Condition | Description | Cause | Manifestation | Treatment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bronchitis | Inflammation of mucosa of the trachea and bronchial tree Acute and Chronic | Acute: viruses, bacteria, chemical irritants Chronic: cigarette smoking, air pollution, occupational hazards, repeated bronchial infections | Cough, sputum, purse-lip breathing, barrel chest | Acute: humidify the air, rest, cough suppression Chronic: bronchodilators, anticholinergic drugs, corticosteroids |
Bronchiectasis | Permanent dilation and inflammation of bronchi and bronchioles | Bronchopneumonia, infection, accesses following aspiration, chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, cystic fibrosis | Persistent cough, accentuated when lying down, expectoration of foul smelling mucopurulent sputum, clubbing of fingers | Antibiotics, mucolytic agents, bronchodilators |
Asthma | Characterized by reversible episodes of bronchiospasms, inflammation of mucosa, hyper-secretions of mucus in response to variety of stimuli, Marked by airway narrowing and increased airway resistance Extrinsic Asthma – atopic Intrinsic Asthma- idiopathic | Extrinsic: family history Intrinsic: exercise induced | Wheezing, dyspnea cough, prolonged expiration | Decrease edema and inflammation, relieve bronchiospasms, block vasoconstrictions |
Emphysema | Over-inflation of lungs caused by trapped air. Alveoli get bigger, therefore decreased surface area and decrease gas exchange Classification: Centriacinar – most common, associated with smoking Panacinar – involves entire alveolus | Centriacinar: chronic bronchitis, smoking, chronic asthma | Centriacinar: dyspnea, chronic cough, rapid, shallow breathing, wheezing, barrel shaped chest Panacinar: dyspnea on exertion, no cough or sputum, no history of smoking | |
COPD | Irreversible damage to airways and alveoli. Difficulty getting air in and out of lungs | Smoking, repeated lung infections as a child | Cough, mucus, wheezing, chest tightness, fatigue | Prophylactic disease prevention, oxygen therapy, inhaled corticosteroids |

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