What types of upper respiratory tract diseases are there? Diseases of the respiratory tract in children and adults Swelling and hyperemia of the upper respiratory tract diagnosis.

Content

In the human body, one of the most important functions is performed by the respiratory system. In addition to filling all tissues with oxygen, it is involved in voice formation, humidification of inhaled air, thermoregulation, hormone synthesis and protection from environmental factors. The respiratory organs most often suffer from various diseases. Almost every person at least once a year experiences ARVI or influenza, and sometimes more serious pathologies, including bronchitis, sinusitis, and sore throat. Each disease has its own symptoms and treatment principles.

List of respiratory diseases

The most common pathologies respiratory system are common colds. This is how acute respiratory infections are called in everyday language. viral infections. If diseases of the upper respiratory tract and carry them “on your feet,” then viruses and bacteria can penetrate the nose and throat. As a result of damage to the palatine tonsils, a sore throat, catarrhal (superficial) or lacunar, develops. When bacteria penetrate the larynx, bronchi and trachea, a person can get a whole “bouquet” of diseases from bronchitis and tracheitis to many others.

If they are not treated, the bacteria will continue to move downwards, causing damage lung tissue. This leads to the development of pneumonia. A large percentage of the incidence of respiratory system diseases occurs in the spring and autumn. Children are especially often affected, although adults are also at risk. In general, there are the following diseases of the human respiratory system:

• sinusitis and its varieties in the form of sinusitis, ethmoiditis, frontal sinusitis, sphenoiditis;
• tuberculosis;
• tracheitis;
• bronchitis;
• pneumonia;
• rhinitis;
• pharyngitis;
• tonsillitis;
• atopic asthma;
• bronchiectasis;
• laryngitis.

• pneumococci;
• mycoplasma;
• chlamydia;
• hemophilus influenzae;
• legionella;
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis;
• respiratory viral infections;
• influenza viruses type A, B;
• parainfluenza viruses;
• adenoviruses;
• streptococci;
• staphylococci.

A characteristic feature of fungal infections is white coating on the oral mucosa. Monoinfections are more often diagnosed, i.e. a disease caused by one type of pathogen. If the disease is provoked by several pathogenic microorganisms, then it is called a mixed infection. They can be infected by airborne droplets or contact. In addition to the specific causes of respiratory diseases, there are risk factors for their development:

• external allergens in the form of dust, house mites, animal hair, plant pollen, polluted air;
• professional factors, for example, working in conditions of heavy dust, with electric welding;
• taking certain medications;
• active or passive smoking;
• alcohol abuse;
• household pollution of residential premises;
• unsuitable climatic conditions;
• foci of chronic infections in the body;
• influence of genes.

Main symptoms of respiratory diseases

The clinical picture of respiratory diseases depends on the location of the source of inflammation. Depending on whether the upper or lower respiratory tract is affected, a person will experience different symptoms. Diseases of the respiratory system can be suspected based on two characteristic signs:

• Dyspnea. It can be subjective (occurs during attacks of neuroses), objective (causes a change in breathing rhythm), mixed (combines the symptoms of the previous two types). The latter is characteristic of thromboembolism pulmonary artery. In case of diseases of the larynx or trachea, inspiratory shortness of breath with difficulty inhaling is noted, and in case of pulmonary edema - suffocation.
• Cough. Second characteristic feature respiratory tract diseases. Cough is a reflex reaction to mucus in the trachea, bronchi and larynx. It may also be caused by a foreign body in the respiratory system. With laryngitis and pleurisy, the cough is dry, with tuberculosis, oncology, pneumonia - wet, with acute respiratory infections and flu - periodic, with inflammation in the bronchi or larynx - constant.

Bronchitis

The difference between this disease of the respiratory tract is the involvement in the inflammatory process of the bronchi, the entire thickness of their wall or only the mucous membrane. The acute form of bronchitis is associated with damage to the body by bacteria, the chronic form is associated with environmental degradation, allergies, and smoking. Under the influence of these factors, the mucous epithelium of the bronchi is damaged, which disrupts the process of their cleansing. This leads to accumulation of phlegm, bronchospasm and bronchitis, which is indicated by the following symptoms:

• chest cough (at first dry, and after 2-3 days – wet with copious sputum production);
• increase in temperature (indicates the addition of a bacterial infection);
• shortness of breath (with obstructive bronchitis);
• weakness;
• wheezing when breathing;
• night sweats;
• nasal congestion.

Pneumonia

Inflammation of the lungs, or pneumonia, is pathological process in lung tissue with predominant damage to the alveoli. The disease can be caused by staphylococcal and viral infections. Doctors mainly diagnose mycoplasma and pneumococcus lesions. Pneumonia is diagnosed especially often in children in the first year of life - 15-20 cases per 1000 people. In adults, this figure is 10-13 per 1000. Regardless of age, the following symptoms indicate pneumonia:

• Signs of general intoxication. This includes elevated temperature(37.5-39.5 degrees), headache, lethargy, anxiety, decreased interest in the environment, night sweats, sleep disturbances.
• Pulmonary manifestations. Pneumonia first causes a dry cough, which after 3-4 days becomes wet and causes copious discharge of purulent sputum, often rust-colored. Additionally, the patient experiences chest pain, shortness of breath, cyanosis, and rapid breathing.

