Beta2-agonist drugs for treating cough or a clinical diagnosis of acute bronchitis

Background

Acute bronchitis is a chest infection, with cough and sometimes sputum production, chest pain and fever. People affected feel unwell and for those who do not have asthma or chronic lung disease there is no clear treatment. Viruses cause most cases of bronchitis, so antibiotics usually do not help. Beta2-agonists (such as albuterol or salbutamol) are drugs that relieve asthma by relaxing muscles that cause narrowing in the passages to the lungs. They are sometimes used to relieve the cough in acute bronchitis, even in people who do not have asthma.

Review question

What are the benefits and harms of beta2-agonist drugs for children or adults with a cough from acute bronchitis, and with no other lung disease?

Study characteristics

Our searches are current to May 2015. We found no new trials. In previous searches, we found seven randomised controlled trials that used beta2-agonist drugs for people with acute bronchitis. Two trials studied children aged one to 10 years (134 participants) and five were conducted in adults (418 participants). None of the studies reported receiving grants from drug-making companies to conduct the study, but people who work for a drug maker were listed as authors on reports from two trials and study drugs were supplied free of charge by the company in three trials.

Key results

Daily cough scores were no different between children given oral beta2-agonists and children in the placebo control groups. Daily cough scores, or the number of people still coughing after seven days, did not change in the adult trials either.

However, the results were mixed. Some trials show a benefit and some show no benefit. This may be because some participants also had wheezing or other signs of narrowed airways, in which case beta2-agonists may be helpful only for them. More of the adults taking beta2-agonists had tremor, shakiness or nervousness.

Quality of the evidence

We rated this as low or moderate. There were few trials, with small numbers of people with acute bronchitis or cough. The trials were of short duration (three to seven days) and only two used inhaled beta2-agonists, which is now the usual way the drug is taken by adults and older children. Some important information about how the trial was done was not mentioned in the papers giving results for many of the trials.

Asthmatic Bronchitis: Symptoms, Treatment, and More

Every time you breathe in, air enters your nose and mouth. It flows down your throat and into a series of air passageways called bronchial tubes. Those tubes need to be open for the air to reach your lungs, where the oxygen is passed into the blood to be transported to your body’s tissues.

If the airways are inflamed, air has more difficulty getting to your lungs. With less air getting in, you can feel short of breath. You may wheeze and cough in an attempt to draw in more oxygen through tightened passageways.

Bronchitis and asthma are two inflammatory airway conditions. Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the airways that usually resolves itself after running its course. It’s caused by viral or bacterial infections. Chronic bronchitis, which is longer lasting, can be triggered by long-term exposure to environmental irritants such as tobacco smoke, dust, or chemicals.

Asthma is an inflammatory condition that leads to tightening of the muscles around the airways and swelling that cause airways to narrow.

When asthma and acute bronchitis occur together, the condition is called asthmatic bronchitis.

What Causes Asthmatic Bronchitis?

There are many triggers that may initiate the release of inflammatory substances. Common asthmatic bronchitis triggers include:

• Tobacco smoke
• Pollution
• Allergens such as pollen, mold, dust, pet dander, or food (and food additives like MSG)
• Chemicals
• Certain medications (aspirin, beta-blockers)
• Exercise
• Weather changes (for example, cold weather)
• Viral or bacterial infections
• Strong emotions (laughing or crying)

What Are the Symptoms of Asthmatic Bronchitis?

The symptoms of asthmatic bronchitis are a combination of the symptoms of bronchitis and asthma.

You may experience some or all of the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Cough
• Chest tightness
• Excess mucus production

You might wonder, is asthmatic bronchitis contagious? Bronchitis itself can be caused by a virus or bacteria, which are contagious. However, chronic asthmatic bronchitis typically is not contagious.

Visiting Your Doctor

If you’ve been experiencing symptoms like those listed above, make an appointment with your doctor. After going through a series of questions about your symptoms and taking a medical history and physical exam, your doctor may order tests such as:

• Spirometry. A test that measures lung function as you breathe in and out of a mouthpiece that is attached to a device called a spirometer.
• Peak expiratory flow. A test that measures the force of air you breathe out (exhale) into the mouthpiece of a device called a peak expiratory flow meter.
• Chest X-ray. A radiology test that produces images of the chest to look for evidence of other conditions that could be causing your cough and breathing problems.

Treatments for Asthmatic Bronchitis

Asthmatic bronchitis treatments are essentially the same as those used to treat asthma and bronchitis, and may include:

• Short-acting bronchodilators, such as albuterol, to help open the airway to provide short-term relief
• Inhaled corticosteroids.
• Long-acting bronchodilators used together with inhaled corticosteroids
• Leukotriene modifiers
• Cromolyn or theophylline
• Combination inhalers containing both a steroid and a bronchodilator
• Long-acting anticholinergics
• A humidifier or steam

Bacterial respiratory infection may be treated with antibiotics.

Treatment also involves avoiding asthma triggers by following these tips:

• Wash your bed linens and blankets in hot water.
• Dust and vacuum regularly.
• Use a HEPA air filter in your home.
• Keep pets out of your bedroom.
• Don’t smoke, and try to stay away from other people who smoke.
• Wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of infection.

Asthmatic Bronchitis – Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Asthmatic bronchitis refers to the incidence of acute bronchitis in a person with asthma. Acute bronchitis is a respiratory disease that causes inflammation in the bronchi, the passageways that move air into and out of the lungs. This inflammation results in respiratory congestion and shortness of breath. Asthma is a disorder that causes inflammation of the airways, leading to shortness of breath, chronic cough, chest tightness, and wheezing.

Acute bronchitis is a common respiratory disorder in the United States. Infants, young children, and elderly people have the highest risk of developing acute bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is commonly caused by upper respiratory viral infections. If you have asthma, your risk of acute bronchitis is increased because of an increased sensitivity to airway irritation and inflammation. Your risk of acute bronchitis is also increased if you smoke or are exposed to air pollution.

The signs and symptoms of asthmatic bronchitis vary among individuals, depending on the severity of the infection. Treatment for asthmatic bronchitis includes antibiotics, bronchodilators, anti-inflammatory drugs, and pulmonary hygiene techniques such as chest percussion (medical treatment in which a respiratory therapist pounds gently on the patient’s chest) and postural drainage (medical treatment in which the patient is placed in a slightly inverted position to promote the expectoration of sputum).

Healthy lifestyle practices, including good hand washing, drinking plenty of fluids, following a well-balanced diet, getting plenty of rest, and avoid smoking, can help prevent or improve asthmatic bronchitis.

Seek immediate medical care
(call 911) if you have severe difficulty breathing, which may be combined with pale or blue lips, fast heart rate, and chest pressure.

Seek prompt medical care if you are being treated for asthmatic bronchitis but mild symptoms recur or are persistent.

Viral or Bacterial Bronchitis with Wheezing (Adult)

Bronchitis is an infection of the air passages. It often occurs during a cold and is usually caused by a virus. Symptoms include cough with mucus (phlegm) and low-grade fever. This illness is contagious during the first few days and is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing, or by direct contact (touching the sick person and then touching your own eyes, nose, or mouth).

If there is a lot of inflammation, air flow is restricted. The air passages may also go into spasm, especially if you have asthma. This causes wheezing and difficulty breathing even in people who do not have asthma.

Bronchitis usually lasts 7 to 14 days. The wheezing should improve with treatment during the first week. An inhaler is often prescribed to relax the air passages and stop wheezing. Antibiotics will be prescribed if your doctor thinks there is also a secondary bacterial infection.

Home care

• If symptoms are severe, rest at home for the first 2 to 3 days. When you go back to your usual activities, don’t let yourself get too tired.

• Dont s’moke. Also avoid being exposed to secondhand smoke.

• You may use over-the-counter medicine to control fever or pain, unless another medicine was prescribed. Note: If you have chronic liver or kidney disease or have ever had a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding, talk with your healthcare provider before using these medicines. Also talk to your provider if you are taking medicine to prevent blood clots.) Aspirin should never be given to anyone younger than 18 years of age who is ill with a viral infection or fever. It may cause severe liver or brain damage.

• Your appetite may be poor, so a light diet is fine. Stay well hydrated by drinking 6 to 8 glasses of fluids per day (such as water, soft drinks, sports drinks, juices, tea, or soup). Extra fluids will help loosen secretions in the nose and lungs.

• Over-the-counter cough, cold, and sore-throat medicines will not shorten the length of the illness, but they may be helpful to reduce symptoms. (Note: Don’t use decongestants if you have high blood pressure.)

