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Causes and symptoms of bronchitis. Bronchitis - symptoms, modern diagnosis and effective treatment, anatomy of the bronchi, diet, how to properly place cupping and mustard plasters? Mode, use of a nebulizer How bronchitis appears

An important component of the human respiratory system is the bronchi. They connect the trachea and lung tissue and have some similarities with tubes. At the level of the 4th-5th thoracic vertebrae, the trachea divides into two main, large bronchi, which enter directly into the lungs. Already in the lung tissue, the main bronchi are divided into smaller ones, forming a bronchial tree, where small bronchioles reach only a few millimeters in diameter.

The entire surface of the bronchi is covered with epithelium with microscopic cilia and mucous glands responsible for the production of protective secretions. When various types of infections enter the body, intensive mucus production begins, caused by the inflammatory process. This is how bronchitis begins in adults. may also be hidden in other factors, which we will consider below.

Main causes and classification of acute form

Experts identify several main reasons that serve as an impetus for the occurrence of bronchitis in adults:

  • viruses that can enter the body of adults through contact with a person suffering from influenza or another disease caused by adenoviruses, parainfluenza or respiratory syncytial infection;
  • Bacteria entering the body begin to actively multiply and cause inflammation. The cause of bacterial bronchitis in an adult can be streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci, mycobacterium tuberculosis, as well as atypical representatives of pathogenic flora - chlamydia and mycoplasma;
  • allergens, such as plant pollen, household and industrial dust, animal hair, food and drinks, medications. An exacerbation of a disease caused by such a cause occurs upon contact with an irritant;
  • toxic substances that can cause general intoxication of the body. Against this background, bronchitis develops in adults;
  • fungus (a rather rare provoking factor of the disease). At risk are weak and premature children, as well as adults with reduced immunity after intensive treatment.

In some cases, there may be several causes of the disease; for example, infectious bronchitis is initially diagnosed, but then it is replaced by bacterial bronchitis. In this case, there is a mixed etiology. There are other specific causes of bronchitis in adults, which are characteristic of its individual types.

Why does it appear?

Acute bronchitis occurs suddenly and is accompanied by an increase in temperature. In this case, the inflammatory process does not last long, and after recovery the bronchi are completely regenerated.

The causes of this type of disease in adults are:

  • general hypothermia of the body or prolonged inhalation of too cold or dry hot air;
  • smoking or frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages, which weaken the body’s protective functions. Among adults suffering from bronchitis, about 75% are active smokers;

  • regular inhalation of polluted air. Dirt and dust particles irritate the bronchial mucosa, causing inflammation;
  • complications after suffering an acute respiratory illness or flu can develop into bronchitis;
  • infection caused by viruses, fungi and bacteria. Penetrating into the respiratory system, pathogenic flora irritates the bronchial epithelium.

Causes of the chronic form

Chronic bronchitis is called bronchitis, which torments adult patients for 2 or more years. In this case, the cough continues for at least 3 months a year. The inflammatory process progresses slowly, deforming and narrowing the walls of the bronchi.

Causes:

  • heredity and congenital anomalies of the bronchial tree. This makes the bronchi vulnerable to the negative effects of external factors. Even minor provocateurs can cause spasms and increased mucus production;
  • working in harmful conditions that promote inflammation. Regularly entering the bronchi, the irritant (for example, coal dust) does not have time to be completely eliminated, which provokes in adults;

  • exposure to cigarette smoke. There is even a concept “”: the disease is caused by constant irritation of the epithelium by smoke and the deposition of harmful substances and resins on it;
  • chemical impurities in the air, for example, ammonia, carbon monoxide and a number of others;
  • a decrease in the body’s protective functions, which makes it possible for inflammation to progress;
  • penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the body;
  • weather conditions, but they only serve as a positive background for the development of existing inflammation.

Diagnostics

To correctly determine the type of bronchitis in adults, the doctor uses the following diagnostic techniques:

  • examination. During its course, the specialist will be able to determine the presence of possible pathologies of the chest, and will also ask the patient about disturbing symptoms and the time of their appearance;
  • Auscultation with a stethoscope, allowing you to clearly hear various noises and wheezing. Bronchitis is characterized by hard inhalation and exhalation, and with the accumulation of sputum - scattered wheezing;

  • (general), based on the results of which you can learn about the course of the infectious-inflammatory process. Bacterial bronchitis is characterized by an increase in leukocytes due to the presence of immature neutrophils and an increase in ESR;

If the cause of bronchitis in an adult was a viral infection, then the analysis will show a reduced number of immune cells, as well as an acceleration of ESR.

  • radiography. With its help, you can see a change in the basal pattern of the bronchi. The presence of the disease will be confirmed if the bronchi located near the middle of the chest are more contrasting;

  • Bronchoscopy is often performed to detect chronic bronchitis and determine its stage. To carry out the procedure, a special device, a bronchoscope, is used, which is inserted through the mouth.

To reduce the risk of bronchitis, it makes sense to take preventive measures.

To do this, you should eat rationally, including fresh vegetables and fruits in your daily menu, walk a lot in the fresh air and play sports. Avoiding stressful situations, as well as getting rid of bad habits, will have a positive impact on your health.

These measures will increase the body's resistance to viruses and bacteria.

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  • Yes, daily
  • Sometimes
  • Seasonal (eg vegetable garden)
  • Once every couple of years

Do you play sports?

  • It happened in the past
  • Yes, amateur
  • When I'm sick
  • Sometimes
  • Yes, at the doctor's
  • Yes, I self-medicate
  • Only if it's really bad
  • Only when sick
  • I find it difficult to answer
  • Yes, parents
  • Yes, close relatives
  • I can not say for sure
  • Yes, I live permanently
  • Yes, I work in such conditions
  • Previously lived or worked
  • Yes, chronic
  • Rarely, but it does happen
  • Constantly
  • I'm not there
  • Previously was
  • Rarely, but it happens

Do you often get sick with acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections?

  • I'm constantly sick
  • Rarely, no more than once a year
  • Often, more than 2 times a year
  • Yes, one
  • Not sure, needs testing
  • Yes, even a few

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  • Sedentary
  • Sedentary
  • Happens sometimes
  • Used to smoke
  • Yes, I smoke regularly
  • No and never smoked
  • Rarely, but it happens
  • Previously smoked, but quit
  • Yes, I change filters all the time
  • Yes, we use it sometimes
  • Yes, but we don’t monitor the devices
  • Often
  • Rarely, when necessary
  • Constantly, that's the job
  • I don't use it at all

  • asthmatic syndrome;
  • bronchial type asthma;
  • pneumonia;
  • bronchiectasis.

How can the disease be treated?

Does it always happen with bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a fairly common reason for seeking medical help, both among children and adults. This disease can be a complication of some other illness (ARVI, cold) or be an independent disease. Bronchitis is characterized by involvement of the bronchi in the inflammatory process. There are two forms of the disease that are very different from each other, and, accordingly, require different approaches to treatment.

What can bronchitis be?

Bronchitis can be acute or chronic.

Chronic bronchitis is characterized by the persistence of a symptom in the form of a wet cough for more than three months in a row for at least two years. This is accompanied by a gradual restructuring of the mucosal apparatus, resulting in a progressive deterioration of the protective and cleansing functions of the bronchi.

Acute bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the bronchial mucosa, which entails an increase in the amount of secretions and a severe cough with sputum. In turn, acute bronchitis occurs:

  • simple;
  • obstructive (accompanied by swelling of the mucous membrane, as a result of which the bronchi become clogged).

Causes of bronchitis

The reasons for the development of acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis are somewhat different.

Thus, the main “culprits” of acute bronchitis are bacteria and viruses (less commonly, they are fungi, toxic substances, and allergens). Infection with this disease occurs through airborne droplets from a patient already suffering from the disease (by sneezing, talking, kissing, etc.).

Chronic bronchitis usually occurs for the following reasons:

  • unfavorable living conditions (increased pollution, dust, constant or frequent inhalation of chemicals);
  • long-term exposure to too cold or dry air;
  • frequent relapses of respiratory infections.

There are a number of factors that can significantly increase the risk of any type of bronchitis:

  • life in unfavorable climatic conditions;
  • smoking (including passive smoking);
  • ecology.

Symptoms of bronchitis

The very first and characteristic sign of bronchitis is a severe cough with copious sputum production. On average, the bronchi normally produce about 30 grams daily. secret. It has a barrier and protective function - it protects the bronchi from damage, warms and purifies the inhaled air, and provides local immunity. With bronchitis, pathogens and provocateurs of the disease damage the cells that make up the mucous membrane of the bronchi, and inflammation begins. As a result, the amount of secretion produced increases significantly and it becomes more viscous. This mucus leads to disruption of the lungs and bronchi, and, moreover, it is an excellent environment for the life of microorganisms.

The sputum produced when coughing in case of bronchitis develops has a characteristic yellowish-gray or greenish color. Sometimes there is a noticeable admixture of blood in it. As a rule, a strong cough is observed in the morning, and subsequently it begins to cause the patient a lot of problems at night.

It also happens that bronchitis is accompanied by a dry cough, which, unlike a wet one, is considered unproductive. At the same time, doctors listen to wheezing wheezing.

Other specific symptoms of bronchitis are:

  • labored breathing;
  • wheezing, usually noticeable not only during examination by the doctor, but also by the patient himself;
  • soreness and spasms in the throat;
  • increased body temperature (as a rule, the temperature is still not too high);
  • in some cases, attacks of suffocation.

How is the diagnosis made?

First of all, the doctor interviews the patient, paying attention to his complaints. Then the specialist begins the examination - carefully listens to the patient’s lungs and bronchi. To exclude a more serious and severe diagnosis - pneumonia - an x-ray may be needed. An analysis of sputum discharge is often required, the results of which identify the causative agent of the disease in order to prescribe the most targeted and, therefore, effective treatment.

Prognosis and course of the disease

If you consult a doctor in a timely manner and prescribe appropriate treatment, the prognosis for bronchitis is quite favorable. As a rule, acute bronchitis is cured within 10 days.

Acute bronchitis can be either an autonomous disease or a complication of a cold or flu. It all begins, as a rule, with a dry cough, which often disturbs the patient at night, depriving him of proper sleep. Then, after a few days, the cough becomes wet - during this period the patient usually feels tired and exhausted, and his body temperature may rise slightly. Most symptoms, with well-planned treatment and compliance with prescriptions, go away quite quickly, but coughing bothers patients for several more weeks, since healing of the mucous membranes is a long process. If the cough does not go away for more than a month, it is advisable to consult a pulmonologist.

Treatment of bronchitis

It is worth noting that self-medication for suspected bronchitis is very dangerous. Only a specialist can determine the form of bronchitis, identify emerging complications and prescribe appropriate therapy.

Today, antibiotics are rarely used in the treatment of bronchitis. The exception is when a pathogen sensitive to the action of these drugs is detected (which happens infrequently), and antibiotics are also resorted to if bronchitis has already caused complications and caused concomitant diseases.

Drug therapy for bronchitis usually includes the prescription of medications such as:

But an antiviral drug that would effectively save patients from bronchitis has not yet been invented (Interferon is often prescribed).

