Tracheitis
Causes and symptoms of tracheitis
What is tracheitis?
Tracheitis is an inflammation of the lining of the trachea. Depending on the characteristics of the course, acute and chronic tracheitis are distinguished.
Acute tracheitis is usually combined with other diseases of the nasopharynx (acute rhinitis, laryngitis and pharyngitis). In acute tracheitis, there is edema of the trachea, hyperemia of the mucous membrane, on the surface of which mucus accumulates; sometimes punctate hemorrhages (with flu) can occur.
Chronic tracheitis often develops from an acute form. Depending on the changes in the mucous membrane, it has two subspecies: hypertrophic and atrophic.
With hypertrophic tracheitis, the vessels dilate and the mucous membrane swells. The secretion of mucus becomes intense, purulent sputum appears. Atrophic chronic tracheitis causes thinning of the mucous membrane. It takes on a gray color, smooth and shiny appearance, can become covered with small crusts and cause a violent cough. Often, atrophic tracheitis occurs along with atrophy of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract located above.
Causes of tracheitis
Acute tracheitis most often develops as a result of viral infections, sometimes staphylococcus sticks, streptococcus sticks, intoxication, etc. become the cause. The disease can occur due to hypothermia, inhalation of dry or cold air, harmful gases and vapors that irritate the mucous membrane.
Chronic tracheitis often occurs in heavy smokers and alcohol lovers. Sometimes the cause of the pathology is diseases of the heart and kidneys, emphysema of the lungs or chronic inflammation of the nasopharynx. The number of tracheitis diseases increases in autumn and spring.
Symptoms of tracheitis
Among the most common symptoms of tracheitis is an excruciating dry cough that gets worse at night and in the morning. The patient starts coughing with deep breaths, laughter, sudden movements, changes in temperature and humidity of the environment. Coughing fits are accompanied by a sore throat and sternum. The breathing of patients is shallow and frequent: in this way they try to limit their respiratory movements. Laryngitis is often associated with tracheitis. Then the voice of the sick person becomes hoarse or hoarse.
Body temperature in adult patients is slightly increased in the evening. In children, fever can reach 39 ° C. Initially, the amount of sputum is insignificant, its viscosity is noted. With the course of the disease, mucus and pus leave with phlegm, its amount increases, the pain when coughing subsides.
If, along with tracheitis, the bronchi are also inflamed, the patient's condition worsens. This disease is called tracheobronchitis. Coughing attacks become more frequent, it becomes more painful and excruciating, the body temperature rises.
Tracheitis can cause complications in the lower respiratory tract (bronchopneumonia).
Diagnosis of tracheitis is carried out by examination: the doctor examines the patient's throat with a laryngoscope, listens to the lungs.
Tracheitis treatment
Treatment of tracheitis involves the elimination of pathogenic factors that caused the development of the disease. It is recommended to put mustard plasters on the chest. If the symptoms of intoxication of the body are expressed, antibiotics (with mucopurulent sputum), aerosols, expectorants, including herbal medicine (marshmallow root, licorice, lanceolate thermopsis herb and other plants) are used. Patients should carry out thermal inhalation using steam or ultrasonic inhalers. Inhalation is easy to carry out at home and without special inhalers. For the procedure, use an enamel pan. Water is heated in it (4-5 glasses) and medicinal herbs and essential oils are added. Then the patient should bend over the pan, cover with a towel or blanket. Inhalation lasts no more than 5 minutes. They should be carried out 3-5 times a day. If the cough is severe and debilitating, the doctor may prescribe antitussives (glaucine, codeine, etc.).
Adequate timely treatment of tracheitis guarantees recovery in 1–2 weeks.
For the prevention of tracheitis, it is recommended to strengthen the immune system, especially to persons prone to diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