• If you were given an inhaler, use it exactly as directed. If you need to use it more often than prescribed, your condition may be worsening. If this happens, contact your healthcare provider.

• If prescribed, finish all antibiotic medicine, even if you are feeling better after only a few days.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised. If you had an X-ray or ECG (electrocardiogram), a specialist will review it. You will be notified of any new findings that may affect your care.

If you are age 65 or older, or if you have a chronic lung disease or condition that affects your immune system, or you smoke, ask your healthcare provider about getting a pneumococcal vaccine and a yearly flu shot (influenza vaccine).

When to seek medical advice

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

• Coughing up increasing amounts of colored sputum

• Weakness, drowsiness, headache, facial pain, ear pain, or a stiff neck

Call

911

Call 911 if any of these occur.

• Coughing up blood

• Worsening weakness, drowsiness, headache, or stiff neck

• Increased wheezing not helped with medication, shortness of breath, or pain with breathing

Acute Bronchitis

About Acute Bronchitis

Key facts about Acute Bronchitis

• Acute bronchitis comes on suddenly.
• It causes the tubes that carry air to your lungs to swell.
• It usually gets better on its own without the need for medication.
• The infection usually lasts for 3 to 10 days, but the cough can continue for several weeks.
• It is different from chronic bronchitis, a long-term disease. There is no cure for chronic bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis is a sudden swelling in the major airways into your lungs, called bronchi. It is usually caused by a virus, but it can also be caused by breathing in things that irritate your lungs, such as tobacco smoke, fumes, dust, and air pollution. Bacteria sometimes cause acute bronchitis.

How Acute Bronchitis affects your body

When you have acute bronchitis, the cells that line your airways, called bronchi, become inflamed. The infection usually starts in the nose or throat and travels to the lungs. When the body tries to fight the infection, it causes the tubes leading to your lungs to swell. This causes you to cough. Sometimes it is a dry cough, but often you will cough up mucus.

Because your airways are swollen, less air can move through the tubes to your lungs. This can cause wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

Eventually, your body fights the infection and heals. Acute bronchitis usually lasts for 3 to 10 days. However, you may cough and produce mucus for several weeks after the infection heals.

How serious is Acute Bronchitis?

The swelling lasts only a short time. It usually does not cause any long-term breathing problems. However, it is possible for people with a weakened immune system or other major health problems to develop severe problems, such as pneumonia or respiratory failure. In general, those who develop major problems are:

• Older adults
• Young children
• People with other major health conditions, including cancer or diabetes
• People who have not received an immunization for the flu, pneumonia, and pertussis (whooping cough)

Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is sometimes diagnosed as pneumonia, but a chest X-ray can help health care providers make an accurate diagnosis.

The most common symptoms of acute bronchitis are:

• Coughing up yellow or green mucus
• Runny and stuffy nose starting a few days before chest congestion
• Feeling run down or tired
• Sore ribs from long periods of coughing
• Not being able to be as active
• Wheezing or a whistling sound while breathing

Contact your provider if you have these symptoms.

What causes Acute Bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus. In rare cases it is caused by bacterial infection, although this occurs in fewer than 10% of cases.

What are risk factors for Acute Bronchitis?

You may have a higher risk of getting acute bronchitis if you:

• Are in close contact with someone who has a cold or acute bronchitis
• Have not had age-appropriate immunizations (shots)
• Are exposed to tobacco smoke, fumes, dust, and air pollution

Diagnosing Acute Bronchitis

Your health care provider diagnoses acute bronchitis by asking you questions about symptoms and doing a physical examination. Providers rarely order other tests to diagnose this infection. If you have or recently had a fever, your provider may order a chest X-ray to make sure you do not have pneumonia.

Treating Acute Bronchitis

If you are diagnosed with acute bronchitis, you may miss school or work for a few days because of your symptoms. You also may have a cough that lasts up to 3 weeks but slowly improves.

This infection usually lasts no longer than 1 to 2 weeks. Your provider may recommend rest, fluids, a cough suppressant, and a pain reliever. A humidifier or steamer may also help. You may need inhaled medicine to open your airways if you are wheezing.

Antibiotics have not been proven to heal acute bronchitis or reduce symptoms. Because viruses cause most cases of acute bronchitis, antibiotics are not used. Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria.

In addition, using antibiotics when they aren’t recommended can cause side effects. Using antibiotics too often also may mean that your body won’t respond to antibiotics when it needs to. If your provider thinks that bacteria caused your acute bronchitis, he or she might then prescribe antibiotics.

Managing Acute Bronchitis

Usually, the symptoms of acute bronchitis last only a couple of weeks. However, if you have a cough that won’t go away, it may be the sign of a more serious disease. Contact your health care provider to describe these long-term symptoms.

Preventing Acute Bronchitis

Avoiding things that irritate your lungs is important for preventing acute bronchitis as well as treating it. If you smoke, quit. To help protect your lungs, wear a mask over your mouth and nose when using lung irritants such as paint, paint remover, or varnish.

Other ways to help prevent acute bronchitis include:

• Washing your hands often to reduce your exposure to viruses and bacteria
• Getting a flu shot every year

Ask your provider if you should get a pneumonia shot, especially if you’re 60 years of age or older.

Resources

The American Lung Association recommends patients and caregivers join our Living with Lung Disease Support Community to connect with others facing this disease. To talk to a trained lung professional, call the American Lung Association’s Lung Helpline at 1-800-LUNGUSA. They can help answer your questions and connect you with additional support.

Questions to ask your health care provider

Making notes before your visit and taking along a trusted family member or friend can help you through the first appointment with your provider.

The following are some questions to help you discuss acute bronchitis with your provider:

• Am I contagious?
• Do I need to get a chest X-ray? (Most of the time, the answer is “No.”)
• Should I be concerned about having a fever?
• Should I take over-the-counter cough and cold products?
• When should I seek emergency help?

Bronchitis In Dogs: Symptoms & Treatments

If you’ve noticed your dog coughing, wheezing, or having regular breathing problems, you may have wondered: “Can dogs get asthma?”

While dogs do not get asthma (they don’t have reactive airways like cats, horses, and people), dogs can struggle with similar respiratory issues. In dogs, this is commonly known as allergic canine bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a long-term and irreversible condition that makes it difficult for your dog to breathe.

Respiratory conditions like chronic bronchitis in dogs are relatively common, with regular coughing being a typical symptom. Chronic bronchitis can damage the lungs and, while it cannot be cured, with proper management it is possible to limit symptoms to help keep your dog happy.

What Is Canine Chronic Bronchitis?

Chronic bronchitis is a long-term and irreversible condition that affects the lower airways in a dog’s lung and can lead to permanent lung damage.

The airways (bronchi) carry inhaled breath filled with oxygen to the alveoli where gas exchange happens. Bronchitis causes the walls of the bronchi to become inflamed, swelling the walls and releasing mucus into the airways. This causes the airways to become narrowed and congested and air can no longer reach the alveoli effectively. ²

As a result, coughing is triggered as a reflex to help clear the airways. This creates a vicious cough-irritation cycle; an inherent characteristic of bronchitis.³  

Canine bronchitis can be acute or chronic.⁴Acute bronchitis describes the temporary inflammation of the airways and is caused by reasons such as bacterial or viral infections. When symptoms last for longer than two months it is considered chronic. 

What Is The Prognosis & Life Expectancy Of Dogs With Chronic Bronchitis?

Unfortunately, lung damage caused by chronic bronchitis is permanent and irreversible. Clinical signs such as coughing and excessive mucus production are secondary attributes to airway inflammation. 

Prolonged inflammation from chronic bronchitis can lead to non-reversible changes in the airways structure. The key to disease management is to control airway inflammation with medications and environmental modifications to prevent the airways from being further irritated and damaged. ⁵

Disease diagnosis at early stages of canine chronic bronchitis can lead to a better prognosis. It is important to recognize the early signs and consult your vet for a diagnosis. What appears to be an intermittent cough could be a sign of inflammation and progressing lung damage. 

With proper disease management, clinical symptoms can be controlled, and lung damage can be slowed. As a result, the life expectancy for dogs with chronic bronchitis is not typically majorly impacted. With treatment, most dogs with COPD enjoy a normal life expectancy and an excellent quality of life.