Along with medications, the following procedures give a good effect in the treatment of bronchitis:

  • chest massage;
  • physiotherapy;
  • physiotherapy;
  • inhalation.
  • Drink plenty of fluids in order to thin the mucus and improve its discharge - it is best to use warm, caffeine-free drinks for this: compotes, fruit drinks, herbal teas.
  • Rest, proper rest, long sleep - to fight the disease, a person needs additional strength.
  • Eliminating too hot or spicy foods from the diet - bronchitis is often accompanied by inflammation of the oropharynx, and corresponding foods can lead to even greater irritation.
  • Rubbing with warm camphor oil gives a noticeable warming and antitussive effect.
  • Moderate physical activity - movement promotes the rapid removal of sputum, which, in turn, brings recovery closer.
  • Humidifying the air in the room in which the patient spends most of the time - dry air can significantly aggravate the patient's condition, so it is necessary to use a humidifier, or, if one is not available, hang wet sheets in the room or leave a basin of water in it.
  • Quitting smoking (for a heavy smoker this is practically impossible, so such patients are recommended to at least reduce the number of cigarettes consumed per day and not smoke in the room where they live or work).
  • Bronchitis is often accompanied by some disturbances in thermoregulation, and even with slight effort, increased sweating can be observed - so it is worth dressing for the weather and taking a shower in a timely manner.

What does traditional medicine offer?

There are a huge number of traditional medicine recipes to cope with bronchitis. However, it is important to remember that such treatment is not always effective, and sometimes even unsafe. In any case, control and consultation of a qualified specialist is necessary. Only then can folk remedies become an excellent auxiliary therapy that promotes a faster recovery.

So, what recipes for bronchitis does traditional medicine offer:


Complications

Bronchitis is a disease that everyone has suffered from at least once in their life. However, such prevalence does not mean the possibility of self-medication (and this is exactly what often happens - people try to get rid of the disease based on the experience of their friends or using the same treatment that was once prescribed to them by a doctor). After all, bronchitis is a very insidious disease, which in the absence of competent and timely treatment threatens with such complications as:

  • bronchopneumonia - occurs due to weakening of local immunity and is a fairly common consequence of acute bronchitis;
  • chronic form of bronchitis - usually occurs after acute bronchitis three times a year or more;
  • obstructive changes in the bronchial tree - doctors regard this condition as dying;
  • bronchial asthma;
  • emphysema;
  • cardiopulmonary failure;
  • pulmonary hypertension;
  • bronchiectasis (dilation of the bronchi).

If a cough due to bronchitis is accompanied by the discharge of sputum mixed with blood, it is advisable to be checked for the presence of serious diseases such as tuberculosis and lung cancer.

Prevention of bronchitis

The first measure to prevent bronchitis is to strengthen the body's defenses. These are such familiar rules as:


Other approaches to preventing bronchitis:

  • Taking immune-strengthening drugs during seasonal epidemics (autumn, early spring, winter), the regimen and dosage of which will be selected by the doctor; This also includes taking vitamin complexes.
  • Vaccination - the PNEVO-23 vaccine effectively protects against common pneumococcal infection, which is also a common cause of bronchitis; therefore, people at risk (people over 50 years of age, people suffering from chronic diseases of internal organs, genetically predisposed people, representatives of professions that involve contact with people (doctors, teachers, sellers, etc.), women planning pregnancy) are strongly recommended to get vaccinated , the effect of which lasts 5 years.
  • Flu vaccination - because the provoking factor for bronchitis is often viral infections.
  • Compliance with personal hygiene rules - in particular, frequent hand washing.
  • Avoiding contact with sick people and visiting crowded places during epidemics.
  • Timely elimination of foci of chronic infection in the body.
  • Elimination of unfavorable household factors (dust, pollution, the presence of large amounts of chemicals in the air, smoking).

Can bronchitis occur without fever?

Can you have bronchitis without fever? To find out, you first need to find out what kind of disease it is and what types there are.

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the pulmonary system, or more precisely the upper respiratory tract. Usually accompanied by cough, difficulty breathing, malaise and sputum production. This disease can be caused not only by viruses and bacteria, but also by allergens and toxic substances. The disease can develop in people suffering from congenital pathologies of the bronchopulmonary system.

We are all accustomed to the fact that any inflammatory disease must be accompanied by an increase in body temperature. But, still, is there bronchitis without fever? Yes, there are cases when the disease passes without fever. This can be facilitated by various factors, including the body’s reaction to foreign microflora or foreign substances. In order to recognize any of its types in time, it is necessary to know the main symptoms of this disease, since nowadays bronchitis without fever is becoming more common.

It is important to promptly identify the first signs of this disease, especially in children, since advanced disease can lead to serious complications (pneumonia, pleurisy, and other inflammations of the pulmonary system). Then the treatment may take a long time and will take place in a hospital under the supervision of doctors.

Symptoms and types of bronchitis

Symptoms include:

  • dry or wet cough, perhaps even paroxysmal;
  • wheezing during breathing, which can be more accurately determined by auscultation;
  • general malaise, with advanced bronchitis, intoxication of the body begins and because of this you will feel unwell;
  • with the obstructive form, attacks of suffocation are possible.

The following types of disease are distinguished:

  1. Acute bronchitis mainly develops against the background of viral and bacterial infections. This type of bronchial inflammation will always be accompanied by a high fever and a cough with yellow or green sputum. The absence of fever occurs if during a cold you start taking antibiotics for prevention, that is, undergo timely treatment of bronchitis.
  2. Obstructive bronchitis without fever is quite common. It may begin abruptly with attacks of suffocation, without signs of other symptoms. Only after a few days does shortness of breath and wheezing when exhaling begin. A paroxysmal cough is always present, possibly even before vomiting. The temperature may or may not be there. It all depends on the cause that caused this type of disease (hypothermia, viruses, inhalation of an allergen or toxic substances).
  3. Fleet bronchitis is accompanied by high fever for a long time, since the causative agent is an adenovirus. It can reach up to 38 degrees and last more than 2 weeks. The course of the disease is quite severe with severe respiratory failure and damage to a large area of ​​the bronchi.
  4. Chronic bronchitis is a frequently recurring inflammation of the bronchi (more than 3 times a year for several years), which tends to progress. Due to frequent relapses of the disease, the body gets used to it. There may be no temperature because the immune system stops fighting bronchitis. Mainly heavy smokers are susceptible to this type. The risk of getting sick due to occupational hazards also increases.
  5. Bronchial croup is a rather unique and rare disease: blockage of the lumen of the bronchi occurs with casts of a dense structure (consists of bronchial cells, eosinophils and caked mucus) with subsequent coughing up of their fragments. The temperature, as a rule, does not rise.
  6. Allergic bronchitis passes without fever. Main symptoms: dry paroxysmal cough, slight shortness of breath and nasal congestion. After taking an antiallergic drug, the symptoms disappear.

Our immunity plays the main role in the fight against any pathogenic microorganisms that enter the body. For many, even a common acute respiratory infection occurs without an increase in body temperature. The main symptom of the disease remains any cough, difficulty breathing, and various wheezing. If you suspect bronchitis, you should seek help from a doctor, who will refer you for additional tests (x-rays, blood tests), perform an external examination and make an accurate diagnosis.

Possible causes of bronchitis without fever may be timely detection of inflammation and its proper treatment, or a weakened body, a certain type of bronchitis.

Treatment of non-temperature bronchitis

First of all, ensure the desired level of humidity in the room. It must be at least 60%. Ventilate the room periodically. All this will help improve breathing and the removal of mucus accumulated in the bronchi.

Drink more fluids. These can be herbal decoctions, compotes or green tea. Drinking plenty of fluids helps to quickly thin mucus and cleanse the bronchi.

If you feel relatively well, you can go outside to breathe. Walking in fresh and cool air will restore the flow of air into the respiratory tract. The cough should get worse - this is a great way to get rid of moistened phlegm.

For bacterial bronchitis, you will have to take broad-spectrum antibiotics. These include macrolides (azithromycin, clarithromycin and others). They are available in various forms (for children and adults), have a long-lasting effect and treat the disease in a short time.

Be sure to use medications that strengthen the immune system. These are any immunomodulators - bronchomunal, IRS-19, lykopid, cycloferon. For young children, medications are available in the form of rectal suppositories; adults can take them in tablet form.

For better sputum discharge, it is necessary to take drugs that have expectorant properties (lazolvan, ambrobene, doctor mom, gedelix and others). Can be replaced with herbal preparations or plant-based syrups (plantain syrup, marshmallow syrup, mucaltin). For mucus that has a viscous structure, it is necessary to use thinning syrups (fluditec, ACC, fluimucil). They will help soften and quickly get rid of stubborn mucus.

An excellent way to soften sputum is inhalation. A nebulizer is widely used: through it, healing vapors of medicines are inhaled. You can simply breathe over warm infusions of healthy herbs (chamomile, sage, calendula).

Thermal procedures are allowed (at normal body temperature): steam your feet in mustard powder, put mustard plasters and jars, use warming ointments. Such manipulations are considered distracting. They reduce pain and speed up recovery.

Treatment of obstructive and allergic bronchitis

Treatment for obstructive bronchitis is slightly different from treatment for regular inflammation. In addition to the standard set of drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs (erespal, sinekod) will be added; in case of frequent attacks of suffocation, hormonal drugs (in the form of aerosols) will have to be used. The disease is especially difficult for young children due to insufficiently formed airways: attacks of obstruction can occur much more often than in adults.

This disease always begins with a paroxysmal dry cough, which after a few days becomes moist and productive. It may also be accompanied by poor health, muscle pain and headache. With allergic bronchitis, there will be parallel nasal congestion with clear discharge from it. How to determine the pathogen by the color of sputum? The causative agent of viral etiology will produce light and transparent sputum, and the bacterium will produce yellow-green mucus.

Prevention

It is easier to prevent any disease than to treat it. During seasons of increased incidence of colds, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system. In spring and autumn you need to take multivitamins. Spend more time outdoors all year round and dress according to the weather.

Do not neglect regular wet cleaning, because house dust contains strong allergens and even streptococci. Ventilate the room regularly and avoid drafts. Do breathing exercises (inflating balloons improves blood flow in the bronchopulmonary system). If you smoke and constantly suffer from bronchitis, you will have to quit this bad habit.

If hypothermia suddenly occurs, then you need to take a hot bath and drink hot tea with lemon and honey. Lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right. Eliminate unhealthy foods (fried, salted, smoked) from your diet. Eat more vegetables, fruits, dairy products.

If you work in hazardous work, use protective equipment. After all, toxic substances and allergens penetrate even through the skin and can also cause allergic and obstructive bronchitis.

If you very often suffer from bronchitis without fever, then it is better to undergo a full examination in a hospital to exclude congenital pathologies of the bronchopulmonary system. Specialists will prescribe strengthening physical procedures and perform additional tests that cannot be performed in a regular clinic. It is better to stay in a hospital for 10 days and then not get sick for several years than to be treated several times a year. Take care of yourself and your children!

Can you have bronchitis without cough and fever?

