Respiratory System Flashcards
Upper respiratory tract infection
common cold, inflammation that affects mucous membrane of respiratory tract
nasal congestion and discharge, sneezing, watery eyes, coughing
minor illnesses caused by around 200 viruses (rhinoviruses)
treatment = clear up, no cure, rest, fluids, antihistamines, analgesics
Sinusitis
inflammation of the mucous membranes around paranasal sinuses
frontal sinuses = headache when waking up, tenderness above eyes
maxillary sinuses = pain in cheeks and upper teeth
viral, fungal or bacterial infection often after common cold
treatment = nasal spray, antibiotics, decongestants
Pharyngitis
inflammation/infection of the pharynx, tonsils, uvula and palate
sore throat with dryness, chills, fever, mucosa of pharynx are red and swollen
viral infection, tonsillitis, acute secondary to chickenpox, chronic secondary to syphilis and tuberculosis
treatment = lozenges, mouthwashes, antiinflammatory agents
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
not strongly linked to tobacco use, but linked to dietary intake or Epstein-Barr virus infection
more common in males, southern China, near Mediterranean
treatment = radiation therapy or chemotherapy
Laryngitis
inflammation of larynx including vocal cords
inflammation can interfere with breathing, hoarseness, fever
viral or bacterial, bronchitis, influenza, acid reflux, smoking, alcohol
treatment = voice rest, bed rest, humidity, antibiotics
Deviated septum
crooked nasal septum
causes narrowing and obstruction of air passage
generally congenital or due to trauma
treatment = can be straightened surgically if needed
Nasal polyps
benign growths due to distended mucous membranes in the nasal cavity
can obstruct the nasal airway, affect the sense of smell, due to allergic rhinitis
treatment = surgical removal, infection of a steroid
Anosmia
impairment or loss of the sense of smell, connected to inability to taste
due to nasal polyps and allergic rhinitis, or damage of olfactory nerves
treatment = removal of polyps, injections
Expistaxis
nose bleed, hemorrhage from the nose
can lead to vertigo, increase in pulse, shortness of breath, more common in children
due to colds, direct trauma, sign of hemophilia, vitamin K deficiency
treatment = direct pressure, nasal packing
Tumors of the larynx
benign or malignant growths on the larynx
dysphonia, when it is malignant, dysphagia occurs, stridor in children, hoarseness
misuse or overuse of the vocal cords, smoking, reflux
treatment = correction of vocal strain, stopping smoking, excision, radiation therapy
Laryngeal cancer
most common site for head and neck tumours, SCC
hoarseness, gradually becomes worse, airway obstruction may occur
smoking, alcohol abuse, HPV
treatment = radiation therapy, surgery
Hemoptysis
coughing or spitting up of blood from the respiratory tract
bright or dark red sputum, occurs during severe lung infections
due to trauma, calcification, tumors, bronchitis, coagulation defects
treatment = surgical removal/repair of blood vessels, antibiotics for minor
Atelectasis
airless or collapsed state of the pulmonary tissue
incomplete expansion of segments of the lung, hypoxia, dyspnea, fever
obstruction in the bronchial tree, cancer, mucous plug, newborns, postoperative
treatment = suctioning of the airway, analgesics
Pulmonary embolism
blood clot or foreign body occludes an artery in pulmonary circulation
sudden onset of dyspnea, cough, tachypnea, chest pain
factors include pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction
treatment = oxygen therapy, anticoagulants, heparin, ambulation
Pneumonia
infective inflammation of the lungs
cough, fever, shortness of breath, panting
the larger the affected area, the more severe the symptoms
bacterial or viral infection commonly seen in the elderly
treatment = antibiotics (penicillin), antifungal medications, analgesics
Pulmonary abscess
cavity of contained infectious material in the lung
most common in lower portion of the lung, chills and fever
often a complication of pneumonia, aspiration of food, neoplasms
treatment = antibiotics, surgical resection
Legionellosis
pneumonia caused by a specific bacteria, not contagious
legionnaire’s disease = acute respiratory tract infection, headache, anorexia
pontiac fever = high fever, muscle aches, less severe
treatment = antibiotics, oxygen, analgesics
Respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia
pneumonia most common in infants, young children, and elderly
cold like symptoms, fever, lethargy, dyspnea
generally happens during the winter months, spread through contact of secretions
treatment = antipyretics, antibiotics
Histoplasmosis
fungal disease originating in the lungs, inhalation of dust containing fungus
may cause pneumonia, spleen and lymph nodes become enlarged
treatment = antifungal drugs, corticosteroid
Influenza
highly contagious, acute viral disease
inflammation of upper and lower respiratory tract mucous membranes
fever, cough, complications include bronchitis or sinusitis
from orthomyxovirus A, B, C
treatment = bed rest, fluids, light diet, antipyretic and analgesics
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
condition of slow and irreversible airway obstruction
includes bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, pneumoconiosis
Acute and chronic bronchitis
inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the bronchi
deep, persistent productive cough, thick yellow to gray sputum
symptoms more likely to appear during the winter months
treatment = aspirin, fluid intake, aerosol inhaler
Bronchiectasis
permanent dilation or distortion of one or more of the bronchi
takes many years to develop, involves lower section of the lungs
cough with foul smelling sputum, chronic halitosis
can result from pneumonia, tuberculosis, inhalation of corrosive gas
treatment = antibiotics, bronchodilators, avoid environmental irritants
Asthma
wheezing, cough difficulty breathing
airway narrowing can be severe and result in airway closure and anxiety
due to environmental and genetic factors
treatment = relief medications and long-term medications
