Bronchitis in adults - causes, symptoms, meaning of sputum color in bronchitis

The development of an acute inflammatory process in the lungs is called acute bronchitis. Its development can be provoked by a common cold, ARVI, as well as damage to the bronchi by a viral or bacterial infection. The disease is treated with special medications, but before this the patient must undergo an examination.

The patient’s independent use of medications can lead to a sharp deterioration in his health and the transition of the disease to the chronic stage. We will tell you more about what this disease is, its symptoms, causes, methods of treatment and prevention.

What is acute bronchitis?

Doctors give it the following definition: as a concept, “acute bronchitis” refers to an extensive inflammatory process that affects the bronchi.”

Acute bronchitis is accompanied not only by symptoms of a respiratory illness, but also by general intoxication of the body. This disease is accompanied by swelling and narrowing of the lumens in the bronchial tree. Due to this, a person suffers from a severe cough with sputum production, which prevents him from breathing normally.

Specialists divide bronchitis into acute and chronic. The acute form of the disease appears when the disease occurs early and is accompanied by typical symptoms. When the disease reaches a severe stage, doctors talk about the development of chronic bronchitis.

Entering the body through the air or along with sputum, the pathogen penetrates deep into the respiratory system. The virus first enters the upper respiratory tract. Next, the bacteria penetrate the bronchi and destroy their mucous membrane.

What are the reasons for the spread of acute bronchitis? It mainly provokes its appearance in the bronchi of a cold:

measles and rubella;
ARVI and common colds;
flu

Additionally, it is provoked by the penetration of fungal, viral and bacterial infectious cells into the bronchi:

mycoplasmas and pneumococci;
staphylococci and fungi;
bacteria of the typhoparatyphoid group.

In addition, he is called:

chlorine and dust;
smoke and ammonia;
hydrogen sulfide, alkali and various acids;
hot and cold air flows.

Typically, such substances provoke the development of bronchitis in citizens who suffer from an allergic reaction. There is also a group of reasons that can cause acute bronchitis. These include:

excessive drinking and smoking;
the presence of stagnation in blood circulation and eating the wrong foods;
a serious illness suffered by a person, localized in the respiratory system;
constant hypothermia of the body and work in a hazardous enterprise.

The meaning of sputum color in bronchitis

The color of sputum released during coughing has important diagnostic significance for the doctor. Thanks to only this sign, the doctor can determine the stage of the disease, its severity, and the cause of its occurrence. The composition of sputum includes saliva, which is produced in the mouth, cells produced by the immune system, particles of blood and plasma (visible or invisible), dust, and pathogenic microorganisms.

White sputum

When the color of the sputum is white, the patient’s condition is regarded as the normal course of the disease. However, it is worth paying attention to the amount of sputum discharged and the presence of foam in it. So, with foamy, abundant white sputum, pulmonary edema, tuberculosis or asthma can be suspected.

Green phlegm

If the sputum is green for a long time, this indicates an existing infection of a chronic nature. This color is the result of the breakdown process of neutrophils that tried to cope with pathogenic agents. Their death leads to the release of enzymes and myeloperoxidase.

Therefore, green sputum may indicate the following diseases:

Chronical bronchitis;
Lung abscess;
Transition of bronchitis to pneumonia;
Cystic fibrosis of the lung.

If the disease is infectious in nature, then a green tint to the sputum can also indicate the presence of a large amount of pus in the sputum. If the disease is of non-infectious etiology, then there will be more mucus in the sputum than green matter.

Yellow sputum

If the sputum is yellow, this indicates the presence of white blood cells, namely neutrophils. They are always found in large quantities in allergic, infectious and chronic inflammations.

Therefore, by the yellow color of the bronchial discharge, doctors most often determine:

Asthma;
Sinusitis;
Acute stage of pneumonia or bronchitis.

If you notice the discharge of yellow sputum, you should not hesitate to go to the doctor, since its morning analysis allows you to determine the presence of a bacterial infection. Often this color of sputum is separated from people who smoke for a long time.

Brown sputum

Brown sputum is a serious sign that requires medical attention. This mucus color indicates the breakdown of a large number of red blood cells and the release of hemosiderin.

Based on the brown color of the sputum, you can suspect:

Chronic bronchitis or pneumonia;
Tuberculosis;
Lungs' cancer;
Pneumoconiosis.

Black (dark gray)

If a patient produces black or dark gray sputum, this most often indicates the presence of dust from smoking tobacco. Also, blackening of sputum may occur when taking certain medications.

