Clinical picture of bronchitis. Acute bronchitis: main causes, symptoms, methods of diagnosis and treatment 2 clinical picture of chronic bronchitis main symptoms

(lat. Bronchitis chronica) is a chronic inflammation of the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles. The most common of respiratory diseases.

Children of early and preschool age are more often affected, especially those who have had measles (see Measles) and whooping cough (see Whooping cough), as well as older people.

Chronic bronchitis - mechanism of occurrence and development (pathogenesis)

In the development and further course of chronic bronchitis, infection plays an important role. Also, the disease can develop after acute bronchitis or pneumonia. An important role in its development and maintenance is also played by long-term irritation of the bronchial mucosa by various chemicals and dust particles inhaled in the air, especially in densely populated cities with a damp climate and sudden changes in weather, in industries with significant dust or increased saturation of the air with chemical vapors.

Smoking is no less important in the development of chronic bronchitis: among smokers, bronchitis occurs in 50-80%, among non-smokers - only in 7-19%. Autoimmune allergic reactions that occur due to the absorption of protein breakdown products formed in the lungs at foci of inflammation also play a certain role in the maintenance of chronic bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis - classification

The clinical and functional classification of chronic bronchitis identifies the following forms of the disease:

1. According to the nature of the changes: catarrhal (simple), purulent, hemorrhagic, fibrinous, atrophic.
2. By level of damage: proximal (with predominant inflammation of large bronchi) and distal (with predominant inflammation of small bronchi).
3. According to the presence of a bronchospastic component: non-obstructive and obstructive bronchitis.
4. According to the clinical course: latent chronic bronchitis; with frequent exacerbations; with rare exacerbations; continuously relapsing.
5. According to the phase of the process: remission and exacerbation.
6. According to the presence of complications: complicated by pulmonary emphysema, hemoptysis, respiratory failure of varying degrees, chronic cor pulmonale (compensated or decompensated) and bronchial asthma.

Chronic bronchitis - pathological anatomy

In the early stage of the disease, the mucous membrane is congested, cyanotic, hypertrophied in places, the mucous glands are in a state of hyperplasia. Subsequently, inflammation spreads to the submucosal and muscular layers, in place of which scar tissue forms; atrophy of the mucous membrane and cartilaginous plates occurs. In places where the bronchial wall is depleted, their lumen gradually expands - the formation of bronchiectasis. The process may involve both the outer layer of the bronchial walls and peribronchial tissue with the subsequent development of interstitial pneumonia. Gradually, atrophy of the interalveolar septa and the development of pulmonary emphysema occur, and the number of pulmonary artery capillaries decreases; Pulmonary failure may be accompanied by hypertrophy of the right ventricular muscle and cardiac right ventricular failure.

Chronic bronchitis - symptoms (clinical picture)

The manifestations of chronic bronchitis, as well as acute ones, depend on the extent of inflammation throughout the bronchi and on the depth of damage to the bronchial wall. The main symptoms of this disease are cough and shortness of breath.

Cough can have a different character and vary depending on the time of year and weather. In dry weather, especially in summer, the cough may be mild, dry, or may be absent. With increased air humidity and rainy weather, the cough intensifies, and in autumn-winter it becomes strong and persistent with the release of viscous mucopurulent or purulent sputum. It often occurs in the morning, when the patient begins to wash and get dressed. Sometimes the sputum is so thick that it is released in the form of fibrinous strands, reminiscent of casts of the lumen of the bronchi. Such bronchitis is accompanied by a sharp disruption of the drainage function of the bronchi and ventilation of the lungs and is called fibrinous.

Dyspnea in chronic bronchitis is caused not only by impaired pulmonary ventilation, but also by secondary developing pulmonary emphysema. It is often of a mixed nature. At the beginning of chronic bronchitis, difficulty breathing is observed only during physical activity, climbing stairs or uphill. Subsequently, shortness of breath becomes more pronounced. With diffuse inflammation of the small bronchi, shortness of breath becomes expiratory. Chronic bronchitis may be accompanied by general symptoms - malaise, fatigue, sweating; with exacerbation of bronchitis, body temperature rises.

In uncomplicated chronic bronchitis, examination, palpation and percussion of the chest, as well as x-ray examination, do not reveal any changes. In severe chronic bronchitis due to the addition of pneumosclerosis, pulmonary emphysema and the development of pulmonary heart failure, upon examination one can note the active participation of auxiliary muscles in the act of breathing, swelling of the neck veins and cyanosis. When percussing over the lungs, a box sound is detected, the mobility of the lower edge of the lungs is limited. On auscultation, breathing can be vesicular, harsh or, with the development of emphysema, weakened vesicular, against the background of which buzzing and whistling dry, less often silent moist rales are heard.

Blood changes consist of an increase in the number of leukocytes and an acceleration of ROE.

Sputum in chronic bronchitis is mucopurulent or purulent. In addition to the abundance of leukocytes, it may contain red blood cells; there is less bronchial epithelium than in acute bronchitis; often it metaplasias with keratinization. With putrefactive bronchitis, the sputum has a greenish-brown or brown color from blood decomposition and a fetid odor. Microscopy reveals leukocytes and red blood cells in a state of decay and abundant flora.

X-ray examination for bronchitis, complicated by the development of pneumosclerosis or emphysema, reveals radiological signs of these diseases. Bronchography may reveal deformation of the bronchi.

Bronchoscopy gives a picture of atrophic or hypertrophic bronchitis (with thinning or swelling of the bronchial mucosa).

Chronic bronchitis - course

Chronic bronchitis occurs in different ways. Sometimes people suffer from the disease for many years, but the signs of functional and anatomical disorders are less pronounced. In other patients, the disease progresses all the time. It worsens under the influence of cold, due to influenza epidemics, in the presence of unfavorable occupational factors, etc. Repeated bronchitis and peribronchitis lead to the development of chronic pneumonia and often to the formation of bronchiectasis. Impaired bronchial obstruction contributes to the development of emphysema. All this, causing widespread pulmonary ventilation disorders, is the main cause of cor pulmonale, and then the development of pulmonary heart failure.

Chronic bronchitis - treatment

Treatment of chronic bronchitis of various etiologies and varying durations has much in common. Essentially, it comes down to eliminating exacerbations of the disease. Patients should be under the supervision of a physician.

Of the medications, sulfa drugs, especially slow-acting ones, and antibiotics should be used first. As with acute bronchitis, bronchodilators should be prescribed, combining them with expectorants. For persistent chronic bronchitis with an asthmatic component, corticosteroids are used, which have antiallergic and antisclerotic effects. All treatment should be carried out against the background of eliminating occupational and household hazards, especially smoking. Sometimes a change of profession or climate is required. The warm maritime climate is most favorable, for example, on the southern coast of Crimea.

Chronic bronchitis - prevention

Prevention of chronic bronchitis includes a whole range of measures both to prevent the development of the disease and to prevent its progression. In this regard, it is customary to distinguish between primary and secondary prevention.

