CHARACTERISTICS AND TREATMENT OF COMMON RESPIRATORY DISORDERS RESPIRATORY SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS AND TREATMENT OF COMMON RESPIRATORY DISORDERS

COMMON COLD Contagious viral, respiratory infection Contributing factors – chilling, fatigue, poor nutrition, not enough sleep Rx – stay in bed, drink warm liquids and fruit juice, good nutrition GOOD HANDWASHING: best prevention

PHARYNGITIS AND LARYNGITIS Red, inflamed throat Laryngitis Inflammation of larynx Symptoms – sore throat, hoarseness, loss of voice, difficulty swallowing

BRONCHITIS Inflammation of mucous membranes of trachea and bronchi Symptoms – cough, fever, substernal pain and rales (raspy sound) Chronic bronchitis – middle or old age, caused by cigarette smoking Called “blue bloaters”: can’t get air in but can get air out

INFLUENZA Flu Viral infection upper respiratory tract Symptoms – fever, mucopurulent discharge, muscular pain, extreme exhaustion Rx – symptomatic; treat the symptoms

PNEUMONIA Infection of lung Caused by bacteria or virus Alveoli fill with thick fluid Symptoms – chest pain, fever, chills, dyspnea Diagnosis – x-ray and listening to lungs (ausclutation) Rx – oxygen and antibiotics

TUBERCULOSIS TB Infectious bacterial lung disease Tubercles (lesions) form in lungs Symptoms – cough, low grade fever in the afternoon, weight loss, night sweats Diagnosis – skin test (PPD), if positive, follow up with chest x-ray and sputum culture Rx – antibiotics

ASTHMA Inflammatory airway obstruction Caused by allergen or psychological stress 5% of Americans have asthma Symptoms – difficulty exhaling, dyspnea, wheezing, tightness in chest Rx – antinflammatory drugs (i.e. steroids), inhaled bronchodilator

EMPHYSEMA Alveoli become distended, lose their elasticity, can’t rebound, may eventually rupture Air becomes trapped in alveoli, can’t exhale, forced exhalation required Called “pink puffers”: can get air in but not out Dyspnea increases as disease progresses Rx – alleviate symptoms, decrease exposure to respiratory irritants, prevent infections

RELATED TERMS Apnea: Dyspnea: Tachypnea: __________________ Dyspnea: Tachypnea: What does each mean? Clue –pnea means breathing/breath