However, disease progression varies case by case; severe lung tissue damage can lead to bronchiectasis – a condition that makes dogs highly receptive to recurrent pneumonia; a potentially life-threatening condition.⁶

Dog Bronchitis Symptoms: How To Tell If Your Dog Has Chronic Bronchitis

Canine chronic bronchitis is characterized by daily coughing that lasts longer than one month. A cough may be mistaken for the sound of vomiting and is often followed by retching and wheezing.¹

Dogs may also display lethargic behavior as a result of excessive mucus build-up causing airway obstruction. In severe cases of oxygen deprivation, gums may turn blue.⁷ If you observe such symptoms, please take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

Beginning Stages

In the beginning with mild or early stage bronchitis, the cough may be “dry” or sound harsh. Increased coughing can occur when the dog is engaging in physical activity, is under stress, or when pressure is applied to the windpipe from a collar. Gagging is common after coughing at this stage. 

Progressing Condition

As the condition worsens, dogs will have greater difficulty breathing, lower tolerance for exercise, and may even faint when overexerted. At this stage, the dog may wheeze when exhaling, a symptom of restricted airways. With greater disease severity, oxygen deprivation may cause the gums to develop a bluish tinge. ⁸  

Common canine bronchitis symptoms include:

• Coughing
• Wheezing or other abnormal lung sounds
• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting or retching
• Gagging
• Loss of consciousness

These symptoms are not exclusive to chronic bronchitis and may indicate other conditions such as heart disease and lung cancer². Other conditions must be ruled out through other diagnostic methods.

Causes of Chronic Bronchitis: How Does A Dog Get Bronchitis?

Canine chronic bronchitis usually affects dogs 6 years and older and can occur in all dog breeds with toy and small dogs, such as toy poodles and cocker spaniels being more prone to the condition.¹

The underlying cause of canine chronic bronchitis is unknown, there is no single identifiable cause for the condition.⁵ However, long term exposure to environmental irritants is suspected to play a role.⁸ 

Dogs with chronic bronchitis have sensitive airways. The following are common stimulants known to cause lung irritation and inflammatory response. Exposure to these stimulants should be limited.⁵

Common stimulants include:

• Cigarette smoke
• Air pollutants
• Allergens such as grass, and pollen
• Dust and mold
• Household chemicals
• Repeated respiratory related bacterial or viral infections

Dogs cannot get bronchitis from humans, nor can it be passed from dogs to humans. It is also not infectious or contagious to other dogs; dogs with chronic bronchitis will not pass it on to other dogs.⁹

How Is Canine Chronic Bronchitis Diagnosed?

If your dog is exhibiting excessive coughing or you suspect your dog may have chronic bronchitis, take your dog to the vet for a proper diagnosis.

Your vet will perform a physical examination and review your dog’s medical history to rule out other potential conditions.  Some conditions that may have similar symptoms include:

• Kennel Cough
• Respiratory Infections
• Lungworm
• Heartworm
• Foreign Bodies

The vet may perform other diagnostic tests such as X-rays, bronchoscopy, and a tracheal wash to determine if your pet is suffering from chronic bronchitis. Taking a video of your dog coughing can help your vet determine if canine chronic bronchitis is the cause.

Treating Chronic Bronchitis in Dogs

There are different methods of canine bronchitis treatment. These include medications and environmental modification, and are often used in combination.⁵ Always consult your vet before medicating your pet.

Since chronic bronchitis does not present itself as a life-threatening “attack”, dogs may be less commonly prescribed inhalers to manage the disease. However, chronic bronchitis is a progressive disease that can steadily get worse over time. An intermittent cough is not just annoying; it can cause life-altering changes in the airways limiting your dogs quality of life, ability to play, and potentially lifespan.

Inhaled steroid medications are an important part of treatment, and with regular use provide the opportunity to keep inflammation under control and dramatically slow the progression of the disease.  

Treatment options your vet may prescribe include:

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids, also known as glucocorticoids, are the primary medication used to treat canine chronic bronchitis. It is the preferred medication because it targets the inflammatory process and the cough-irritation cycle.¹   

Prednisone/Prednisolone

Oral steroids such as Prednisone/prednisolone (brand name: Prednis-Tab®, Deltasone®, Rayos®, Pediapred®) are not recommended for long term use. Common side effects include increased drinking, increased urination, and increased appetite. At higher doses and during long-term use, side effects may also include vomiting, diarrhea, behavioral changes, and panting. 

Serious side effects can include¹⁰:

• weight gain / obesity
• aggressive behavior
• excessive thirst and urination
• low energy or too tired to play
• gastrointestinal ulceration characterized by a lack of appetite
• black or bloody stools
• bloody vomit
• high fever
• haircoat change
• muscle wasting
• diabetes characterized by weight loss in the face of good appetite

Dogs have been shown to be particularly prone to these side effects from oral steroids, particularly increased urination and behaviour changes.

Inhaled Corticosteroids

Inhaled corticosteroids are the preferred treatment for chronic bronchitis in dogs because they deliver the medication directly to the lung tissues. Inhaled medication use smaller amounts of the drug and does not cause the same systemic side effects as oral or injectable steroids, such as reduced ability to maintain bladder control throughout the day and changes in behavior.⁵ With more effective medication targeting and fewer side effects, inhaled corticosteroids can help provide better quality of life for your dog and the family relationship.

The AeroDawg* aerosol chamber allows dogs to easily use the same metered dose inhalers (MDI) that are used to treat bronchitis in humans. This specially designed chamber for dogs captures and holds the medication from the inhaler giving the dog time to breathe in the dose, directly into the lower airways of their lungs.

Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators expand airways where smooth muscles have become constricted. While these medications may be used in emergency situations, they do not address the underlying airway inflammation. Bronchodilators may be used to help provide temporary relief during a sudden coughing attack caused by an airway stimulant. It should be noted there is limited evidence for the use of bronchodilators in dogs.

Similar to corticosteroids, bronchodilators are available in inhaled forms that, when used with the AeroDawg* chamber, target the airways directly for rapid relief.

Environmental Modifications and Other Treatments

In addition to medication, there are natural remedies to manage and treat chronic bronchitis in dogs at home.

It is important to reduce the number of environmental stimuli that could irritate the inflamed airways. Airborne pollutants such as cigarette smoke, household aerosols or powders, mould, and dust can trigger coughing and airway irritation⁵. There are a number of things you can do to prevent the worsening your pet’s condition:

Prevent bronchitis coughing in dogs by avoiding environmental triggers and allergens.

• Avoid smoking around your dog
• Avoid spraying perfumes, scented products, or aerosols
• Ensure your dog has a well-ventilated environment when possible
• Humidifiers, air purifiers, or diffusers might help
• Use unscented and low dust cat litter if you also own a cat

It is important that dogs maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can worsen symptoms and exacerbate breathing problems. Talk with your vet about a plan to slowly reduce weight to a healthy level. While exercise is important in helping to mobilize secretion and clear airways, be careful not to over-exert your dog, which could trigger a coughing attack.

When To Take Your Dog To A Vet

If you suspect your dog has chronic bronchitis, take your dog to the vet right away before the condition worsens. Chronic bronchitis causes permanent lung damage, it should be treated immediately to prevent further permanent damage.

In the event of a sudden onset of a coughing attack:

• Remain calm. Your dog may become more stressed if they sense panic
• Administer bronchodilator medication (if prescribed)
• Move your dog to a cool, well-ventilated area
• Take your dog to the vet

Being aware of the signs and symptoms is the first step in ensuring your dog’s safety. Learn more about the AeroDawg* chamber and how it can help administer your dog’s medication safely and effectively.

Does Your Dog Suffer From Canine Bronchitis?

Take the assessment to see if your dog may have canine bronchitis or shop the AeroDawg* Chamber.

Take the Bronchitis Quiz Learn More About AeroDawg*

1. https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=8708&meta=generic&catId=18061&id=3843847&ind=311&objTypeID=17
2. https://bluepearlvet.com/medical-articles-for-pet-owners/canine-chronic-bronchitis/
3. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=5138343
4. https://www. petmd.com/dog/general-health/can-dogs-have-asthma
5. Carey, Stephan A. “Current Therapy for Canine Chronic Bronchitis.” n.d. Michigan State University. 21 August 2019.
6. https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/canine-chronic-bronchitis-a-review-update/
7. https://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/pet-health/chronic-bronchitis-in-dogs/
8. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd-in-dogs
9. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.asp
10. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/prednisoloneprednisone

Acute bronchitis | Health Navigator NZ

Acute bronchitis is swelling and inflammation inside the main airways of your lungs (bronchi), causing them to produce more mucous. Your body tries to get rid of the extra mucous by coughing.

There are 2 types of bronchitis: acute and chronic.
This page covers acute bronchitis (chest infection) in adults. For information on chronic bronchitis (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD) see COPD. For information on chest infection in babies and children under 2 years of age see bronchiolitis.