Inflammatory processes in the respiratory system cause a lot of discomfort and are mainly accompanied by characteristic symptoms: fever, severe cough. If such signs are absent, you should not hope for a mild course of the disease. Most often, bronchitis without cough is observed in the chronic form. Without the help of a specialist, it will be difficult to cope with such a disease. In addition, self-medication almost always leads to a worsening of the condition. Let's take a closer look at whether there can be bronchitis without a cough, what are the methods of treating this disease.

Bronchitis - what kind of disease?

Pathologies of the upper respiratory tract are very common among the population of various age categories. One of the most common diseases is bronchitis. This disease is associated with inflammation of the bronchi - the tubes connecting the respiratory parenchyma of the lungs and trachea. They serve as part of the air passages.

Bronchitis manifests itself in acute and chronic forms. The second type often occurs against the background of improper treatment or a complete lack of therapeutic manipulation. Depending on the form of the disease, both symptoms and treatment methods vary. Recently, doctors have been faced with the absence of signs characteristic of the disease. Can there be bronchitis without cough and other signs of pathology? Experts answer this question in the affirmative and recommend seeking medical help as early as possible.

Reasons for the development of pathology

Viral and bacterial agents are the main culprits of this disease. Bronchitis often develops against the background of a cold, with constant contact with allergens or toxic substances. Dust is another factor that can trigger the development of an inflammatory process in the upper respiratory tract. Reasons that increase the risk of any form of bronchitis include:

  • genetic predisposition;
  • decreased immunity;
  • smoking;
  • unfavorable climatic conditions;
  • poor environmental situation.

How does bronchitis manifest?

The main sign that allows you to distinguish bronchial inflammation from other ailments is coughing and the production of thick sputum. The mucous secretion performs a protective function - it is responsible for local immunity and purifies the air that enters the bronchi when inhaling. An increased amount of sputum begins to be produced during the inflammatory process, due to which the lumen in the bronchi narrows. The patient's increased breathing provokes a cough.

Bronchitis may also be accompanied by increased body temperature, fever, and weakness. At night, sweating increases in the neck, back and head. Coughing attacks also intensify at this time.

Is there bronchitis without a cough?

Coughing is a reflex of the body that is triggered when foreign particles enter the respiratory tract. Thanks to this reaction, the bronchi are cleared and can function normally. However, this characteristic sign is not always present from the first days of the disease.

Often, patients who have bronchitis without a cough turn to doctors. Symptoms may be limited to harsh breathing, nasal congestion, and general weakness. With this course, the pathology is often confused with an acute respiratory disease. The absence of cough and mucous secretion requires mandatory drug treatment, which can only be selected by a doctor.

In what cases is there no cough?

Coughing up sputum and adequate drug therapy can quickly get rid of the disease. If bronchitis without cough is observed, it is necessary to first establish a correct diagnosis. A similar situation occurs in both children and adult patients. The main symptom of bronchitis may be absent in the following cases:

  1. The initial stage of the disease - for the first few days the patient is unaware of the development of the inflammatory process in the bronchi. The pathological condition is more reminiscent of a cold or ARVI. The first coughing attacks sometimes begin only on the 5th-7th day.
  2. Chronic form of bronchitis - the cough reflex may be completely absent or appear only in the morning or after heavy physical activity. Pathology can be determined by hard breathing and shortness of breath. Bronchitis without cough and fever sometimes indicates the presence of a chronic form of the disease.
  3. Bronchiolitis – when infectious pathogens enter the bronchioles, there is also no cough. Bronchioles are the smallest sections of the bronchi that lack receptors responsible for the cough reflex.

How does bronchitis occur in children?

Children are the most vulnerable group of patients to viral and infectious diseases. An imperfect immune system is the main reason for this. Bronchitis often develops as a complication after influenza or acute respiratory illness. Without a cough in a child, the inflammatory process in the bronchi is usually observed only in the first days.

Treatment tactics depend entirely on the diagnosis made by the doctor. In children, the pathology most often occurs in an acute form, which is characterized by symptoms such as a severe cough (mostly dry), fever. The obstructive type of the disease has similar symptoms, in which wheezing, whistling and noise in the bronchi also occur. The temperature is slightly increased (37-37.5° C).

Acute bronchiolitis is a type of bronchitis in which the child develops respiratory failure and shortness of breath, and the frequency of inhalations increases. Recurrent bronchitis occurs in the same way as the acute form of the disease. Chronic pathology is not always accompanied by a cough reflex from the first days. The number of relapses depends on the state of the child’s immune system.

What are the consequences of a lack of cough during bronchitis?

With inflammation of the bronchi, cough is a “useful” symptom, the presence of which indicates that the body is trying to get rid of excess phlegm containing pathogens. There is bronchitis without a cough, when only whistling and wheezing are heard when exhaling. This situation means that a lot of mucus has accumulated in the bronchi, which should be removed as quickly as possible. If the necessary measures are not taken, severe complications may develop:

  • pneumonia;
  • respiratory failure;
  • bronchopneumonia;
  • obstructive bronchitis;
  • bronchiolitis in acute form.

An infection located in the bronchi can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, complicating the course of the disease. This development of the situation poses a particular danger for young children and infants.

What to do if there is no cough?

Specialists pay special attention to patients who have bronchitis without a cough or fever for more than three days and who experience shortness of breath, whistling and wheezing when listening.

It is important to start therapy as early as possible to prevent the development of complications such as pneumonia and chronic bronchitis. For a more accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to do laboratory tests of blood serum and take a sputum culture for flora.

Bronchitis without cough: treatment

Treatment should begin with taking medications that have a mucolytic effect. Such drugs help to liquefy viscous, difficult-to-separate secretions and stimulate the cough reflex. Antibacterial and antiviral agents are used depending on the type of bronchitis pathogen.

Antipyretic drugs are used if the temperature has risen to 38.5 ° C. Children are allowed to give medications based on paracetamol and ibuprofen in the form of syrup.

The conditions in which the patient is located influence the healing process. If, due to inflammation of the bronchi, phlegm is difficult to cough up or there is no cough at all, it is necessary to increase the humidity in the room. To do this, it is better to use special humidifiers. Such a device must be in a house where there is a small child.

Particular attention should be paid to nutrition. Regardless of the form of the disease, you should adhere to proper nutrition and exclude harmful foods (fatty, smoked, salty). The menu should largely consist of dairy dishes and products of plant origin.

Cough stimulants

Regardless of who develops bronchitis without cough and fever - a child or an adult - you should seek help from a doctor. Only a specialist can select the appropriate drug treatment depending on the characteristics of the disease.

Mucolytics are used to clear and thin sputum. They can be of plant or synthetic origin. The following drugs have an expectorant and mucolytic effect:

Erespal, available in the form of tablets for adults and syrup for children, has a bronchodilator effect. Prescribed more often for respiratory failure. In addition to medication, breathing exercises, massage, physical therapy and inhalation therapy will also benefit. The latter method allows you to act directly on the source of the disease, avoiding the passage of drugs through the gastrointestinal tract.

Inhalations

Inhalations with various medicinal herbs or drugs can bring significant relief. The therapeutic effect is due to the action of drugs on the bronchial mucosa. Inhalation medications can eliminate the inflammatory process and have an antiseptic and bronchodilator effect.

Bronchitis without cough, accompanied by obstructive syndrome, can be completely cured with daily inhalations. Depending on the type of inflammatory process in the bronchi, a specific type of procedure is selected. Inhalations can be heat-moist, steam, oil and wet. When treating obstructive, recurrent, chronic bronchitis, inhalation is recommended using a nebulizer.

7 symptoms of bronchitis in adults without fever

Everyone knows about such a disease as bronchitis and symptoms in adults occur without fever. Everyone knows that bronchitis is characterized by cough, general weakness, fatigue and high fever. But the last symptom does not always accompany the disease. Why does this happen, and how dangerous is this phenomenon?

Bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory tract, which is accompanied by inflammation of the bronchi. The etiology of the disease can be bacterial or viral in nature. It often occurs as a complication after an acute respiratory infection or acute respiratory viral infection.

What types of bronchitis can occur without fever and which cannot?

There is an opinion that an increase in temperature during any cold is a good sign. During acute respiratory diseases, the immune system is triggered, and as a result of the fight against foreign microorganisms, toxins are produced that increase the temperature. With bronchitis, the situation is slightly different. Much depends directly on what type of disease the patient has.

  1. Bronchitis of obstructive type. It is characterized by increased shortness of breath, and pulmonary edema is also a characteristic symptom. In this case, it all depends on how strong a person’s body is and, in particular, the immune system. It is quite possible that bronchitis occurs without fever.
  2. Flow in acute bronchitis. This often appears as a result of complications after a viral infection. In this case, the condition is serious, and acute bronchitis cannot occur without fever.
  3. The course of chronic bronchitis. It is a direct consequence of untreated acute bronchitis. The nature of the disease is characterized by a severe cough, which torments even at night, shortness of breath, and increased fatigue. Is there a fever with this type of illness? In this case, people have febrile or subfebrile.
  4. Recurrent course of bronchitis. Often the disease progresses in a short period of time. It is quite possible that there is no temperature.

Based on the above, it can be argued that the presence or absence of temperature directly depends on the type of disease. In addition, the individual characteristics of the body play a big role.

Quiz: How susceptible are you to bronchitis?

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You lead a healthy lifestyle and you are not at risk of bronchitis

You are a fairly active person who cares and thinks about your respiratory system and health in general, continue to play sports, lead a healthy lifestyle, and your body will delight you throughout your life, and no bronchitis will bother you. But do not forget to undergo examinations on time, maintain your immunity, this is very important, do not overcool, avoid severe physical and strong emotional overload.

It's time to think about what you are doing wrong...

You are at risk, you should think about your lifestyle and start taking care of yourself. Physical education is required, or even better, start playing sports, choose the sport that you like most and turn it into a hobby (dancing, cycling, gym, or just try to walk more). Do not forget to treat colds and flu promptly, they can lead to complications in the lungs. Be sure to work on your immunity, strengthen yourself, and be in nature and fresh air as often as possible. Do not forget to undergo scheduled annual examinations; it is much easier to treat lung diseases in the initial stages than in advanced stages. Avoid emotional and physical overload; if possible, eliminate or minimize smoking or contact with smokers.

It's time to sound the alarm! In your case, the likelihood of getting bronchitis is huge!

You are completely irresponsible about your health, thereby destroying the functioning of your lungs and bronchi, have pity on them! If you want to live a long time, you need to radically change your entire attitude towards your body. First of all, get examined by specialists such as a therapist and a pulmonologist; you need to take radical measures, otherwise everything may end badly for you. Follow all the doctors’ recommendations, radically change your life, perhaps you should change your job or even your place of residence, completely eliminate smoking and alcohol from your life, and reduce contact with people who have such bad habits to a minimum, toughen up, strengthen your immunity as much as possible spend more time in the fresh air. Avoid emotional and physical overload. Completely eliminate all aggressive products from everyday use and replace them with natural, natural remedies. Do not forget to do wet cleaning and ventilation of the room at home.

  1. With answer
  2. With a viewing mark

Does your lifestyle involve heavy physical activity?

  • Yes, daily
  • Sometimes
  • Seasonal (eg vegetable garden)

How often do you undergo a lung examination (eg fluorogram)?

