Chronic Bronchitis Flashcards
What is bronchitis?
Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the mucous glands in the bronchi.
Causes inflammation of bronchial tubes.
What is the definition for CHRONIC bronchitis?
- Productive cough for at least 3 months of the year, for at least 2 years
What is FVC?
Forced vital capacity - the total amount of air you can expire from your lungs.
What is FEV1?
Forced expired volume (1 sec).
The amount of air breathed out in the first 1 second of expiration.
What is the FEV1/FVC ratio for chronic bronchitis?
Usually reduced
The FEV1 is reduced more than the FVC. Gives a smaller ratio.
What is the total lung capacity of Chronic bronchitis?
This is the total amount of air that can be inspired into the lungs.
This is INCREASED due to air trapping.
What affect does smoking have?
Shortening and decreased mobility of the cilia - so patients rely on coughing to clear their mucus.
What breath sounds are heard in chronic bronchitis?
Wheeze
Crackles - small airways popping open.
What are the blood signs of chronic bronchitis?
Hypoxaemia
Hypercapnoea - Cyanosis (BLUE BLOATER)
What happens to blood pressure because of chronic bronchitis?
The vessels vasoconstrict - to redirect blood to better gas exchange.
Increased constriction of blood vessels causes pulmonary hypertension.
Causes a back up to the heart.
Right sided heart increases - right sided heart failure (COR PULMONALE)
What are the risk factors of chronic bronchitis?
Smoking
Air pollutants
Dust
Family history
What is the treatment for chronic bronchitis?
Reducing risk factors Supplemental oxygen Bronchodilators Inhaled steroids Antibiotics
Theophylline tablets (bronchodilator).