Sinusitis

This is one of the types of sinusitis - inflammation in the paranasal sinuses (sinuses). A characteristic sign of the disease is difficulty in nasal breathing. With sinusitis, the maxillary paranasal sinuses are affected. Due to the fact that they cease to be ventilated and cleaned, problems with nasal breathing and a number of other symptoms develop:

• mucopurulent discharge from the nasal passages;
• intense headaches in the bridge of the nose and at the wings of the nose, which intensify when bending forward;
• feeling of fullness in the area between the eyebrows;
• fever, chills;
• swelling of the cheek and eyelid on the side of the affected sinus;
• tearfulness;
• photosensitivity;
• sneezing.

Tuberculosis

This chronic infection caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. They most often affect the respiratory organs, but can cause pathologies of joints and bones, eyes, genitourinary system, and peripheral lymph nodes. Tuberculosis has a chronic course, so it begins gradually and is often asymptomatic. As the pathology progresses, a person begins to worry about tachycardia, sweating, hyperthermia, general weakness, decreased performance, weight loss and loss of appetite.

The patient's facial features become sharper, and a painful blush appears on the cheeks. The temperature remains low-grade long time. With massive lung damage, fever develops. Other characteristic signs of tuberculosis:

• increase lymph nodes;
• cough with blood and sputum (lasts more than 3 weeks);
• wheezing in the lungs;
• difficulty breathing;
• pain in chest;
• shortness of breath on exertion.

Tracheitis

This disease affects the lower respiratory tract as it causes inflammation of the tracheal mucosa. This organ connects the larynx and bronchi. Tracheitis often develops against the background of laryngitis, pharyngitis, and bronchitis. Often it is associated with a common cold. The following signs indicate an inflammatory process in the trachea:

• cough - first dry, then wet with sputum;
• pain behind the sternum and in the interscapular area;
• temperature rise to 38 degrees;
• hoarse voice;
• enlarged cervical lymph nodes;
• weakness, drowsiness, increased fatigue;
• nasal congestion;
• sore throat;
• sneezing.

Rhinitis

The common name for this disease is runny nose. It is rather not an independent pathology, but a symptom of other pathologies of the respiratory tract. Rhinitis can be caused by a virus or bacterial infection, allergies. In general, this disease is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Distinctive signs of this pathological process:

• dryness and itching in the nasal cavity;
• general malaise;
• constant sneezing;
• disturbances of smell;
• low-grade fever;
• liquid transparent discharge from the nose, which then become mucopurulent;
• lacrimation.

Atopic asthma

People who are genetically prone to atopy (a chronic skin disease associated with allergies) may develop allergic damage to the respiratory tract - atopic bronchial asthma. A clear sign of this pathology is paroxysmal suffocation. Against this background, other symptoms are noted:

• dry cough with scanty viscous sputum;
• stuffiness and itching in the nose, sneezing, runny nasal discharge, sore throat, which precede an attack of shortness of breath and suffocation;
• feeling of tightness in the chest;
• breathing with whistling and wheezing;
• chest pain.

Bronchiectasis

This type of respiratory disease is an irreversible expansion of a separate section of the bronchi. The reason is damage to the bronchial wall, which disrupts its structure and function. Bronchiectasis is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, like asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and cystic fibrosis. The disease often accompanies others infectious pathologies: tuberculosis, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis. Symptoms of bronchiectasis are:

• persistent cough;
• hemoptysis;
• coughing up to 240 ml per day of green and yellow, and sometimes bloody sputum;
• wheezing during inhalation and exhalation;
• frequent bronchial infections;
• recurrent pneumonia;
• bad breath;
• dyspnea;
• heart failure - in severe cases.

Laryngitis

This is an upper respiratory tract infection in which the mucous membranes of the larynx and vocal cords become inflamed. Laryngitis mainly manifests itself against the background of colds. A striking sign of this pathology is a change in the timbre of the voice up to its complete loss. This deviation is due to the fact that vocal cords swell and lose their ability to create sound. Another characteristic sign of laryngitis is a “barking” dry cough.

A person feels the presence of a foreign body in the throat, burning, itching and pain when swallowing. Against the background of these symptoms, other signs appear:

• redness of the throat;
• hoarseness;
• increased body temperature;
• chills;
• hoarseness of voice;
• headache;
• difficulty breathing.

Diagnostics

To correctly make a diagnosis, the doctor prescribes several mandatory laboratory and instrumental studies. During the initial examination, the specialist performs procedures from the list:

• Palpation. Helps assess the degree of vocal tremors - vibrations when a person pronounces the letter “P”. With pleurisy it is weakened, and with pneumonia it is stronger. Additionally, the doctor assesses the degree of chest asymmetry during breathing.
• Auscultation. This is an auscultation of the lungs that provides an assessment of breathing. The procedure allows you to listen to wheezing, based on the nature of which the doctor may suspect certain diseases of the respiratory organs.
• Percussion. This procedure involves tapping individual areas of the chest and analyzing sound phenomena. This helps to identify a decrease in the amount of air in the lungs, which is characteristic of pulmonary edema and fibrosis, and its absence is characteristic of an abscess. The air content increases with emphysema.

