Obliterating bronchiolitis is a type of chronic lung disease in which lung cells cannot recover after inflammation or infection, with airway obstruction and causing breathing difficulties, persistent cough and shortness of breath, for example.
In these cases, the inflamed cells of the lung, instead of being replaced by new cells, die and form a scar that interferes with the passage of air. Thus, if there are several inflammations in the lung over time, the number of scars increases and the small channels of the lung, called bronchioles, are destroyed making it difficult to breathe.
- It is important that obliterating bronchiolitis is identified and treated according to the doctor’s recommendations.
- As it is possible to avoid complications and promote quality of life.
Most of the time, the first symptoms of obliterating bronchiolitis are similar to those of any other lung problems, including:
These symptoms usually appear and go away for several periods of weeks or months.
Obliterating bronchiolitis occurs when, due to a situation, an inflammatory reaction occurs that causes infiltration into the bronchioles and alveoli, promoting irreversible obstruction of the airway. In most cases, this type of bronchitis is associated with infections, mainly adenovirus. However, it can also occur as a result of infection with other types of viruses, such as chickenpox or measles virus, or bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophilia and Bordetella pertussis.
Although most cases are due to infection with microorganisms, obliterating bronchiolitis can also occur as a result of connective tissue diseases, as a result of inhalation of toxic substances or after a bone marrow or lung transplant.
Diagnosis of obliterating bronchiolitis should be made by the pediatric pneumologist based on the signs and symptoms of the child, in addition to tests to identify the cause of the bronchitis and its severity.
For example, your doctor may recommend chest x-rays, CT scans, and lung scans, which helps differentiate obliterating bronchiolitis from other more common lung diseases. However, the definitive diagnosis can only be confirmed by a pulmonary biopsy.
Treatment aims to improve a child’s breathing ability and, for this purpose, the doctor may recommend the use of oral or inhaled anti-inflammatory drugs and aerosol bronchodilators, which reduce inflammation in the lungs and reduce the amount of mucus, which decreases the chances. the appearance of new scars and facilitate the passage of air, in addition to recommend oxygen therapy.
Respiratory physiotherapy may also be recommended to mobilize and facilitate the elimination of secretions, preventing the onset of other respiratory infections. Understands how respiratory physiotherapy is performed.
For patients with obliterating bronchiolitis who develop infections during the course of the disease, your doctor may recommend the use of antibiotics based on the infectious agent responsible for seizures and exacerbations.