Primary prevention of chronic bronchitis

Primary prevention is a set of measures aimed at preventing the development of the disease. Primary prevention measures include, first of all, the fight against smoking, measures to protect the environment, as well as protecting workers at work from the influence of harmful production factors. In addition, measures for the primary prevention of chronic bronchitis include timely and correct treatment of acute bronchitis to prevent its transition to chronic, as well as sanitation of chronic foci of infection, especially in the nasopharynx.

Secondary prevention of chronic bronchitis

In fact, measures for secondary prevention are similar to those for primary prevention, but are aimed at preventing the progression of the disease, and not at preventing it. In addition to all of the above, an important measure of secondary prevention of chronic bronchitis is the timely treatment of exacerbations of chronic bronchitis in cases where they occur, as well as sanitization of the nasopharynx and other foci of chronic infection.

At the first stage of the diagnostic search, the main symptoms of Chronic bronchitis (CB) are identified: cough and sputum production. In addition, general symptoms are identified (sweating, weakness, increased body temperature, fatigue, decreased ability to work, etc.), which may appear during an exacerbation of the disease or be the result of long-term chronic intoxication (purulent bronchitis) or occur as manifestations of hypoxia with the development of respiratory failure and other complications.
At the beginning of the disease, the cough may be unproductive, often dry, and sputum is usually discharged in the morning (when washing). In the phase of stable clinical remission, these patients do not show any complaints; their ability to work can be fully preserved for many years. Patients do not consider themselves sick.
Exacerbations of the disease are infrequent, in most patients no more than 2 times a year. The seasonality of exacerbations is typical - during the so-called off-season, i.e. in early spring or late autumn, when changes in weather factors are most pronounced.

Cough is the most typical manifestation of the disease. Based on the nature of the cough and sputum, one or another version of the course of the disease can be assumed.
With catarrhal bronchitis, the cough is accompanied by the release of a small amount of mucous, watery sputum, often in the morning, after exercise. At the beginning of the disease, the cough does not bother the patient. If in the future it becomes paroxysmal, this indicates a violation of bronchial obstruction. The cough takes on a barking tone and is paroxysmal in nature with pronounced expiratory collapse (prolapse) of the trachea and large bronchi.
The amount of sputum may increase with exacerbation of bronchitis. With purulent and mucopurulent bronchitis, patients are more worried not about coughing, but about sputum production, since sometimes they do not notice that it is released when coughing.
In the acute phase, the patient’s well-being is determined by the relationship between two main syndromes: cough and intoxication. Intoxication syndrome is characterized by general symptoms: increased body temperature, sweating, weakness, headache, decreased performance. Changes in the upper respiratory tract are noted: rhinitis, sore throat when swallowing, etc. At the same time, chronic diseases of the nasopharynx (inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, tonsillitis), which often exist in a patient with Chronic bronchitis (CB), also worsen.
In case of exacerbation of the disease, the sputum becomes purulent in nature, its quantity may increase, and shortness of breath appears due to the addition of obstructive disorders. In this situation, the cough becomes unproductive and annoying, sputum (even purulent) is released in small quantities. In some patients, usually in the acute phase, moderate bronchospasm is associated, the clinical sign of which is difficulty breathing that occurs during physical activity, going to a cold room, during a strong cough, sometimes at night.

In typical cases, Chronic bronchitis (CB) progresses slowly, shortness of breath usually appears 20-30 years after the onset of the disease, which indicates the development of complications (pulmonary emphysema, respiratory failure). Such patients almost never record the onset of the disease (morning cough with sputum is associated with smoking and is not considered a manifestation of the disease). They consider the beginning of the disease to be the period when complications or frequent exacerbations appear.
The appearance of shortness of breath during physical activity at the onset of the disease, as a rule, indicates that it is associated with concomitant diseases (obesity, coronary artery disease, etc.), as well as with detraining and physical inactivity.
A history may reveal increased sensitivity to cooling and, in the vast majority of patients, an indication of long-term smoking. In a number of patients, the disease is associated with occupational hazards at work. Men get sick 6 times more often than women.
When analyzing a cough history, it is necessary to make sure that the patient does not have another pathology of the bronchopulmonary apparatus (tuberculosis, tumor, bronchiectasis, pneumoconiosis, systemic connective tissue diseases, etc.), accompanied by the same symptoms. This is an indispensable condition for classifying these complaints as manifestations of Chronic Bronchitis (CB).
Some patients have a history of hemoptysis, which is usually associated with mild vulnerability of the bronchial mucosa. recurrent hemoptysis indicates a hemorrhagic form of bronchitis. In addition, hemoptysis in chronic, long-term bronchitis may be the first symptom of lung cancer that develops in men who have smoked heavily for a long time. Bronchiectasis can also manifest itself as hemoptysis.

At stage II of the diagnostic search, in the initial period of the disease, pathological symptoms may be absent. Subsequently, changes appear on auscultation: harsh breathing (with the development of emphysema it can become weakened) and dry wheezing of a scattered nature, the timbre of which depends on the caliber of the affected bronchi. As a rule, rough buzzing dry rales are heard, which indicates the involvement of large and medium bronchi in the process. Wheezing, especially well audible on exhalation, is characteristic of damage to the small bronchi, which is evidence of the addition of bronchospastic syndrome. If wheezing is not heard during normal breathing, then auscultation should be performed with forced breathing, as well as with the patient lying down.
Changes in auscultation data will be minimal in case of Chronic bronchitis (CB) in the remission stage and are most pronounced during an exacerbation of the process, when you can even hear moist rales, which can disappear after a good coughing and sputum production. Often, during an exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis (CB), an obstructive component may appear, accompanied by the appearance of shortness of breath. When examining a patient, signs of bronchial obstruction are revealed: 1) prolongation of the expiratory phase during quiet and especially during forced breathing; 2) wheezing on exhalation, which is clearly audible during forced breathing and in a lying position.
The evolution of bronchitis, as well as additional complications, change the data obtained from direct examination of the patient. In advanced cases, there are signs of emphysema and respiratory failure. The development of cor pulmonale in non-obstructive chronic bronchitis (CB) occurs extremely rarely.
The addition of an asthmatic (allergic) component significantly changes the picture of Chronic bronchitis (CB), which becomes similar to that of bronchial asthma, which gives grounds to change the diagnosis of Chronic bronchitis (CB).