The most informative diagnostic method, which also identifies chronic respiratory diseases, is x-ray. To clarify the localization of the inflammatory process, a photograph of the lungs is taken in several projections. In addition to radiography, the following research methods are used:

• Bronchoscopy. This procedure involves examining the mucous membrane of the bronchi and trachea using a bronchoscope, which is inserted through the oral cavity. Additionally, during such a study, they can be removed from the respiratory tract. foreign bodies, pus and thick mucus, small tumors and take material for a biopsy.
• Thoracoscopy. This procedure consists of an endoscopic examination of the pleural cavity using a thoracoscope. To do this, a puncture is made in the chest wall. Through such a study, a specialist can assess the condition of tissues and detect pathological changes.
• Spirography. This is a procedure for measuring lung volume and studying the intensity of pulmonary ventilation.
• Microscopic examination of sputum. The nature of the mucus depends on the type of respiratory disease. With edema, sputum is colorless, foamy, serous in nature, with chronic bronchitis and tuberculosis - viscous, greenish, mucopurulent, with a lung abscess - semi-liquid, purulent, green in color.

Treatment

Regardless of the type of respiratory tract disease, treatment is carried out in 3 directions: etiotropic (elimination of the cause of the pathology), symptomatic (alleviation of the patient’s condition), supportive (restoration of respiratory functions). Since the causative agent of such ailments is often bacteria, antibacterial drugs become the basis of therapy. When the disease is viral in nature, it is used antiviral drugs, for fungal infections - antimycotic. In addition to taking medications, the following are prescribed:

• chest massage in the absence of fever;
• physiotherapy;
• inhalation;
• breathing exercises;
• reflexology;
• diet.

In the first couple of days, especially if you feel unwell and have a high temperature, the patient should remain in bed. The patient should limit walking and physical activity, drink more warm water. Against this background, the main treatment of the disease is carried out. Treatment regimens for various pathologies:

Prevention of respiratory diseases

Since the high incidence of respiratory tract infections occurs during the cold season, during this period it is necessary to try to spend less time in places with large crowds of people. Additionally, it is recommended to take a course of vitamin therapy in winter to strengthen the immune system. Good results In the prevention of respiratory diseases, compliance with the following rules:

• regularly ventilate the living space;
• do not stay in places with a polluted atmosphere;
• to harden;
• systematically engage in sports;
• stop smoking;
• spend more time outdoors.

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The respiratory system is one of the most important “mechanisms” of our body. It not only fills the body with oxygen, participating in the process of respiration and gas exchange, but also performs a number of functions: thermoregulation, voice formation, sense of smell, air humidification, hormone synthesis, protection from environmental factors, etc.

At the same time, the organs of the respiratory system are perhaps more likely than others to encounter various diseases. Every year we suffer from acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections and laryngitis, and sometimes we struggle with more serious bronchitis, sore throat and sinusitis.

We’ll talk about the characteristics of respiratory system diseases, their causes and types in today’s article.

Why do diseases of the respiratory system occur?

Diseases of the respiratory system are divided into four types:

• Infectious– they are caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, which enter the body and cause inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system. For example, bronchitis, pneumonia, sore throat, etc.
• Allergic– appear due to pollen, food and household particles, which provoke a violent reaction of the body to certain allergens and contribute to the development of respiratory diseases. For example, bronchial asthma.
• Autoimmune diseases of the respiratory system occur when a malfunction occurs in the body and it begins to produce substances directed against its own cells. An example of such an effect is idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis.
• Hereditary– a person is predisposed to the development of certain diseases at the genetic level.

External factors also contribute to the development of respiratory system diseases. They do not cause the disease directly, but can provoke its development. For example, in a poorly ventilated area, the risk of getting ARVI, bronchitis or tonsillitis increases.

Often this is why office workers are sick viral diseases more often than others. If air conditioning is used in offices in the summer instead of normal ventilation, the risk of infectious and inflammatory diseases also increases.

Another mandatory office attribute - a printer - provokes the occurrence of allergic diseases of the respiratory system.

The main symptoms of diseases of the respiratory system

Respiratory system disease can be identified by the following symptoms:

• cough;
• pain;
• dyspnea;
• suffocation;
• hemoptysis

A cough is a reflexive protective reaction of the body to mucus accumulated in the larynx, trachea or bronchi. By its nature, cough can be different: dry (with laryngitis or dry pleurisy) or wet (with chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis), as well as constant (with inflammation of the larynx) and periodic (with infectious diseases - ARVI, influenza).

Coughing may cause pain. Those suffering from diseases of the respiratory system also experience pain when breathing or in a certain position of the body. It may vary in intensity, location and duration.

Shortness of breath is also divided into several types: subjective, objective and mixed. Subjective appears in patients with neuroses and hysteria, objective occurs with emphysema and is characterized by a change in the rhythm of breathing and the duration of inhalation and exhalation.

Mixed dyspnea occurs with pneumonia, bronchogenic lung cancer, tuberculosis and is characterized by an increase in respiratory rate. Also, shortness of breath can be inspiratory with difficulty in inhaling (diseases of the larynx, trachea), expiratory with difficulty in exhaling (with damage to the bronchi) and mixed (thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery).

Choking is the most severe form of shortness of breath. Sudden attacks of suffocation may be a sign of bronchial or cardiac asthma. With another symptom of diseases of the respiratory system - hemoptysis - when coughing, blood is released with sputum.

Discharge can appear in cases of lung cancer, tuberculosis, lung abscess, as well as diseases of the cardiovascular system (heart defects).