Key points about bronchitis

1. Acute bronchitis can affect people of all ages and is more common in winter.
2. The most common cause of acute bronchitis is a virus.
3. The main symptom of acute bronchitis is a chesty cough, with green or yellow mucous. You may also have symptoms of a cold.
4. Normally you’ll start to feel better after a few days, but the cough may last for a few weeks longer.
5. See your doctor or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 if you notice signs of a more serious chest infection, such as shortness of breath and high fever, or if you feel very unwell.

What causes acute bronchitis?

The main cause of acute bronchitis is a virus. This is often the same virus that causes a common cold, which is why bronchitis often occurs after a cold. Acute bronchitis is more common in winter. 

Acute bronchitis can affect people of all ages. For information on chest infection in babies under 6 months of age see bronchiolitis.

What are the symptoms of acute bronchitis? 

The main symptom is a chesty cough, with green or yellow mucous. You may also get cold symptoms, such as:

• mild fever
• sore throat
• aches and pains
• runny nose
• headache
• tiredness.

You’ll usually start to feel better after a few days, but the cough may remain for a few weeks.

What are the signs a chest infection is more serious?

If you or a family member is short of breath, coughing up blood, has a high fever or feels very unwell you need to see your doctor or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 straight away. These can be symptoms of pneumonia or other serious conditions.

How can I care for myself with acute bronchitis?

You don’t usually need to see your doctor if you have acute bronchitis as your body will fight the virus and get better by itself.

You can help yourself feel better by:

• resting for a few days
• drinking plenty of fluids, mainly water, to help prevent dehydration
• using an extra pillow to elevate your head as you sleep
• quitting if you smoke
• using your inhaler if you have asthma or another chronic lung condition.

See your doctor if your cough lasts for more than 3 weeks, or you have a high fever or pain when coughing.

Do I need medicine for bronchitis? 

Usually, the symptoms of acute bronchitis go away by themselves after a few days and don’t require medication. However, the following medicines may help to ease your symptoms:

Pain relievers

Medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen will help to ease your muscle aches and pains and headache, and reduce fever.  

Cough medicines

You might want to take cough medicines but there is little evidence that they work. If you do, choose an expectorant medication as this is designed to help clear mucous from your lungs. 

Avoid cough medicines that reduce your urge to cough (suppressants). These may help if you have an irritating, dry cough, especially at night, but they should not be used if your cough is chesty. 

As an alternative, try making a drink of honey, lemon and hot water, which can help soothe a sore throat and ease your cough.

Read more about cough and cold medicines in adults.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are not often used to treat acute bronchitis because they have no effect on viruses, which are usually the cause of bronchitis.

However, if your doctor thinks you also have a bacterial infection in your airways, you may need to take antibiotics.

Inhalers

If you are wheezing, your doctor may prescribe an inhaler to open your airways, such as ventolin, the same medicine you may have heard of for asthma treatment.

How can I prevent getting bronchitis?

Bronchitis can’t always be prevented but some things might help:

Learn more

The following links provide further information on bronchitis. Be aware that websites from other countries may contain information that differs from New Zealand recommendations.

What is acute bronchitis? Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ
Chest infections (bronchitis) Ministry of Health, NZ
Bronchitis NHS, UK

References

1. Respiratory tract infections (self-limiting) – reducing antibiotic prescribing BPAC, NZ, 2015 
2. Acute cough illness (acute bronchitis) Centers for Disease Control, US
3. Paul IM, Beiler J, McMonagle A, et al.  Effect of honey, dextromethorphan, and no treatment on nocturnal cough and sleep quality for coughing children and their parents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2007 Dec;161(12):1140-6.

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Management of acute bronchitis

For patients who present with acute bronchitis:

• Assess and review history.
• Antibiotic therapy is not routinely recommended. It may be required to those at high risk of not returning if symptoms deteriorate.
• Reassure the patient and/or parent that antibiotics are not required in the early phase and may have unwanted side effects.
• Encourage the patient to return if symptoms deteriorate or last longer than 3 weeks.
• Consider antibiotics if acute bronchitis lasts longer than 3 weeks as it may be bacterial.
• Give advice about symptom management.

Clinical resources

Respiratory tract infections (self-limiting) – reducing antibiotic prescribing BPAC, NZ, 2015 
CICADA: Cough in children and adults Australian cough guidelines summary statement
Acute cough illness (acute bronchitis) Centers for Disease Control, US

Regional HealthPathways NZ

Access to the following regional pathways is localised for each region and access is limited to health providers. If you do not know the login details, contact your DHB or PHO for more information: 

Podcast

Managing acute bronchitis in primary care – Bruce Arroll Goodfellow Unit, NZ, 2017
Professor Bruce Arroll talks about managing acute bronchitis in primary care. Bruce is a General Practitioner in South Auckland, Director of the Goodfellow Unit and Professor of General Practice at the University of Auckland.

Webinar: Practical prescribing for respiratory infections

(Goodfellow Unit, NZ, 2017)

90,000 Is bronchitis not so bad? – Euromed clinic

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial mucosa (bronchial tree). Also, in children of the first year of life, bronchiolitis occurs as an independent disease – inflammation of the walls of the bronchioles – the farthest and smallest bronchi.

According to the form of the course, bronchitis is divided into acute and chronic.

Chronic bronchitis is a chronic inflammation of the bronchial tissue. Chronic bronchitis is considered if the cough continues for at least three months a year for two consecutive years.
According to the etiology of (causes of occurrence), viral, bacterial and allergic bronchitis are distinguished.

More than 80% of bronchitis is viral, infection occurs by airborne droplets, and proceeds as usual ARVI with the difference that the viruses that cause bronchitis prefer to “settle” in the tissue of the bronchi.

Symptoms of bronchitis

• Bronchitis has symptoms classic for any ARVI:
• Increased body temperature
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, noisy breathing (not always) 90 020

• Crepitant (crackling) and quiet wheezing rales
• Cough

The main and main symptom of bronchitis is cough. It can be dry or wet, depending on the form of the disease and the stage of its course.
One of the options for the course of bronchitis in children is obstructive bronchitis – this is a condition in which there is a spasm of the bronchi, the mucous membrane swells, it becomes difficult to pass sputum – it accumulates in the bronchi, causing difficulty in breathing. Spasm of the bronchi also contributes to difficulty breathing – this is the main danger of obstructive bronchitis – the baby begins to choke. Obstructive bronchitis is characterized by a noisy exhalation with a whistle.

Diagnostics of bronchitis

No X-ray examination or additional tests are needed to diagnose bronchitis. To make a diagnosis, the doctor just needs to perform auscultation – to listen to the lungs with the help of a phonendocop – an experienced pediatrician will immediately “hear bronchitis”.

Additional examinations are prescribed in order to determine the type of bronchitis – viral or bacterial – the appointment of therapy depends on this. As you know, antibiotics do not work on viruses, therefore they are prescribed only if the doctor believes that bronchitis is of a bacterial nature.A blood test can report this. Also, the pediatrician determines the type of bronchitis by collecting anamnesis (medical history): how long has the child been sick, how the disease is progressing, how long has it been sick last time, what was it treated, etc.

X-rays with bronchitis can be prescribed in order to exclude pneumonia – a possible complication of this disease. Unfortunately, it is difficult to diagnose pneumonia in young children without X-rays – local changes in some segments of the lungs cannot always be heard.

How to treat bronchitis

There is no universal treatment regimen for bronchitis.
The choice of therapy depends on many factors: the type of bronchitis (viral or bacterial), duration, characteristics of the course of the disease, cough (it can be dry, wet, only in sleep or after sleep, etc.), the condition of the child.
When treating bronchitis, it is very important that the room where the child is kept maintains normal air humidity (40-60%).It is necessary to protect the patient from tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke with bronchitis is very dangerous).

Do you need antibiotics for bronchitis?

Most cases of bronchitis have viral etiology . In this case, the appointment of antibiotics is not required. Antibiotic therapy is prescribed by a doctor when he has established that bronchitis is bacterial in nature – according to the results of a blood test or according to clinical data.

Can antitussives be used?

A severe cough is exhausting for both the baby and family members.Of course, I want to alleviate the child’s condition by giving him a drug that relieves cough. N o It is absolutely not worth doing this without a doctor’s recommendation! Why?
Firstly , there are a great variety of antitussive drugs, and it is difficult to find the right one on your own. There is no drug that can be used from the beginning to the end of the disease – depending on the stage, the active ingredient is selected.
Secondly, unreasonable selection of an antitussive drug can provoke complications, for example: you gave your child a medicine that suppresses cough during the period when sputum begins to separate, because of this he cannot get rid of sputum, it stagnates and leads to pneumonia . ..
Thirdly, children’s preparations are produced mainly in the form of syrups containing fragrances, flavorings, preservatives, stabilizers, etc. – these components often cause allergies.