Stage III of the diagnostic search has varying degrees of significance in the diagnosis of Chronic bronchitis (CB) depending on the stage of the process.
In the initial period of the disease or in the remission phase, there may be no changes in laboratory and instrumental parameters. However, at certain stages of the course of Chronic bronchitis (CB), data from laboratory and instrumental research methods become significant. They are used to identify the activity of the inflammatory process, clarify the clinical form of the disease, identify complications, and differential diagnosis with diseases that have similar clinical symptoms.
An X-ray examination of the chest organs is performed for all patients with Chronic Bronchitis (CB). Most of them have no changes in the lungs on plain radiographs. In some cases, a mesh deformation of the pulmonary pattern is observed, caused by the development of pneumosclerosis. With a prolonged course of the process, signs of pulmonary emphysema are revealed.
X-ray examination of the chest organs helps in the diagnosis of complications (acute pneumonia, bronchiectasis) and in differential diagnosis with diseases in which symptoms of bronchitis may accompany the main process (tuberculosis, tumor, etc.)

Bronchography is often used not to confirm Chronic Bronchitis (CB), but to diagnose bronchiectasis.

A study of the function of external respiration is carried out to identify restrictive and obstructive disorders of pulmonary ventilation. The methods of spirographic, pneumotachometer and pneumotachographic studies are used. A schematic representation of the spirogram and the structure of the total lung capacity is shown in Fig. 1.
Based on the spirogram, two relative indicators are calculated: the Tiffno index (the ratio of the forced expiratory volume in 1 s - FEV - to the vital capacity of the lungs - VC; the same ratio, expressed as a percentage, is the Tiffno coefficient) and the air velocity indicator - PSDV (the ratio maximum ventilation of the lungs - MVL to VC). In addition, the modified Tiffno coefficient - FEV, / FVC - is calculated for the purpose of differential diagnosis with COPD. COPD is characterized by the FEV FVC value

With the development of obstructive syndrome, there is a decrease in absolute speed indicators of external respiration (MVL and FEV), exceeding the degree of decrease in vital capacity; The Tiffno index decreases and bronchial resistance during exhalation increases.
An early sign of bronchial obstruction is the predominance of inspiratory power over expiratory power according to pneumotachometry. At home, to monitor pulmonary function, it is recommended to determine the peak expiratory flow using a pocket device.
- peak flow meter.
Detection of bronchial obstruction disorders at various levels of the bronchial tree (in large, medium or small bronchi) is possible only with the help of special pneumotachographs equipped with an integrator and a two-coordinator recorder, which allows obtaining a flow-volume curve (Fig. 2).
By studying the expiratory flow at a pulmonary volume equal to 75, 50 and 25% FVC (forced vital capacity), it is possible to clarify the level of bronchial obstruction in the peripheral parts of the bronchial tree: peripheral obstruction is characterized by a significant decrease in the flow-volume curve in the area of ​​small volume, and for proximal obstruction
- on a large area.

A joint assessment of bronchial resistance and pulmonary volumes also helps to determine the level of obstruction. When When obstruction predominates at the level of large bronchi, there is an increase in residual lung volume (RLV), but total lung capacity (TLC) does not increase. If peripheral obstruction predominates, then a more significant increase in TLC (with the same values ​​of bronchial resistance) and an increase in TLC are observed.
To identify the proportion of bronchospasm in the total proportion of bronchial obstruction, indicators of ventilation and respiratory mechanics are studied after a series of pharmacological tests. After inhalation of bronchodilator aerosols, ventilation rates improve in the presence of a reversible component of airway obstruction.

The study of blood gases and acid-base status is important for diagnosing various degrees of respiratory failure. The degree of respiratory failure is assessed taking into account the level of Pa0 and Pa02 and the data of ventilation parameters (MOD, MB L and VC). For the division of respiratory failure by degree, see "Pulmonary heart."

Electrocardiography is necessary to detect hypertrophy of the right ventricle and right atrium that develops with pulmonary hypertension. The most significant signs are the following: pronounced deviation of the QRS axis to the right; shift of the transition zone to the left (R/S

The clinical blood test did not change during the period of stable disease. In chronic bronchitis, secondary erythrocytosis is sometimes detected, resulting from chronic hypoxia with severe respiratory failure. The activity of the inflammatory process is reflected by a general blood test to a lesser extent than in other diseases. “Acute-phase” indicators are often moderately expressed: ESR may be normal or moderately increased (due to erythrocytosis, a decrease in ESR is sometimes noted); leukocytosis is usually small, as well as a shift in the leukocyte formula to the left. Eosinophilia is possible in the blood, which, as a rule, indicates allergic manifestations of the disease.
A biochemical blood test is carried out to clarify the activity of the inflammatory process. The content of total protein and its fractions, as well as CRP, sialic acids and seromucoid in the blood serum is determined. An increase in their level is typical for the inflammatory process of any localization. The decisive role in assessing the degree of inflammation activity in the bronchi belongs to the data of the bronchoscopic picture, the study of the contents of the bronchi and sputum.

In case of uncontrolled progression of the process, an immunological study of blood and/or bronchial contents should be performed.
Examination of sputum and bronchial contents helps to establish the nature and severity of inflammation. With severe inflammation, the contents are predominantly purulent or purulent-mucosal, there are many neutrophils, single macrophages, and dystrophically altered cells of the ciliated and squamous epithelium are poorly represented.
Moderate inflammation is characterized by contents closer to mucopurulent; the number of neutrophils increased slightly. The number of macrophages, mucus and bronchial epithelial cells increases.

The detection of eosinophils indicates local allergic reactions. The presence of atypical cells, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and fibers in the sputum plays a significant role in revising the significant previously existing diagnostic concept of bronchogenic cancer, tuberculosis, and lung abscess, respectively. Microbiological examination of sputum and bronchial contents to identify the etiology of exacerbation of Chronic bronchitis (CB) and the choice of antimicrobial

The criterion for the etiological significance of a pathogen in a quantitative microbiological study is:
a) detection of a pathogen (pneumococcus or Haemophilus influenzae) in sputum at a concentration of 10" in 1 μl or more in the absence of antibacterial therapy;
b) detection in 2-3 studies with an interval of 3-5 days of opportunistic microorganisms in a concentration of 106 in 1 μl or more;
c) disappearance or significant decrease in the number of microorganisms during a dynamic study against the background of clinically effective antibacterial therapy.

This happens because the immune system is activated during any inflammatory process, and so-called inflammatory mediators are released into the blood. They help increase vascular permeability and migration of immune cells to the site of pathology. This provokes the development of edema and thickening of the walls of the bronchi, which reduces visibility when examined with X-rays.

What does bronchitis look like on an x-ray?

An X-ray image shows each organ differently; the human heart generally looks like a spot of light. Healthy lungs have a uniform color in the image; if pathology is present, it will appear as spots of varying intensity. Dark-colored lesions on the lungs indicate swelling and inflammation.

Fluorography does not show the full picture of the disease; this diagnostic method is used as a preventive examination. From it you can find out what condition the organ tissues are in, see fibrosis and foreign agents. Fluorography is less dangerous in terms of radiation exposure, but if a pathology is detected, the doctor still prescribes a chest x-ray.