Types of respiratory system diseases

In medicine, there are more than twenty types of diseases of the respiratory system: some of them are extremely rare, while others we encounter quite often, especially during cold seasons.

Doctors divide them into two types: diseases of the upper respiratory tract and diseases of the lower respiratory tract. Conventionally, the first of them are considered easier. These are mainly inflammatory diseases: acute respiratory viral infections, acute respiratory infections, pharyngitis, laryngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, tracheitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, etc.

Diseases of the lower respiratory tract are considered more serious, as they often occur with complications. These are, for example, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, emphysema, etc.

Let us dwell on the diseases of the first and second groups, which are more common than others.

Respiratory system disease: Sore throat

Sore throat, or acute tonsillitis, is an infectious disease that affects the tonsils. The bacteria that cause sore throat are especially active in cold and damp weather, so most often we get sick in the fall, winter and early spring.

You can become infected with a sore throat through airborne droplets or through nutritional means (for example, by using the same utensils). People with chronic tonsillitis– inflammation of the tonsils and caries.

There are two types of sore throat: viral and bacterial. Bacterial is a more severe form, it is accompanied by severe sore throat, enlarged tonsils and lymph nodes, and an increase in temperature to 39-40 degrees.

The main symptom of this type of sore throat is purulent plaque on the tonsils. The disease in this form is treated with antibiotics and antipyretics.

Viral sore throat is easier. The temperature rises to 37-39 degrees, there is no plaque on the tonsils, but a cough and runny nose appear.

If you start treating a viral sore throat in time, you will be back on your feet within 5-7 days.

Symptoms of sore throat: Bacterial – malaise, pain when swallowing, fever, headache, white plaque on the tonsils, enlarged lymph nodes; viral – sore throat, temperature 37-39 degrees, runny nose, cough.

Respiratory disease Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an infectious disease accompanied by diffuse (affecting the entire organ) changes in the bronchi. Bronchitis can be caused by bacteria, viruses or the appearance of atypical flora.

Bronchitis comes in three types: acute, chronic and obstructive. The first one is cured in less than three weeks. The diagnosis of chronic is made if the disease manifests itself for more than three months a year for two years.

If bronchitis is accompanied by shortness of breath, it is called obstructive. With this type of bronchitis, a spasm occurs, due to which mucus accumulates in the bronchi. Main goal treatment - relieve spasm and remove accumulated phlegm.

Symptoms: the main one is cough, shortness of breath with obstructive bronchitis.

Respiratory system disease Bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma – chronic allergic disease, in which the walls of the airways expand and the lumen narrows. Because of this, a lot of mucus appears in the bronchi and it becomes difficult for the patient to breathe.

Bronchial asthma is one of the most common diseases and the number of people suffering from this pathology is increasing every year. At acute forms bronchial asthma may cause life-threatening attacks.

Symptoms of bronchial asthma: cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, suffocation.

Respiratory disease Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an acute infectious and inflammatory disease that affects the lungs. The inflammatory process affects the alveoli, the end part of the respiratory apparatus, and they fill with fluid.

The causative agents of pneumonia are viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoan microorganisms. Pneumonia is usually severe, especially in children, the elderly, and those who have already had the disease. infectious diseases before the onset of pneumonia.

If symptoms appear, it is better to consult a doctor.

Symptoms of pneumonia: fever, weakness, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain.

Respiratory disease Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, there are four types:

• sinusitis - inflammation of the maxillary paranasal sinus;
• frontal sinusitis - inflammation of the frontal paranasal sinus;
• ethmoiditis - inflammation of the cells of the ethmoid bone;
• sphenoiditis – inflammation of the sphenoid sinus;

Inflammation with sinusitis can be unilateral or bilateral, affecting all paranasal sinuses on one or both sides. The most common type of sinusitis is sinusitis.

Acute sinusitis can occur with acute runny nose, flu, measles, scarlet fever and other infectious diseases. Diseases of the roots of the four upper back teeth can also provoke the appearance of sinusitis.

Symptoms of sinusitis: fever, nasal congestion, mucous or purulent discharge, deterioration or loss of smell, swelling, pain when pressing on the affected area.

Respiratory disease Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs, and in some cases the genitourinary system, skin, eyes and peripheral (accessible for inspection) lymph nodes.

Tuberculosis comes in two forms: open and closed. In the open form, Mycobacterium tuberculosis is present in the patient’s sputum. This makes it contagious to others. In the closed form, there are no mycobacteria in the sputum, so the carrier cannot harm others.

The causative agents of tuberculosis are mycobacteria, transmitted by airborne droplets when coughing and sneezing or talking to a patient.

But if you come into contact, you won't necessarily become infected. The likelihood of infection depends on the duration and intensity of contact, as well as the activity of your immune system.

Symptoms of tuberculosis: cough, hemoptysis, fever, sweating, deterioration in performance, weakness, weight loss.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a non-allergic inflammation of the bronchi, causing them to narrow. Obstruction, or more simply, deterioration of patency, affects the normal gas exchange of the body.

COPD occurs as a result of an inflammatory reaction that develops after interaction with aggressive substances (aerosols, particles, gases). The consequences of the disease are irreversible or only partially reversible.

COPD symptoms: cough, sputum, shortness of breath.