Red sputum (with blood)

The presence of blood in the sputum may indicate serious infections or pulmonary hemorrhage:

Pneumococcal infection;
Lungs' cancer;
Tuberculosis;
Pulmonary embolism.

Seeking medical help should be immediate, as there is a threat not only to the health, but also to the life of the patient.

Types of acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is characterized by its division into several types. It happens:

Simple. An inflammatory disease localized in the bronchi.
Obstructive.
Obliterative.
Bronchiolitis.

If a simple inflammatory disease localized in the bronchi occurs very often in adults and children, about 3 times a year, then it is often called recurrent bronchitis.

The obstructive form of the disease develops against the background of the accumulation of large amounts of mucus and severe swelling of the bronchial mucosa. Also, acute bronchitis differs according to the type of pathogen that caused it. It happens:

viral;
infectious;
bacterial;
allergic;
dusty;
fungal;
chlamydial;
toxic.
In addition, it also comes in a purulent form.

Remember that if the patient does not start treatment for acute bronchitis in time, then it turns into chronic bronchitis, which is very difficult to cure.

How to recognize bronchitis yourself

A doctor must diagnose any disease. But often people are in no hurry to seek medical help, hoping that everything will go away on its own. Not knowing the signs of a dangerous disease, they waste time and then take a long time to undergo treatment. To understand that you have bronchitis, you need to know the following:

The disease often occurs after an acute respiratory infection or acute respiratory viral infection.
If a cough begins, and during it it seems that something inside is coming off, this is a sign of inflammation in the bronchi.
If the temperature remains above normal, but does not rise to high levels, this may be the consequences of bacterial exposure in the bronchi.
Shortness of breath during exertion, which worsens over time, should alert you.
Profuse sweating during sleep.
Cyanosis of the nasolabial area indicates oxygen starvation, which may be caused by problems in the bronchi.
ARI lasts no more than 5 days. If the illness drags on, this is already the beginning of bronchitis.

If you suspect bronchitis, you should immediately go to the doctor and start treatment. The sooner it is started, the greater the chances of avoiding complications.

Symptoms of acute bronchitis

The course of acute bronchitis depends on the causes that caused the disease. In addition, the symptoms depend on the stage of development of acute bronchitis, its severity and the type that occurs.

Doctors note that acute bronchitis in adults begins with the appearance of a rough, barking, sonorous cough, which gives off pain and burning in the chest. At the beginning of the development of this disease, a person produces little sputum. But after the cough becomes dry, a lot of sputum will be released and it will be mucous.

The disease is accompanied by the following typical symptoms. In humans:

signs of acute respiratory viral infection appear, which are also early manifestations of acute bronchitis;
tickle in the throat;
severe wet cough and a lot of sputum is released when expectorating;
body temperature rises. Moreover, body temperature rises sharply during bronchitis in both adults and children. Also, acute bronchitis is characterized by symptoms that are characterized by intoxication of the body;
pain occurs in the head, arms and legs, and muscles;
wheezing appears in the bronchi, the voice changes;
shortness of breath, drowsiness, impaired blood circulation;
Gas exchange worsens, fever develops;
cyanosis and pallor of the skin occurs, the patient feels lethargic.

Remember that if an adult has one of the above symptoms of acute bronchitis, he should immediately consult a specialist for treatment!

Prognosis and course of the disease

If you consult a doctor in a timely manner and prescribe appropriate treatment, the prognosis for bronchitis is quite favorable. As a rule, acute bronchitis is cured within 10 days.

Acute bronchitis can be either an autonomous disease or a complication of a cold or flu. It all begins, as a rule, with a dry cough, which often disturbs the patient at night, depriving him of proper sleep. Then, after a few days, the cough becomes wet - during this period the patient usually feels tired and exhausted, and his body temperature may rise slightly. Most symptoms, with well-planned treatment and compliance with prescriptions, go away quite quickly, but coughing bothers patients for several more weeks, since healing of the mucous membranes is a long process. If the cough does not go away for more than a month, it is advisable to consult a pulmonologist.

Treatment with antibiotics

Acute bronchitis is treated by a pulmonologist. In order for him to make an accurate diagnosis, the patient needs to undergo an examination. As instrumental diagnostic methods, the patient is prescribed the following:

ECG;
X-ray of the lungs and bronchi;
bronchoscopy;
EchoCG;
peak flowmetry and spirometry.

Diagnosis in pulmonology begins with the patient submitting sputum for analysis, because pulmonology is based on the study of the microflora of the pharynx. Additionally, the patient is required to donate blood and urine for analysis. During diagnosis, the patient’s presence of whooping cough and measles is taken into account.

In pulmonology, with the help of diagnostics and additional research methods, the type and form of the disease that has arisen is determined.