What does bronchitis look like in a picture and how to diagnose it:

• the pattern of the lungs is changed - small vessels are invisible;
• you can see areas of tissue collapse;
• the root of the lung loses its clear contour and enlarges;
• the walls of the bronchi become thickened;
• foci of infiltrates become noticeable;
• the contour loses its clarity;
• areas of tissue without blood vessels may be noticeable;
• Light bubbles may be localized in the lower part of the lungs; a light color indicates their airiness.

If the radiologist’s professional language is translated into simple language that anyone can understand, then from the image you can find out whether there is pulmonary edema, whether there is scar tissue, or whether the bronchi are deformed.

An x-ray will not show bronchitis itself, it will display diffuse changes in tissues and will detect changes in the shape and contents of the respiratory organs. If bronchitis is advanced, you may notice signs of emphysema.

With bronchitis, the image shows deformation (curvature) of the bronchi, as well as the proliferation of connective tissue. With chronic bronchitis, the area of ​​pathological changes is larger, so it is better visible in the image. The basal lumens of the lungs are noticeable, which are shaded from above by narrow stripes; in general, the pattern resembles rails.

If fibrosis occurs, then the pattern of the lungs becomes reticular; this indicator is used to determine acute or chronic bronchitis. If there is a narrowing of the lumen in the bronchial ducts, the lung tissue becomes airy, and the image allows this to be determined.

Bronchitis is a severe inflammatory disease of the bronchi. It has been found that men are more likely to be affected by this disease than women. At risk are older people, smokers and professions associated with respiratory clogging.

What does obstructive bronchitis look like on a picture?

A chest x-ray can detect obstruction. This is a dangerous symptom that characterizes the process of blockage of the airways and impaired ventilation of the lungs. With obstructive bronchitis, the image picture changes somewhat, all of the listed signs are supplemented by the following characteristics:

• noticeable thickening and displacement of the diaphragm;
• the heart is located vertically, it has a bad effect on the main organ;
• the lung tissues become transparent and the air is not noticeable;
• there is a noticeable deterioration in blood supply, which causes congestion in the lungs;
• the pattern of the lungs becomes focal, curvature is noticeable in the lower lobe;
• The bronchi are very condensed, the structure is damaged;
• the contours are very blurred, the pattern of the bronchial tree is clearly defined.

If the diagnosis is difficult or tuberculosis is suspected, an X-ray in several planes or an MRI of the chest is prescribed. In addition, an x-ray can show a number of indirect symptoms that will allow a more accurate diagnosis.

It is important to understand what a person’s heart should look like in an image with bronchitis. This will help identify pulmonary hypertension. With bronchitis, the size of the heart decreases due to impaired circulation in the pulmonary circle, but with other pathologies this does not happen.

Indications for chest x-ray

If the bronchitis is simple and not complicated by obstruction, it will not be visible on the image. Therefore, to be referred for an x-ray, there must be certain indicators:

1. high temperature accompanied by fever and shortness of breath;
2. laboratory tests showed changes in blood composition;
3. treatment has already been carried out previously, but it turned out to be ineffective;
4. the treatment has been carried out, but it is necessary to consolidate the result and check whether there are any hidden inflammatory processes left.

Contraindications

X-rays have no contraindications as such. There are isolated cases when a person is in serious condition. If the need for x-rays remains, the procedure is performed after stabilization of the patient's condition.

During pregnancy, in order not to irradiate the fetus, x-rays are not prescribed. But if the threat to the mother’s health is significant, the study is carried out by covering the abdomen with a special screen.

Many people are interested in how many safe radiation sessions can be performed annually. It depends on the doctor's indications and recommendations. Normal radiation exposure for humans is 100 roentgens per year.

X-ray with contrast agent

If difficulties arise in diagnosing the disease, bronchography is performed. This procedure is performed extremely rarely, under local anesthesia. A warm contrast agent is injected into the patient's bronchi and, using an x-ray, the doctor can examine what is happening in the respiratory tract, what the severity of the pathology is, where it is localized and what changes have occurred.

Bronchography today provides the most accurate picture of pathologies in the respiratory organs. In addition, bronchoscopy is performed, which also allows you to study the bronchi from the inside. But all these measures are not very pleasant, so they are prescribed only in extreme cases.

If bronchitis has been diagnosed using X-ray studies, the doctor will prescribe treatment, which usually has a positive prognosis. The main thing is to contact the clinic in a timely manner.

Bronchitis: symptoms, treatment, interpretation of x-rays

On an x-ray, signs of bronchitis are easy to recognize - the image shows thickening of the walls of the bronchi and a change in the pulmonary pattern. With this disease, small vessels become invisible on x-rays, and the root of the lung thickens and becomes deformed.

Bronchitis is an inflammatory disease of the respiratory system, characterized by direct damage to the bronchi. Damage to the bronchial tree can occur either as a result of an isolated process (newly occurring) or as a complication of previous diseases. Against the background of inflammation, the bronchi begin to produce a special secretion (sputum) in an enhanced mode, and the process of cleansing the respiratory organs is disrupted.

Reasons for the development of the disease

There are many reasons why acute bronchitis may occur. The main ones are:

• complication of ARVI and acute respiratory infections (viruses, bacteria);
• other infectious agents (fungi, mycoplasma, chlamydia, etc.);
• inhalation of irritants (nicotine);
• working in hazardous industries and inhaling polluted air;
• manifestation of an allergic reaction.

When making a diagnosis, it is very important to determine the type of bronchitis the patient has (viral, bacterial, fungal, chemical or allergic). This is the key to proper treatment and a speedy recovery.

Clinical picture of bronchitis

There are 2 forms of bronchitis: acute and chronic. The clinical picture of the forms is slightly different from each other. Symptoms of the acute form (duration of cough no more than 2 weeks):

• in the first 2 days the cough is dry, persistent, restless, causing vomiting in children and some adults;
• starting from 2-3 days, the cough becomes moist, sputum may be cleared with difficulty or without it;
• an increase in body temperature from 37-38 degrees (if the bronchi are damaged by viruses, the temperature can rise to 40 degrees);
• general weakness, malaise, headache, muscle aches and throughout the body.

Symptoms of the chronic form of the disease:

• cough duration of 3 weeks or more;
• wet cough, with difficult to separate sputum, mainly in the morning;
• no increase in body temperature is observed (maximum up to 37.3-37.5 degrees);
• at least 2 times a year is accompanied by relapses (especially in the cool season).

Diagnosis of bronchitis

To make a diagnosis, no complex procedures or tests are required. The conclusion is made on the basis of anamnesis, auscultation and percussion, spirometry and x-ray of the lungs.

Anamnesis is a set of data collected by a doctor from a patient in order to further make a diagnosis and determine the prognosis of the disease. The process of collecting information is called history taking.

Auscultation and percussion are diagnostic methods that allow you to listen to sounds by tapping or using a stethoscope.