The diseases listed above are only a part big list diseases affecting the respiratory system. We will tell you about the diseases themselves, and most importantly their prevention and treatment, on the page

Damage to the upper respiratory tract by infection very often manifests itself in tracheitis. Moreover, this disease most often occurs during epidemics of influenza and ARVI.

Tracheitis is manifested by inflammation of the tracheal mucosa and can occur in both acute and chronic forms. According to doctors, infections are the main cause of inflammation of the trachea.

Trachea looks like a cartilaginous tube, consisting of one and a half dozen segments - rings. All segments are interconnected by ligaments of fibrous tissue. The mucous membranes of this tube are represented by ciliated epithelium. Mucous glands are present in large numbers on the membranes.

When the trachea becomes inflamed, its mucous membranes swell. There is tissue infiltration and the release of large amounts of mucus into the tracheal cavity. If the source of the disease is infection, then clearly visible pinpoint hemorrhages can be seen on the surface of the mucosa. When the disease enters the chronic stage, then the mucous membrane of the organ first hypertrophies and then atrophies. With hypertrophy, mucopurulent sputum is produced. With atrophy there is very little sputum. Moreover, the mucous membranes dry out and may even become crusty. Against this background, the patient develops a persistent dry cough.

1. Infectious path of development. Various viruses and bacteria enter the upper respiratory tract and cause inflammation, which then spreads to the trachea. The disease can be caused by influenza virus, pneumococci, streptococci, staphylococci and fungi.
2. Non-infectious path of development. Inflammation of the trachea can develop due to hypothermia of the upper respiratory tract or exposure to dust, chemicals, or steam.

The likelihood of developing tracheitis is much higher if a person is exposed to the following factors:

Infectious infection, which causes inflammation of the trachea, usually occurs upon contact with a sick person or contaminated object. By the way, the carrier of the infection may not even suspect that he is infected. He may not have any clinical manifestations of the disease.

Infection can occur through airborne droplets and household contact. For this reason, almost all people experience tracheal inflammation at least once in their lives.

Symptoms of the disease

Tracheitis can be acute or chronic. Each form of the disease has its own symptoms and characteristics.

Acute inflammation of the trachea

The disease manifests itself on the 3rd day after the onset of symptoms of inflammation of the nasopharynx and damage to the larynx. The first symptom of acute tracheitis is low-grade hyperthermia. Less commonly, body temperature can rise to 38.5 ° Celsius. Next come signs of intoxication. The patient begins to complain of weakness, pain throughout the body, and sweating. Often the patient's nose is stuffy.

A characteristic symptom of the disease is a severe dry cough that does not bring relief at night, and a morning cough that produces a large amount of sputum.

In children, inflammation of the trachea manifests itself in coughing attacks, which can be provoked by laughter, sudden movement, or a breath of cold air.

Regardless of age, a person with tracheitis begins to feel a sore throat and rawness in the sternum. Because deep breaths provoke painful coughing attacks, the patient begins to breathe shallowly.

When the larynx is involved in acute inflammation of the trachea, then the patient experiences a barking cough.

When listening to the patient's breathing using a phonendoscope, the doctor may hear dry and moist rales.

The disease develops into this form when the patient does not receive timely treatment for acute tracheitis. However, there are often cases when chronic inflammation of the trachea develops without an acute stage. As a rule, such a pathology is observed in people who smoke a lot and drink large amounts of alcohol. This can also happen to patients who have other chronic diseases of the respiratory system, heart and kidneys. These diseases can provoke stagnation of blood in the upper respiratory tract, which provokes the development of chronic tracheitis.

The main symptom of chronic tracheitis is cough. In the chronic form of the disease, it is painful and comes in the form of severe attacks. During the day, a person may not cough at all, but at night attacks will prevent him from falling asleep. The sputum with such a cough is often purulent.

Chronic inflammation of the trachea always occurs with periods of exacerbation, during which its symptoms become similar to those of acute tracheitis.

Complications of inflammation of the trachea

In most cases, with an isolated course, this disease does not cause any complications. However, if the disease occurs in combination, then different, quite dangerous complications. For example, laryngeal stenosis. It is usually detected in young patients with laryngotracheitis. In adult patients with tracheobronchitis, obstruction of the upper respiratory tract may develop.

If you start treating tracheitis on time, it can be dealt with in just a couple of weeks.

Diagnosis of the disease

The diagnosis is made based on medical history and instrumental research methods. Initially, the doctor listens to the patient’s complaints, identifies concomitant diseases, and finds out the patient’s living conditions. After additional auscultation, the doctor can already make a primary diagnosis, but to clarify he carries out several additional research. In particular, he does laryngoscopy. With such a study, he can determine the degree of change in the tracheal mucosa: the presence of mucus, hemorrhages, infiltrates.

The patient may be prescribed a chest X-ray, sputum testing and spirometry.

A general blood test completes the diagnosis of tracheal inflammation.

Treatment begins with medication. The fact is that in most cases this disease is caused by an infection. Therefore, medications can quickly eliminate the cause of the disease. In most cases, when drug treatment Broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed. Medicines from the group of natural penicillins perform best.

If tracheitis is complicated by bronchitis, then natural penicillins are added semisynthetic antibiotics last generation.

In cases where infectious tracheitis is not complicated in any way, the following drugs are used in the treatment of the disease:

• Antitussives.
• Antiviral.
• Immunomodulators.
• Antihistamines.

It is most effective to use the above drugs in the form of aerosols. In this case, they quickly penetrate into all parts of the trachea and bronchi.

