Hoarseness in bronchitis: moist, dry, residual

The bronchi act as an air duct in the human body. These are the paths through which air enters the so-called respiratory sections, warms up, moistens and cleans. They depart from the trachea and divide into two branches: the right (thicker and shorter) and the left, and then repeatedly divide into smaller "offshoots", forming the bronchial tree. The structure of the bronchial wall consists of an internal mucous membrane, a submucous layer, fibrocartilaginous and external. When the epithelial cells of the mucous membrane are damaged by viruses, physical or chemical exposure, they die, bacterial flora appears, provoking inflammation, which is called bronchitis. At this time, extraneous noise appears in the bronchi during breathing - wheezing. Bronchitis is a very common disease of the respiratory system.

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What kind of wheezing is there in bronchitis?

What kind of wheezing sounds are there in bronchitis and how do they occur? Air bubbles fill the sputum with oxygen during their movement. They periodically burst, creating characteristic sounds both when inhaling and exhaling. The volume level of the noises gives an idea of the depth of the lesion and the area of localization of inflammation. There are several types of wheezing - dry and wet:

• dry wheezing in bronchitis occurs when the lumen of the bronchi narrows or when septa form inside it due to viscous sputum. Wheezing resembles buzzing (the air flow encounters an obstacle, the septum vibrates) or whistling (small bronchi are inflamed);
• Moist wheezing during bronchitis is similar to the hissing of soda (fine bubbles), or to the gurgling of water (corresponds to a moderate disease); in severe stages, it can be heard without a stethoscope (large bubbles).

Wheezing on exhalation with bronchitis

Wheezing on exhalation during bronchitis indicates an abundant accumulation of mucus in the bronchi. It creates interference, blocking the lumens. Wheezing on exhalation is characteristic not only of bronchitis, but also of bronchial asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis, allergic reactions, Quincke's edema, heart failure. To determine the cause of their occurrence, you need to undergo an examination at a clinic.

How long does wheezing last with bronchitis?

How long does wheezing persist with bronchitis? Even after bronchitis treatment and getting rid of the cough, wheezing can be heard for several weeks. If the doctor recommends continuing drug treatment, doing inhalations, it is necessary to complete the therapy until the swelling of the mucous membranes passes and the bronchi are cleared.

Wheezing in acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is most often provoked by colds, and its pathogens are viruses (flu, adenovirus), bacteria (staphylococci, pneumococci), fungi. It is accompanied at the initial stage by a rise in temperature to 38-39 ° C, a dry barking exhausting cough, weakness, rapid fatigue, sweating, chest pain. Acute bronchitis is characterized by dry wheezing scattered over the entire surface of the lungs and hard breathing. After some time, the cough becomes wet and sputum begins to leave, the sound of wheezing changes, breathing becomes softer.

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Wheezing in chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis occurs as a complication of acute bronchitis, as well as under the influence of a constantly acting aggressive external environment (the influence of chemical elements in hazardous industries), in smokers. It can be considered as such if the cough bothers several years in a row with a frequency of at least three months a year. In addition to coughing, shortness of breath occurs during physical exertion, and sometimes without them, at night there is heavy sweating, forcing the patient even to get up and change clothes. Wheezing of chronic pathology is dry with a whistle.

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Wheezing in obstructive bronchitis

One of the types of chronic bronchitis is obstructive. It is characterized by the presence of a bronchospastic component, when the circular muscles of the bronchi spasm and their lumen narrows, breathing is difficult, shortness of breath, and a lack of oxygen is felt. Wheezing in obstructive bronchitis is so loud that it can be heard even without a phonendoscope, and by the tone it is possible to determine which types of bronchi are affected by the inflammatory process: a high-pitched sound indicates damage to the thin bronchi.