X-ray for bronchitis is a widely used method that can be used to determine the area of ​​damage to the lungs, the relief of the mucous membrane, contours and other parameters. The X-ray may also show other signs of bronchitis, which have already been mentioned above.

X-ray of the lungs for bronchitis photo:

At the present time, radiography when making a diagnosis is not mandatory, since it is not a mandatory diagnostic method. They resort to this method mainly only in cases where there are suspicions of more serious complications (pneumonia, etc.). This is done to minimize the radiation exposure that the patient receives during the procedure.

Treatment of bronchitis

Once the cause of the disease has been correctly identified, the doctor can begin prescribing medication.

With bacterial bronchitis, you cannot do without the help of antibacterial drugs. Preference is given to the following groups of antibiotics: penicillins (Augmentin), macrolides (Azithromycin), cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone) and fluoroquinols (Moxifloxacin). For viral bronchitis, antiviral drugs (Kipferon, Anaferon, Grippferon and others) are widely used.

When the temperature threshold rises to 38 degrees, antipyretics (Paracetomol, Nurofen) are prescribed. If a wet cough occurs, expectorants are used (Prospan, Lazolvan, ACC). If you have a dry cough and no elevated body temperature, inhalation with saline is indicated.

If there is shortness of breath, bronchodilators (Eufillin) are used. Drugs with a combined effect (Erespal, Ascoril) can also be prescribed.

In addition to taking medications, you must follow a few simple rules: drink plenty of fluids, ventilate the room often, and regularly wet clean the room.

Traditional recipes for getting rid of bronchitis

It should be remembered that traditional medicine treatment should not be the main method of therapy. Before using any method, do not forget to consult your doctor.

Recipe No. 1. Potato cake compress

To make potato flatbread, you need to take a couple of small potatoes and boil them with the skins on. After cooking, the peel can be removed or crushed along with the potatoes. If desired, one of several ingredients is added to the resulting mass: mustard powder, honey, sunflower oil. The resulting composition is again mixed well, applied to the patient’s chest on both sides (front and back) and covered with a plastic bag for at least 2-3 hours. The patient is insulated from above with a blanket. If necessary, after the procedure, wipe the skin with a damp towel.

Recipe No. 2. Lemon juice with glycerin and honey

Place a whole lemon in a container of water and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes. After this, the lemon is cut into 2 parts and thoroughly squeezed. 4 teaspoons of glycerin and honey are added to the juice. Take half a tablespoon during the day with a rare cough and a teaspoon on an empty stomach 4 times a day.

recipe No. 3. Black radish and honey

The top of the pre-washed root vegetable is cut off, and a hole is cut out in the main part, into which 2 dessert spoons of honey are placed. The honey should not fill the hole completely, since over time the radish will begin to release its juice (leave for at least 20 hours). Adults take the resulting mixture of honey and juice one tablespoon three times a day. Children are given a teaspoon per day.

Prevention of bronchitis

In order to ensure your safety during ARVI and influenza epidemics, you must follow simple rules:

• vaccinate against viral infections before the outbreak of an epidemic;
• frequently ventilate the premises and carry out wet cleaning;
• wash your hands after going outside and visiting public places;
• give up bad habits, especially smoking;
• prevent contact with allergens;
• do breathing exercises.

If your place of work or residence is not environmentally friendly and causes regular health problems, change it. Remember that health is the most important human value.

It should be remembered that any disease is easier to prevent than to treat. That is why prevention of diseases of the respiratory system is an important event in the life of any person.

Clinical picture of chronic bronchitis

The main symptoms of the disease that force the patient to see a doctor are increasing shortness of breath, accompanied by a cough, sometimes producing sputum and wheezing.

Shortness of breath - can vary over a very wide range: from a feeling of lack of air during standard physical activity to severe respiratory failure.

Shortness of breath usually develops gradually. For patients with COB, shortness of breath is the main cause of deterioration in quality of life.

The vast majority of coughs are productive. The quantity and quality of sputum produced may vary depending on the severity of the inflammatory process. However, a large amount of sputum is not typical for COB.

At the first stage of the diagnostic search, the main symptoms of Chronic Bronchitis (COB) are identified: cough and sputum production. In addition, general symptoms are identified (sweating, weakness, increased body temperature, fatigue, decreased ability to work, etc.), which may appear during an exacerbation of the disease or be the result of long-term chronic intoxication (purulent bronchitis) or occur as manifestations of hypoxia with the development of respiratory failure and other complications.

At the beginning of the disease, the cough may be unproductive, often dry, and sputum is usually discharged in the morning (when washing). In the phase of stable clinical remission, these patients do not show any complaints; their ability to work can be fully preserved for many years. Patients do not consider themselves sick.

Exacerbations of the disease are infrequent, in most patients no more than 2 times a year. The seasonality of exacerbations is typical - during the so-called off-season, i.e. in early spring or late autumn, when changes in weather factors are most pronounced.

Cough is the most typical manifestation of the disease. Based on the nature of the cough and sputum, one or another version of the course of the disease can be assumed.

With catarrhal bronchitis, the cough is accompanied by the release of a small amount of mucous, watery sputum, often in the morning, after exercise. At the beginning of the disease, the cough does not bother the patient. If in the future it becomes paroxysmal, this indicates a violation of bronchial obstruction. The cough takes on a barking tone and is paroxysmal in nature with pronounced expiratory collapse (prolapse) of the trachea and large bronchi.

In the acute phase, the patient’s well-being is determined by the relationship between two main syndromes: cough and intoxication. Intoxication syndrome is characterized by general symptoms: increased body temperature, sweating, weakness, headache, decreased performance. Changes in the upper respiratory tract are noted: rhinitis, sore throat when swallowing, etc. At the same time, chronic diseases of the nasopharynx are also worsening. In case of exacerbation of the disease, the sputum becomes purulent in nature, its quantity may increase, and shortness of breath appears due to the addition of obstructive disorders. In this situation, the cough becomes unproductive and annoying, sputum (even purulent) is released in small quantities. In some patients, usually in the acute phase, moderate bronchospasm is associated, the clinical sign of which is difficulty breathing that occurs during physical activity, going to a cold room, during a strong cough, sometimes at night.

The appearance of shortness of breath during physical activity at the onset of the disease, as a rule, indicates that it is associated with concomitant diseases (obesity, coronary artery disease, etc.), as well as with detraining and physical inactivity. A history may reveal increased sensitivity to cooling and, in the vast majority of patients, an indication of long-term smoking. In a number of patients, the disease is associated with occupational hazards at work. Men get sick 6 times more often than women.

When analyzing a cough history, it is necessary to make sure that the patient does not have another pathology of the bronchopulmonary apparatus (tuberculosis, tumor, bronchiectasis, pneumoconiosis, systemic connective tissue diseases, etc.), accompanied by the same symptoms. This is an indispensable condition for classifying these complaints as manifestations of Chronic obstructive bronchitis.

