What are the causes of this disease? Environmental factors include: smoking, occupational hazards, environmental pollution, alcohol abuse, low social and economic status, viral infections, bacteria and allergies. There are also internal causes that provoke the symptoms of obstructive bronchitis: low birth weight, genetic predisposition.
Clinical manifestations of the disease
The main complaints of the patient are cough and shortness of breath. In bronchitis, there may also be signs of infectious toxicosis: subfebrile body temperature, headache, dyspepsia and general weakness. The main clinical manifestations of the disease are respiratory disorders. Obstructive bronchitis in adults is characterized by an extended wheezing and dry wheezes, which are audible even at a distance. The duration of the acute form of the disease can reach three weeks, and in the case of repeated exacerbation of the symptoms, the patient is diagnosed with chronic obstructive bronchitis.
Patient examination
Prolonged course of the disease, which is accompanied by the development of emphysema of the lungs, can be expressed by such signs: shortening of the neck, bulge of the chest, horizontally located ribs, protrusion of the supraclavicular spaces. In severe disease, swelling of the cervical veins during exhalation is possible. Such complications as cardiac and respiratory failure can provoke the following symptoms of obstructive bronchitis: swelling of the lower extremities, cyanosis of the skin, especially on the tip of the nose, fingers and toes, lips and ear shells, and epigastric pulsation. In order to alleviate the condition, the patients take a sitting position.
Lung examination
Tapping of the chest reveals an expansion of the lungs and a decrease in the mobility of their lower part. When listening you can determine the elongation of exhalation and vesicular breathing, as well as dry wheezing. Disturbances in the respiratory system can lead to the development of tachycardia and increased blood pressure. With excessive levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, such symptoms of obstructive bronchitis as insomnia, twitching of muscles, a decrease in appetite, an increase in sweating and a headache that is worse at night can be observed. Complications of the disease include pneumonia, acute respiratory failure and a chronic pulmonary heart.
Methods of treatment
First of all, it is necessary to exclude the factors contributing to the progression of the disease. In the period of exacerbations, patients are prescribed antibacterial therapy taking into account the results of sputum analysis. Of particular importance are expectorants, whose action is aimed at improving the sputum production. Remove the symptoms of obstructive bronchitis is effectively helped by a low-calorie diet that limits carbohydrate intake. Very useful to conduct inhalation, acupressure and various types of therapeutic treatment, including electrophoresis. Improve the quality of life will help sanatorium treatment with a coastal climate, which is prescribed only during the remission of the disease.