What to pay special attention to

If the child’s condition worsens or new symptoms appear

• The cough does not go away after a month
• Bronchitis recurs (more than three episodes per year) 90 020

In these cases, be sure to show the child to the pediatrician!

SEPARATE
Do I need to see a doctor for a common ARI?
Small children can get sick with ARI / ARVI 8-12 times a year – and this is normal, since they develop immunity, their body is just getting to know and learning to resist many viruses and bacteria.And parents, already accustomed to endless colds, often treat the child on their own – because they see no point in visiting a doctor every time the child is sick.
But the problem is that only a doctor can determine whether your child has a really banal ARI that does not require medication and intervention in its course, or a more serious condition. In children, all processes go quickly, not all diseases have an acute onset, and without the supervision of an experienced doctor, it is very easy to miss a complication or a more serious disease: the same bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, etc.In addition, children usually play, jump and run even with a serious illness, which can mislead parents about the actual seriousness of the illness.
Therefore, if the child is sick, be sure to show it to the pediatrician – after all, only a doctor can objectively assess the condition of your baby!

Inhalation: benefits and harms
Nowadays, nebulizers are extremely popular among parents – devices for carrying out inhalation. Doctors unanimously agree that inhalation is a good thing.Using this device, we can deliver the medicine directly to the bronchi, which reduces the load on the gastrointestinal tract and the circulatory system and ensures a fast action of the drug. But! The nebulizer can only be used when there is an indication for this and when using certain medications prescribed by a doctor.
Nebulizers are designed to deliver medication to the middle parts of the respiratory system, that is, they are effective for bronchitis and asthma. They should be used with caution in case of an upper respiratory tract disease (common ARI or ARVI).Why? Firstly, because the drugs used to treat the lower respiratory tract are not effective in the inflammatory process in the nasal cavity and pharynx, and secondly, for the use of a nebulizer for diseases of the upper respiratory tract there are a number of conditions and rules that can only be reported to you doctor.

Choose an inhaler according to the disease

. Select your disease from the list and you will be able to see the PARI devices recommended for you.

• Allergic rhinitis , also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, is a condition that causes inflammation of the nasal mucosa due to an immune response to inhaled allergic particles. In this condition, sneezing, itching in the nose, difficulty in nasal breathing are observed.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Nasal shower PARI Montesol	Nasal shower PARI Montesol	Nasal shower PARI Montesol
  	Inhaler PARI Sinus	Inhaler PARI Sinus
  	Nebulizer PARI LC SPRINT® SINUS	Nebulizer PARI LC SPRINT® SINUS
  	PARI LC SPRINT® SINUS Nebulizer Year Kit	PARI LC SPRINT® SINUS Nebulizer Year Kit

• Hoarseness is characterized by the fact that the vocal cords cease to function normally. As a result, the voice loses its resonance, begins to wheeze. A hoarse voice is often barely audible, unintelligible. The person speaks with difficulty. Often, along with hoarseness, there is a sore throat and cough. Basically, hoarseness is manifested due to diseases of the nasopharynx and larynx, as well as due to the body’s reaction to various allergens.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact
  	Nebulizer PARI XLent	Nebulizer PARI XLent

• Cough is a protective reflex response to clear irritated or blocked airways. Cough is most often observed in smokers. Age, gender, genetics do not matter for the development of cough.
  Most often, coughing causes short-term irritation of the respiratory tract, and therefore the cough goes away spontaneously. In other cases, a cough can be a symptom of severe lung disease, which requires drug treatment.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Depending on the stage of the disease, we can offer you the following inhalation devices.
  Inhaler PARI JuniorBOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX
  Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact
  	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX

• Croup is a syndrome (a set of symptoms) that refers to the pathology of the respiratory system of children, usually occurs late at night and is accompanied by hoarseness, special stridor breathing (high-pitched, wheezing breathing on inspiration) and barking (croupous) cough. Croup is typical for children under the age of four. In older children and adults, the airways are wider, the cartilage in their walls is less elastic and the effect of swelling of the mucous membrane during inflammation is not so significant. When croup develops, the child and his parents are usually very frightened and begin to panic. In fact, croup is rarely a serious hazard and almost always goes away on its own.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI JuniorBOY SX	Inhaler PARI JuniorBOY SX
  	Nebulizer PARI XLent	Nebulizer PARI XLent

• Laryngitis – inflammation of the larynx, usually associated with a cold or infectious diseases such as measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough. Hypothermia, breathing through the mouth, dusty air, overstrain of the larynx, smoking and drinking alcohol contribute to the development of the disease.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact
  	Nebulizer PARI XLent	Nebulizer PARI XLent

• Pharyngitis – inflammation of the mucous membrane and lymphoid tissue of the pharynx.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact
  	Nebulizer PARI XLent	Nebulizer PARI XLent

• Runny nose (rhinitis) – the main symptom for colds and various viral infections. In addition, a runny nose is a protective reaction of the body to irritation by various microbes, viruses and mucosal allergens. Mucosal protection manifests itself in the form of increased mucus secretion, sneezing and edema, which remove pathogens at the initial stage of penetration into the body.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Nasal shower PARI Montesol	Nasal shower PARI Montesol	Nasal shower PARI Montesol

• Sinusitis – inflammatory diseases of the paranasal (paranasal) sinuses associated with infection or allergic reactions.More often, the cells of the ethmoid bone are affected, then the maxillary, frontal and, finally, the sphenoid sinuses.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  	Inhaler PARI Sinus	Inhaler PARI Sinus
  Nasal shower PARI Montesol	Nasal shower PARI Montesol	Nasal shower PARI Montesol
  	PARI LC SPRINT® SINUS Nebulizer Year Kit	PARI LC SPRINT® SINUS Nebulizer Year Kit

• Common cold / infection is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that causes inflammation of the mucous membrane lining this part of the respiratory tract. Rhinitis (runny nose), sneezing, pharyngitis (sore throat) are common symptoms.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI JuniorBOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX
  Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact
  Nasal shower PARI Montesol	Nasal shower PARI Montesol	Nasal shower PARI Montesol
  	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX

• Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  	Nasal shower PARI Montesol	Nasal shower PARI Montesol
  	Inhaler PARI Sinus	Inhaler PARI Sinus
  	Nebulizer PARI XLent	Nebulizer PARI XLent

• Rhinobronchial syndrome – manifested by a change in the patency of the bronchi in response to irritation of the nasal mucosa. It is observed in 60% of patients with bronchial asthma and is a pathology of the upper respiratory tract.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI JuniorBOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX
  	Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact
  	Inhaler PARI Sinus	Inhaler PARI Sinus
  	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX

• Tracheostomy is installed when:
  • obstruction of the upper respiratory tract;
  • the need for adequate sanitation of the tracheobronchial tree;
  • respiratory support for patients on mechanical ventilation.
  Tracheostomy – a surgical operation to cut the anterior wall of the trachea.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact
  	System PARI Tracheostomy Set	System PARI Tracheostomy Set
  	PARI LC SPRINT® Tracheo Nebulizer (blue nozzle)	PARI LC SPRINT® Tracheo Nebulizer (blue nozzle)

• Acute viral bronchitis is a fairly common inflammatory disease of the respiratory system that is familiar to many. That is why everyone should be aware of the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
  Extensive inflammatory disease of the bronchi and bronchial tree, in which there is increased secretion and impaired bronchial patency, is called bronchitis. In addition to respiratory symptoms, this disease is accompanied by symptoms of general intoxication.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI JuniorBOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX
  Inhaler PARI BOY SX	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX
  	Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact

• Bronchial asthma – the main manifestation of bronchial asthma is usually asthma attacks or shortness of breath, when it is more difficult for the patient to exhale than to inhale. Often, wheezing appears, which is clearly audible from a distance. If at this time you put your ear or a phonendoscope to the patient’s chest, you can also hear the characteristic “whistle” on the exhale, which is caught across its entire surface. The exhalation becomes longer, sometimes 2-4 times longer than the inhalation.

