upper respiratory conditions

rhinitis

inflammation of the nasal cavities and nasopharyngeal areas, most common upper respiratory infection, 4 different types of this

non-allergenic rhinitis (acute)

rebound effect from an overuse of nasal decongestants, chronic nasal inhalation of Cocaine or other drugs

allergenic rhinitis (chronic)

triggered by a hypersensitive reaction to an airborne allergen, seasonal perennial

viral rhinitis (acute)

The “Common Cold” highly contagious, spreads from droplets contamination

bacterial rhinitis (actue)

may also include a low grade fever, dry or sore throat, and malaise

rhinorrhea

snotty nose

rhinosinusitis

inflammation of one or more mucous membranes of the sinuses, often associated with Rhinitis.

antihistamines, decongestants, intranasal sprays

3 medications used for rhinitis

Maxillary and frontal

most commonly involved sinuses involed in sinusitis

obstructive sleep apnea

breathing disruption of at least 10 seconds during sleep and occurs minimum of 5 times an hour, most common cause is an obstruction by the tongue or soft palate

polysomnography

an overnight sleep study, most accurate for detecting sleep apnea

mild sleep apnea

treatment includes posistion change, weight loss, mandibular splint

severe sleep apnea

noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, modafiinl, surgical intervention, and tracheostomy

modafinil

medication used to treat narcolepsy, promotes daytime wakefulness

epistaxis

“nosebleed” occurs because of the vascularity within the nose. Causes are decrease in humidity, sinusitis, rhinitis, hypertension, blood dyscrasia, tumor, trauma, nose picking or blowing, cocaine use, nasogastric suctioning

blood dyscrasia

an abnormality involving blood cells or clotting.

cauterization

nosebleed doesn't stop with direct pressure, a healthcare provider can intentionally seal the bleeding blood vessel to stop the bleeding.

posterior nosebleed

a nosebleed that originates from blood vessels deep in the back of the nasal cavity, an emergency due to the location of the blood vessels bc they aren’t easily reached

epistaxis catheters

short, 6 inch tubes that have an exterior ballon along the tube length and an anchor ballon on the end