Respiration pathologies Flashcards
Name at least 6 common signs and symptoms of a respiratory infection / pathology
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Sputum
- Wheezing
- Chest pain
- Breathlessness
- Dyspnoea (difficulty breathing)
- Orthopnoea (breathless when lying down)
- Hyperventilation (over-breathing)
- Cyanosis
Sputum type:
What characteristics and possible causes might ‘Mucoid’ sputum indicate:
Characteristics: Clear, grey / white
Possible causes: Asthma and bronchitis
Sputum type:
What characteristics and possible causes might ‘Purulent’ indicate:
Characterstics: Thick, yellow / green
Possible causes: Infections (bronchitis, pneumonia)
Sputum type:
What characteristics and possible causes might ‘serous’ indicate:
Characteristics: Clear, frothy, pink.
Possible causes: Pulmonary oedema
Sputum type:
What characteristics and possible causes might ‘blood’ indicate:
Characteristic: blood
Possible causes: Lung cancer, TB, pulmonary embolism, clotting disorders.
Name 4 medical investigations for respiratory pathologies.
- Blood test (i.e white blood cell count, inflammatory markers)
- Biochemistry tests
- Sputum analysis and microbiology
- Imaging - chest x-rasy, MRO, CT.
What is Rhinitis?
Inflammation of the nasal mucosa.
Name 3 causes for Rhinitis…
- Immune compromise (leading to viral, bacterial or fungal infections)
- Allergic Rhinitis (e.g due to pollen, spores, mites) - IgE stimulates mast cells to release histamine
- Non- allergic rhinitis - associated with environmental and lifestyle changes, e.g pollution, diet, drugs such as NSAIDs, stress etc..)
Name 4 signs and symptoms of rhinitis:
- Itchy runny nose
- Sneezing
- Stuffy nose
- Dulling / loss of smell
Name 3 complications of rhinitis
- Nasal polyps
- Ear infection
- Loss of smell
Common Cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract. How long might a cold last and name 3 symptoms?
Gradual onset lasting 2 to 7 days
Runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, mild fever.
Name 3 allopathic treatments for Rhinitis.
- Anti-histamines
- Decongestants
- Steroid nasal sprays
Name some natural treatments for the common cold.
Nutritional immune support - vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D, steam inhalations with mint, time, eucalyptus, colloidal silver, rest.
Acupuncture and homeopathy
Herbal medicine - echinacea, elderberry
Influenza is an acute respiratory disease, associated with various strains of the flu virus.
Symptoms tend to be systemic, more severe and last longer. Name 3 common symptoms of the flu.
- Fever and shivering
- Muscle and joint pain
- Rhinitis
- Sore throat
- Malaise
List 3 Allopathic treatments for Influenza…
- Antiviral drugs - reduces viral shedding
- Antibiotics - to prevent secondary bacterial infection.
- Flu vaccine
List 3 complications from the flu virus.
- Secondary infections while the immunes system is depleted
- Post-viral syndrome (chronic fatigue syndrome)
- Death
What is sinusitis?
Inflammation of the membranous lining of one or more of the sinuses (‘rhinosinusitis’).
Name three symptoms of Sinusitis
- Pain over affected sinus and congestion
- sinus headaches
- Fever, nasal drip, change in tone of voice, reduced sense of smell.
What are nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps are soft, non-cancerous (benign) masses of oedematous nasal mucosa.
What does pathophysiology mean?
The disordered physiological processes associated with disease or injury
Fill in the missing words…
1.______ inflammation causes the blood vessels in the lining of the 2._____ and _____ to become more permeable, allowing 3.____ to accumulate in the cells.
Over time, as gravity pulls on these waterlogged tissues, they may develop into polyps.
- Chronic
- Nose and sinuses
- Water
Name 4 sign and symptoms of nasal polyps…
- Difficulty breathing, runny nose, persistent stuffiness
- Chronic sinus infections, reduced sense of smell.
- Dull headaches, snoring, mouth breathing
- Can cause sleep apnoea.
Tonsilitus describes inflammation of the tonsils. Common in the ages….
5-10 years and 15-25 years
What are tonsils?
Tonsils are immune / lymphoid tissue positioned in the oral and nasal passageway as a first line of defence.