  Read the article Bronchial Asthma: Optimizing Medication Delivery

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI JuniorBOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX
  	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX
  	Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact
  	PARI PEP-System I	PARI PEP-System I
  	PARI PEP-System II	PARI PEP-System II
  	PARI O-PEP	PARI O-PEP

• Bronchiectasis – irreversible pathological expansion of the bronchi as a result of purulent-inflammatory destruction of the bronchial wall.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI JuniorBOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX
  	Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact
  	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX

• Bronchiolitis – acute inflammation of the bronchioles; considered as a severe form of acute bronchitis.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI JuniorBOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX
  Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact
  	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease characterized by a partially irreversible, steadily progressive restriction of airflow caused by an abnormal inflammatory response of the lung tissue to damaging environmental factors. The term “COPD” refers to a combination of chronic bronchitis and secondary pulmonary emphysema.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  	Inhaler PARI BOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX
  	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX
  	Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact
  	PARI PEP-System I	PARI PEP-System I
  	PARI PEP-System II	PARI PEP-System II
  	PARI O-PEP	PARI O-PEP

• Chronic bronchitis – diffuse progressive inflammation of the bronchi, not associated with local or generalized lung damage and manifested by cough. It is customary to talk about the chronic nature of the process if the cough continues for at least 3 months in 1 year for 2 years in a row. Chronic bronchitis is the most common form of chronic nonspecific lung disease (COPD) and tends to become more frequent.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI JuniorBOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX
  	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX
  	Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact
  	PARI PEP-System I	PARI PEP-System I
  	PARI PEP-System II	PARI PEP-System II

• Emphysema of the lungs is an anatomical change in the lungs, characterized by pathological expansion of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles (small bronchi) and accompanied by destructive changes in the alveolar walls.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI JuniorBOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX
  	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX
  	Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact

• MUCOVISCIDOSIS (cystic fibrosis of the pancreas) – A severe hereditary disease, which is based on damage to the exocrine glands and increased viscosity of secretions, which leads to damage to the lungs, pancreas and intestines, less often the liver and kidneys.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI JuniorBOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX
  	PARI PEP-System I	PARI PEP-System I
  	PARI PEP-System II	PARI PEP-System II
  	PARI O-PEP	PARI O-PEP

• Physiotherapy (secretion mobilization)

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI JuniorBOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX
  	PARI PEP S-System	PARI PEP S-System
  	PARI PEP-System I	PARI PEP-System I
  	PARI PEP-System II	PARI PEP-System II
  	PARI O-PEP	PARI O-PEP

• Pneumonia – pneumonia; a group of diseases characterized by parenchymal inflammation, or predominantly parenchymal, i. e.e. respiratory, part of the lungs; are divided into croupous (lobar) and focal. The allocation of acute interstitial and chronic pneumonia is controversial. In the domestic literature of recent years, chronic pneumonia is referred to as recurrent pneumonia of the same localization with the involvement of all structural elements of the lung in the process and the formation of pneumosclerosis.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI JuniorBOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX
  	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX
  	Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact

• Hypersensitivity is one of the main factors that contribute to the onset of asthma attacks.With such a pathology, the airways can become inflamed even with slight contact with an allergenic substance.

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  Inhaler PARI JuniorBOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX
  	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX	Inhaler PARI TurboBOY SX
  	Inhaler PARI Compact	Inhaler PARI Compact

• Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetically determined disease, which is based on a violation of the motor activity of the cilia of the respiratory tract due to a congenital defect in their structure.
  Clinical manifestations PCD:

  • chronic bronchitis,
  • chronic sinusitis, chronic otitis media, hearing loss
  • Reproductive disorders
  • with Kartagener’s syndrome – reverse arrangement of internal organs or isolated dextrocardia

  X-ray bronchological signs are diverse:

  • deformation of the bronchi,
  • bronchiectasis,
  • purulent endobronchitis,
  • darkening of the paranasal sinuses

  Children (0-4 years old)	Children (from 4 years old)	Adults
  	Inhaler PARI BOY SX	Inhaler PARI BOY SX
  	PARI PEP-System II	PARI PEP-System II
  	PARI O-PEP	PARI O-PEP

what is it, types of drugs and how to treat it

Of course, when a child develops a dry, rough cough and an increase in body temperature, the child’s parents will go to the district clinic to call a pediatrician.Everything is correct.

Usually, the first scheme that a local pediatrician prescribes when a child is diagnosed with bronchitis necessarily includes a cough syrup (usually on a plant basis), or some kind of synthetic mucolytic, that is, an agent that dilutes sputum. The second item, as a rule, is an antiviral drug, such as Viferon or Arbidol, and some doctors still prescribe an antihistamine to prevent allergies, and in general they are doing the right thing.

Fortunately, more and more practicing pediatricians prefer not oral forms of antitussives, but a simple and extremely effective way to treat cough (bronchitis, laryngitis, obstructive bronchitis) in children – a nebulizer.

Cough and bronchitis syrups. How do syrups affect the symptoms of bronchitis in a child?

In general, all cough medicines can be divided into three main groups:

• A – centrally acting drugs, that is, those that suppress the cough reflex in the brain. They do not solve problems, but create the appearance of improvement. Although in some rare cases it is difficult to do without them, for example, when a child has whooping cough;
• B – herbal preparations (mucaltin, pertussin, sinupret, and many others) mainly stimulate the secretion of secretion by the goblet glands of the respiratory tract, that is, they, on the contrary, increase the cough.The older the child is, the higher the effectiveness of these drugs, but not earlier than 3 years! And in life there are, excuse the jargon, “nerds” who cannot cough up themselves even at the age of 14 – 15;
• B – sputum thinning drugs. These are basically all synthetic mucolytics: ACC, carbocisteine, ambroxol, erespal. Although a lot is written in the instructions for these drugs, but in the end, when a small child has bronchitis, and the doctor prescribes any syrup from group B or C, the result is always the same: the cough worsens, but the result of this cough worsens.A small child does not have the strength to cough up large amounts of phlegm. This is especially noticeable on babies: while he is lying on his back, he yells until “blue”, is taken in his arms, begins to slowly clear his throat and calm down, he may fall asleep in his arms “in a column”;

It should be explained that an experienced pediatrician prescribes an antihistamine (zyrtec or fenistil) together with cough syrups, since their flavoring flavors often cause allergies in a child, especially if he already had dermatitis on the skin.

Bronchitis in a child and treatment with a nebulizer

Inhalation with a compressor nebulizer is the best way to cure bronchitis in a child. For infants, competent pediatricians recommend adding 6 – 8 drops of berodual solution to the inhalation chamber to expand the airways and improve coughing. In addition to a bronchodilator (berodual), a solution for inhalation lazolvan or ambrobene is added to the inhalation chamber of the nebulizer (for children under one year old – 0.5 ml, over a year old – 1.0 ml), and dilute this cocktail of drugs in a small amount, about 1.0 ml of saline or children’s drinking water. The pediatrician prescribes such inhalations 2 to 3 times a day for 10 minutes for at least 5 days. But this is still not enough.

If you do only one inhalations, and nothing else, then the child’s cough and bronchitis can drag on for a long time. After inhalation (not immediately, but after about half an hour – an hour), but before feeding, you need to perform a back massage with mandatory vibration techniques (such as tapping with your fingertips, and for a child older than a year – with the edge of the palms along the intercostal spaces), as well as some simple procedures from breathing exercises …A child under one year old is usually rolled on a fitball (a large massage ball), putting it on his stomach (up to 6-7 months), and at an older age, you can already put the child on the ball, like on a horse. Instead of a fitball, if you have some experience, you can use your own knees, then you can combine light jumping on your knees with a back massage. Children after 2 – 3 years, as a rule, can already and like to play with various inflatable tubes or blow bubbles through straws.

In general, inhalations are good because the necessary medicine is delivered directly to the very focus of inflammation, and not “smeared” throughout the body.Plus, mineral water or saline, which we add to the nebulizer, moisturizes the mucous membranes of the trachea and bronchi, which suffer from drying out at elevated temperatures and a strong cough in a child.

Recurrent bronchitis in a child

However, in some cases, bronchitis in a child becomes a recurrent form. In such cases, the outpatient tactics of pediatricians, unfortunately, often boil down to the monthly prescription of antibiotics. I have met parents of children to whom a certain doctor got it into their heads that their child could not get better without antibiotics.They laughed at the word inhalation and demanded from me another antibiotic for their child, like a dose for a drug addict.

This sad case should alert you if you see that the doctor prefers the easiest, as it seems to him, way of treating bronchitis in your child, especially if this is not the first bronchitis. In this case, you may need to consult an allergist-immunologist, who will have to collect the most thorough anamnesis, that is, study the life history of not only the child himself, but also his parents, as well as grandparents at least.Further, it may be necessary to conduct a special allergological examination, since recurrent bronchitis is nothing more than a harbinger of bronchial asthma – already a chronic bronchial disease. I will warn you right away that in a small child we cannot always carry out the full range of necessary diagnostic procedures, therefore, sometimes the establishment of the final diagnosis is postponed by the allergist-immunologist for an older age, but the doctor can still prescribe preventive anti-relapse treatment, which should help both times to avoid such a diagnosis in the future.In general, based on clinical practice, I can say that even a child under three years of age has more than two episodes of obstructive bronchitis – this is already a reason for consulting an allergist-immunologist.