Treatment of acute complicated bronchitis in adults is carried out with medications. Antibacterial drugs are used for this . In addition, treatment of acute bronchitis in adults with these medications is carried out when conservative treatment methods have not given the desired result or the sputum secreted by a sick person has turned from mucous to purulent.

A person with acute bronchitis is prescribed medications in tablets belonging to different groups:

Penicillin. Amoxiclav is mainly used.
Macrolide. Azithromycin and Rovamycin are prescribed.
Cephalosporin. Ceftriaxone is often used.
Fluoroquinol. Levofloxacin is used.

Patients often ask the question of how to treat acute bronchitis in adults; the answer is simple: the medications described above will help get rid of it. But remember that a person should not independently purchase antibiotics for himself and treat acute bronchitis with them. All medications, dosage and regimen are determined only by a specialist.

Remember! Self-administration of these drugs can lead to disruption of the intestinal microflora and a sharp decrease in the activity of the immune system. A doctor can tell you in more detail about what medications can be used and how to quickly cure acute bronchitis.

How is the diagnosis made?

First of all, the doctor interviews the patient, paying attention to his complaints. Then the specialist begins the examination - carefully listens to the patient’s lungs and bronchi. To exclude a more serious and severe diagnosis - pneumonia - an x-ray may be needed. An analysis of sputum discharge is often required, the results of which identify the causative agent of the disease in order to prescribe the most targeted and, therefore, effective treatment.

Treatment for adults at home

When treating acute bronchitis at home, doctors recommend that all patients take inhalations. Such procedures help remove the symptoms of the disease and alleviate a person’s health condition. Remember that they only enhance the effect of medications and are used for acute bronchitis as a complement to traditional medicine.

If patients ask about how to treat acute bronchitis at home, then the following inhalations are used:

Steam. They are among the most affordable methods of treating this disease. For the procedure you will need a deep container with herbs. Raspberry, linden, coltsfoot are used as herbs. The grass is poured with water and the mixture is brought to a boil. Next, you need to make a funnel out of thick paper and inhale steam through it.

With the addition of propolis. For the procedure, you will need to heat the water and add 2-3 drops of propolis-based alcohol tincture to it. You need to breathe over the steam for 5 to 15 minutes. Some experts recommend using pure propolis. To prepare such a composition for inhalation, you also need to heat the water and dip a container with chopped propolis into it. For inhalation you need to take only 50 grams of propolis. The resulting steam must be inhaled carefully.

With sea salt. If a person is bothered by severe pain in the chest area and a severe cough, then in this case he needs to inhale with sea salt. For the procedure, you will need to take 1 tablespoon of sea salt and dissolve it in 1 liter of water. If you don’t have such salt at home, you can prepare it yourself. To do this, you need to take 1 teaspoon of table salt, 1 teaspoon of soda, 4-5 drops of iodine. All components are mixed in 1 liter of water.

Based on a collection of several herbs. For this procedure you will need to take: 50 grams of chamomile, sage, eucalyptus, licorice, calendula, string. All components are poured with 1 liter of boiling water, and then the composition is set aside for 2 hours. Then he strains.

Inhalers and nebulizers. Some doctors, when answering the question of what is prescribed for acute bronchitis, answer that they often prescribe inhalations using special inhalers and nebulizers. All of them are equipped with a special mask, through which it is easier to inhale medicinal compounds. But, if there are no such devices at home, then you can inhale the vapors near a kettle, over a saucepan or other container, but you need to cover the patient’s head with a towel.

Clinical picture and diagnosis

Clinical manifestations of bronchopulmonary pathology vary from catarrhal bronchitis to degenerative changes, which are accompanied by the development of respiratory failure. To treat bronchitis, it is important to quit smoking and protect the respiratory system from the harmful effects of atmospheric and occupational pollutants.

The first symptoms of bronchitis in an adult, which he can recognize himself at home, are cough and sputum production. During the first period of the disease, the patient complains only of a morning cough, which intensifies in cool times. It is typical that with chronic bronchitis in the summer the symptoms decrease or disappear completely.

Cough occurs due to increased mucus production and the movement of sputum into reflex cough zones. These zones are the bifurcation of the trachea, the place of separation of the bronchi. As bronchitis progresses, the cough does not disappear anywhere and occurs throughout the day. During an exacerbation, sputum becomes mucopurulent, and its quantity increases.

When bronchitis exacerbates in an adult, the following symptoms are characteristic:

night sweats;
weaknesses;
ailments;
low-grade body temperature;
the appearance of shortness of breath;
purulent sputum.

