What is the best way to treat bronchitis?

The respiratory tract has defensive capabilities and can process the air inhaled by the human body. It can remove foreign matter through humidification and filtration. However, with age, the respiratory tract's defense ability is gradually declining, which makes it easy to suffer from bronchitis, and the attacks will recur. This has a great impact on patients. If you want to get rid of the disease, you need timely treatment. So, how should bronchitis be treated?

Bronchitis refers to a chronic, nonspecific inflammation of the trachea, bronchial mucosa and surrounding tissues. The main cause of bronchitis is repeated infection by viruses and bacteria, which results in chronic nonspecific inflammation of the bronchi. When the temperature drops, the small blood vessels in the respiratory tract spasm and ischemia, and the defense function decreases, which are conducive to the onset of disease; chronic stimulation such as smoke, dust, and polluted atmosphere can also cause the disease; smoking causes bronchospasm, mucosal mutations, reduced ciliary movement, and increased mucus secretion, which is conducive to infection; allergic factors also have a certain relationship.

1. If the patient has systemic symptoms, he should rest and keep warm.

The goals of treatment are to relieve symptoms and improve body function. People often require fluids and antipyretic drugs. Antitussive drugs can be used appropriately. When the sputum is large or sticky, expectorants can be used.

2. Patients with acute bronchitis

There is no obvious therapeutic effect of antibacterial drugs, and the abuse of antibacterial drugs should be avoided when treating patients with acute bronchitis. However, if the patient has fever, purulent sputum and severe cough, it is an indication for the use of antibacterial drugs. Patients with acute bronchitis should be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics against Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, such as erythromycin, can be used. Clarithromycin or azithromycin can also be used. During influenza epidemics, anti-influenza treatment measures should be applied if there are symptoms of acute bronchitis.

3. Treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis

(1) To control infection, antimicrobial drugs should be selected based on the main pathogens and severity of the infection or based on the drug sensitivity results of the pathogens. If the patient has purulent sputum, it is an indication for the use of antibacterial drugs. Mild cases can be taken orally, while more serious cases can use intramuscular injection or intravenous drip of antibiotics. Commonly used antibiotics include penicillin G, erythromycin, aminoglycosides, quinolones, cephalosporins, etc.

(2) Expectorant and antitussive drugs: In addition to anti-infection treatment, patients in the acute stage should be given expectorants and antitussive drugs to improve symptoms. Commonly used drugs include ammonium chloride mixture, bromhexine, ambroxol, carboxymethylcysteine ​​and strong diluent. Chinese patent medicine also has a certain effect in relieving cough. For the elderly who are weak and unable to cough up sputum or have a large amount of sputum, they should be assisted in expectoration to clear the respiratory tract. The use of cough suppressants should be avoided to prevent central nervous system depression, aggravation of airway obstruction and complications.

In order to reduce irritation to the bronchi, patients should quit smoking in time. Not only the smell of cigarettes will irritate the bronchi, but also the smell of oil fumes. The air should be kept circulating indoors, and attention should be paid to maintaining hygiene, and some dust should be cleaned up in time. Proper physical exercise can improve your resistance. Pay attention to weather changes, add or remove clothes in time, and avoid catching a cold.