  • I don’t even remember when was the last time
  • Every year, without fail
  • Once every couple of years

Do you play sports?

  • Yes, professionally and regularly
  • It happened in the past
  • Yes, amateur
  • When I'm sick
  • Sometimes

Do you treat acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, influenza and other inflammatory or infectious diseases?

  • Yes, at the doctor's
  • No, it goes away on its own after some time
  • Yes, I self-medicate
  • Only if it's really bad

Do you take care of your immunity?

  • Only when sick
  • I find it difficult to answer

Have any relatives or family members suffered from serious lung diseases (tuberculosis, asthma, pneumonia)?

  • Yes, parents
  • Yes, close relatives
  • I can not say for sure

Do you live or work in an unfavorable environment (gas, smoke, chemical emissions from enterprises)?

  • Yes, I live permanently
  • Yes, I work in such conditions
  • Previously lived or worked

Do you have heart disease?

  • Yes, chronic
  • Rarely, but it does happen
  • If you have any doubts, you need an examination

How often are you in damp, dusty or moldy environments?

  • Constantly
  • I'm not there
  • Previously was
  • Rarely, but it happens

Do you often get sick with acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections?

  • I'm constantly sick
  • Rarely, no more than once a year
  • Often, more than 2 times a year
  • I never get sick or once every five years

Do you have any allergic diseases?

  • Yes, one
  • Not sure, needs testing
  • Yes, even a few

What kind of lifestyle do you lead?

  • Sedentary
  • Active, constantly on the move
  • Sedentary

Does anyone in your family smoke?

  • Happens sometimes
  • Used to smoke
  • Yes, I smoke regularly
  • No and never smoked
  • Rarely, but it happens
  • Previously smoked, but quit

Do you have air purification devices in your home?

  • Yes, I change filters all the time
  • Yes, we use it sometimes
  • Yes, but we don’t monitor the devices

Do you often use household chemicals (cleaning products, aerosols, etc.)?

  • Often
  • Rarely, when necessary
  • Constantly, that's the job
  • I don't use it at all

Symptoms of the disease in the absence of fever and possible complications

There are many symptoms of bronchitis in adults without fever. But the fact is that the disease develops slowly, and therefore it can go unnoticed for a long time. At first, there may only be a morning cough, and people confuse it with acute respiratory illnesses. Further, other symptoms of bronchitis in an adult without fever appear progressively.

Read more about the main signs of bronchitis:

  1. As already mentioned, the first symptoms of bronchitis without fever are a cough. In the first stages it can be dry or wet. If wheezing and whistling are heard when listening to the chest, it means that the small bronchi are affected. When observing a dry cough, the doctor is likely to diagnose the onset of an obstruction process.
  2. Sputum. The amount and nature of sputum produced depends on the type of disease, its severity and the type of bronchitis. At the beginning of the disease there is little of it, and the color is light. In severe cases, purulent discharge is observed.
  3. Coughing up blood. This symptom is typical only if the disease has serious consequences.
  4. Dyspnea. This symptom is also typical if bronchitis occurs without fever in an adult and a child, but it appears at the beginning of the disease. This often happens if there is an obstructive form of the disease.
  5. Wheezing. During listening there are several types; it is by their type that the stage of the disease that is currently occurring is determined. If you hear dry wheezing, then this is most likely remission. If they are found to be wet, then most likely an exacerbation of the disease has begun.
  6. Asthmatic syndrome. Appears only in one case, if obstructive bronchitis develops. Thus, narrowing or spasm of the bronchi manifests itself.
  7. Cyanosis. Follows obstructive type disease. It manifests itself as a blue discoloration of the skin, and this occurs as a result of a lack of oxygen, which occurs due to the reduced amount of oxygen that enters the body.

There are two main forms of cyanosis. The first is called diffuse and is characterized by the spread of cyanosis throughout the skin. The second form is acrocyanosis, in this case only the limbs, as well as the tips of the ears and nose, can turn blue.

If bronchitis without fever is observed, then the main symptoms are not all.

  • asthmatic syndrome;
  • bronchial type asthma;
  • pneumonia;
  • bronchiectasis.

If you notice the appearance of any complication, be extremely serious. Any of these severe consequences can cause disability, even if the bronchitis itself occurred without fever. Moreover, bronchial asthma without proper treatment can cause death.

How can the disease be treated?

Treatment of bronchitis cannot be carried out independently. First of all, you need to accurately determine whether this disease has overtaken you, and for this you need an x-ray. In some cases, other research methods are also carried out, for example, checking sputum secretions, doing bronchoscopy or bronchography.

You cannot resort to self-treatment! Incorrect methods can cause complications that can lead to irreversible consequences. Trust the professionals, they know how to treat this disease.

Of course, in this case, you cannot do without drug treatment. But just taking pills is not enough.

  1. For coughs, expectorants are prescribed (ACC, Flavamed).
  2. Bronchodilator drugs are prescribed if there are obstructions in the bronchi (Ipradol, Salamol).
  3. Desensitizing medications prevent allergies from occurring. If it is actually present, its effect is reduced, including if there is no temperature (acetylsalicylic acid, medications with calcium).
  4. Antibiotics are prescribed as a last resort in the presence of a bacterial infection (Amoxicillin, Azithromycin, Rovamycin). You can’t just take them, because the body gets used to tablets of this type, and they stop working over time.

Can bronchitis without fever be dangerous for the body? It certainly can. Therefore, if you notice that you are coughing frequently, do not delay until later, in order to avoid unpleasant and dangerous consequences. Contact a specialist immediately. But the best treatment is prevention, which means spend more time in the fresh air, take a walk, go to the sea. Do a wet cleaning.

Bronchitis is dangerous due to its complications, but not only that – it can be dangerous in itself. This is determined by what form of pathology has developed, what is accompanied by discharge from the bronchi and other features. In order to reduce the critical impact on health to a minimum, you should know everything exactly about why bronchitis is dangerous.

Bronchitis, which anyone can get, comes in two forms: acute and chronic. Each of the presented types may have complications that are difficult to treat. Bronchitis is a disease of the bronchial mucosa, provoked by a viral or bacterial infection. If adults and children do not have adequate treatment, they can develop the following forms and pathologies:

  • pneumonia;
  • asthmatic syndrome;
  • bronchial asthma;
  • emphysema.

These are not all the complications of chronic bronchitis. The list includes: cor pulmonale, bronchial obstruction, pulmonary hypertension. All of them require competent and timely treatment, because they can significantly complicate processes associated with life and also lead to death.

Chronic form of the disease

This is a long-term inflammatory process in the bronchi that occurs in adults and children. The pathology is accompanied by a cough, rapid formation of shortness of breath, and sputum production. If the disease is aggravated or adequate treatment is not carried out, then hemoptysis, cyanosis and other critical symptoms are possible.

You can get chronic bronchitis not only due to infection, but also due to frequent inhalation of smoke, a genetic factor, or “harmful” work (related to chemical reagents). The presented condition is dangerous due to permanently recurring attacks and deterioration of the body’s functioning.

Chronic bronchitis should be treated with medications, inhalations, and hardening.

Otherwise, the pathology will develop into pneumonia, emphysema and other forms, treatment of which at home is possible under the constant supervision of a pulmonologist or infectious disease specialist.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is dangerous in itself, but if it is a complication of bronchitis, the danger for adults and children increases even more. This manifests itself in the fact that at any moment a person can become so ill that it leads to death.

Complications of bronchitis in this situation are as follows:

  • painful coughing;
  • periodic exacerbations with an increase in temperature;
  • significant deterioration in overall health.

The patient quickly loses weight, and shortness of breath occurs with minimal physical activity. Changes are identified in the tissues of one or each lung that are clogged with mucus. In this case, it is necessary to treat as soon as possible, before the pathology spreads to the entire body.

Asthmatic syndrome

The consequences of bronchitis can also manifest themselves in asthmatic syndrome in adults and children. It is easy to get sick if the etiology of the primary disease was viral or allergic. Attacks of problematic breathing transform into attacks of suffocation that require urgent help. This type of change is evidence of a pre-asthmatic state. Asthmatic syndrome is defined by unstable changes that can be reversed.

This does not mean that the pathology does not need to be treated. After all, if it continues to develop, the patient may simply die from prolonged suffocation or develop bronchial asthma. The danger of the pathology lies in the fact that the presented condition is usually mild and difficult to distinguish from minor attacks of bronchial-type asthma.

Diagnosis is especially difficult in adults over 55 years of age.

In this case, the disease has gone too far, which affects the formation of bronchial insufficiency.

Bronchial asthma

Complications after bronchitis can lead to the formation of bronchial asthma. It is expressed in the following symptoms:

In order to treat bronchial asthma, it is necessary to resort to complex therapy. If the pathology is at an early stage (despite aggravation by bronchitis), treatment will be successful, but will take 4-5 months. A successful recovery cycle will help avoid other complications - emphysema, cor pulmonale and others that occur in adults.

Emphysema

The main and most common cause of emphysema of the pulmonary system is chronic bronchitis. You can get this disease due to the fact that in the chronic form of bronchitis it is difficult to exhale.

When emphysema forms, the alveolus, where gas exchange occurs, loses its natural degree of elasticity. Therefore, air pressure in the alveolar region increases. The alveoli become much more tense and dense, which worsens the respiratory process and leads to the lung tissue inflating even more.

This leads to the fact that the lung tissue is not able to provide the necessary level of contraction and stretching during inhalation and exhalation. Gas exchange in the pulmonary area is destabilized, that is, problems arise with the entry of oxygen into the blood and the removal of carbon dioxide from it, which makes treatment at home impossible.

Pulmonary heart

When drug treatment of bronchitis is carried out incorrectly, a pathology known as cor pulmonale is formed. Only adults can get it; it is not common for children. The right side of the heart is most often affected. The manifestations in this case will be as follows:

  • worsening shortness of breath, which becomes even worse when lying down;
  • constant pain in the head area;
  • painful sensations in the heart area that do not depend on stress and are not relieved by medications.

At any stage of cor pulmonale, symptoms such as sweating, enlarged veins in the neck, thickening of the nail plates and fingertips appear. The advanced type of the presented pathology provokes thickening of myocardial tissue, which aggravates the degree of heart failure.

All this leads to coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction. You can cope with the pathology only by starting to treat bronchitis and its accompanying diseases in a timely manner.

Bronchial obstruction

You can develop broncho-obstructive syndrome due to progressive changes in the bronchial tree. We are talking about dystrophic and degenerative changes that are provoked by inflammatory processes and other external causes. They must be eliminated in a comprehensive manner.

The formation of bronchial type obstruction is possible due to the functioning of complex mechanisms. In particular, hypertrophy of muscle tissue, dystonia, inflammatory infiltration. It can also be edema resulting from bronchitis, destabilizing processes associated with mucociliary clearance, changes in the mucous membranes. The least rare cause is a change in shape or compression of the bronchi.

Broncho-obstructive syndrome is extremely dangerous for adults and is difficult to cope with because the rate of complications is high.

As part of the complication of untreated bronchitis presented by the pathology, the patient requires surgical intervention; treatment at home will be ineffective and even dangerous.