Some patients have a history of hemoptysis, which is usually associated with mild vulnerability of the bronchial mucosa. recurrent hemoptysis indicates a hemorrhagic form of bronchitis. In addition, hemoptysis in chronic, long-term bronchitis may be the first symptom of lung cancer that develops in men who have smoked heavily for a long time.

Bronchiectasis can also manifest itself as hemoptysis.

At stage II of the diagnostic search, in the initial period of the disease, pathological symptoms may be absent. Subsequently, changes appear on auscultation: harsh breathing (with the development of emphysema it can become weakened) and dry wheezing of a scattered nature, the timbre of which depends on the caliber of the affected bronchi. As a rule, rough buzzing dry rales are heard, which indicates the involvement of large and medium bronchi in the process. Wheezing, especially well audible on exhalation, is characteristic of damage to the small bronchi, which is evidence of the addition of bronchospastic syndrome. If wheezing is not heard during normal breathing, then auscultation should be performed with forced breathing, as well as with the patient lying down. Changes in auscultation data will be minimal in chronic obstructive bronchitis in the remission stage and are most pronounced during an exacerbation of the process, when you can even hear moist rales, which may disappear after a good coughing and sputum production. Often, during an exacerbation, an obstructive component will appear, accompanied by the appearance of shortness of breath. When examining a patient, signs of bronchial obstruction are revealed: 1) prolongation of the expiratory phase during quiet and especially during forced breathing; 2) wheezing on exhalation, which is clearly audible during forced breathing and in a lying position. The evolution of bronchitis, as well as additional complications, change the data obtained from direct examination of the patient. In advanced cases, there are signs of emphysema and respiratory failure.

The clinical blood test did not change during the period of stable disease. In chronic obstructive bronchitis, secondary erythrocytosis is sometimes detected, resulting from chronic hypoxia with severe respiratory failure. The activity of the inflammatory process is reflected by a general blood test to a lesser extent than in other diseases. “Acute-phase” indicators are often moderately expressed: ESR may be normal or moderately increased (due to erythrocytosis, a decrease in ESR is sometimes noted); leukocytosis is usually small, as well as a shift in the leukocyte formula to the left.

Eosinophilia is possible in the blood, which, as a rule, indicates allergic manifestations of the disease. A biochemical blood test is carried out to clarify the activity of the inflammatory process. The content of total protein and its fractions, as well as CRP, sialic acids and seromucoid in the blood serum is determined. An increase in their level is typical for the inflammatory process of any localization. The decisive role in assessing the degree of inflammation activity in the bronchi belongs to the data of the bronchoscopic picture, the study of the contents of the bronchi and sputum.

In case of uncontrolled progression of the process, an immunological study of blood and/or bronchial contents should be performed. Examination of sputum and bronchial contents helps to establish the nature and severity of inflammation. With severe inflammation, the contents are predominantly purulent or purulent-mucosal, there are many neutrophils, single macrophages, and dystrophically altered cells of the ciliated and squamous epithelium are poorly represented.

Moderate inflammation is characterized by contents closer to mucopurulent; the number of neutrophils increased slightly. The number of macrophages, mucus and bronchial epithelial cells increases.

The detection of eosinophils indicates local allergic reactions. The presence of atypical cells, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and fibers in the sputum plays a significant role in revising the previously existing diagnostic concept of bronchogenic cancer, tuberculosis, and lung abscess. Microbiological examination of sputum and bronchial contents to identify the etiology of exacerbation of chronic obstructive bronchitis and the choice of antimicrobial.

The criterion for the etiological significance of a pathogen in a quantitative microbiological study is:

a) detection of a pathogen (pneumococcus or Haemophilus influenzae) in sputum at a concentration of 10″ in 1 µl or more in the absence of antibacterial therapy;

b) detection in 2-3 studies with an interval of 3-5 days of opportunistic microorganisms in a concentration of 106 in 1 μl or more;

On an x-ray, signs of bronchitis are easy to recognize - the image shows thickening of the walls of the bronchi and a change in the pulmonary pattern. With this disease, small vessels become invisible on x-rays, and the root of the lung thickens and becomes deformed.

Bronchitis is an inflammatory disease of the respiratory system, characterized by direct damage to the bronchi. Damage to the bronchial tree can occur either as a result of an isolated process (newly occurring) or as a complication of previous diseases. Against the background of inflammation, the bronchi begin to produce a special secretion (sputum) in an enhanced mode, and the process of cleansing the respiratory organs is disrupted.

Reasons for the development of the disease

There are many reasons why acute bronchitis may occur. The main ones are:

• complication of ARVI and acute respiratory infections (viruses, bacteria);
• other infectious agents (fungi, mycoplasma, chlamydia, etc.);
• inhalation of irritants (nicotine);
• working in hazardous industries and inhaling polluted air;
• manifestation of an allergic reaction.

When making a diagnosis, it is very important to determine the type of bronchitis the patient has (viral, bacterial, fungal, chemical or allergic). This is the key to proper treatment and a speedy recovery.

Clinical picture of bronchitis

There are 2 forms of bronchitis: acute and chronic. The clinical picture of the forms is slightly different from each other. Symptoms of the acute form (duration of cough no more than 2 weeks):

• in the first 2 days the cough is dry, persistent, restless, causing vomiting in children and some adults;
• starting from 2-3 days, the cough becomes moist, sputum may be cleared with difficulty or without it;
• an increase in body temperature from 37-38 degrees (if the bronchi are damaged by viruses, the temperature can rise to 40 degrees);
• general weakness, malaise, headache, muscle aches and throughout the body.

Symptoms of the chronic form of the disease:

• cough duration of 3 weeks or more;
• wet cough, with difficult to separate sputum, mainly in the morning;
• no increase in body temperature is observed (maximum up to 37.3-37.5 degrees);
• at least 2 times a year is accompanied by relapses (especially in the cool season).

Diagnosis of bronchitis

To make a diagnosis, no complex procedures or tests are required. The conclusion is made on the basis of anamnesis, auscultation and percussion, spirometry and chest x-ray.

Anamnesis is a set of data collected by a doctor from a patient in order to further make a diagnosis and determine the prognosis of the disease. The process of collecting information is called history taking.

Auscultation and percussion are diagnostic methods that allow you to listen to sounds by tapping or using a stethoscope.

X-ray for bronchitis is a widely used method that can be used to determine the area of ​​damage to the lungs, the relief of the mucous membrane, contours and other parameters. The X-ray may also show other signs of bronchitis, which have already been mentioned above.

X-ray of the lungs for bronchitis photo:

At the present time, radiography when making a diagnosis is not mandatory, since it is not a mandatory diagnostic method. They resort to this method mainly only in cases where there are suspicions of more serious complications (pneumonia, etc.). This is done to minimize the radiation exposure that the patient receives during the procedure.

Read about all methods of examining the lungs for bronchitis and other diseases. You can find out what dark spots in the lungs indicate on fluorography.