For tracheitis, the most effective medications are:

• Sumamed.
• Lazolvan.
• Berodual.
• Sinekod.
• Bioparox.

If the patient has hyperthermia, then antipyretics are prescribed for treatment. But he can only use them under the supervision of a doctor.

Tracheitis can also be treated by inhalation. For this treatment you need to use a nebulizer. This device sprays medicines, but at the same time ensures their concentrated impact directly on the affected areas.

According to doctors, inhalations are the most effective remedy home treatment tracheitis.

Tracheitis can be treated at home using the following medications:

Antibiotics in treatment inflammation of the trachea are used in the following cases:

• There are signs of developing pneumonia.
• The cough does not go away within 14 days.
• Hyperthermia occurs for several days.
• Enlarged tonsils and lymph nodes in the nose and ears.

Folk remedies are quite good at treating tracheitis. They can be combined with traditional means treatment, but cannot be used as independent therapy.

For tracheitis, a hot drink consisting of from milk with honey. To prepare it, you need to heat a glass of milk and add a teaspoon of honey to it, and add a little soda.

Also, treatment of inflammation of the trachea can be carried out using rinsing solutions based on decoctions of sage, chamomile and calendula.

Physiotherapeutic treatment can effectively combat tracheitis. It includes UHF, massage and electrophoresis.

Prevention

To never encounter tracheitis you need follow simple rules:

• Strive for healthy image life.
• Temper your body regularly.
• Try not to get too cold.
• Give up bad habits.
• Treat upper respiratory tract diseases in a timely manner.

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The respiratory organs together are a system capable of providing the body with air saturated with oxygen, with the subsequent removal of part of it, along with waste substances in the form of carbohydrate dioxide, back into the environment. Entering from the atmosphere, air, under the influence of the work of the lungs, moving through the cavity of the nasopharynx and throat, enters the trachea, where it is further distributed among all branches, completing its movement in the alveoli.

First respiratory organs through which atmospheric air begins its path is the nasopharynx, trachea and bronchi. The trachea is a branched structure, figuratively reminiscent of a tree with a crown of branches. The organ is composed of fibroelastic tissue and a chain of rings, which in the anterior part of the organ have a cartilaginous ring-shaped base, and in the posterior part they are adjacent to the esophagus.

The bronchi are similar in structure to the trachea. Flexible and soft, they consist of many fibers that are located on the walls of the organ. Further, branching, the bronchial segments pass into bronchioles, an organ similar general structure previous, but not containing cartilage. They, like the bronchi, have walls made of fibers, but they lack mucus-producing cells.

Alveoli are sacs with thin walls, the task of which is to ensure the process of gas exchange. Thanks to them, oxygen enters the blood and, upon completion of the cycle, is excreted from the body in the form of carbohydrate dioxide. In their structure, the alveoli resemble a large bunch of grapes; their task is to ensure gas exchange in both directions.

What diseases affect the upper respiratory tract?

Diseases that affect the upper respiratory tract are divided into acute and chronic forms. In most cases, microorganisms that provoke the disease are transmitted by airborne droplets, and this happens more often during the season of sudden climatic changes. Getting into the respiratory tract, infections take hold in areas of the mucous membrane and affect them soft fabrics and provoke development inflammatory processes, followed by amplification.

• Rhinitis. The disease is characterized by the presence of foci of inflammation located on the mucous membrane of the nasal canals. Rhinitis is both one of the symptoms of colds and other diseases, and an independent disease.
• Sinusitis. Manifests itself in the form of complications after infectious diseases.
• Adenoids. Refers to a type of pathological changes that occur against the background of hyperplasia, modifying the tissue of the nasopharyngeal tonsils.
• Tonsillitis. A form of pathology that occurs during inflammatory processes of the palatine tonsil.
• Acute tonsillitis (tonsillitis). The forms differ in 4 varieties: follicular, phlegmous, catarrhal, lacunae.
• Pharyngitis. Pathological changes with characteristic inflammatory processes in the pharyngeal mucosa.
• Laryngitis. Inflammatory processes affect the larynx, both partially and completely.

Acute

TO acute diseases upper respiratory tract include those in which other symptoms are observed against the background of organ damage: pain, fever, cough. Acute lesions of the upper respiratory tract are divided into 3 main degrees of severity:

• Lungs. There are difficulties with nasal breathing, scratching in the throat, soreness, slight cough, burning, and hoarseness. Hyperemia is observed in areas of the mucous membrane of the posterior wall of the nasopharynx, on the membrane oral cavity, trachea, larynx.
• Average degree. Hyperemia and other changes are more noticeable: on the membranes of the respiratory tract there are areas where burn necrotic processes are present, in which mucopurulent discharge is observed. The processes of excretion may be delayed for a considerable period, and catarrhal inflammation may be observed in the areas of the nasopharynx, oral cavity and lower membranes of the respiratory tract.
• High degree. A spasm of the throat is observed against the background of a reflex reaction with visible difficulty breathing, accompanied by whistling and wheezing. In some cases, asphyxia of the respiratory tract can lead to immediate death. Combinations of simultaneous damage to the respiratory and visual organs are possible, which most often occur due to exposure to toxic substances.