Pulmonary hypertension

The pathology, which is easy to get, is accompanied by a progressive narrowing of blood vessels, just like untreated bronchitis. As a result:

The presented pathology is formed with a systematic increase in systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery. Indicators should reach more than 30 mm Hg. Art. (while the average is more than 20 mmHg).

Pulmonary hypertension has additional symptoms, which are expressed in rapid fatigue, rapid breathing, diffuse cyanosis and congestive wheezing. A severe crisis may be triggered, which increases the likelihood of contracting viral and other diseases. How to avoid the presented complications and consequences of bronchitis?

How to avoid complications

The forms of bronchitis can be different, but regardless of them, complications can only be avoided if the primary disease is treated correctly. Pulmonologists insist on the need for a comprehensive recovery process, which includes: the use of medications, a special diet, a high degree of physical activity, breathing exercises and much more.

The presented approach should be carried out at the acute stage of pathology development and after successful testing - especially if it was an advanced process. Prevention of bronchitis is an equally important step in preventing complications and the possibility of encountering something other than bronchitis.

The answer to the question of whether bronchitis is dangerous is clear. Much more critical and threatening are its complications, which were described earlier. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a specialist in time and be aware of the possible complications of bronchitis.

As a child, our parents often told us: don’t drink cold things - you’ll catch a cold, don’t walk around with your hat on - you’ll get pneumonia, don’t get your feet wet - your throat will hurt. But we didn’t listen and got sick. Either out of stubbornness, or for the sake of research interest, they tested the strength of their bodies. So, what causes bronchitis and what is it?

Acute bronchitis

Acute, when the volume of bronchial secretions increases and a reflex cough appears;
- chronic, when a change in the mucous membrane occurs at the cellular level, which leads to hypersecretion and impaired ventilation.

Etiology

As mentioned above, the causes of bronchitis can be very different. From the bacterial spectrum, the most common pathogens are streptococci, mycoplasmas, chlamydia, and anaerobic flora. Viral etiology is represented by influenza, parainfluenza and rhinovirus.

Bronchitis caused by chemical or toxic effects on the body is slightly less common. But even in this case, the addition of a secondary infection is inevitable. According to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, acute bronchitis caused by identified pathogens is distinguished and acute bronchitis not otherwise specified.

According to the duration of the disease, they are distinguished:
- acute (up to three weeks);
- prolonged course (more than a month).

Acute bronchitis can occur with or without bronchospasm. Based on localization, one can distinguish between tracheobronchitis, when inflammatory changes are concentrated in the upper part of the bronchial tree, and bronchiolitis (the pathological process affects small bronchioles and alveoli). Based on the nature of the exudate, purulent, catarrhal and necrotizing bronchitis is distinguished.

Pathophysiology

How does bronchitis develop? Symptoms and treatment in adults directly depend on the mechanism of the disease, since therapy is aimed specifically at the links of the pathological process.

Etiological factors somehow damage the cells of the bronchial mucosa and cause their necrosis. These “gaps” in the protection create conditions for pathogen penetration. If the epithelium is primarily colonized by a virus, then within two or three days it will be joined by some bacterium, usually pneumococcus.

Inflammatory tissue reactions (swelling, redness, increased local temperature and dysfunction) cause disruption of blood flow in the capillary bed, compression of nerve endings and the formation of blood clots.

If the dynamics of the process are positive and treatment is prescribed on time, then after the inflammation disappears, the mucous membrane is restored within several months. But in a small percentage of patients this does not happen. Then the disease becomes chronic. If the changes affected only the mucous membrane, then this will not affect a person’s life too much. But damage to all layers of the bronchus can cause hemorrhages in the lung tissue, as well as blood staining of the sputum.

Clinic

Causes of obstructive bronchitis, such as bacteria or viruses, cause characteristic clinical manifestations. There is an increase in body temperature to febrile levels, weakness, drowsiness, loss of appetite, headaches, sweating, and rapid heartbeat.

Patients describe their sensations as a soreness or soreness in the throat and behind the sternum, which intensifies when inhaling cold air. In addition, they are bothered by a dry, barking cough that does not bring relief. After two to three days, patients develop thick sputum of mucus or pus. The cough may be accompanied by pain in the lower chest. This occurs due to overstrain of the pectoral muscles.

During a general examination, attention is drawn to excessive moisture in the skin and its redness against the background of bluish lips. With each inhalation, the muscles are drawn into the intercostal spaces, and auxiliary muscles are used for breathing.

On average, uncomplicated bronchitis lasts about two weeks and ends with complete recovery.

Diagnostics

The causes of bronchitis are easy to identify if diagnostic tools are used correctly. After a visual examination, it is necessary to carry out physical examination methods, such as palpation, percussion and auscultation. Feeling and tapping in this case will not show anything unusual, but through a phonendoscope you can hear scattered whistling wheezing sounds. When sputum appears, the wheezes become moist, large bubbles.

In a general blood test, an increase in the number of leukocytes and an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) will be observed. In urine analysis, as a rule, there are no changes, but at the height of the fever, protein may appear. A biochemical blood test allows you to see the appearance of C-reactive protein and an increase. Fibrin, leukocytes, desquamated bronchial epithelium and red blood cells are found in the sputum. In addition, the laboratory tests the contents of the bronchi for the presence of bacteria and viruses.

There will be no specific changes on the x-ray, except perhaps an increase in the pulmonary pattern. A spirogram will allow you to assess the presence and degree of obstruction.

Treatment

The causes of bronchitis also determine the choice of treatment tactics in each specific case. Depending on the severity of the pathological process, acute bronchitis can be treated either on an outpatient or inpatient basis, under round-the-clock medical supervision.

Therapy should include an antiviral or antibacterial component, as well as drugs that dilate the bronchi. In addition, it is necessary to eliminate factors that will contribute to the progression of the infection. The course of treatment must be completed to the end, regardless of whether the symptoms of the disease persist or not.

Currently, doctors are actively including physiotherapy, massage, and gymnastics in therapy. This helps to better evacuate secretions from the bronchi, and also allows you to change the methods of introducing drugs into the body.

Chronical bronchitis

The main reason for the development of bronchitis is damage to the epithelium of the mucous membrane of the lower respiratory tract. We can talk about chronic bronchitis four weeks after the onset of the disease, provided that the clinical picture and pathomorphological changes in the lungs are preserved.

This condition is characterized by diffuse damage to the bronchial wall, which is associated with a long-term inflammatory process leading to tissue sclerosis. The secretory apparatus of the bronchi undergoes a number of changes and is adjusted to increased mucus production.

Classification

There are several clinical classifications of chronic bronchitis. The following clinical forms of the disease are distinguished:
- simple (or catarrhal);
- purulent non-obstructive;
- simple form with poor ventilation;
- purulent obstructive;
- special, for example, fibrous or hemorrhagic.

Bronchitis of large and small bronchi is divided according to the level of damage. The presence of an asthmatic symptom complex and its severity are taken into account. According to the nature of the course, like other inflammatory diseases, bronchitis can be latent, have rare exacerbations, and constantly recur.

Complications after suffering from chronic bronchitis are:
- emphysema;
- hemoptysis;
- formation of respiratory failure;
- chronic pulmonary heart disease.

Causes

The chronic course is usually preceded by acute bronchitis. The causes of this process can be concentrated both inside the body and outside it. First of all, it is necessary to take into account the readiness of the immune system. If it is too strong or too weak, it can cause prolonged inflammation and tissue damage. In addition, reduced immunity will attract more and more new colonies of bacteria and viruses, so the disease will occur again and again.

In addition, long-term, over the course of years, irritation of the bronchial mucosa by too dry and cold air, tobacco smoking, dust, carbon monoxide and other chemicals found in some industries can negatively affect the course of the disease.

There is evidence that some genetic diseases can also contribute to the chronicity of inflammatory processes in the lungs.

Pathogenesis

The causes of bronchitis are directly related to the mechanism of formation of the disease. First of all, local bronchopulmonary protection decreases, namely: slowing down of the ciliated epithelium villi, reducing the amount of surfactant, lysozyme, interferons and immunoglobulins A, various groups of T cells and alveolar macrophages.

Secondly, a pathogenetic triad develops in the bronchi:
- hyperfunction of the mucous glands of the bronchi (hypercrinia);
- increased viscosity of sputum (discrimination);
- stagnation of secretions in the bronchi (mucostasis).

And thirdly, the development of sensitization to the pathogen and cross-reaction with the cells of one’s own body. These three points ensure that inflammation persists for more than four weeks.

Symptoms

The disease is manifested by a severe cough with sputum production of up to one hundred and fifty milliliters per day, usually in the morning. At times of exacerbation of inflammatory reactions, there may be a rise in temperature, sweating, and weakness.

With the progression of respiratory and heart failure, thickening of the phalanges of the fingers (“drum sticks”) and thickening of the nail plates (“watch glasses”) develops. Pain during bronchitis occurs only if the pleura is involved in the inflammatory process or the auxiliary muscles become too tense during a prolonged coughing attack.

Laboratory and instrumental studies

The diagnosis of bronchitis is made on the basis of laboratory and instrumental studies. In a general blood test, an increase in leukocytes, a shift in the leukocyte formula to the left, and an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate are observed. Biochemically, the amount of sialic acids, seromucoids, alpha and gamma globulins in the blood is increased, and C-reactive protein appears. The sputum is mucous or purulent, and may be streaked with blood. It contains epithelial cells, red blood cells and neutrophils.

To morphologically confirm the diagnosis, bronchoscopy is performed. The x-ray shows an increase in the pulmonary pattern and its mesh deformation, as well as signs of pulmonary emphysema. Spirography helps guide the doctor about the presence or absence of signs of bronchial obstruction.

Treatment

What to do after a diagnosis of chronic bronchitis has been made? Symptoms and treatment in adults are not very different from those in the acute form. Typically, the doctor prescribes several combinations of drugs in the hope of influencing the etiological factor of the inflammatory response. If this fails, then it is necessary to stabilize the patient's condition. For this purpose, the following groups of drugs are used:
- antibiotics;
- expectorants;
- bronchodilators;
- antihistamines;
- inhalations and physiotherapeutic procedures.

Good day, dear visitors of the project “Good IS!” ", section " "!

In today's article we will learn all the details about such a disease as - bronchitis. So, there is a lot of information, so without further ado, let’s get to the point of the article...

General information

Bronchitis(lat. Bronchitis) - a disease of the respiratory system in which the bronchi are involved in the inflammatory process, i.e. This is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the walls of the bronchi. The bronchi, in turn, are an extensive network of tubes of different diameters that conduct inhaled air from the larynx to the lungs. With bronchitis, air circulation to and from the lungs is impaired due to swelling of the bronchi and large mucus secretions.

Bronchitis is one of the ten most common reasons for seeking medical help worldwide.

ICD-10: J20 - J21.
ICD-9: 466.
MeSH: D001991.

Types of bronchitis

The “International Classification of Diseases” includes two forms of bronchitis – “acute” and “chronic”, but among specialists there is also another form - “obstructive” bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis- acute diffuse inflammation of the mucous membrane of the tracheobronchial tree, characterized by an increase in the volume of bronchial secretion with cough and sputum production.

