Introduction Chronic obstructive airways diseasese (COAD) is a pulmonary disorder of adults characterized by chronic airflow limitation in the small airways. It complicates chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Obstruction to air flow is only partially reversible with bronchodilator therapy. Two extreme types of COAD are recognized although there is a lot of overlap. Clinical features This … Read more
Introduction Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that is characterized by hyper responsiveness of the tracheo-bronchial tree to a multiplicity of stimuli. Manifests physiologically by wide-spread airway narrowing and clinically by paroxysmal attacks of dyspnoea, cough and wheezing. Acute episodes are interspersed with symptom-free periods. Clinical features of bronchial asthma Episodic … Read more
Introduction Acute Rhinitis is an acute inflammation of the nasal mucosa with variable degrees of pharyngitis. Rhinoviruses are the commonest aetiologically important agents followed by the coronaviruses, the parainfluenza, RSV, influenza and adenoviruses in that order. Others include enteroviruses, rubella, varcella and possibly a sizeable group of undiscovered viruses. Clinical Features Systemic complaints are often … Read more
Introduction Acute Laryngo-Tracheo bronchitis is a respiratory infection of the upper and lower tract affecting children 2-3 years of age. It causes significant sub-glottic oedema Most common aetiology is parainfluenza virus infection preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection. Symptoms and clinical features of Croup Fever Hoarseness ‘Bovine cough’ Inspiratory stridor Differential diagnosis Acute epiglottitis … Read more
Introduction Acute Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes commonly caused by a variety of viruses, same as those that are responsible for common cold. Primary bacterial aetiology may also occur. Acute bronchitis can last from a few days to 10 days but the associated cough may last for several weeks after the infection … Read more
Introduction Epiglottitis is inflammation of the epiglottis and adjacent supraglottic structures. It can progress rapidly to life threatening airway obstruction if not treated. The condition is commonest in children. Pathogens in children include H. influenza type B, types A, F, Streptococci and Staph. aureus. The commonest is H. influenzatype B. In adults, a wide range … Read more