Definition
Bronchiolitis is an acute inflammatory disease affecting the bronchioles.
This disease is typical of childhood and particularly affects children under the age of two. However, there is the possibility that bronchiolitis may also occur in adults, although - in the latter category of patients - the disease is very often asymptomatic.
Causes
The underlying cause of most cases of bronchiolitis is a viral infection sustained by the respiratory syncytial virus (or RSV).
The transmission of the virus takes place by air, through the saliva and / or nasal secretions of infected individuals.
Symptoms
The symptoms that can occur in patients with bronchiolitis are: dyspnoea, wheezing, respiratory distress, cough and panting cough, tachycardia, irritability, tachypnea, cyanosis, insomnia, nausea and vomiting.
Information on Bronchiolitis - Bronchiolitis Treatment Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Bronchiolitis - Bronchiolitic medicine for treatment.
drugs
In many cases, bronchiolitis tends to regress spontaneously within a few days, without the use of drugs.
When, on the other hand, bronchiolitis does not regress on its own, but requires treatment, the main therapeutic strategies that are undertaken consist of rehydration and oxygenation of the patient.
Sometimes, the doctor may also decide to use bronchodilator drugs to help the patient breathe better, even if, in reality, the obstruction of the respiratory tract is not caused by bronchospasm, but by the thickening of the bronchial walls and from mucus accumulation.
Finally, in pediatric patients where bronchiolitis is associated with other diseases, such as congenital or pulmonary heart disease, cystic fibrosis or hypertension, treatment with antiviral drugs can be undertaken and administered by inhalation.
Bronchodilators
In some cases, for the treatment of bronchiolitis - or rather, to counteract the respiratory difficulties caused by it - the doctor may decide to resort to the administration of bronchodilator drugs.
Among the different types of bronchodilators, we find:
- Formoterol (Symbicort ®): formoterol is an active ingredient belonging to the long-acting selective β2-adrenergic receptor agonist class and is administered by inhalation.
In adults and adolescents over 18 years of age, the dose of formoterol usually used is 12-24 micrograms, to be taken twice a day.
In children aged six years and older, however, the usual dose of medication is 12 micrograms twice a day.
- Ipratropium bromide (Atem ®, Breva ®, Naos ®): ipratropium bromide is an anticholinergic drug with bronchodilator activity. In adults and adolescents aged 14 years and older, hypratropium bromide is administered by inhalation at a dose of 0.5 mg, two to four times a day, according to the doctor's prescription.
- Theophylline (Theolair ®, Theo-Dur ®, Aminomal ®): theophylline is a methylxanthine with bronchodilator activity and is available in pharmaceutical formulations suitable for oral administration.
In adults, the usual amount of theophylline is 200-350 mg twice a day. In children, on the other hand, the amount of active ingredient normally used is 100-200 mg, to be taken twice a day.
Antivirals
As mentioned, in pediatric patients where bronchiolitis is associated with congenital heart disease, pulmonary diseases, cystic fibrosis or hypertension, the doctor may decide to intervene by instituting an antiviral therapy.
More precisely, the active ingredient used in these cases is ribavirin (Virazole ®) administered by inhalation in the form of an aerosol.
The dose of medication usually used is 6 g per day which must be dissolved in 300 ml of water for injections. The solution obtained must then be administered by inhalation only and exclusively through the appropriate dispenser. However, when starting treatment with ribavirin by inhalation, it is essential to follow the instructions given by your doctor closely.
Finally, it is very important to remember that the use of ribavirin is contraindicated in patients where it is necessary to resort to assisted ventilation.
