Respiratory Tract Disorders

Upper and Lower

Upper Respiratory Infection - URI

• Localized in the mucosa of the URT–Nose, Pharynx, Larynx

• Usually named for specific structure

Epitaxis• Nosebleed• Due to

– Blow– Dry Mucous– High BP

• Pinch the nose• Pack under upper lip• Ice Pack on neck• Twist Cotton up Nose• Do NOT lay Back• > 5” See Doctor

Rhinitis• Coryza• Inflammation of nasal mucosa• Due to infections

–Bacterial, Viral, Allergen• Discomfort, Swelling, Excessive

Discharge

Pharyngitis• Sore Throat• Inflammation• Excessive Use• Infection

–Bacterial, Viral, Allergen–Strep Throat

• Pain, Reddness, Difficulty Swallowing, Pus

Laryngitis• Inflammation of larynx mucous lining• Loss of voice• Infection

–Bacterial, Viral• Irritant

–Allergens, Smoking, Temperature Change

• Under 5–Acute Laryngitis–Dyspnea–Croup

Lower Respiratory Infections - LRI

• Localized in the Trachea, Bronchial Tree and lungs

• Usually much more severe and Life threatening

Acute Bronchitis

• Acute inflammation of the bronchi–Usually caused by infections

• Often preceded by a URI• Starts with a nonproductive cough• Progresses to deep cough• Produces sputum

–Mucus & Pus

Pneumonia• Inflammation of

the lungs • alveoli & bronchi

become plugged with thick fluid– Streptococcus

pneumoniae bacteria

– Others Viral or Fungul

– Oportunistic• Symptoms

– High fever/severe chills

– Headache/cough– chest pain

• Types• Lobar Pneumonia

– Affecting entire lobes

• Bronchopneumonia– Part of the

Bronchial Tree• Aspiration

Pneumonia– Nonifectious– Inhaling vomit or

other foreign matter

Tuberculosis (TB)• Chronic bacillus

infection caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis

• Highly contagious– Transmitted

through inhalation or swallowing of infected droplets

– When people cough or sneeze

– Affects lungs and possibly spread to other organs

• Early Stages– Fatigue & Wt Loss– Chest Pain &

Pleurisy– Fever

• Later Stages– Lung hemorraging– Dyspnea

• Tuberculosis– Capsules around

bacteria colonies• Extreme in 3rd

World• Rising in US

Restrictive Pulmonary Disorders

• Affect the Alveoli• Reduces stretch

– Inhibit inspiration• Reduce Lung Volume & Vital Capacity• Caused by

– Scarring of lung tissue• Asbestos, coal, silicon

– Injuries

Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders

• Obstructions of airways• Caused from exposure to chemicals

– Cigarette Smoke / Pollutants• Cause obstructions with BOTH

Inspiration and Expiration• The total lung capacity may be

normal, but takes time to inhale or exhale

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Describes progressive irreversible obstruction of air flow

• Difficulty breathing mainly with expiration

• Inflammation of Bronchi and Bronchioles– Edema– Mucus

• Cough Deeply trying to dislodge mucus• Major Causes

– Smoking– Second Hand Smoke– Pollution

Chronic Bronchitis

Emphysema• May result from Chronic Bronchitis• Air becomes trapped in alveoli due to

mucus– Alveoli become enlarged & rupture– Fuse into irregular spaces

• Reduces surface area for gas exchange• Breathing becomes difficult• Develop hypoxia

Asthma

• Recurring spasms of the smooth muscle walls of air passages

• Narrow the airways• Edema & Mucus accompanies

spasms• Triggered by stress, exercise,

infection, allergens

Lung Cancer• Malignant

– Affects all parts of lungs– Destroying gas exchange abilities

• May and will Metastasize – Move• Most often develops in damaged or

diseased lungs• Cigarette smoking accounts for 75%• Other Factors

– 2nd Hand Smoke, Asbestos, Coal dust, petroleum Products, Rust,