Chronical bronchitis- diffuse progressive damage to the bronchial tree with restructuring of the secretory apparatus of the mucous membrane with the development of an inflammatory process, accompanied by hypersecretion of sputum, disruption of the cleansing and protective function of the bronchi.

Obstructive bronchitis– a form of bronchitis, when due to swelling of the mucous membrane, blockage of the bronchi develops.

The main symptom of bronchitis, both acute and chronic forms, is.

Symptoms of acute bronchitis

In acute viral bronchitis (for example, during), in the first days of illness, the cough is dry and obsessive. This cough can often cause restless sleep or vomiting in children. In the following days, the cough becomes wet - sputum (white-greenish in color) begins to be released, which indicates the addition of a bacterial infection. A wet cough is not as painful as a dry cough and in most cases brings relief to patients. Uncolored or white mucus released when you cough is not a sign of a bacterial infection.

It is important to remember that coughing is one of the most important protective functions of the body. Its role is to cleanse the respiratory tract. However, only a wet, productive cough is useful, in which liquid sputum is easily removed.

A cough with acute bronchitis can last 1-2 weeks or slightly longer. If the cough does not go away even after three weeks, this indicates a decrease in the body’s regenerative abilities and a high risk of bronchitis becoming chronic.

Important! Normally, the bronchi produce about 30 grams of mucous secretion daily.

The next symptom of acute bronchitis is a slight increase in temperature. In moderate and severe forms, if accompanied by influenza or other acute respiratory infections, body temperature can also reach 40°C.

Quite often, acute bronchitis can occur as an independent acute respiratory infection of a bacterial nature. In this case, the disease (acute bronchitis) is accompanied by a slight increase in temperature, wet cough, headache, and weakness. Many patients (especially adults) can survive the disease, as they say, “on their feet,” attributing the cough and temperature to normal.

Usually the course of acute bronchitis (especially with adequate treatment) is favorable. However, in some cases, acute bronchitis can cause complications such as bronchiolitis and other diseases of the respiratory system.

Symptoms of chronic bronchitis

It is customary to talk about chronic bronchitis when a patient has a chronic cough (more than 3 months a year) for 2 or more years. Thus, the main symptom of chronic bronchitis is chronic cough.

The cough in chronic bronchitis is dull, deep, worsens in the morning, and in the morning there is abundant sputum production with coughing - this may be a sign of one of the complications of chronic bronchitis - bronchiectasis.

The temperature in chronic bronchitis rises rarely and slightly.

Chronic bronchitis is characterized by alternating periods of exacerbation and remission. Exacerbations of chronic bronchitis are usually associated with episodes of acute respiratory infections, often appearing during the cold season.

Symptoms of obstructive bronchitis

Another common symptom of bronchitis is progressive shortness of breath. The occurrence of shortness of breath is associated with gradual deformation and obstruction (blockage) of the bronchi. In the initial stages of chronic bronchitis, bronchial obstruction is reversible - after treatment and mucus release, breathing is restored. In the later stages of chronic bronchitis (usually without any treatment), bronchial obstruction becomes irreversible due to deformation and narrowing of the bronchial walls. With chronic obstructive bronchitis, patients complain of shortness of breath, which appears during physical effort.

So, let's summarize all the possible symptoms of bronchitis:

Causes of bronchitis

Using functional diagnostic methods (assessment of lung volumes, bronchial patency, gas exchange), the degree of decrease in pulmonary functions is determined. Sometimes clarifying the diagnosis requires bronchoscopy and the use of other methods.

Laboratory research

Antibiotics and sulfonamides are indicated when joining.

Treatment of chronic bronchitis

In the phase of exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, therapy should be aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process in the bronchi, improving bronchial patency, and restoring impaired general and local immunological reactivity.

Antibiotics and sulfonamides are prescribed in courses sufficient to suppress the activity of the infection. The duration of antibacterial therapy is individual. The antibiotic is selected taking into account the sensitivity of the microflora of sputum (bronchial secretions), prescribed orally or parenterally, sometimes combined with intratracheal administration.

Inhalation of phytoncides of garlic or onion is indicated (garlic and onion juice is prepared before inhalation, mixed with a 0.25% solution of novocaine or isotonic sodium chloride solution in a proportion of 1 part juice to 3 parts solvent). Inhalations are carried out 2 times a day; for a course of 20 inhalations.

Simultaneously with the treatment of active bronchial infection, conservative sanitation of foci of nasopharyngeal infection is carried out.

Treatment of obstructive bronchitis

Since narrowing of the bronchi plays a major role in the development and progression of chronic obstructive bronchitis, drugs that dilate the bronchi are mainly used for the permanent treatment of the disease.

An ideal bronchodilator drug for the treatment of chronic obstructive bronchitis should meet the following requirements:

- high efficiency;
— minimal number and severity of adverse reactions;
- maintaining effectiveness despite long-term use.

Today, inhaled anticholinergic drugs best meet these requirements. They act mainly on large bronchi. Drugs in this group are characterized by a pronounced bronchodilator effect and a minimal number of side effects. These include “Atrovent”, “Troventol”, “Truvent”.

These drugs do not cause tremor (shaking) and do not affect the cardiovascular system. Treatment with Atrovent usually begins with 2 inhalations 4 times a day. A decrease in bronchial obstruction and, therefore, an improvement in well-being occurs no earlier than 7-10 days after the start of therapy. It is possible to increase the dose of the drug to 16-24 breaths per day. Drugs in this group are used for basic long-term bronchodilator therapy. It is preferable to use a metered dose inhaler with a spacer.

Medicines against bronchitis

  • Expectorant stimulants

These include preparations of thermopsis, istoda, licorice, coltsfoot. When taken orally, drugs of this group have a moderate irritant effect on the stomach receptors, which reflexively increases the secretion of the salivary glands and bronchial mucous glands. The effect of these drugs is short-lived, so frequent, small doses are necessary (every 2 to 4 hours). Expectorants include copious alkaline drinks, infusions and decoctions of marshmallow and thermopsis - up to 10 times a day. Expectorants are used both during exacerbation of the disease and during remission.

Resorptive drugs: sodium and potassium iodide, sodium bicarbonate and other salt preparations. They increase bronchial secretion, cause dilution of bronchial secretions and thereby facilitate expectoration.

  • Mucolytic drugs

"Ambrobene" (ambroxol). Tablets 30 mg 20 pieces per package. Retard capsules 75 mg, 10 and 20 pieces per package. Solution for oral use, 40 and 100 ml in bottles. Syrup 100 ml in bottles. The usual daily dose of the drug in tablets is 60 mg. Take 1 tablet 2 - 3 times a day with food, with a small amount of liquid. Extended-release capsules (retard capsules) are prescribed 1 piece in the morning. The solution is prescribed in 4 ml 3 times a day for the first 2 - 3 days, and then 2 ml 3 times a day. The drug in the form of syrup is recommended for adults in the first 2 - 3 days, 10 ml 3 times a day, and then 5 ml 3 times a day.

"Bromhexine." Tablets and dragees of 8, 12, 16 mg. Medicine in a bottle. Syrup. Solution for oral use. Adults are prescribed 8-16 mg 4 times a day.

"Bisolvon". 8 mg tablets, 100 pieces per package. Solution for oral use. Elixir. Prescribe 8 - 16 mg 4 times a day.

"Lazolvan." Tablets 30 mg 50 pieces per package. Syrup 100 ml in bottles. Prescribe 30 mg 2-3 times a day.

  • Combination drugs

“Doctor IOM, broncholithin, bronchicum, etc.

  • Bronchial dilators

"Atrovent", "Troventol", "Truvent".

  • Other drugs recommended for the treatment of chronic obstructive bronchitis

Inhaled short-acting B-2-agonists

This group of drugs also has a bronchodilator effect. These drugs are less effective for chronic obstructive bronchitis than anticholinergics. It is recommended to use drugs in this group no more than 3-4 times a day or as a prophylaxis before physical activity. The combined use of short-acting inhaled beta-2 agonists in patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis is more effective than therapy with bronchodilator drugs of the same group.

Important! Caution is required when using beta-2 agonist drugs in elderly people, especially in the presence of cardiovascular diseases.

Side effects of B-2-Agonists drugs: possible trembling of the hands, internal trembling, tension, palpitations, .

The most common drugs in this group are the following:

Berotec (fenoterol). Metered aerosol for inhalation. 300 inhalation doses of 200 mcg.

"Berotec-100" (fenoterol). (Boehringer Ingelheim, Germany). A metered aerosol containing a lower dose of the drug is 100 mcg.

"Salbutamol." Metered aerosol of 100 mcg per dose.

"Ventolin" (salbutamol). Aerosol inhaler 100 mcg per dose.

There is a drug that is a combination of drugs from these two groups.

"Berodual" (20 mcg ipratropium bromide + 50 mcg fenoterol). The two bronchodilators contained in Berodual have a stronger effect in combination than each of them individually. If combined treatment with inhaled anticholinergics and short-acting beta-2 agonists is ineffective, your doctor may recommend another group of drugs.

  • Methylxanthine group

The main representative of the methylxanthines group is theophylline. It has a weaker bronchodilator effect compared to inhaled anticholinergics and beta-2 agonists.

However, in addition to the bronchodilator effect, drugs in this group have a number of other properties:

— prevent or reduce fatigue of the respiratory muscles;
— activate the motor ability of the ciliated epithelium;
- stimulate breathing.

Side effects of drugs from the methylxanthine group: irritation of the gastric mucosa, pain in the epigastric region, nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, headache, trembling, rapid heartbeat, .

  • Theophylline group

Of the theophylline group of drugs, its extended forms are of greatest interest. There are a large number of drugs offered in this group. They are prescribed by a doctor. The dose and treatment regimen depend on the severity of the disease and some other individual factors.

First generation drugs (taken 2 times a day):

"Theotard". Retard capsules of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 g. 20, 60 and 100 pieces per package.

"Teopek." Tablets, 0.3 g. 50 pieces per package.

"Retafil". Tablets of 0.2 and 0.3 g. 100 pieces per package.

“Slow fillin.” Tablets of 0.1 and 0.2 g. 100 pieces per package.

"Durophyllin". Capsules of 0.125 and 0.25 g. 40 pieces per pack.

II generation drugs (taken once a day).

"Euphilong". Retard capsules of 0.375 and 0.25 g. 20, 50, 100 pieces per package.

  • Group of glucocorticosteroids

Another group of drugs that can be recommended to be taken as basic therapy are glucocorticosteroids. In chronic obstructive bronchitis, they are prescribed in cases where airway obstruction remains severe and causes disability despite smoking cessation and optimal bronchodilator therapy. The doctor usually prescribes these drugs in tablet form against the background of ongoing therapy with bronchodilators. The most common drug from this group is Prednisolone.

  • In conclusion, about medications for the treatment of bronchitis...

All of the above drugs belong to basic therapy, that is, when prescribed, they should be taken regularly for a long time. Only in this case can you count on the success of therapy. We would like to once again emphasize the need to stop smoking as one of the factors that significantly aggravates the condition and accelerates the progression of the disease.

