What is the correct treatment for obstructive bronchitis in a child?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

With the onset of cold weather and high humidity, the number of childhood diseases increases sharply, among which bronchitis predominates in preschool children. Most often, bronchitis is a complication against the background of SARS, colds, flu and severe hypothermia. With it, inflammation is observed in the mucous membrane of the bronchi, accompanied by an increase in the formation of mucus or sputum, which thickens over time and, as a result, accumulates, cannot come out on its own. Such an internal process causes difficulty in breathing, and the child wheezes and “whistles”, which is audible even to a person far from medicine. This phenomenon in medicine is called "obstructive bronchitis".

Viral or bacterial cause of disease?

However, the treatment of obstructive bronchitis in a child should begin with the establishment of its root cause, which can be viruses, bacteria or just an allergy. Because the child's bodyhas a still weak immune system, then viral infections are quite frequent companions of babies. Therefore, antiviral therapy and general strengthening of the immune system, along with drugs that help relieve bronchospasm and remove accumulated sputum - this, perhaps, will be all the recommended treatment.

But the treatment of obstructive bronchitis in a child who was provoked by bacteria must be treated with antibiotics. At the same time, it is possible to distinguish the types of the disease using a blood test (quite a general one), sputum and, if necessary, an x-ray (in this case, pneumonia is excluded or confirmed).

Treatment regimen

The fact that this disease needs to be treated is beyond doubt, since complications can be both its chronic form, and pneumonia, and even asthma. At the same time, frequent obstructive bronchitis in a child is a serious reason for consulting a pulmonologist.

Basically, the treatment will consist in the use of mucolytic drugs, drinking plenty of water, moisturizing both the mucous membranes and the surrounding air, inhalations. And, of course, along with this, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system. In addition, Komarovsky recommends treating obstructive bronchitis in children only with abundant drinking, moistened with clean air and feeding at the request of the child.

Folk recipes

As mucolytic agents, you can also use provenfolk methods. For example, radish juice mixed with liquid honey, or hot milk with badger fat and honey. Badger fat can also be used to rub babies from 6 months. Herbal teas with chamomile, sage, coltsfoot also help loosen phlegm.

Benefits of inhalation

Also, fast and effective treatment of obstructive bronchitis in a child occurs with the help of inhalations. For babies, it is best to purchase a nebulizer, with which it is quite easy and simple to carry out this procedure even in infants. The operation of such a device is based on breaking the drug into tiny particles, which, through the air flow, get directly to the destination, i.e. bronchi or lungs. You can buy a nebulizer in the form of your favorite cartoon character or a funny animal, which will make the procedure more interesting, and the treatment of obstructive bronchitis in a child will even be a pleasure, instead of whims and crying.