Wheezing in a child with bronchitis

In children, bronchitis most often occurs as a complication after severe hypothermia, viral infection, flu. It manifests itself as a strong paroxysmal cough, difficulty breathing. After a few days, the child begins to cough, which at a young age does not bring relief, since the airways are narrow and this affects the functioning of the lungs. In children under one year of age, small bronchi and bronchioles are mainly affected. In this case, wheezing is heard on both sides and resembles the sounds of bursting small bubbles. Acute bronchitis is determined by diffuse dry wheezing or non-continuous wet. Obstructive bronchitis in children manifests itself as dry wheezing in the lungs. Basically, any type of bronchitis is accompanied by an increase in temperature. So, in the first days of the disease it is high and reaches 39°C, then for several days it remains at 37-37.5°C. But there are cases when bronchitis occurs without a temperature. This is possible with the following types of bronchitis:

• obstructive allergic - a reaction to one or another irritant occurs, shortness of breath, a tearing cough, a whistling sound on exhalation appear;
• recurrent - accompanies frequent acute respiratory viral infections, the body adapts and does not respond to the virus pathogens with a rise in temperature;
• plastic - a mucus clot forms in the bronchi, making itself known through pain in the chest and heavy breathing.

Is it possible to have bronchitis without a cough? Cough is a defense for the bronchi. It may not be there in the first few days of illness. If you feel weak, unwell, have difficulty breathing, but do not have a cough, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Differences between wheezing during bronchitis and pneumonia

The symptoms of bronchitis and pneumonia are very similar, as they are associated with damage to the lower respiratory tract. With bronchitis, the bronchial tree suffers, and with pneumonia, the bronchioles (endings of the bronchi) and alveoli (peculiar sacs at their ends). Despite the fact that, at first glance, it is difficult to differentiate these pathologies, wheezing in bronchitis and pneumonia is different, which is easy for a doctor to determine with auscultation of the lungs using a phonendoscope. Bronchitis produces noises over the entire surface of the lung, both on the left and on the right, they are heard from the back and chest, and pneumonia - concentrated in a certain place: under the shoulder blade, for example, or the collarbone.

Differences between wheezing during bronchitis and pneumonia

The symptoms of bronchitis and pneumonia are very similar, as they are associated with damage to the lower respiratory tract. With bronchitis, the bronchial tree suffers, and with pneumonia, the bronchioles (endings of the bronchi) and alveoli (peculiar sacs at their ends). Despite the fact that, at first glance, it is difficult to differentiate these pathologies, wheezing in bronchitis and pneumonia is different, which is easy for a doctor to determine with a phonendoscope. Bronchitis produces noises over the entire surface of the lung, both on the left and on the right, they are heard from the back and chest, and pneumonia - concentrated in a certain place: under the shoulder blade, for example, or the collarbone.

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Treatment of wheezing with bronchitis

Treatment of wheezing during bronchitis depends on the type, the reason for its occurrence, and is always complex:

• in case of bacterial or viral composite pathology, antibiotics are prescribed, depending on the pathogen (amoxicillin, cefuroxime, augmentin);
• obstructive requires the use of bronchodilators to relieve spasms;
• acute bronchiolitis is treated with inhaled and systemic corticosteroids ( becotide, virazole);
• mucolytic drugs are prescribed to thin viscous sputum and facilitate its removal;
• expectorants in case of liquid sputum;
• homeopathic and folk remedies.

Inhalations for bronchitis with wheezing

Inhalations for bronchitis with wheezing are an effective method of treating the disease. Both aerosol inhalations, carried out with a nebulizer, and steam inhalations are used. The aerosol method uses medications as therapy, while the steam method uses medicinal herbs. Thus, with obstructive, acute, and chronic bronchitis, antibiotics, antispasmodics, corticosteroids, and mucolytics are “delivered” to the bronchi with a nebulizer. The advantage of this method is the rapid absorption of the drug and its direct delivery to the lesion. Extracts and essential oils of medicinal plants such as eucalyptus, fir, calendula, sage, etc. are suitable for steam inhalations. Inhalations with alkaline (soda, mineral waters) and saline solutions have a pronounced moisturizing effect. Steam inhalations are good for prolonged chronic bronchitis, when drug therapy has already been used.

Wheezing after bronchitis

Wheezing after bronchitis treatment can be heard for another two to three weeks, but if the general condition has improved, there is no temperature, then gradually the cough becomes less and less common, sputum is removed well. These are residual wheezing after bronchitis. If the cough does not go away for a long time, and you feel bad: you have a headache, you feel weak, then you should definitely see a doctor. Perhaps the diagnosis was incorrect or ineffective medications were selected, the patient does not always follow the specialist's recommendations, sometimes interrupts treatment ahead of time. Complications are dangerous to health, because it can be pneumonia, bronchial asthma, pulmonary emphysema and others.

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