Respiratory Medicine Flashcards
What are the 3 main disturbances that can occur within the respiratory system?
Reduced transfer of O2
Reduced ventilation of lungs
Reduced profusion of lungs
What are some respiratory symptoms?
Breathlessness Wheeze Cough Sputum production Chest pains
What is asthma defined as?
Reversible small airway obstruction
What % of adults and kids does asthma affect?
Adults 2-5%
Kids 5-10%
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Wheeze
Breathlessness not always related to exercise
Cough - Nocturnal, exercise induced, cold induced
How is asthma assessed?
Peak flow recordings
What can make someones asthma worse?
Allergens Irritants Exertion NSAIDs Emotion
What are the indications of severity in chronic asthma?
Restriction of activity
Inhaler use particularly as ‘relievers’
Peak flow readings daily
How is chronic asthma managed?
Step wise increase in medication
What is acute asthma defined by?
Sudden worsening of symptoms
What can make someones asthma unstable?
Recent infection
Poor compliance with medication
What should you do if you are treating an asthmatic patient?
Assess current symptoms
What should you do if you recognise someone symptoms as unstable?
Delay Tx and ref to GP
What are some side effects of inhaled medication?
Dry mouth
Oral candidiasis
Altered taste
What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
How is COPD defined?
Airflow obstruction that is not fully reversible
Is COPD a sudden condition or a progressive one?
Progerssive
What is airway obstruction defined as?
FEV1/FVC
If the FEV is >80% predicted normal, when should a diagnosis of COPD be made?
Diagnosis should only be made in the presence of respiratory symptoms.
What are the main processes associated with COPD?
Emphysema
Bronchitis
What is emphysema?
Alveolar destruction - lower area for gas exchange
What is bronchitis?
Airway inflammation - decreased ventilation