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Chronic nonobstructive bronchitis - Treatment
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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When prescribing treatment to patients with an exacerbation of chronic non-obstructive bronchitis, it is necessary to provide a set of measures to ensure:
- anti-inflammatory effect of treatment;
- restoration of the drainage function of the bronchi;
- reduction of intoxication;
- fight against viral infection.
The course and prognosis of chronic simple (non-obstructive) bronchitis
In patients with chronic non-obstructive bronchitis, the disease continues for many years, almost throughout life, although in most cases it does not have a significant impact on quality of life and work capacity. However, it should be taken into account that patients with chronic non-obstructive bronchitis are especially susceptible to adverse weather and occupational factors and have an increased risk of developing acute respiratory viral infections, bacterial and viral-bacterial pneumonia.
Strict adherence to a number of preventive measures, primarily stopping smoking, can significantly improve the course of the disease, reduce the frequency of exacerbations of chronic non-obstructive bronchitis, the occurrence of bronchopneumonia, etc.
Particularly close attention should be paid to patients with a functionally unstable course of chronic non-obstructive bronchitis, who experience relatively frequent and protracted exacerbations of bronchitis, accompanied by transient phenomena of moderate broncho-obstructive syndrome. These patients have the highest risk of transformation of chronic non-obstructive bronchitis into chronic obstructive bronchitis, leading to the development of pulmonary emphysema, pneumosclerosis, progressive respiratory failure, pulmonary hypertension and the formation of pulmonary heart disease.
Chronic non-obstructive bronchitis in most cases is characterized by a relatively favorable course. However, patients with simple non-obstructive bronchitis, compared to healthy individuals, are more susceptible to the influence of unfavorable weather and climate conditions, professional and domestic factors, acute respiratory viral infections and the occurrence of bronchopneumonia.
In some cases, in patients with a functionally unstable course of chronic non-obstructive bronchitis, especially in patients with purulent endobronchitis, over time the disease may transform into chronic obstructive bronchitis with progression of broncho-obstructive syndrome, respiratory failure, the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary heart disease.
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