchi themselves disappear. If this does not happen, then the diagnosis of chronic bronchitis can be confirmed.

Causes of disease in children and adults

Despite the fact that in adults the causes of chronic bronchitis are in the regular inhalation of tobacco smoke and harmful substances in children the main cause of the disease can be called infection. Because the protection mechanism of the immune system in children is still not fully formed, and the contact they have with a lot of different aggressive pathogens - the result can be seen appropriate. Infection getting to the baby bronchi, not fully cleared by the immune system, which it partly remains in the lymph nodes or mucosa of the respiratory tract.

And later at the first cold or inhaling cold air occurs a re-exacerbation of the disease.

Sometimes chronic bronchitis is diagnosed in a child due to increased reactivity of the bronchi, which produces excessive amounts of mucus.

Because the reflex of cough in small children compared to adults was reduced, the excretion of sputum becomes difficult, which exacerbates the situation.

Features of treatment

Timely and effective treatment of acute bronchitis may prevent development of a chronic form.

Because, most often, this disease is accompanied by acute respiratory viral infection, the treatment regimen includes not only General care and lowering the temperature (if it is above 37.5 degrees), but the treatment of cough, and stimulation of function of bronchi.

Antibiotics are prescribed only when the cause of the bronchitis is a bacterial infection. You can tell by the repeated rise in temperature in five to seven days after onset of illness, and separation of large amounts of sputum, and deterioration of General health of the patient. Many experts believe that the unjustified use of antibiotics can inflict more harm than a complete rejection of these drugs.

In the treatment of chronic bronchitis, the main task is the elimination of the inflammatory process in the bronchi, and improve their permeability and increasing the level of immunity.

After the study of the microflora of the sputum, the doctor will prescribe antimicrobial drugs. In addition, as a rule, is shown taking bronchodilators, for example, Atrovent, Salbutamol, Theophylline, and others.

Inaddition to this, the specialist assigned expectorant drugs, the choice of which today is quite extensive. There are two groups of expectorants, one of which liquefies phlegm, and the second accelerates the elimination of sputum from the bronchi and facilitates expectoration.

From today's known - it can be the rest of the ACC, Bromhexine and bronchodilators (which help to expand the lumen of the respiratory tract) it is possible to allocate aminophylline, fluticasone, symbicort, flomax, etc..

Also shown to the patient to drink plenty of fluids, inhalations with expectorant and anti-inflammatory compounds, vitamins and immunomodulatory drugs. Sometimes the positive effect is a massage in the chest area and performing breathing exercises.

To finally get rid of chronic bronchitis, insufficient taking a course of drugs. It is important to use natural cures, such as halotherapy. This method involves a visit to the salt caves for medical purposes, where you can spend a number of sessions by inhalation of clean air, rich in mineral components, accelerating the healing process. Even severe advanced forms of chronic bronchitis is much easier to take, if annually two courses of treatment, at three to four weeks for a single course.

Folk remedies useful to consider the reception of natural honey and various herbal decoctions and infusions (including in the form of inhalation). So, for example, one of the compositions prepared on the basis of fresh juice of plantain in 0.5 l and the same amount of honey. This mixture you want to cook on low heat for about twenty minutes, cool and make at least three times a day before meals for one tablespoon.

It is best not to focus on just one kind of treatment, and to apply them comprehensively. Moreover, the treatment of chronic bronchitis can be a long process. The main thing is not to stop and to understand clearly that only by bringing the treatment to the end, there is no fear of complications, and to restore the functions of the respiratory system in full.

To eliminate the possibility of recurrence of chronic bronchitis is prevention, which includes the elimination of adversely affecting the respiratory system factors.

It could be quitting Smoking, or changing environmental conditions, changing locations, if it was unfavorable to man. In addition, the recommended exercising, swimming and the lack of a strong stress. If these recommendations are followed, there is every chance to forget about what is chronic bronchitis for a long time.