For chronic bronchitis, methods are used to increase the body's nonspecific resistance. For this purpose, adaptogens are used:

Systematic anti-relapse treatment can significantly reduce the number of exacerbations. In the treatment of chronic obstructive bronchitis, an important place is occupied by training the respiratory muscles - therapeutic breathing exercises. There are various exercises offered to patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis. They are aimed at treating fatigue and tension of the respiratory muscles, including the diaphragm. There are also special exercises aimed at improving sputum discharge. These are so-called drainage exercises.
With prolonged airway obstruction, increased tension in all respiratory muscles becomes chronic. Treatment of fatigue of the respiratory muscles, including the diaphragm, is important along with the use of medications to treat chronic bronchitis. Various training sessions are widely used to ensure normal muscle function.

Therapeutic exercise aimed at reducing muscle tone and improving bronchial patency gives the best effect for bronchial obstruction.

Breathing exercises

The simplest, but very important exercise is breathing training by creating positive pressure at the end of exhalation. These exercises are easy to do. You can use non-corrugated hoses of various lengths through which the patient breathes, and create a water seal installation (a jar filled with water). After inhaling deeply enough, exhale as slowly as possible through the hose into a jar filled with water.

To improve the drainage function, special drainage positions and exercises with forced extended exhalation are used.

Positional (postural) drainage is the use of a certain body position to better drain mucus. Positional drainage is performed in patients with chronic bronchitis (especially purulent forms) when the cough reflex is reduced or the sputum is too viscous. It is also recommended after endotracheal infusions or administration of expectorants in aerosol form.

It is performed 2 times a day (morning and evening, but more often) after preliminary intake of bronchodilators and expectorants (usually infusion of thermopsis, coltsfoot, wild rosemary, plantain), as well as hot linden tea. 20-30 minutes after this, the patient alternately takes positions that promote maximum emptying of sputum from certain segments of the lungs under the influence of gravity and “draining” of sputum to the cough reflexogenic zones.

In each position, the patient first performs 4-5 deep, slow breathing movements, inhaling air through the nose and exhaling through pursed lips. Then, after a slow deep breath, he coughs 3-4 times 4-5 times. A good result is achieved by combining drainage positions with various methods of vibration of the chest over the drained segments or compression with the hands while exhaling, massage done quite vigorously.

Postural drainage is contraindicated in cases of hemoptysis, pneumothorax, and significant shortness of breath or an attack of suffocation during the procedure.

Massage

Massage is included in the complex therapy of chronic bronchitis. It promotes the removal of sputum and has a bronchial relaxant effect. Classic, segmental and acupressure massage is used.

The latter type of massage can cause a significant bronchial relaxation effect. For a non-specialist, the following acupressure techniques are most accessible: light touch and stroking, light finger pressure and deep pressure. Finger pressure during acupressure should be strictly vertical, without displacement. The movement of the finger should be rotating or vibrating, but always non-stop. The stronger the impact on the point, the shorter it should be.

Most of the points used are handled with the thumb. Acupressure is recommended for no more than 10 minutes. When pressing, a person should not experience any unpleasant sensations. For chronic bronchitis, massage of the following points is used:

"Hegu"- one of the most popular points, known in acupressure as the “point of a hundred diseases”. Located in the fork between the thumb and index finger on the back of the hand at the top of the muscle tubercle;

"Dazhui"- in the depression under the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra;

"Tiantu"- in the center of the depression above the middle of the jugular notch;

You can complete the massage by kneading the end phalanges of your thumbs.

Important! Acupressure is contraindicated for any tumors, acute, blood diseases, active forms, pregnancy.

Cupping massage

Cupping massage helps remove mucus when coughing. A 200 ml jar is applied to the skin lubricated with Vaseline. Using a suction cup, make sliding massage movements from the lower back to the cervical spine. Duration 5 - 15 minutes. Then the patient is wrapped in a blanket and given a glass of tea with or raspberries. This procedure is carried out every other day.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is used in patients with chronic bronchitis to suppress the inflammatory process and improve the drainage function of the bronchi.

1. UHF currents - 10 - 12 minutes per area of ​​the roots of the lungs every other day in an oligothermic dosage.
2. Microwave therapy (decimeter waves with the “Volna-2” apparatus) - on the area of ​​the roots of the lungs daily or every other day, 10 - 15 procedures (improves bronchial patency).
3. Inductothermy or short-wave diathermy on the interscapular area for 15 - 25 minutes, daily or every other day (10 - 15 procedures in total).

With a large amount of sputum - UHF in alternation with calcium chloride electrophoresis on the chest, with a dry cough - potassium iodide electrophoresis.

4. Electrophoresis with heparin on the chest.
5. With a subsiding exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, you can use applications of mud, ozokerite, paraffin on the chest, ultraviolet radiation in the warm season in a phase close to remission; coniferous, oxygen baths.

Inhalation aerosol therapy

For chronic bronchitis, inhalation aerosol therapy is prescribed. This method of treatment is carried out using individual (home) inhalers (AIIP-1, “Fog”, “Monsoon”, “Geyseo-6”, etc.) or in hospital and sanatorium inhalators.

Combination of expectorants

Combinations of several expectorants are used, for example, first diluting sputum (acetylcysteine, mistabron), and then stimulating its coughing (hypertonic solutions of potassium and sodium iodide, sodium bicarbonate, mixtures thereof). The duration of one course of treatment is 2-3 months. Inhalations are prescribed 2 times a day.

1. Bronchodilator mixture with adrenaline:

a) Adrenaline solution 0.1% - 2 ml, atropine solution 0.1% - 2 ml, diphenhydramine solution 0.1% - 2 ml. 20 drops per 10-20 ml of water.
b) Aminophylline solution 2.4% - 1 ml, adrenaline solution 0.1% - 1 ml, diphenhydramine solution 1.0% - 1 ml, sodium chloride solution 0.9% - up to 20 ml. 20 ml per 1 inhalation.

2. Alkaline expectorant mixture:

a) Sodium bicarbonate - 2 g, sodium tetraborate - 1 g, sodium chloride - 1 g, distilled water - up to 100 ml. 10 - 20 ml per 1 inhalation.
b) Sodium bicarbonate - 4 g, potassium iodide - 3 g, distilled water - up to 150 ml. 10 - 20 ml per 1 inhalation.

Phytotherapy

Collection No. 1. The dominant property of the collection is antiseptic.

Plantain leaves - 1 part;
Licorice root - 1 part;
Sage leaves - 1 part;
Pine buds - 1 part;
Black elderberry flowers - 1 part.

An infusion or decoction is prepared from collection No. 1. For this, 1.5 - 2 tbsp. l. The collection is placed in an enamel bowl, poured 200 ml of boiling water, closed with a lid and left for 15 minutes (wrapped) or placed in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes with frequent stirring, then filtered, the rest of the raw material is squeezed out, the finished extract is brought to 200 ml with boiled water . Take 1 tbsp. l. after 1.5 - 2 hours, that is, 8 - 10 times a day.

Collection No. 2. The dominant property of the collection is bronchodilating.

Coltsfoot leaves - 1 part;
Oregano herb - 1 part;
Licorice root - 2 parts;
Ledum herb - 2 parts.

It is used mainly for obstructive chronic bronchitis, prepared as collection No. 1.

Collection No. 3. Anti-inflammatory and expectorant effect.
Elecampane root - 1 part;
Marshmallow root - 2 parts;
Oregano herb - 1 part;
Birch buds - 1 part;

Collection No. 3 is used in patients with mild exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and in the absence of exacerbation (as a predominantly expectorant). It is being prepared in the same way as collection No. 1.

Collection No. 4. For each patient, the collection must be selected individually. If the patient has a severe cough and symptoms of bronchospasm, then herbs, herbs, and oregano are added to the collection. With a strong irritating cough with hemoptysis in the collection, the amount of mucus-forming raw materials (marshmallow root, mullein flowers, coltsfoot leaves) increases.

Marshmallow root - 2 parts;
Coltsfoot leaves - 1.5 parts;
plantain leaves - 2 parts;
Flowers - 2.5 parts;
Licorice root - 1.5 parts;
Cushion herb - 2 parts;
Spring primrose roots - 2 parts;
Pine buds - 1 part;
Black currant leaves and fruits - 5 parts;
Oat seeds - 5 parts.

2 tbsp. l. collection No. 4, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave for about an hour, consume throughout the day.

Collection No. 5

Ledum herb - 10 g;
Coltsfoot leaves - 10 g;
Plantain leaves - 10 g;
Chamomile flowers - 10 g;
Licorice root - 10 g;
Tricolor violet herb - 10 g;
Calendula flowers - 10 g;
Elecampane root - 10 g;
Anise fruits - 10 g.

2 tbsp. l. collection No. 5, place in an enamel bowl, add 200 ml of water, close the lid, bring to a boil in a water bath, boil for 15 minutes, cool for 45 minutes at room temperature. Squeeze out the remaining raw materials. Bring the volume of the resulting infusion to 200 ml with boiled water. Take ¼ cup 4 times a day (mainly for chronic obstructive bronchitis).

Collection No. 6

Licorice root - 15 g;
Blueberry root - 15 g;

Valerian root - 10 g;
Grass - 10 g;
Mint herb - 10 g;
Grass - 10 g.
Prepare as in collection No. 5. Take ¼ cup 4 - 5 times a day after meals (mainly for chronic obstructive bronchitis).

Collection No. 7

Coltsfoot leaves - 20 g;
Chamomile flowers - 20 g;
Oregano herb - 10 g.
2 tbsp. l. collection, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave for 6 hours, drink ½ cup 4 times a day before meals, warm. It is better to brew in a thermos.

Collection No. 8

Plantain leaves - 20 g;
St. John's wort herb - 20 g;
Linden flowers - 20 g.
Prepare as in collection No. 7. Take ½ cup 4 times a day.

Collection No. 9

Elecampane root - 30 g;
Calendula flowers - 30 g;
Plantain leaves - 50 g;
Thyme herb - 50 g;
Coltsfoot leaves - 50 g.
2 tbsp. l. collection No. 9, brew 200 ml of water, leave for 40 minutes. Take ¼ cup 4 times a day.

Collection No. 10. The collection has an expectorant and soothing effect on painful coughs.

60 g (3 tablespoons) of crushed flaxseed are poured into 1 liter of hot water, shaken for 10 minutes, and filtered. Add 50 g of licorice root, 30 g of anise fruit, 400 g of honey to the resulting liquid and mix thoroughly. The mixture is brought to a boil, left to cool, filter and take ½ cup 4 to 5 times a day before meals. Not recommended if you are intolerant to honey.

Collection No. 11. The collection has an expectorant and antioxidant effect.

Alder cones - 50 g;
Tricolor violet herb - 50 g;
Grass - 50 g;
Polygonum herb - 50 g;
Black elderberry flowers - 50 g;
Fruits - 50 g;
Immortelle flowers - 50 g;
Black currant leaves - 50 g;
Plantain leaves - 50 g.

Mix 10 g of the mixture, pour 300 ml of boiling water, heat in a water bath for 15 minutes, leave for 45 minutes, squeeze. Take 100 ml 3 times a day 15 minutes before meals.

Prevention of bronchitis

First of all, in order to prevent bronchitis from recurring, it is necessary for the patient with bronchitis to immediately stop smoking. If the work of a patient with bronchitis includes factors harmful to health, then they must either be eliminated or the patient with bronchitis must be employed. Moreover, the new work should exclude such risk factors for bronchitis as the presence of a lot of dust in the air, temperature changes, and severe air pollution.

