Chronic bronchitis is an inflammatory disease that is a consequence of long-term exposure to respiratory organs of harmful external factors (allergens, dust, etc.) and pathogenic viruses, bacteria. Symptoms and methods of treatment of chronic bronchitis in adults are discussed in the article.
Symptoms of chronic bronchitis in adults
The main symptom of chronic bronchitis in both adults and children is cough. Cough is dry in the initial period of exacerbation of the disease. The patient can not clear his throat, sputum does not go away, seizures literally exhaust him. If a full-fledged treatment is carried out, then, 3-4 days later, cough becomes productive, sputum emerges from the bronchi.
In addition, with chronic bronchitis observed:
- insignificant hyperthermia (up to 37.5 degrees);
- chills;
- pain in the chest and peritoneum;
- dyspnea;
- headache;
- sweating.
Less common is hemoptysis, as a superficial dry cough causes damage to the bronchial tissue and certain areas of the lungs.
The doctor, when listening to the patient, notices dry wheezes with weakened breathing. These sounds in the respiratory system are due to the fact that the narrowed bronchi air passes with difficulty, as well as the movement of sputum.
How to treat chronic bronchitis in adults?
The treatment of bronchitis should be taken seriously, since the amateurish approach to therapy can cause serious complications (pneumonia, emphysema, asthma, etc.). As a rule, the patient undergoes a course of treatment at home under the supervision of a specialist pulmonologist or infectious disease specialist, in case of a serious course of the disease, hospitalization is shown in the hospital.
To conduct effective therapy it is important to establish the cause of the disease. If bronchitis is the result of contact of the patient with allergens or chemicals, these factors should be eliminated. With bacterial etiology of the disease, antibacterial treatment with tablets Azithromycin, Amoxicillin, etc. is carried out. In severe cases, antibiotics are administered parenterally. In addition, sulfonamides (Biseptol) and nitrofurans (furazolidone) are prescribed.
In the treatment of chronic obstructive bronchitis in adults, drugs with a bronchodilator effect are used:
- Fenoterol;
- Terbutaline;
- Salbutamol;
- Ipratropium bromide;
- Tiotropium bromide.
To improve the clearance of sputum, mucolytic and expectorant medicinal products of artificial origin (ATSTS, Ambroksil) or based on herbs (althaea, thermopsis, etc.) are used.
To reduce edema of bronchial walls, antihistamines are prescribed.
A good result in the treatment of bronchitis is:
- Inhalation (with berodualom, eufillinom, alkaline mineral waters);
- compresses;
- mustard plasters , cans;
- physiotherapy (quartz, UHF);
- position drainage;
- massage;
- Exercise therapy;
- acupuncture.
If possible, during the period of remission, sanatorium-and-spa treatment is recommended.
Treatment of chronic bronchitis in adults with folk remedies
As an adjunct to drug therapy, traditional medicine can be used. To reduce the symptomatic manifestations phyto-vegas are used:
- althea;
- Ledum ;
- licorice root;
- mother-and-stepmother;
- elecampane.
Applied plants rich in phytoncides:
- bow;
- garlic;
- black radish;
- horseradish.
Attention! Food during the exacerbation of bronchitis should be balanced, the foods should contain a significant amount of protein and vitamins. You need 2-4 liters of fluid a day.