Definition
Bronchitis is an inflammatory process affecting the bronchi; more precisely, the inflammation affects the mucosa of the bronchial tree, and may have an acute or chronic course.
Causes
Acute bronchitis is the consequence of viral infections (influenza virus, adenovirus etc.) and - albeit less frequently - bacterial ( Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus Pneumoniae ). The chronic form of bronchitis (COPD) is the result of environmental insults such as pollution and smoke.
Symptoms
Lit spy of bronchitis is the emission of mucus or whitish, greenish or yellowish catarrh with the cough: the sputum can be foamy and rather liquid in the case of non-specific bronchitis, or viscous and greenish when the inflammation of the bronchi is of bacterial nature . Other symptoms include: difficulty swallowing, dyspnea, joint pain, pharyngitis, fever, flu, cold, hoarse voice.
Natural Care
Information on Bronchitis - Bronchitis Treatment Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Bronchitis - Bronchitis Medication.
drugs
Smoking cessation certainly represents a good behavioral rule, advantageous and practical, to prevent the chronic form of bronchitis, especially for those subjects particularly sensitive to the disease. Rest, taking considerable amounts of liquids, especially hot (tea, milk, soups), and the use of room humidifiers are further precautions to prevent bronchitis or in any case speed up its recovery when the disease is in progress.
Except for the bacterial form, bronchitis tends to self-purify in a few days; despite what has been stated, it is a good rule not to underestimate the disease and recognize it readily, especially in the case of alleged or confirmed bacterial infections. Not to be forgotten, in fact, that an untreated bacterial bronchitis can degenerate into bronchopneumonia.
The following are the classes of drugs most used in therapy against bronchitis, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and posology for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the health of the patient and his response to treatment:
Antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial bronchitis
- Amoxicillin (eg. Amoxicillin, Amoxil and Trimox, Zimox, Augmentin ): belonging to the class of penicillins. Take 25-500 mg of oral medication three times a day for 7-10 days. Alternatively, take 500-875 mg of active twice a day. To be taken exclusively in the case of bacterial bronchitis.
- Azithromycin (eg Azithromycin, Zitrobiotic, Rezan, Azitrocin): the drug (class: macrolides) should be administered at a dose of 500 mg taken orally on the same day the symptoms appear, followed by a dose of 250 mg once a day day for 2-5 days. Again, the antibiotic should only be taken when it comes to bacterial bronchitis.
- Moxifloxacin (eg. Vigamox, Avalox, Octegra): the drug, belonging to the class of quinolones, is generally prescribed for the treatment of chronic bronchitis exacerbated by bacterial infections. It is recommended to take the active ingredient at the dosage of 400 mg orally or intravenously every 24 hours for 5 days.
Antitussives - expectorants for the treatment of cough in the context of bronchitis
- Guaifenesin (eg. Broncovanil, Vicks Tosse Fluidific), belonging to the class of antitussives-expectorants, this drug is indicated to counter cough in the context of bronchitis. It is recommended to take 200-400 mg of substance by mouth every 4 hours, as needed. Do not take more than 2.4 grams of active per day. Guaifenesin is also available associated with cortisone or opioid derivatives (eg hydrocodone: eg Vicodin, not sold in Italy), formulated in the form of tablets or syrup: the dosage, always perfected by the doctor, involves taking a 1200 mg tablet of Guaifenesin and 20 mg of hydrocodone orally every 12 hours, or two tablets of 575 mg of Guaifenesin and 5 mg of hydrocodone per os every 12 hours.
Bronchodilators for the treatment of bronchitis
- Isoetarin: belonging to the class of bronchodilator drugs, isoetarin ensures a relaxing action on the bronchial smooth muscle. Particularly indicated for the treatment of the chronic form of bronchitis. Consult your doctor.
- Difillin: it is a bronchodilator drug, belonging to the class of methylxanthines. It is taken orally at the dosage indicated by the doctor, based on the severity of the bronchitis. However, the drug can be found in tablets - capsules (100-200 mg) or in solution (5-10 ml of active), to be taken orally, 3-4 times a day. Difillin can also be found in combination with guaifenesin, in order to obtain a double effect, a dilator of the bronchi and an expectorant.
- Theophylline (eg Aminomal Elisir, Diffumal, Respicur) theophylline is a xanthine drug used in therapy to reduce bronchoconstrictor stimulation. Theophylline is indicated for the treatment of asthma-associated bronchitis: the drug should be taken at a loading dose of 5 mg / kg. Consult your doctor.
Corticosteroids for the treatment of severe bronchitis
In case of complications associated with bronchitis, it is possible to take inhaled corticosteroids (eg Beclometasone, eg Rinoclenil, Becotide nasal). Consult your doctor.
Phytotherapy
Among natural drugs, the Farfara ( Tussilago farfara ) performs a good therapeutic action to speed up the healing of bronchitis: the plant acts as an expectorant, antitussive, mucolytic, emollient, in addition to regenerating the mucous membrane of the respiratory system.
Also Drosera ( Drosera rotundifolia ) is a valid aid for the treatment of bronchitis: the plant, in fact, acts as an antispasmodic of bronchial smooth muscle, disinfectant and anti-inflammatory.
