Breathlessness (week 3) Flashcards
main risk factor of COPD
smoking!!!!!!!
what is breathlessness
uncomfortable need to breathe
what is pneumothorax
presence of air in pleural space (pressure leads to collapsed lung)
what could instantaneous onset of breathlessness be caused by (3)
pneumothorax, pulmonary embolus, acute allergy
what is pulmonary oedema?
fluid buildup in lungs
how do conditions affect breathing at rest/overnight?
asthma - commonly wakes patients
COPD - comfortable at rest
breathlessness lying down - heart failure
how do conditions affect every day breathing?
constant symptoms- COPD
variation - asthma
colour of sputum meanings?
clear - no current infection
yellow - acute lower respiratory tract infection/asthma
green - current infection
red/brown - pneumonia (pneumococcal)
pink - acute pulmonary odema
name for coughing up blood?
haemoptysis
what is stridor?
harsh grating respiratory sound.
caused by narrowed lumen of trachea/bronchi
what can angina-like pain be caused by?
pulmonary embolus
what is sharp stabbing pain caused by?
pleural pain due to:
pneumonia
pneumothorax
lung cancer
what is associated with musculoskeletal pain
tender when palpated, pain caused by respiratory movements or movements of spine/shoulder
weight loss causes?
lung cancer
chronic infective diseases (eg tuberculosis)
diseases causing chronic breathlessness (eg COPD)
what is COPD
persistent and progressive airflow limitation