When a patient with bronchitis goes into remission, it is quite possible for a doctor to prescribe a course of treatment and prevention with various tonics and strengthening agents for the entire body. These include, for example, ginseng tincture, Methyluracil, Pyrogenal, Prodigiozan, some vitamins from the groups, and. Physiotherapeutic procedures may also be indicated for a patient with bronchitis.

In order for the prevention of chronic bronchitis to be effective, it is necessary to try to cure such diseases as quickly and correctly as possible when acute or mild inflammation of the windpipe or lungs occurs. You also need to pay special attention to childhood diseases such as. Timely cleansing of mucus from the nasopharynx is also important in the prevention of bronchitis. Of course, if a person plays sports or just exercises, he is much less likely to get bronchitis.

To prevent bronchitis, it is also necessary to promptly detect and eliminate various diseases of the ear, nose and throat. For example, polyps and other diseases that are not cured in time contribute to an increased risk of developing bronchitis, since, firstly, they represent a source of infection in the body, and secondly, they increase its sensitivity to future diseases, for example, bronchitis.

It is necessary to remove polyps (if any) and treat a deviated nasal septum to improve breathing.

Prevention of chronic bronchitis is also successfully carried out through stay in sanatorium-therapeutic institutions. Of course, warm sea regions are the best places to prevent bronchitis; resorts with mountainous or steppe landscapes are also a good option. When you choose the place where you will relax for the prevention of bronchitis, you should take into account that a sharp change in air temperature on vacation can, on the contrary, cause an attack of acute bronchitis.

Significant in the prevention of chronic bronchitis are constant breathing exercises, hardening procedures (preferably with water, for example, a cool shower every day or wiping), physical education in general and physical therapy in particular. If a person is sick with chronic bronchitis, then he should always be in the field of view of the local clinic.

Risk factors in the development of bronchitis

The risk of acute bronchitis or its becoming chronic increases several times if you smoke or passively inhale tobacco smoke. This especially applies to children whose parents smoke. In this case, in addition to bronchitis, the risk of pneumonia also increases in children. In cases where your immune system is weakened by an acute or chronic illness, the risk of developing bronchitis also increases.

If you work in places with a high content of dust in the air, such as cotton, as well as chemical reagents, acids, alkalis, peroxides, the risk of developing bronchopulmonary diseases increases.


Bronchitis in children most often develops as a complication of rhinopharyngitis, tracheitis, laryngitis, and also as a symptom of an acute respiratory viral infection. Prolonged or repeated disease process often occurs in young children. There are often cases when bronchitis can be asthmatic in nature. The general health of the child and immunity are of great importance in the occurrence of inflammatory processes in the bronchi.

Symptoms of bronchitis in children

The disease develops slowly in children. The onset of the disease can be inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. The child becomes weak and the temperature rises. Then a cough appears - first dry, then with copious sputum. Small children are unable to cough and swallow mucus, which may result in gagging. In the case of an inflammatory process in the small bronchi, the child’s condition worsens and shortness of breath appears. Typically, acute bronchitis lasts from seven to fourteen days.

Treatment of bronchitis in children

Treatment for acute bronchitis is in most cases symptomatic.

— Bed rest until body temperature normalizes.

— Dairy-vegetable diet enriched with vitamins.

— Drink plenty of fluids (tea, fruit drink, decoction, alkaline mineral waters, hot milk with Borjomi in a 1:1 ratio).

— Restoration of nasal breathing. Various vasoconstrictor drugs are used: Oxymetazoline, Tetrizoline (tizine), Xylometazoline, including combined ones (with antihistamines, glucocorticoids). The use of drops, especially vasoconstrictors, should not be prolonged, as it can lead to atrophy or, conversely, hypertrophy of the mucous membrane.

— Antipyretic drugs in age-specific dosages when body temperature rises above 38.5 - 39.0 ° C. The drug of choice is "". A single dose of paracetamol is 10-15 mg/kg orally, 10-20 mg/kg suppositories. Amidopyrine, antipyrine, and phenacetin were excluded from the list of antipyretic drugs used. Due to possible side effects, it is not recommended to use acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and metamizole sodium (“”).

— Antitussives: “Butamirate” (sinecode), “Glaucin”, “Prenoxdiazin” (libexin) are used only in case of dry obsessive cough. Hypersecretion of mucus and bronchospasm are contraindications to the use of antitussives.

— Expectorants (thermopsis preparations, marshmallow, licorice, essential oils, terpene hydrate, sodium and potassium iodides, sodium bicarbonate, saline solutions) and mucolytic (“Cysteine”, “Acetylcysteine”, “Chymotrypsin”, “Bromhexine”, “Ambroxol”) drugs indicated for all clinical variants of bronchitis. Agents that promote the evacuation of sputum are usually prescribed orally or inhaled using a nebulizer or aerosol inhaler. Currently, there are a large number of effective combination drugs that have multidirectional effects: muco- and secretolytic, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, reducing swelling of the mucous membrane (Bronchicum, etc.).

— Bronchodilators are used for clinical signs of bronchial obstruction in the form of inhalation (via a nebulizer, using spacers), orally, and less often rectally. ß-adrenergic agonists and anticholinergics have a bronchodilator effect: ipratropium bromide (Atrovent), ipratropium bromide + fenoterol (Berodual) and methylxanthines (theophylline preparations, including long-acting ones). They use Salbutamol, Fenoterol, Clenbuterol, Salmeterol (Serevent), Formoterol (Oxis Turbuhaler, Foradil). Fenspiride (Erespal) is also prescribed, which has a bronchodilator, anti-inflammatory effect, reduces bronchial reactivity, reduces mucus secretion, and normalizes mucociliary clearance.

— Rehydration of the respiratory tract is carried out with moistened aerosols, steam inhalations with alkaline solutions, including mineral ones, to which, if unavailable, essential oils can be added.

— Drainage and removal of phlegm using therapeutic exercises, vibration massage, postural drainage.

- They also combat dehydration, acidosis, heart failure, and prescribe.

Antibacterial and antiviral therapy is prescribed only according to strict indications:

- febrile fever for 3 days or more;

- increasing signs of infectious toxicosis and respiratory failure;

— pronounced asymmetry of physical data;

- inflammatory changes in peripheral blood tests (neutrophilic leukocytosis, increased ESR).

Prevention of bronchitis in children

Preventive measures for bronchitis in children include hardening the body, summer trips to the sea, a balanced diet, walks in the fresh air, and adherence to a daily routine. If the child gets sick especially often, vitamins and adaptogenic drugs are recommended. When the cause of frequent bronchitis is a chronic disease of the nasopharynx, it is imperative to sanitize the foci of infection in the summer. In addition, breathing exercises and a set of exercises to strengthen the shoulder girdle are recommended for weakened children.

Important! In all cases, regarding the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of bronchitis in children, you should contact your doctor, and in no case should you self-medicate.


Bronchitis, like any other disease in the case of pregnancy, should be treated with extreme caution, because With the standard approach, you can harm not only yourself, but also the child you are carrying. Therefore, in case of any health problems, immediately contact your doctor! Thank you!!!

Symptoms of bronchitis during pregnancy

Bronchitis begins in the same way as a cold. There is a slight increase in body temperature (usually up to 38°C, but in some cases the temperature may remain normal), malaise, fatigue, cough - first dry, then with a small amount of mucous or mucopurulent sputum. On the 2-3rd day, a sore sensation appears behind the sternum. If the above symptoms appear, the expectant mother should consult a doctor to prescribe treatment. This is very important, since changes in the body that are natural for pregnancy, such as swelling of the bronchial mucosa (this is due to hormonal levels), high standing and low mobility of the diaphragm (it is pushed upward by the pregnant uterus), make it difficult to expel the resulting sputum. Sputum that stagnates in the bronchi can maintain inflammation for a month or more. This is harmful for both mother and fetus.

If the disease lasts no more than 2 weeks, then we are talking about acute bronchitis, and if it lasts up to 1 month or more, then it is a protracted course of bronchitis. Typically, acute bronchitis does not have a negative effect on either the fetus or the course of pregnancy. However, prolonged bronchitis in rare cases can lead to intrauterine infection of the child. Therefore, treatment of bronchitis must begin from the very first days.

Diagnosis of bronchitis during pregnancy

Diagnosis of bronchitis is based on identifying characteristic complaints from examination and laboratory tests. An X-ray examination is prescribed for pregnant women only if the doctor has doubts about the diagnosis, the disease has become protracted, or complications have arisen.

Treatment of bronchitis during pregnancy

The main drugs in the treatment of acute bronchitis are antibiotics. But they are still undesirable for pregnant women, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. Usually, doctors try to do without antibacterial drugs and use them only in extreme cases, if there is a threat of developing pneumonia - pneumonia, intrauterine infection of the fetus, or in severe protracted bronchitis.

In cases where it is not possible to avoid taking antibiotics, penicillin drugs are prescribed: Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Flemoxin Solutab. These drugs are approved for use during pregnancy and do not harm the fetus.

From the second trimester of pregnancy, it is possible to use antibiotics from the group of cephalosporins.

The inhaled antibiotic Bioparox (fusafungine) is also intended for the treatment of acute infectious processes in the respiratory tract. This drug has an exclusively local effect and does not have a systemic effect, that is, it acts only in the respiratory tract, without penetrating the placenta, which is important for a pregnant woman. A special feature of Bioparox is its combination of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. "Bioparox" is taken every 4 hours, 4 inhalations in the mouth and/or 4 in each nasal passage.

Without antibacterial drugs, treatment of acute bronchitis consists of relieving intoxication and restoring impaired bronchial function.

Other treatments for bronchitis during pregnancy

Cough relievers

1. Frequent warm drinks:
- hot tea with honey and;
- lime tea.

2. Expectorants that increase sputum secretion (for dry cough):
— essential oils of camphor, thyme, thyme (inhalation);
— thermopsis mixture (used at any time);
- mixture of ipecac root - irritates the gastric mucosa, is not used for early toxicosis;
- “Sinupret.”

3. Mucolytics - thinning sputum (for viscous, difficult-to-clear sputum):
— “Bromhexine” — single dose 50 mg, daily dose 200 mg;
- "Ambroxol" - single dose 16 mg, daily dose 64 mg;
— “Mukaltin” — single dose 30 mg, daily dose 90 mg;
— “Chymotrypsin” (solution for inhalation) — single dose 10 mg, daily dose 20 mg;

The effect is achieved with a sufficient single and daily dose of the drug; if it is too low, the effectiveness decreases sharply.

4. Antitussive drugs - for constant painful cough:
— a mucous decoction of marshmallow root, or the drug “Alteyka”;
- "Tonsilgon."

5. Relieving bronchospasm (asthmatic component of cough, whistling, difficulty exhaling):
— “Zufillin” — tablets and inhalations.

6. Physical warming - local:
- mustard plasters;
- banks.

Strictly prohibited!

The following antibiotics are prohibited during pregnancy:

Video about bronchitis

Well, we have come to the end of this enormous article, dear readers. I hope that it will help you find answers to your questions!