Obstructive bronchitis in infants: symptoms and treatment. Drugs for bronchitis in children

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

No parent would want to see their beloved child with a fever, cough and stuffy nose. And, of course, there is nothing worse than a sick child who has difficulty not only exhaling, but also inhaling. It is these problems that cause obstructive bronchitis in infants. What is this disease? What are its symptoms? And how to treat?

What is pediatric obstructive bronchitis?

Bronchitis with obstruction is an unpleasant ailment associated with the accumulation of mucus in the bronchi, which prevents the free passage of air when breathing. This state is usually referred to as “neither inhale nor exhale.”

Bronchitis usually occurs against the background of other viral or bacteriological diseases. Directly, such a disease is not associated with viruses.

Causes of the disease

Obstructive bronchitis in infants can occur for various reasons. However, according to doctors, most often it is the result of SARS or an allergic reaction. It also occurs with frequent attacks of bronchial asthma, as well as with a tumor in the region of the bronchi and with a burn of the mucous membrane.

And, of course, among the reasonsthe occurrence of the disease can be distinguished as follows:

• virus-weakened immune system;
• prone to allergies;
• having a sensitive respiratory system.

In addition, obstructive bronchitis in infants can occur when the body is cold and even during the process of teething.

Who can get obstructive bronchitis?

Anyone can get bronchitis with obstruction. To a greater extent, infants who are bottle-fed, babies in whose family there are schoolchildren are more susceptible to this disease. Allergy sufferers, asthmatics, as well as children who have recently had viral and colds are at risk.

Obstructive bronchitis: signs

With this type of bronchitis, infants may experience dry mouth, pale skin. The kid loses his appetite, eats less and hardly drinks, becomes capricious and restless. The temperature with this type of bronchitis can be spasmodic (it ranges from 37 to 40 ° C).

Obstructive bronchitis in infants is difficult to confuse with other varieties of bronchitis, as it is characterized by the presence of a dry cough with wheezing and even whistles. In this case, the cough is paroxysmal. It is accompanied by the presence of shortness of breath and whistling or gurgling sounds in the baby's respiratory organs. When sick, the child coughs after almost every breath he takes.

How does the disease progress in infants?

The most problematic is passingillness in children under one year old, as they do not have the opportunity to talk about their well-being and share problems with adults. It starts with general weakness. The baby becomes lethargic and irritable. Then, cough and runny nose appear. Moreover, the cough is dry, and the discharge of mucus from the nose is abundant.

As a result of illness, the child coughs hysterically, especially at night. Obstructive bronchitis (signs of it can be found in our article) leads to breathing problems. The baby cannot cough up and suffers from shortness of breath. After about 2-3 days, the cough becomes wetter and "stretchy".

This happens due to sputum production and the transition of the disease to a new stage. In this case, according to the state of discharge, an experienced doctor can easily determine the form of the disease and prescribe the correct treatment. For example, the acute stage of the disease lasts only 5-6 days. Its distinguishing feature is the release of a transparent thick substance when the baby coughs.

If the diagnosis was not made on time and incorrectly, or the parents decided to seriously self-medicate, then the baby (2 months and older) who fell ill with bronchitis will be in real danger. The fact is that with obstruction, swelling of the bronchi and larynx is possible (this is due to poor bronchial patency), it is possible to change the color of the skin of the lips and fingers of the baby (they acquire a distinct blue color).

First aid for obstructive bronchitis

It is best to prevent obstructive bronchitis. Komarovsky believes that it is realistic to do this if in a timely mannertreat acute respiratory infections, allergies and get rid of other possible irritants that contribute to the appearance of obstruction.

If it so happened that the baby got sick, then, according to Dr. Komarovsky, you should not self-medicate. This is dangerous and in this case ineffective. What can parents do at home with a sick baby?

If your baby (2 months or older) has bronchitis with obstruction, you can use air ionizers, s alt lamps, as well as inhalers and nebulizers to help him breathe. These devices are best used in combination with drug mixtures containing salbutamol or glucocorticoid hormones.

For example, during inhalation, you can use drugs such as Flixotide and Ventolin. The main advantage of using such funds is that the effect occurs immediately after the first inhalation. The child becomes easier to breathe, there is a temporary improvement in well-being.

How to treat obstructive bronchitis?

To treat obstructive bronchitis, Komarovsky believes, it is necessary from the first days of the disease (at the first signs). This, according to the doctor, will help stop the inflammatory process and avoid possible complications. Therefore, you should immediately consult a doctor. What does a doctor usually prescribe?

As a rule, before making a final diagnosis and prescribing treatment, a specialist examines the patient and finds out the real cause of the disease. For example, if bronchitis was caused by an allergic reaction, then it is worth drinking antihistamines.drugs prescribed by the doctor.

If the disease is caused by acute respiratory infections, then the baby is treated for viral diseases, etc. In a word, it is this treatment that provides for obstructive bronchitis. The medical history often describes the treatment of patients with the use of antibiotics. This is necessary, according to doctors, to get rid of harmful bacteria that can cause pneumonia in the baby.

What drugs are used in the treatment of bronchitis?

Depending on the age of the baby, as well as on the complexity of the form of the disease, his parents are offered to undergo inpatient treatment. In particular, this method of recovery is strongly recommended for children in whom the obstruction is complicated by other symptoms. For example, temperature, respiratory failure and pneumonia can significantly complicate obstructive bronchitis.

As a treatment, a small patient is usually prescribed bronchodilators. Such drugs contribute to the expansion of the bronchi, which leads to a general relief from obstruction and easier breathing. For example, these can be drugs in the form of sweet syrups, such as Salmeterol, Ascoril, Clenbuterol and others.

Relieve problems with obstruction and solutions for inhalation, for example, Berodual. After a year, children can use aerosol inhalers, for example, Salbutamol or Berodual. It is these funds that pediatric pediatrics proposes to use. Obstructive bronchitis also involves the use of antispasmodics to help relieve spasms from the bronchi. Such drugs are "No-shpa", "Drotaverine" or "Papaverine" and others.

To get rid of excessive phlegm and mucous secretions, it is best to use mucoregulatory drugs. It can be, for example, "Lazolvan" or "Ambrobene". Allergic children may be prescribed antihistamine drugs: Zodak, Parlazin, and others.

What treatments are used to treat bronchitis?

In addition to drugs and inhalations, in the treatment of bronchitis with obstruction, it is recommended to use the so-called draining or drainage massage. It is performed by one of the parents and affects the neck, chest area and back of the baby. It is done with neat smooth movements, similar to swaying. To do this, you need to fold your hands like a boat, put the baby on the pillow with your tummy and perform massage movements for 10-15 minutes.

This massage helps to relieve sputum and improves the body's defense processes. In severe stages of bronchitis, hormonal therapy is also prescribed, for example, in the form of drugs for inhalation. Physiotherapy is usually not prescribed in the early stages of the disease. However, when after certain treatment it is possible to get rid of the obstruction, the pediatrician may prescribe electrophoresis or UHF.

Do folk methods treat bronchitis with obstruction?

Sometimes used to treat diseases such as obstructive bronchitis,folk remedies. For example, decoctions of spring primrose root, elecampane, black radish with honey, onion with honey, etc. are used for this purpose. In most cases, all decoctions have an expectorant effect and make it easier for the baby to breathe.

However, such remedies are best taken after consulting a pediatrician, as an unexpected allergic reaction may occur or a moment in determining the stage of the disease will be missed.

Summary: the treatment of a baby is an important and serious process. Therefore, it is better to coordinate all your actions with specialists!