As the disease gradually progresses, cough and shortness of breath intensify. The patient is concerned about increased shortness of breath on exhalation and inhalation. Adult patients note a decrease in tolerance to physical activity, many of them begin to experience difficulties in performing their professional duties.

Lethargy may develop as a result of chronic hypoxia and intoxication. As well as increased or normal resting respiratory rate. In the initial stages, this allows for a normal minute tidal volume. As the disease progresses, cardiovascular symptoms are added. Tachycardia develops, and pain in the heart may appear during physical activity.

It is worth noting that the auxiliary respiratory muscles are not involved in the act of breathing and the percussion sound is not changed. During auscultation, the doctor listens to dry rales of various sizes. Their appearance is caused by swelling of the bronchial wall and the release of mucus into their lumen. When air passes through the mucus plugs, bubbles are formed, which burst with a characteristic sound.

They can vary depending on the location and intensity after coughing and the depth of breathing, as the location of mucus in the bronchial tree changes. This clinical picture is typical for obstructive forms of the disease. Their name comes from the term “obstruction”, that is, blockage.

An early diastolic murmur and a holosystolic murmur that increases with inspiration are heard in cases of right ventricular failure. At the same time, swelling of the veins of the neck is detected.

When right ventricular failure occurs, the main picture of the disease will be edema and cyanosis. The doctor may also detect circulatory decompensation. This is very important data that allows us to judge the severity and mechanism of the disease, but at home it is extremely difficult to obtain and interpret, so it is necessary to consult a doctor, which adults try to avoid to the last, without thinking about the possible consequences of such behavior.

Acute bronchitis without fever

If this disease is not accompanied by an increase in the patient’s body temperature, then treatment is carried out according to a special scheme.

How is acute bronchitis treated?

The patient is advised to stay in bed, drink plenty of fluids, and completely give up bad habits. The room where the person is located must be ventilated and the floors washed. Even if the patient does not have a temperature!

Additionally, procedures are prescribed that help warm the back and chest. To do this, use heating pads, mustard plasters, jars, boiled potatoes, mustard, salt, and hot water. The patient should eat foods rich in vitamins and microelements. This will help the body recover faster.

Additionally, the patient should use cough medications, but their choice is made only by a specialist. Initially, the doctor must take sputum for analysis and determine which drug can help the patient in this situation.

The following medications will help relieve a dry cough:

"Libexin";
"Codeine";
"Dionin."

List of popular mucolytic and expectorant drugs that are used for acute bronchitis:

Infusion of marshmallow and thermopsis;
"Bromhexine";
"Ambroxol";
Steam inhalations.

In order to relieve spasm in the bronchi, the following is used:

"Papaverine";
"Prednisolone";
"Ephedrine";
"Eufillin."

Additionally, it is necessary to use antihistamines. This:

"Chloropyramine";
"Mebhydrolin";
"Clemastine."

Remember that they are usually used for allergic bronchitis. It is not recommended to use them on your own.

In order to enhance the effect of taking the above drugs, it is necessary to use additional treatment methods. Used:

vibration massage;
UHF, Ural Federal District;
Exercise therapy, inductothermy;
warming and diathermy of the chest.

Only a doctor prescribes them. If the patient uses them independently, this will lead to his health condition deteriorating and the symptoms of the disease will worsen. Also, self-treatment for acute bronchitis can lead, and even become a factor and cause of the development of chronic bronchial disease.

When to see a doctor

You should consult a doctor if:

Cough lasts more than three weeks
Symptoms of bronchitis keep you from sleeping
The disease is accompanied by a fever above 38°C
Sputum changes color when coughing
Sputum comes out mixed with blood
Are you experiencing wheezing or shortness of breath?

If for some time now you have begun to be bothered by the above symptoms, you should take the disease seriously. This may mean the presence of a more serious and dangerous disease: a spastic dry cough is observed with whooping cough; a dry, suffocating cough accompanied by chest pain may be a sign of pneumonia (see Acute bronchitis and pneumonia - differences); a wet cough with sputum may indicate the presence of cavernous tuberculosis, lung abscess, bronchiectasis, bronchial asthma (If you suffer from asthma, read in detail about asthmatic bronchitis here - Chronic asthmatic bronchitis: symptoms and treatment).

Complications of acute bronchitis

If a patient does not visit a doctor in time when early symptoms of acute bronchitis appear, this will lead to the following complications:

bronchial asthma;
bronchiolitis, bronchopneumonia, asthmatic bronchitis;
asthma, heart and respiratory failure.

Remember that if acute bronchitis occurs very often in a patient, it can easily turn into a chronic form and the consequences of such a transition can be unpredictable!