Chronic

Problems that affect the functionality of the respiratory system may vary. The presence of allergens, professional activity near exposure to chemical reagents, polluted or excessively dry air, these are only part of the main reasons that provoke malfunctions. The danger of chronic diseases is negative consequences arising from complications. TO chronic diseases pulmonary structures and respiratory tract include:

• Obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Pulmonary hypertension and other occupational respiratory diseases.
• Chronic form of bronchitis.
• Respiratory allergies.
• Chronic tonsillitis.

Causes and symptoms of the most common diseases

Infectious diseases more often affect the respiratory tract than the common cold. Pathogens that can cause damage to the respiratory system are divided into several groups:

• Fungal infections. Representatives of this group are actinomycetes, fungi of the Candida family, and aspergillus.
• Viruses. The cause of infection can be influenza virus, rhinoviruses, herpovirus, measles virus, rotavirus, enterovirus infections and others.
• Bacteria. Whooping cough stick, pneumococci, meningococcus, mycobacteria, diphtheria pathogen and other bacteria.

The causes of colds are freezing, drinking cold drinks, sudden changes in weather conditions, weak immunity and others. The symptoms that determine the category of the disease may differ, but in general they are similar:

• The presence of an inflammatory process.
• Bad dream.
• Pain when swallowing and speaking.
• Dry mouth.
• Enlarged lymph nodes.
• Fever.
• The presence of white spots on the tonsils.
• Wheezing when breathing and speaking.
• Brief loss of consciousness.

Regardless of the form of the disease and its causative agent, for almost everyone one of the main symptoms is the presence of inflammatory processes.

acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections

About 200 viruses can provoke infection with acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections, and the most famous is the influenza virus, which is dangerous primarily because it can mutate ( swine flu, avian) and manifest themselves in new varieties. Other pathogens of the disease are less known, but are also capable of causing infection and affecting the body in a short period of time:

• Metapneumoviral.
• Respiratory syncytial.
• Parainfluenza.
• Adenoviral.
• Bokaruviral.
• Rhinovirus.
• Coronavirus.

The listed types of infections are not all, but the symptoms of their manifestation are practically not much different:

• Respiratory tract damage.
• Headache.
• Chills, fever.
• Pain in muscles and joints.
• Increased body temperature.
• Enlarged lymph nodes.

Swelling in areas of the mucous membrane, difficulty speaking and swallowing, wheezing or whistling when breathing may also be observed. Atypical types of diseases, the development of which occurs asymptomatically, are especially dangerous; in such cases, it is especially important to consult a specialist who will help find out the cause and prescribe the correct treatment.

Flu

Influenza is an acute infectious disease that is transmitted in three main ways: through transmission of infection through household items (violation of hygiene rules), airborne droplets and airborne dust contamination. The main reason for the spread of the disease is the short incubation period of development (from 3 to 12 hours) and the constant mutation of the infection, which is a complicating factor for treatment.

The initial stage of the development of the disease is the external modification of the patient: he resembles a person who has been crying for a long time: an unhealthy shine appears in the eyes, the face becomes puffy, there is noticeable swelling, and redness of the skin is observed. Further symptoms have a classic version of previously described infectious diseases:

• There is damage to the respiratory tract in the form of pain, difficulty swallowing and speaking.
• Headache and muscle pain.
• High body temperature (up to 40 0 ​​C).
• Chills, fever.
• Insomnia.
• Photophobia.

The danger of influenza is its possible manifestation in the form of complications, which, under the influence of a microbial infection, can provoke various pathological changes.

• Swelling of the lungs
• Brain dysfunction.
• Development of meningitis.
• Myocarditis.
• Neurological diseases and other damage to internal organs.

Angina

The main causative agents of sore throat are staphylococci and streptococci, microorganisms that are found on human skin and in the environment. The disease can also be caused by fungi and viruses, but this happens less frequently and in most cases occurs due to a weakened immune system.

The unhindered penetration of microorganisms, their settlement in areas of the mucous membrane and reproduction, cause the appearance of inflammatory processes and further damage to the respiratory system. Symptoms of the disease may differ depending on the type of sore throat:

• Herpetic. This type of sore throat is most often observed in children. The disease develops rapidly with the appearance of a sore throat and a sharp increase in body temperature. With additional diagnosis, a rash of red blisters is observed in areas of the mucous membrane of the throat and tonsils, their appearance resembling a type of herpes.
• Catarrhal. The disease is characterized by rapid development: itching and sore throat appears, severe pain when swallowing. There is an increase in temperature, there is noticeable redness in the throat, and severe dry mouth is felt.
• Fibrinous. Almost in the first phase of development, a white coating appears on the tonsils, with possible advancement to areas of the palate and pharynx. The body temperature may exceed 40 0 ​​C, the patient feels severe chills, has a fever, and possible manifestations of diarrhea and nausea. Of particular danger are disruptions in the functioning of the respiratory system and short-term memory loss.
• Lacunarnaya. Almost the same as in the case of follicular tonsillitis, with the difference that the disease develops and proceeds in a more complicated form.
• Follicular. Initially, the disease manifests itself in an increase in body temperature (up to 39 0 C). There is noticeable soreness in areas of the throat, which is simultaneously transmitted in the form of lumbago to the hearing organs during swallowing. There is swelling of the throat mucosa, areas of redness and a yellow-white coating are visible.

