what causes it

Question 1

Acute Asthma

Answer 1

• allergens
• cold
• exercise
• infections
• emotions (diurnal variation)

Question 2

COPD

Answer 2

Chemicals & heat trigger inflammation in bronchi & lung parenchyma –> persistent inflammation, scarring, mucous, hyperplasia
In parenchyma, inflammation –> emphysema (alveolar wall loss)

Damage to lung tissue causes obstruction to flow of air –> more difficult to ventilate lungs –> prone to developing infections

Question 3

Pulmonary Embolism

Answer 3

Same as DVT

Immobility
Recent surgery
Long haul flights
Pregnancy
Hormone therapy with oestrogen
Malignancy
Polycythaemia
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Thrombophilia

Question 4

Pneumothorax

Answer 4

Air gets into pleural space, separating the lung from the chest wall

can be:

• spontaneous
• secondary to trauma
• iatrogenic (biopsy, ventilation, central line)
• lung pathology (infection, asthma, COPD)

*Typical patient = tall, young, thin male with sudden SOB, pleuritic chest pain

Question 5

Pleural Effusion

Answer 5

most common causes:

• congestive heart failure
• cancer
• pneumonia
• pulmonary embolism

Question 6

Bronchial Carcinoma (lung cancer)

Answer 6

Smoking

exposure to radon, asbestos

family history

Question 7

pneumonia

Answer 7

Bacteria: Streptococcus Pneumoniae, mycoplasma pneumoniae (milder)

Viruses e.g. COVID (most common in under 5)