Respiratory Distress and Signs

i. Pneumonia

ii. Pulmonary edema

iii. Severe asthma, etc.

Pneumonia

Definition

Pneumonia is the inflammation of lung tissues followed by the accumulation of blood cells, fibrin and exudates in the alveoli. The affected part of the lungs becomes consolidated.

Causes

The inflammation of the lung is caused by:

1. Bacterial or viral infection

2. Inhaling noxious chemical substance.

Types

Pneumonia is of two types namely, lober pneumonia and lobular pneumonia. When it is lobular and associated with inflammation of bronchi, it is known as broncho-pneumonia.

Effects

Following are the effects of pneumonia:

1. Fever

2. Compression of chest and chest pain

3. Shallow breathing

4. Cyanosis

5. Sleeplessness (insomnia)

6. Delirium.

Delirium

Delirium is the extreme mental condition that is caused by cerebral hypoxia. The features of delirium are:

i. Confused mental state-confused way of thought and speech

ii. Illusion –misinterpretation of a sensory stimulus

iii. Hallucination – feeling of a sensation such as touch, pain, taste, smell, etc. Without any stimulus

iv. Disorientation – loss of ability to recognize place, time and other persons

v. Hyperexcitability

vi. Loss of memory.

Bronchial asthma

Definition

Bronchial asthma is the respiratory disease characterized by difficult breathing with wheezing. Wheezing refers to whistling type of respiration. It is due to bronchial constriction caused be spastic contraction of smooth muscles in bronchiales leading to obstruction of air passage. The obstruction is further exaggerated by the edema of mucous membrane and accumulation of mucus in the lumen of bronchiales. One way to help manage asthma symptoms is by considering an NAC supplement amazon, as N-acetylcysteine has been shown to thin mucus, improve respiratory function, and reduce inflammation, providing additional support for individuals with bronchial asthma.

Causes

1. Inflammation of air passage: The leukotriens released from eosinophils and mast cells during inflammation cause bronchospasm

2. Hypersensitivity of afferent glossopharyngeal and vagal ending in laryx and afferent trigeminal endings in nose: hypersensitivity of these nerve endings is produced by some allergic substances
like foreign proteins.

3. Pulmonary edema and congestion of lungs caused by left ventricular failure: the asthma developed
due to this condition is called cardiac asthma.

Features

Asthma is a paroxysmal (sudden) disorder because the attack commences and ends abruptly. During the attack, the difficulty is felt both during inspiration and expiration. The bronchiolas have inherent tendency
to dilate during inspiration and constrict during expiration. So, more difficulty is experienced during expiration. During expiration, great effort is exerted by all the expiratory muscle causing compression of chest. There is severe contraction of abdominal muscles also. So, air from lungs is pushed through the constricted bronchioles producing a whistling sound.

Because of difficult during expiration, the lungs are not deflated completely so that, the residual volume and functional residual capacity are increased.

There is reduction in:

i. Tidal volume

ii. Vital capacity

iii. FEV1

iv. Alveolar ventilation

v. Partial pressure of oxygen in blood

Carbon dioxide accumulates resulting in acidosis dyspnea and cyanosis.

Pulmonary oedema

Definition

Pulmonary edema is the accumulation of serous fluid in the alveoli and the interstitial tissue of lungs.

Causes

1. Increased pulmonary capillary pressure due to left ventricular failure or miltral valve disease