Chapter 6 Selected Diseases and Disorders of the Respiratory System
Respiratory Diseases and Disorders – Signs and Symptoms (Changes in Breathing Patterns and Difficulty Breathing)
Zoë Soon
Signs and Symptoms of Respiratory Diseases Can Involve Changes in Breathing Patterns and Difficulty Breathing
Breathing Patterns and Assessment:
- Eupnea: Normal breathing pattern, 10-18 breaths per minute at rest.
- Kussmaul Respiration: Deep, rapid breathing often indicating acidosis if occurring at rest.
- Laboured Respiration: Prolonged inspiration or expiration suggesting obstruction.
- Wheezing and Stridor: Wheezing indicates lower airway obstruction, while stridor indicates upper airway obstruction.
Abnormal Breathing Patterns:
- Tachypnea: Rapid, shallow breathing indicating insufficient lung filling.
- Bradypnea: Slow, possibly deeper breathing; a sign of a problem.
- Apnea: Cessation of breathing, often due to obstruction.
- Hyperpnea: Increased rate with normal depth; may indicate hyperventilation.
- Cheyne-Stokes Respiration: Periods of apnea with abnormal quick breaths.
- Ataxic Breathing: Irregular breathing with varied depth and rate.
- Rales and Rhonchi: Crackling or bubbling sounds signify secretions, while harsh sounds indicate thick mucus.
Breathing Difficulties and Indicators:
- Dyspnea: Shortness of breath; normal post-exertion, problematic at rest.
- Orthopnea: Difficult breathing when lying down; secretions pool in the lungs.
- Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea: Sudden, severe shortness of breath at night, indicating possible congestive heart failure, requiring supplemental oxygen.
Other Important Symptoms:
- Cyanosis: Bluish skin discoloration in thin, well-vascularized areas like lips and fingers, indicating poor oxygenation or heart/lung problems.
- Accessory Muscle Use: Involvement of additional muscles like the sternocleidomastoid in breathing signifies respiratory distress.
Summary:
Understanding and recognizing abnormal breathing patterns, alongside assessing related symptoms, provides vital clues to diagnosing and managing respiratory diseases and disorders. Recognizing these patterns helps identify obstructions, inefficiencies in breathing, and systemic problems that require immediate medical attention.
