Lung volumes

Stridor is a high-pitched, wheezing sound caused by disrupted airflow. Airflow is usually disrupted by a blockage in the larynx (voice box) or trachea (windpipe). It’s most noticeable when breathing in, though it can sometimes be heard when breathing out. Stridor affects children more often than adults. In infants, a condition called laryngomalacia is usually the cause of stridor. It may be quieter when your child is lying on their stomach, and louder when lying on their back. Larynogomalacia…

airways and irritates the lungs. (Lewis et al., 2014 p732). When this irritants is being inhaled, the cilia in the lungs are damaged that causes persistent cough and increase mucus production which cause airflow obstruction (Lewis et al., 2014 p 735). As COPD progress, pulmonary hypertension may occur where there will be a structural changes in the lungs such as swelling of the smooth muscle and constriction of pulmonary vessels due…

common dusts to cause pneumoconiosis. Some Suppurative and Necrotic conditions of the Lower Respiratory Tract include Pyothorax, Pneumothorax, and Abscess of the Mediastinum. Pyothorax or also known as Empyema, is where pus gathers in between the lungs and inner surface of the chest wall. Pyothorax (J86.0, J86.1), usually develops after pneumonia. The pus can not be coughed out but drained out by a needle or even surgery. The most common bacteria that causes Pyothorax is Streptococcus…

Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a serious and oftentimes life threatening condition that is sadly easily treatable if caught early. The definition of Pulmonary Embolism is a blockage or thrombi in one of the pulmonary arteries of your lungs (Pulmonary Embolism). Most of these thrombi originate in the veins in your lower extremities; though sometimes the thrombi can come from upper extremity veins, renal, pelvic, or right heart chambers, instead. Once in the pulmonary arteries, large thrombi sometimes…

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a progressive disease that makes breathing difficult. When having this disease, lung damage is produced. The disease worsens over time, although it is not treated, it can be slowed down. This is mainly caused by smoking, chemical fume, dust, and air pollution. Although there are many causes to this disease, smoking is the most common. It happens to over 12 million Americans and the risk factors can be environmental or genetics. COPD is largely preventable…

L- Today in lab I learned how to properly place my stethoscope when auscultating the lungs. E- To prepare us for auscultation of the lungs, Jackie showed us the landmarks used to find the intercostal spaces. Once I found the manubrium, I followed the angle of Louis to find the second intercostal space. I noticed it is imperative the stethoscope is placed between the ribs to hear breath sounds. To begin the process, locate the second intercostal space on one side of Caroline’s chest. Following I…

i. Chest x-rays can detect changes in the density of the lungs, more specifically the lower lobes (Christensen & Krockow, 2011, p.1641). Bronchoscopy is particularly useful in pneumonia when aspiration of a foreign objet or food is suspected. A culture and sensitivity test is used to determine the causative bacteria and to specify which antibiotic would be the best to be used. Pulse oximetry is used to monitor oxygenation status. ii. GERD is diagnosed mostly from signs sand symptoms. The gold…

researchers' hypothesis was that there was a direct correlation between lung recruitability and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). This would validate the prevailing notion that higher PEEP is only for patients with higher lung recruitability. Previous studies have led to advancements in the field such as the switch from optimal gas exchange to lung protection (Lachmann 1994) and that the optimum PEEP level should avoid lung damage through intratidal opening and closing (Carioni et al.…

Can you imagine having your lungs fill up with a sticky substance so its hard to breathe? This is what happens to patients with Cystic Fibrosis or CF. Along with the lungs CF affects the pancreas, digestive system, and other organs of the body. In normal lungs the mucus is thin and helps coat and protect the airways making it a lot easier to breathe. In Cystic Fibrosis the mucus that acts like a lubricant in and on our organs turns very thick and sticky. This makes the air ducts and the tubes in…

What is Asthma? Asthma is a chronic and sometimes considered a long term disease that inflames and narrows the airways of your lungs. Asthma causes many varieties of dangerous symptoms that can be extremely dangerous that can be worsened at any given time, making breathing very difficult. Unfortunately there is no known cure for asthma and those who have asthma never “grow” out of it they simply become dormant. However by working very closely with your primary doctor the two of you can manage…