Medicinal herbs for bronchitis. Prevention of bronchitis with inhalations and teas

Zmist

Bronchitis is an inflammatory disease of the bronchi caused by bacteria and viruses. Depending on the clinical symptoms, bronchitis is acute and chronic.Bronchitis requires careful diagnosis and surgical treatment, because the disease can provoke complications such as bronchial asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary emphysema. Children and the elderly are most susceptible to bronchitis.

The characteristic symptoms of acute bronchitis are:

• cough;

90,019 chills;

• elevated temperature;
• weakness;
• sweating;
• muscle pain.

Cough with bronchitis is dry and harsh at first.A few days after the onset of the disease, sputum discharge begins. With proper treatment, the cough disappears after two weeks. If after three weeks there is no relief, there is a chance of developing a chronic form of bronchitis.

Medication for bronchitis is usually combined with herbal remedies. Herbs in the form of teas, infusions, decoctions, inhalations provide anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antipyretic effects, facilitate sputum discharge and accelerate recovery.

Herbs for bronchitis

For the treatment of bronchitis, medicinal plants are used in different directions of therapy. For immunocorrection, teas and infusions from rhizomes and roots of Echinacea, licorice roots, ginseng roots are prescribed. Thyme herb, eucalyptus leaves, pine buds, sage leaves have an antimicrobial effect. Mucolytics are used to liquefy sputum: marshmallow roots, licorice roots, elecampane roots, plantain leaves, coltsfoot leaves, mallow flowers. The anti-inflammatory effect is provided by St. John’s wort, calendula, elecampane.

Plantain Leaves

Plantain is one of the most effective plants for treating bronchitis. Due to mucus, iridoids and flavonoids, plantain leaves have mucolytic, immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antihypoxic, antibacterial and antiviral effects.

Mucus forms a protective layer, reduces irritation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, promotes mucolytic effect, reduces irritation of cough receptors and acts as a barrier to infection.

An effective remedy for the treatment of cough – a decoction of elderberry flowers, medicinal violet herb and plantain leaves. To prepare it, you need to take 1 tbsp. l. raw materials and pour 300 ml of boiling water. Soak the mixture on a steam bath for half an hour, then let it brew for 40-50 minutes. Strain the broth and take 1/3 cup before each meal.

Mother and stepmother

A real find in the treatment of bronchitis will be the mother and stepmother. It contains mucus, flavonoids, carotenoids.Such a complex of active substances ensures the liquefaction of phlegm, facilitates its evacuation, softens cough, reduces fever and stimulates increased immunity.

The plant is used in the complex therapy of bronchitis, for the treatment of colds and viral diseases, for the prevention of flu and colds.

Mallow flowers

Mallow flowers are used for the treatment of bronchitis in adults and children. Most often, the plant is part of the herbal collection, which contains plantain leaves.

Among the active components of mallow are mucus, flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, tannins. They form a protective film on the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, reduce inflammation and irritation, make breathing easier, and quench unproductive coughs.

Licorice root

Licorice root is used for the complex therapy of bronchitis. The expectorant properties of the plant are possible due to glycyrrhizin, which stimulates the activity of the ciliated epithelium of the bronchi and trachea, enhances the secretory function of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.

The components of licorice root cover the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, provide a softening effect, eliminate irritation and dry cough.

Sage

Due to the content of tannins, essential oils, vitamins and resins, sage promotes the liquefaction and removal of phlegm from the bronchi, destroys bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms.

To dilute sputum and remove it from the respiratory tract, inhalation from a decoction of sage is used.5 tbsp. l. herbs pour
1 liter of boiling water, bring to a boil over low heat. The broth is filtered and poured into a bowl. Inhalation is carried out, covered with a towel. It is recommended to inhale steam for 10-15 minutes twice a day.

Treatment of bronchitis in children with folk remedies

The incidence of bronchitis in children ranges from 15 to 50%. Therefore, it is very important to provide babies with timely and safe treatment, for which, in particular, phytopreparations are relevant. They act gently on the body, almost do not cause side reactions and provide an effective effect.

Most often used for the treatment of childhood bronchitis:

• mother-and-stepmother;
• plantain;
• licorice;
• marshmallow officinalis;

90,019 thyme;

• sage.

Suitable forms of application – teas, decoctions and inhalations. The treatment regimen must be prescribed by a pediatrician or family doctor.

For the treatment of bronchitis in children, it is worth trying an infusion of plantain, mint and chamomile.5 g of dry plants are poured with a glass of boiling water, infused for 30 minutes, taken 30 ml three times a day after meals.

Steam inhalation has a remarkable effect. Warm steam stimulates blood circulation in the mucous membranes, relieves spasm and edema, dilutes phlegm and disinfects inflamed areas.

For inhalation with bronchitis, mix 1 tbsp. l. sage leaves, coltsfoot, chamomile and eucalyptus. 1 tbsp. l. collection is poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted for 20 minutes, cooled to 70 degrees and poured into an inhaler.The procedure is carried out for
10 minutes twice a day.

Inhalation is contraindicated in case of elevated body temperature and diseases of the cardiovascular system.

“Phytobronchol”: a powerful force of herbs against cough for adults

and children

The effectiveness of herbal medicine is determined by the correct combination of medicinal plants, respecting the proportions in the preparation of the collections and the quality of raw materials. It is best to use herbal preparations that professional pharmacists have worked on creating.Among such means is the herbal collection “Fitobronchol”, developed for the complex therapy of inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system.

“Phytobronchol” from the company “Lectrava” has an exclusively natural composition, therefore it is suitable for the treatment of bronchitis in adults and children from three years old.

Herbal collection contains:

• calendula flowers;
• licorice roots;
• chamomile flowers;

90,019 peppermint leaves;

• shoots of wild rosemary;
• violet grass.

The biologically active substances of these plants increase the activity of the ciliated epithelium of the bronchi, help thin sputum, stimulate expectoration, and reduce inflammation and irritation.

Disease prevention is always better than any cure. To prevent the development of bronchitis, it is worthwhile to consult a doctor in a timely manner at the first signs of acute respiratory infections and flu, take care of strengthening the immune system and use only high-quality herbal medicines that are sold in pharmacies.

Take care of yourself and your health!

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Bronchitis Treatment – Pulmonology | SADCO Medical Center Nizhny Novgorod

Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi. Most often it is a complication of acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI). In some cases, it is caused by bacterial flora (pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, streptococcus, mycoplasma, chlamydia).

Acute, obstructive, recurrent bronchitis are distinguished.

• Acute bronchitis is manifested by a cough, at first obsessive, dry, and then moist, with the release of a small amount of mucous or mucopurulent sputum. When listening with a phonendoscope – scattered dry, large and medium bubbly rales, with the defeat of small bronchi – small bubbling. When you cough, the wheezing changes. The process is in most cases two-way.
• Obstructive bronchitis – is diagnosed in the presence of clinical signs of bronchial obstruction, manifested by elongation of exhalation, the occurrence of expiratory noise (“wheezing exhalation”), wheezing during exhalation, participation of auxiliary muscles in breathing.
• Recurrent bronchitis – bronchitis that recurs 3 or more times within 1 year. Differs in the duration of clinical manifestations (each relapse is more than 2 weeks) and the absence of irreversible changes in the bronchopulmonary system. Distinguish between primary and secondary recurrent bronchitis. The primary is associated with infection.

Contribute to relapse:

• smoking, including passive smoking

• air pollution,

• temperature fluctuations,

• high air humidity,

• pathology of ENT organs.

Secondary develops against the background of foreign bodies in the airways, hereditary immunodeficiency states, anomalies in the development of the bronchopulmonary and vascular systems.

Criteria for diagnosing are cough, degree of bronchial obstruction, dry and wet rales when listening with a phonendoscope, absence of focal changes in lung tissue during X-ray examination.

Treatment. Patients with acute bronchitis of a bacterial or mixed nature are prescribed antibiotics, as well as expectorant mixtures.Liquefaction and discharge of sputum is facilitated by nebulizer therapy (inhalation), drinking plenty of fluids. A patient with bronchitis should be in a room with high relative humidity. Thermal procedures (hot baths), mustard plasters, banks are prescribed.

