Chronic obstructive bronchitis is a disease characterized by a chronic diffuse inflammation of non-allergic bronchi that leads to a gradual disruption of pulmonary ventilation. The inflammatory process includes all morphological structures of the bronchi, as well as peribronchial tissue and alveoli. About the causes, symptoms and how to cure chronic obstructive bronchitis, let's talk further.
Causes of chronic obstructive bronchitis
Allocate a number of risk factors that provoke the disease, which include:
- smoking;
- genetic predisposition (deficiency of α1-antitrypsin);
- air contamination with dust and chemical contaminants;
- occupational hazards.
Occupations with an increased risk of developing chronic obstructive bronchitis are:
- miners;
- builders associated with cement works;
- workers in the metallurgical industry;
- railwaymen;
- workers associated with the processing of cotton, grain and paper production;
- office workers associated with printing on laser printers.
Under the influence of risk factors, a pathological change in bronchial mucosa occurs, and the composition of the bronchial secretion changes. This contributes to the development of various microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi).
Symptoms of chronic obstructive bronchitis
The first complaints with which patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis turn to the doctor are cough and shortness of breath, in some cases combined with wheezing. These symptoms are more pronounced in the morning after waking up. Shortness of breath in the first time is felt only with physical exertion. In the cold season, there are frequent episodes of respiratory infection, which initially do not bind to one disease.
Sputum in chronic obstructive bronchitis usually stands out in small amounts, has a mucous nature. Purulent sputum character acquires only during infectious episodes, which, as a rule, are regarded as exacerbations (chronic obstructive purulent bronchitis).
As the disease progresses, wheezing is added to the cough, most noticeable with an accelerated expiration, as well as wheezing . Shortness of breath, initially felt as a lack of air, then progresses to respiratory failure.
Exacerbation of chronic obstructive bronchitis
Like other chronic diseases, the periods of remission of chronic obstructive bronchitis alternate with periods of exacerbation. They contribute to exacerbation of hypothermia, decreased immunity, respiratory viral infections.
Symptoms of exacerbation of chronic obstructive bronchitis:
- increased cough;
- copious sputum;
- change in color of sputum (yellow, green, brownish);
- increased body temperature;
- headache;
- weakness, an ache in the body.
Complications of chronic obstructive bronchitis:
- respiratory insufficiency;
- pulmonary hypertension;
- pulmonary heart;
- circulatory insufficiency.
How to treat chronic obstructive bronchitis?
Treatment of chronic obstructive bronchitis, first of all, implies the cessation of the negative impact on the respiratory system ( smoking cessation , job change, resettlement in ecologically clean areas). These measures are also the main method of preventing chronic obstructive bronchitis.
Therapy of chronic obstructive bronchitis includes:
- physiotherapy methods;
- use of bronchodilators;
- anti-inflammatory therapy;
- the appointment of mukoregulatory therapy;
- correction of respiratory failure;
- anti-infective therapy (with exacerbations);
- vitamin therapy.