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

2. 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

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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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