How to treat bronchitis: causes and therapy

A progressive disease of the lower respiratory tract of an inflammatory nature in medical terminology is called chronic bronchitis. It leads to narrowing and swelling of the bronchi, limiting the flow of air to them, causing coughing and shortness of breath.Pulmonologists note cases when an ailment develops over the course of two years, accompanied by a productive cough with sputum production.

What are the criteria for determining a chronic disease

Bronchitis is an acute respiratory disease associated with inflammation of the large airways without signs of pneumonia. A cough with sputum lasting more than 3 months indicates a chronic course of the disease.

Progressive chronic bronchitis manifests itself in the following sequence:

• coughing fit with phlegm in the morning;
• during the day it continues;
• sputum turns yellow or green, indicating frequent colds;
• “the accordion plays inside” – this is how patients who emit wheezing, similar to a whistle when coughing, describe their condition;
• the frequency and depth of breathing is disturbed, accompanied by a feeling of lack of air;
• lack of air occurs during physical exertion, when eating, changing shoes.

Signs of chronic bronchitis: dizziness, chest pain, weakness and sweating, cyanosis of the skin, sleep disturbance. The course of bronchitis, its progression, depends on the number of infectious diseases transferred per year. Therapy will relieve severe symptoms. With a dry paroxysmal cough, antitussives are used.

What is the treatment

Chronic bronchitis is treated for a long time and in a hospital. This approach to treatment should improve airway patency and relieve inflammation in the bronchial tree.The patients are monitored by a bronchologist. To improve the expectoration of phlegm, reflex drugs are taken. Additionally, antibiotic therapy is added, taking into account the results of sputum culture.

The patient must adhere to bed rest, drink plenty of fluids. Therapy of chronic bronchitis is aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process and improving the patency of the bronchi. Sulfonamides and antibiotics are the drugs prescribed by the therapist. Inhalation will help with bronchitis.The course of treatment is twice a day for three weeks. Pharmaceuticals are supplemented with herbal decoctions. Massage is also appropriate: it has a relaxing effect on the bronchi.

90,000 Bronchitis in dogs – symptoms and treatment, forms of bronchitis, dog care and prevention

Bronchitis is a common cause of cough in dogs. This is an inflammatory disease of the bronchial mucosa (“windpipe” ). Without timely diagnosis and treatment, bronchitis is a dangerous disease that can even lead to death.How to prevent this, what symptoms to look for and whether bronchitis is contagious in dogs – see below.

Read this article :

Common Causes of Bronchitis in Dogs
What Disease Is It?
Symptoms of bronchitis in a dog
Forms of bronchitis: acute and chronic
Diagnosis of the disease
How is bronchitis treated in a dog?
Physiotherapy
Proper care of animals

Common causes of bronchitis in dogs

Hypothermia is a common trigger for bronchitis in dogs of all ages and breeds.It occurs during long walks of the pet in the fresh air at low temperatures, in the rain or in strong cold winds.

Bronchitis often occurs in animals that bathe in reservoirs with cold water, and also live in poorly heated and damp rooms. If we are talking about long-haired breeds, then hypothermia can be provoked even by undried wool after water procedures.

Other causes that can lead to the development of bronchitis in a dog include:

• Poor living and living conditions. Damp and poorly heated rooms, location on a cold floor, drafts – all this can lead to a weakening of the animal’s body and inflammation of the respiratory tract;
• Incorrect power supply. The absence or deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the pet’s diet leads to a weakening of the immune system and deterioration of the protective functions of the epithelium of the respiratory tract;
• Allergens. Allergic reactions are another common cause of bronchitis in dogs. The most common allergens include cigarette smoke, pollen, house and building dust, aggressive household chemicals, etc.;
• Parasitic diseases. Inflammation occurs when parasite larvae begin to migrate (move) from internal organs to the respiratory tract. Moreover, they can even get into large or small bronchi, increasing the severity of bronchitis;
• Infections. Pathogens of various infections (for example, parvovirus enteritis or viral tracheitis) can provoke the onset of bronchitis in an animal. Pathogens penetrate the pet’s bronchi with blood or lymph flow;
• Respiratory system pathologies. They weaken the airways, affect the condition of the mucous membranes and can cause bronchitis. Such diseases include pneumonia, tracheitis, laryngitis, etc.

Various factors can provoke bronchitis in dogs. In some cases, it is enough to exclude them in order for the animal’s condition to improve, in others additional treatment is required.

What can be the disease?

Different types of bronchitis occur in dogs. They differ not only in signs, but also in the characteristics of the treatment, therefore, they are necessarily determined by the veterinarian who examines and diagnoses the animal.These types of bronchitis include:

• Hemorrhagic . It is accompanied by hemorrhages in the bronchial mucosa, so the animal suffers from hemoptysis even outside of coughing fits. This is the most dangerous form of the disease;
• Fibrinous . The main feature is that sputum when coughing contains fibrin protein, which has a gray-yellow tint;
• Catarrhal . An additional sign of catarrhal bronchitis is profuse mucous discharge when coughing;
• Putrid .Already from the name it becomes clear that this form of bronchitis is accompanied by a sharp putrid odor that occurs against the background of a developing infection;
• Purulent . The characteristic signs of this form of bronchitis is sputum, in which there are purulent blotches.

Symptoms of bronchitis in a dog

A characteristic symptom of bronchitis is cough. It can be dry or wet (with phlegm). As for the duration of the cough, the attacks can last from a few seconds to several minutes.The cough can be short, while the animal recovers quickly, or long – up to vomiting.

Note! Coughing spells are noticeably aggravated even with minor physical activity (for example, running), pulling on the leash, or being in cold air.

Other symptoms of bronchitis in dogs:

• nasal mucous exudate,
• increase in heart rate,
• labored (heavy) breathing,
• vomiting,
• shortness of breath and wheezing,
• loss of appetite,
• lethargic and lethargic,
• fatigue,
• increase in body temperature,
• Dull and harsh coat.

Signs of the disease depend on its form.

Forms of bronchitis: acute and chronic

Two more forms of bronchitis in dogs are distinguished along the current – acute and chronic . Each of them has its own characteristics, which are important to consider when diagnosing and treating the disease:

• Acute . Most often, the acute form of bronchitis occurs against the background of a viral infection. Inflammation develops rapidly, appetite worsens. Characteristic signs include shortness of breath and oxygen deprivation (hypoxia).A slight increase in body temperature is possible.
• Chronic . It differs in that the disease develops gradually and is replaced by periods of remission. The dog has intermittent coughing fits. Difficulty breathing, wheezing is possible. As in the acute form, the animal has no appetite, so the dog is rapidly losing weight.

Diagnosis of the disease

It is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis at home, so entrust this task to a specialist in a veterinary clinic.The doctor will examine the dog, ask a few questions to the owner, and order additional examinations.

Basic methods of diagnosing bronchitis:

• auscultation of the lungs,
• tapping lungs (percussion),
• bronchoscopy,
• X-ray,
• blood tests,
• throat swab,
• bacteriological culture.

Based on the research results, the veterinarian makes an accurate diagnosis and prescribes an effective treatment that meets all the characteristics of the dog’s body and condition.

How is bronchitis treated in a dog?

Treatment of bronchitis is more often carried out at home, therefore it is not necessary to place the dog in a hospital. Therapy is aimed at eliminating the symptoms and the cause of the disease. For this purpose, veterinarians prescribe different medicines:

• Expectorants and antispasmodics . They allow you to eliminate spasms, and also thin and accelerate the excretion of sputum from the respiratory tract, facilitating the condition of the animal;
• Anthelmintics .They are prescribed if bronchitis is provoked by parasitic diseases. Such drugs are effectively used for the treatment and prevention of helminthiasis;
• Bronchodilators . They relax the muscles of the bronchi, thereby expanding the airways. Preparations of this group are distributed in the form of aerosols, therefore, they are convenient to use;
• Antihistamines and glucocorticosteroids . Helps with allergic reactions, and also prevents their occurrence;
• Other medicines .These include cardiac glycosides (improve and restore the functions of the cardiovascular system) , mucolytics (thin phlegm) , and antibiotics (fight bacterial infections) .

All drugs for the treatment of bronchitis in dogs must be taken strictly as directed by the veterinarian!

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is often prescribed for dogs in the complex therapy of bronchitis. These include heating with an infrared lamp, ultra-high-frequency therapy ( exposure to the animal’s body with a high-frequency electromagnetic field ), as well as diathermy (electrotherapy ).Each of these procedures facilitates the discharge of phlegm, restores the pet’s body and strengthens its immune system.