Treatment of bronchitis

Once the cause of the disease has been correctly identified, the doctor can begin prescribing medication.

With bacterial bronchitis, you cannot do without the help of antibacterial drugs. Preference is given to the following groups of antibiotics: penicillins (Augmentin), macrolides (Azithromycin), cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone) and fluoroquinols (Moxifloxacin). For viral bronchitis, antiviral drugs (Kipferon, Anaferon, Grippferon and others) are widely used.

When the temperature threshold rises to 38 degrees antipyretics are prescribed (Paracetomol, Nurofen). If a wet cough occurs, expectorants are used (Prospan, Lazolvan, ACC). If you have a dry cough and no elevated body temperature, inhalation with saline is indicated.

If there is shortness of breath, bronchodilators (Eufillin) are used. Drugs with a combined effect (Erespal, Ascoril) can also be prescribed.

In addition to taking medications, you must follow a few simple rules: drink plenty of fluids, ventilate the room often, and regularly wet clean the room.

Traditional recipes for getting rid of bronchitis

It should be remembered that traditional medicine treatment should not be the main method of therapy. Before using any method, do not forget to consult your doctor.

Recipe No. 1. Potato cake compress

To make potato flatbread, you need to take a couple of small potatoes and boil them with the skins on. After cooking, the peel can be removed or crushed along with the potatoes. If desired, one of several ingredients is added to the resulting mass: mustard powder, honey, sunflower oil. The resulting composition is again mixed well, applied to the patient’s chest on both sides (front and back) and covered with a plastic bag for at least 2-3 hours. The patient is insulated from above with a blanket. If necessary, after the procedure, wipe the skin with a damp towel.

Recipe No. 2. Lemon juice with glycerin and honey

Place a whole lemon in a container of water and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes. After this, the lemon is cut into 2 parts and thoroughly squeezed. 4 teaspoons of glycerin and honey are added to the juice. Take half a tablespoon during the day with a rare cough and a teaspoon on an empty stomach 4 times a day.

recipe No. 3. Black radish and honey

The top of the pre-washed root vegetable is cut off, and a hole is cut out in the main part, into which 2 dessert spoons of honey are placed. The honey should not fill the hole completely, since over time the radish will begin to release its juice (leave for at least 20 hours). Adults take the resulting mixture of honey and juice one tablespoon three times a day. Children are given a teaspoon per day.

Prevention of bronchitis

In order to ensure your safety during ARVI and influenza epidemics, you must follow simple rules:

• vaccinate against viral infections before the outbreak of an epidemic;
• frequently ventilate the premises and carry out wet cleaning;
• wash your hands after going outside and visiting public places;
• give up bad habits, especially smoking;
• prevent contact with allergens;
• do breathing exercises.

If your place of work or residence is not environmentally friendly and causes regular health problems, change it. Remember that health - the most important human value.

It should be remembered that any disease is easier to prevent than to treat. That is why prevention of diseases of the respiratory system is an important event in the life of any person.

Viral colds are very often accompanied by the appearance of a minor cough, which becomes more and more serious every day. Failure to see a doctor in a timely manner can provoke the development of serious complications in various organs of the respiratory system. One of them is bronchitis. This is a disease that is difficult to accurately diagnose based only on external examination data. In doubtful cases, the attending physician may prescribe a chest x-ray. Bronchitis on a standard x-ray is manifested by a list of certain signs that allow one to draw a conclusion about the onset of the disease.

X-rays make it possible to determine the type of bronchitis based on its inherent symptoms and signs. An experienced specialist, taking into account the pattern of bronchial tissue, wall thickness and contours, the presence of infiltrates and other parameters, will “read” the radiograph and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

X-ray examination for bronchitis is an auxiliary diagnostic method. With its help, you can identify or exclude obstruction, focal pneumonia, and also diagnose serious diseases, such as tuberculosis or lung cancer, which are often hidden behind the symptoms of bronchial inflammation. X-rays do not image the tissue and condition of these branches of the windpipe. It allows you to record only some deviations from the norm. In such cases, a doctor can confirm bronchitis only by excluding visible lung pathologies. If they are not there, then these are symptoms and manifestations of bronchitis.

On an x-ray, the image of healthy lung tissue has a uniform light tint. The presence of pathological processes, expressed in atypical shadows, may indicate incipient pulmonary edema and serious inflammation.

Fluorography for bronchitis is not effective, since its results cannot show the full picture of the disease. It can only be used to determine the condition of tissues that are affected by fibrosis or foreign agents. If we consider from the point of view of safety for the body, then fluorographic examination is a higher priority than x-rays. However, the lack of information about the course of the disease makes it useless against the background of a chest x-ray.

Bronchitis is an inflammatory process in the organs of the respiratory system that affects the lobar, segmental, interlobular, lobular and intralobular bronchi, and bronchioles. It can be observed as an independent process or as a complication against the background of viral or infectious colds.

Bronchitis is characterized by inflammation of the mucous tissues of the bronchial tree. In this case, the onset of the inflammatory process may be accompanied by swelling of the tissues, their compaction, and all this together leads to a narrowing of the respiratory lumen.

The course of bronchial disease can take different forms:

• acute inflammation – has obvious signs of a sharply onset disease, the total duration does not exceed 14 days. The disease manifests itself as a dry, irritating cough. After a couple of days, difficult to expectorate sputum appears. There is an increase in the patient's body temperature to 39 degrees;
• chronic inflammation - mild symptoms appear over a long period, which can last three weeks or more. The appearance of a wet cough with sputum is typical in the morning (immediately after waking up). The body temperature remains within the subfebrile range - no higher than 37.5 degrees;
• obstructive inflammation - a severe course of the disease is complicated by severe attacks of coughing and lack of oxygen (suffocation). The presence of obstruction can be determined by wheezing and changes in respiratory movements. Additionally, the muscles of the neck and abdominal muscles are involved.

Indications for a chest x-ray for suspected bronchitis

Drawing up a diagnostic picture of bronchial disease includes several activities.

1. Questioning or collecting anamnesis of the disease. It is necessary to mention lifestyle, place of work, concomitant diseases and environment.
2. Auscultation of breathing using a stethoscope. Allows you to identify extraneous noises, the presence of which may characterize a particular disease.
3. Percussion of the respiratory system. Determines the presence of sputum in the bronchial body and serves to determine the severity of inflammation.
4. A set of laboratory tests of biological materials (blood, urine, sputum). Allows you to identify the pathogen to determine the drugs active against it and prescribe a course of treatment.

In cases of a prolonged course of the inflammatory process, accompanied by a deterioration in the general condition and fever, as well as in case of unsatisfactory results of laboratory tests and insufficient effectiveness of previously prescribed treatment, the attending physician may prescribe an x-ray of the bronchi and lungs to exclude serious pathologies. For bronchitis, fluorography is not advisable due to the fact that its results have no diagnostic value.