Rhinitis

The cause of the development of rhinitis is a type of infection that, when ingested, causes disruptions in the functioning of the respiratory system. Other types of infections can also become possible provocateurs of the disease: diphtheria, measles, HIV infection, gonorrhea, influenza.

The main factors that can cause the appearance of non-infectious rhinitis are the influence of external weather conditions and impaired immunity.

Symptoms, regardless of what exactly caused acute rhinitis, are divided into three stages of the disease:

• First. The appearance of burning and tickling in the nose, one feels that the nasal passages are dry.
• Second. There is abundant observation of liquid discharge, stuffiness is felt, the nose stops breathing.
• Discharge from the nose becomes viscous, often purulent, with an unpleasant musty odor.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is a disease in which inflammatory processes affect the membranes of the sinuses (sinus appendages). The development of the disease can be one of the types of complications after an infectious disease. The symptoms of sinusitis resemble other infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, but the strongest feeling is heaviness in the head, pain, copious discharge from the nose, stuffiness. Rarely, increased body temperature may occur.

The main reasons for the development of the disease can be allergies, hypothermia, infection, fungus, and pathological changes in the area of ​​the nasal septum.

Adenoids

The adenoids are located in such a way as to act as a barrier against viruses and harmful microorganisms entering the body. In addition, the organ is a kind of thermostat that protects other respiratory organs from cold air entering their areas.

The disease can be triggered either by one of the infections, which are especially numerous when climate conditions change, or by ordinary hypothermia. Initially, there is difficulty inhaling air through the nose, the presence of snoring during sleep, and general symptoms of an infectious lesion appear. Late stages of the disease can be reflected in the form of complications on the hearing organs and the appearance of changes in the functioning of the vocal cords.

Treatment of infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract

Diseases upper paths can provoke the development of various complications, especially if the cause of development is an infection. The main condition for the patient is to comply with bed rest and perform all other procedures. Additionally, the patient should increase the amount of fluid he drinks using warm drinks: tea with lemon, dried fruit compotes, juices and heated water.

General Treatment Approaches

Respiratory tract disease is accompanied by the presence of inflammatory processes that can affect various parts of the organs. In this regard, experts advise observing general rules treatment:

• Eliminate too hot foods from your diet.
• After determining the diagnosis, use the treatment regimen that was proposed by the specialist.
• Use in combination with medications traditional medicine.

Experts identify a number of symptoms, the manifestation of which should immediately seek help from specialists:

• Stable high temperature body (39 0 C-40 0 C), which cannot be knocked down by general antipyretic medications.
• Frequent fainting and loss of consciousness.
• Increasing headache and other pain that hinders movement.
• The appearance of hemorrhages and rashes on the body.
• The presence of prolonged (more than 5 days) fever.
• The appearance of chest pain.
• The presence of blood clots and purulent discharge when coughing.
• Stable deterioration in the process of inhalation and exhalation, lack of air.

Types of therapy

Treatment of the respiratory tract is carried out through a combination various types therapy:

• Maintaining bed rest.
• Increasing the volume of fluid you drink.
• Use of folk remedies.
• The use of medicinal substances in combination.
• Procedures that reduce the impact of symptoms (inhalations, compresses, rubbing, rinsing).

Both doctors and traditional healers advise that when starting treatment at the very beginning of the development of diseases, it is best to comprehensively combine several types of therapy at the same time, in this way you can be cured most effectively and quickly. Among the most popular medicinal substances in the treatment of the respiratory tract, experts recommend using the following categories of drugs:

Appointed only when available precise definition regarding the type of pathogen. Every antibacterial drug has its own spectrum of effects, this is what the specialist takes into account when prescribing a treatment regimen.

Antibiotics for upper respiratory tract disease

The use of antibiotics as substances for the treatment of respiratory tract with wide range actions has led to the fact that many people, at the first symptoms of diseases, independently make decisions regarding their choice regarding the category medications. Not every type of medicine can fully influence the microorganism that causes the disease.

• Penicillins. The most famous category of antibiotics, which has a relatively gentle effect on the body, but is not a strong medicinal substance: Amoxicillin.
• Cephalosporins. Antibiotics are used only if other medicinal substances are not able to resist infection; they are prescribed for complex forms of pneumonia or bronchitis: Aksetin, Zinacef, Zinnat.
• Macrolides. The effects of the drugs are similar to penicillin group, but not all patients tolerate them equally well. Prescribed for the treatment of pneumonia: Azithromycin, Summed, Hemomycin.
• Fluoroquinolones. One of the most powerful categories of drugs from the group of antibiotics, used in the treatment of respiratory diseases. The most well-known and used in therapy are Moximac, Levofloxacin, Avelox.

Prevention

Since the main cause of respiratory tract diseases is low immunity, which is not able to resist the penetration of infections, the main preventive measures are the following procedures:

• Hardening. There are two types of procedures: air and water, both activities require systematic exercise throughout the year. Classes for beginners begin during favorable climatic conditions of the year.
• Organization by proper care behind the premises, in the form of regular wet cleaning and ventilation.
• Properly balanced nutrition.
• Compliance with personal hygiene rules.
• Minimal contacts with persons who suffer from infectious diseases, especially at the time of mass diseases.
• Arranging quarantine conditions for family members who have become infected with the virus.

If you approach the matter correctly, you can reduce the risk of getting sick by half, or even more. Doctors advise not to neglect general rules when it comes to personal health and follow basic disease prevention measures.