Patients often ask the question of how acute bronchitis in adults can be dangerous; its danger is that it often leads to the appearance of COPD, emphysema, and bronchial asthma.

Forecast and prevention of acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis has a favorable prognosis. It can be cured in 2-4 weeks. If a person develops bronchiolitis, then the patient’s treatment and recovery depend on how early he turned to a specialist. If treatment is not carried out on time, this can lead to a person developing chronic respiratory failure.

To prevent the development of acute bronchitis, all patients are recommended to undergo prophylaxis. It is as follows:

Completely stop smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. These factors reduce the activity of the immune system, negatively affect the human body and lead to the development of dangerous ailments.
Try to avoid exposure to harmful gases and other impurities.
Treat infectious diseases in a timely manner.
Try not to overcool your body.
Strengthen your immune system.
During the heating season, purchase an air humidifier.
When the first signs of acute bronchitis appear, consult a specialist, undergo diagnosis and treatment.
Temper your body, especially in winter.
Prevent ARVI in the autumn and spring.
Take antibacterial agents as a preventative measure. They are used in the first days of the appearance of the first signs of bronchitis and are consumed for 5 to 7 days.
Do breathing exercises every day. It helps prevent stagnation of mucus and infectious cells in the bronchi.

Such prevention of acute bronchitis and the implementation of preventive measures can be used to prevent the development of this common disease. Thus, acute bronchitis is a disease that cannot be treated on its own.

If a person self-medicates, this can lead to him becoming unable to work. In severe cases, such actions can lead to death of the patient.

Therefore, when the first signs of bronchitis appear, it is recommended to consult a specialist. If diagnosis and treatment are carried out on time, complications and dangerous consequences can be avoided and treatment of the disease will be faster.

Causes of bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is most often caused by a viral or bacterial infection (mostly viral). Bronchitis is usually caused by the same viruses that cause acute respiratory infections or flu. The chronic form of bronchitis can develop as a complication of acute bronchitis or as a result of prolonged exposure to irritating factors of a non-infectious nature on the respiratory tract.

Acute bronchitis - causes

The virus is contained in millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when you sneeze and cough. These droplets typically spread over a distance of approximately 1 meter. When you sneeze, droplets containing the virus hang in the air for some time, after which they settle on the surface, where they can survive for 24 hours. By touching a contaminated surface with your hand, a person can infect himself by then touching the area of his nose or mouth. By touching objects in public places (door handles, handrails, etc.) with hands on which the virus is located, a person can also infect others. In addition, if an infected person sneezes or coughs and you are nearby, viruses or bacteria can be easily transmitted through airborne droplets.

Chronic bronchitis - causes

Chronic bronchitis can be caused by substances that irritate the respiratory tract. It can be roughly divided into two categories:

Inhalation of irritants

Smoking is the main cause of chronic bronchitis. This applies to both smokers themselves and people close to people who smoke (passive smokers). Chronic bronchitis can also be caused by smog and chemicals found in household chemicals. Read more about smokers' bronchitis here - Smoker's bronchitis: symptoms and treatment, complications.

"Occupational bronchitis"

You may also be at risk of bronchitis and other forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) if you work in a profession that involves frequent inhalation of particulate materials that can damage your lungs. This may include:

grain dust
Textiles (fabric fibers)
Ammonia
Strong acids
Chlorine

With “occupational bronchitis,” relief can only come after a long period of time has passed after the factors that negatively affect the respiratory system have been eliminated.

In addition, bronchitis can also occur as a result of allergic reactions to any allergens. This form of bronchitis is called allergic bronchitis. You can learn more about allergic bronchitis here - Allergic bronchitis: symptoms, causes, treatment.

What kind of disease is this?

Bronchitis is an inflammatory disease of the bronchial mucosa.

The bronchial system is a branched network of alveolar processes (bronchioles, alveoli), through which air is delivered to the pulmonary system, and from there oxygen enters the blood.

As the inflammatory process develops, mucus accumulates in the bronchi, making it difficult to deliver air to the lungs.

What causes bronchitis?

The main cause of bronchitis is a virus or microbe. Therefore, the peak of the disease occurs in the autumn and spring.

In addition, the occurrence of the disease contributes to:

infectious foci in the body;
allergic factor (prolonged contact with various allergens: dust, tobacco smoke, fumes);
low body resistance to disease;
chronic pathologies of the pulmonary system;
tuberculosis;
bacteria (staphylococci, streptococci);
hypothermia of the body.

In most cases, bronchitis has a mixed form. Therefore, treatment must be comprehensive until complete recovery.