Reasons for the development of the disease

The reasons that can provoke inflammation of the bronchi may include:

• development of complications of acute respiratory diseases or acute respiratory viral infections;
• entry into the body of various infectious agents in the form of fungi, chlamydia, mycoplasma and others. A common situation is when, after a purulent sore throat, bacteria and toxins accumulate in the bronchi (especially during sleep, when the cough effect is suppressed) and, multiplying on the lining of the respiratory organs, affect them;
• excessive addiction to bad habits (smoking);
• work in a production facility that produces harmful pollutant particles;
• one of the forms of allergy.

Correct diagnosis and identification of the causes of the disease make it possible to cure the onset of illness in a short time and with minimal consequences and prevent the transformation of acute bronchitis into chronic.

Who should not conduct research

Prohibitions on performing lung X-rays include childhood patients (up to 15 years in accordance with the country’s legislation), severe conditions when the dose of X-ray radiation received can provoke the development of serious pathological processes or cause a decrease in the body’s immune defense. X-rays for bronchitis during pregnancy are also undesirable. It can cause disruption of the normal development of the fetus and cause pathologies, including the death of the fetus. The risk of complications must be weighed against the real threats to the mother's life.

What does bronchitis look like on an x-ray?

Bronchitis on x-ray demonstrates changes in the respiratory tract that begin during inflammation. The combination of colors in a picture of the respiratory organs should normally look like this:

• gray color – display of soft tissues;
• white color – visualization of bones absorbing radiation;
• black color - cavities with air that transmit rays through themselves.

In the presence of an inflammatory process, the density and structure of organ tissues change. These changes can determine the development of a serious disease.

X-rays do not show the inflammatory process during the development of bronchitis. However, with correct diagnosis and competent interpretation of the result, it will help to identify and show its indirect signs:

• lung tissue changes its structure;
• thickening of the bronchial walls occurs;
• changes manifested by the appearance of air cavities in the lower part of the lungs;
• the appearance of compactions formed due to the accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the respiratory system;
• increased manifestation of the bronchial tree pattern.

Main features

X-ray diagnostics when detecting bronchitis in the images can be manifested by the following main signs:

• tissue collapse appears, which appears in the form of lamellar lesions;
• infiltration of areas of adjacent tissues appears;
• the pattern of the bronchi changes, small vessels disappear and become invisible.

If the X-ray image shows the appearance of linear and ring-shaped shadows, which are a sign of proliferation of connective peribronchial tissue, it means that the patient has obvious signs of chronic bronchitis. The process of fibrosis formation occurs. Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension are also observed - the diaphragm changes its position, and large pulmonary vessels expand.

Obstructive bronchitis

Obstructive bronchitis on a standard radiograph is manifested by the main signs of bronchitis itself, along with acute and chronic. In this case, fuzzy contours and a greatly altered pulmonary pattern with thickening of the bronchial walls are observed. The transparency of the alveoli structure increases. The diaphragm thickens and shifts due to inflammation. Stagnation and disruption of the normal functioning of the pulmonary circulation occur. X-ray shows a decrease in the clarity and structure of the roots of the lung body, as well as a slight increase in size and blurred boundaries.

Diagnosis of bronchitis in children

Bronchitis is often characterized by complications in children in the first three years of life. In infants under one year of age, when bronchitis develops, moderate shortness of breath may be present. When tapping, a boxy pulmonary sound appears. Dry and moist diffuse rales are heard. A whistling sound may occur when exhaling.

Acute (simple) bronchitis in the image obtained as a result of fluorography in children appears as changes in the form of an intensification of the pulmonary texture pattern, while the roots of the bronchial tree are significantly expanded. There may be an increase in the airiness of the lung tissue. There are no focal changes in the respiratory organs.

Decoding the results

If an X-ray of the lungs in children does not reveal any changes during bronchitis, this is not evidence of the absence of serious diseases.

Bronchitis in childhood is manifested by an increase in the pulmonary pattern in the hilar region of the lungs. Moderate obstructive disorders may be recorded.

Interpretation of X-ray results in children should also be differentiated from pneumonia, the presence of a foreign body in the bronchi, bronchial asthma and other diseases.

Treatment of the disease

If bronchitis is detected on a FLG image or X-ray of the lungs, confirmed by laboratory tests, the doctor will immediately prescribe an effective course of treatment with medications.

Drugs are prescribed based on the main causes of the disease.

Bacterial bronchitis is treated by prescribing antibacterial agents. These drugs are: Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone, Augmentin. For viral cases, antiviral drugs are used: Grippferon, Kipferon, Arbidol. At high body temperatures, antipyretics are prescribed: Nurofen, Panadol, Paracetamol. In case of a strong wet cough, expectorants are used to facilitate the passage of bronchial secretions: ACC, Ambroxol, Ascoril. Inhalation with saline solution will help alleviate the condition of a severe dry cough. It is important to understand that inhalations are allowed only in the absence of elevated body temperature.

Prevention of bronchitis

Strengthening the immune system is the main way to counteract various factors that can trigger the onset of the disease. Local immunity training should include the following:

• maintaining an active lifestyle with moderate physical activity in accordance with age;
• frequent walks in the fresh air, preferably in a forested area;
• eating only high-quality foods high in vitamins and minerals;
• compliance with air quality standards in the living room - it should be fresh, cool and moderate humidity;
• During the period of a cold, timely treatment and strict adherence to recommendations for taking medications are necessary.

Measures to prevent diseases of the respiratory system include regular screening fluorography of the chest organs. Annual radiography does not cause significant harm to the body, but helps to identify diseases such as bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, and oncological processes in the early stages.

Traditional methods of treating bronchitis

In cases where it is impossible to use medications to treat bronchial inflammation, an effective alternative is recommended - traditional medicine recipes. The essence of the methods is to provide a local warming effect, which promotes the expansion of the bronchi and the discharge of sputum. The use of home medicine is permissible if you are confident that there is no allergic reaction to the incoming components.

Potato cake compress

To prepare a compress, boil a couple of medium-sized potatoes “in their jackets” until tender. In a bowl, mash the potatoes until smooth. The compress can be used in its pure form or with the addition of natural warming substances - honey, mustard powder and others. For plasticity, add a teaspoon of vegetable or olive oil to the potato mass. The compress is applied from the side of the bronchi, covered with film and wrapped in a warm blanket.

Lemon juice with glycerin and honey

The juice of lemon zest boiled for 10 minutes is squeezed out and mixed with 4 teaspoons of glycerin and natural honey. The resulting mixture is taken orally, ½ tablespoon throughout the day.

Black radish and honey

The top part of a clean root vegetable is removed and a hole is made into which natural honey is placed. It is necessary to leave a little space because the radish begins to release juice over time. It is necessary to insist for about a day. Then the resulting mixture is drained and taken orally three times during the day, 1 tablespoon. For children, the dosage should be reduced to 1 teaspoon.