Respiratory - a GP Perspective Flashcards
What are the common respiratory symptoms seen in general practice?
• cough, dyspnoea, wheeze, chest tightness, chest pain, haemoptysis
What are common respiratory conditions that are seen in general practice?
• Upper and lower respiratory tract infection, asthma, COPD, Lung cancer, bronchiectasis
Are upper respiratory tract infections common?
• Yes
What age group are they found in?
Adults and children
What are common upper respiratory tract infections?
• Sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis.
What is the main treatment decision in upper respiratory tract infection?
• Antibiotics (not really common)
What are the common lower respiratory tract infections?
• Cough, dysponea, appetite reduced, low energy, haemoptysis (not common)
What are the main treatment decisions in lower respiratiry tract infections?
• Sputum sample, antibiotics +/- admission
What kind of airway disease is asthma?
• Heterogenous airway disease
What are the common symptoms of asthma?
• Wheeze, cough, dyspnoea, chest tightness
What is asthma managed with?
• Inhaled steroids and long acting beta agonists
What are the main triggers of acute asthma?
• Viral infections and allergies
What is the treatment for acute asthma?
• steroids or +/- antibiotics
How does COPD differ to asthma?
• airway limitation is fixed and limited reversibility
What happens in an acute exacerbation?
• Increase in volume or purulence of sputum, increased SOB
