Bronchitis in adults - treatment and prevention

Bronchitis is an inflammatory disease of the bronchial mucosa. It is said about it if the cough lasts at least 3 months. Bronchitis in adults: treatment, signs and effects - is described in detail in this article.

Causes

Most often, bronchitis occurs on the basis of catarrhal diseases (acute respiratory viral infection, influenza). Other reasons for its occurrence include the impact of aggressive physical and chemical factors (dust, fumes of gasoline, acetone, paints). Also, the cause can be an atypical factor, which is allergic in nature.

The appearance of chronic bronchitis can be associated with various harmful factors (inhalation of air polluted with smoke, nitrogen oxides, smoking), and with recurrent respiratory infection.

Symptoms of chronic bronchitis in adults appear at the time of exacerbation. The main symptom is a cough. First it appears in the morning, and then it also arises at night, intensifying in cold weather. Over time, acquires a permanent character. Cough is accompanied by the release of phlegm, which becomes mucopurulent or purulent. There is shortness of breath, which progresses with time.

Forms of chronic bronchitis

Simple form. With her bronchitis occurs with the appearance of mucous sputum without bronchial obstruction. With the second form, purulent sputum is secreted. The third form demonstrates the manifestation of persistent obstructive disorders. The latter is characterized by purulent sputum and obstructive ventilation disorders.

How to help yourself with the disease "bronchitis"

In adults, treatment can be facilitated by several simple and affordable methods. It is necessary to comply with bed rest, it is very important that the house was warm. To help yourself before the arrival of a doctor, make infusion of chamomile and drink it for 1/2 cup every 4 hours. It will be useful to buy a herb in the pharmacy that helps to dilute and expectorate sputum: mallow or marshmallow. If there is a weakness in the disease "bronchitis", in adults, the treatment will take a long time. But to reduce the overall weakness and accelerate recovery, take a tablet of acetylsalicylic acid or paracetamol. Moisten the air. If you have a bath, you can steam, but only in the absence of high temperatures and at normal pressure.

Diagnosis and treatment

Before prescribing drugs, the doctor should conduct a diagnosis of the disease: finding out the nature of the cough, the properties of sputum, the intensity of smoking, the frequency of bronchopulmonary infections in childhood. The radiographic picture remains for a long time normal, and with a long course of the disease, signs appear. When there is bronchitis in adults, treatment must be combined with the elimination of external causes: the ban on smoking, the change of profession, if it is harmful. It is also necessary to provide a patient with a high-calorie, vitamin-rich diet. Treatment should be comprehensive: medical examination of the patient, fight with infection - the appointment of antibiotics, sulfonamides and other antibacterial agents. When the disease subsides, the drugs are replaced by inhalation from the juice of garlic and onions. The duration of treatment is determined by the individual characteristics of the patient.

Prevention

Prevention of bronchitis in adults is carried out by banning smoking in institutions and enterprises, vaccination against children's airborne infections, continuous prevention of acute respiratory infections, sanitation, prohibition of work in a polluted environment.