Respiratory System: Diseases
Terms
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- laryngitis
- Inflammation of the larnyx or voicebox. Often secondary to other respiratory infections. Symptoms- Sore throat, hoarseness or loss of voice, dysphagia.
- tuberculosis
- Infectious bacterial lung disease. Lesions form in the lungs. Symptoms- cough, low grade fever in the afternoon, weight loss, night sweats. Diagnosis- skin test. If skin test is positive, follow-up with chest x-ray and sputum sample. Rx.- antibiotic.
- pleurisy
- Inflammation of the pleura.
- tubercles
- Lesions that form in lungs in tuberculosis.
- common cold
- Contagious viral respiratory infection. Indirect causes- chilling, fatigue, lack of proper food, not enough sleep. Rx- stay in bed, drink warm liquids and fruit juice, good nutrition. Also called URI. Handwashing= best preventative measure!
- influenza (flu)
- Viral infection causing inflammation of the mucous membrane. Fever, mucopurulent discharge, muscular pain, extreme exhaustion. Complications- pneumonia, neuritis, otitis media, pleurisy. Rx- treat the symptoms.
- exudates
- Thick fluid.
- dysphagia
- Difficulty swallowing (result of some respiratory diseases).
- emphysema
- Alveoli become over-dilated, lose their elasticity, can't rebound, may eventually rupture. Air becomes trapped, can't exhale, forced exhalation required. Reduced exchange of O2 and CO2. Dyspnea increases as disease progresses. Rx- Alleviate the symptoms, decrease exposure to respiratory irritants, prevent infections, restructure activites to prevent need for O2.
- bronchitis
- Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the trachea and bronchial tubes, producing excessive mucous. May be acute or chronic. Acute characterized by cough, fever, substernal pain, and rales. Chronic comes in middle or old age, cigarette smoking most common cause.
- pharyngitis
- Red, inflamed throat.
- asthma
- Inflammatory airway obstruction. Caused by allergen or psychological stress. 5% of Americans have it. Symptoms- Difficulty exhaling, dyspnea, wheezing, tightness in chest. Rx- anti-inflammatory drugs, inhaled bronchodilator.
- sinusitis
- Infection of mucous membrane that lines sinus cavities. Caused by bacteria or virus. Symptoms- headache or pressure, thick nasal discharge, loss of voice resonance. Rx- Symptomatic, surgery if chronic.
- pneumonia
- Infection of the lung, caused by bacteria or virus. Alveoli fill with exudates. Symptoms- chest pain, fever, chills, dyspnea. Rx- oxygen and antibiotics.
- rales
- Raspy sound.