Airway conditions + sounds

Asthma

Chronic disease with exacerbations of bronchoconstriction/bronchospasm, bronchial edema (inflammation of bronchi), excessive mucus, Presents with wheezing, dyspnea, anxiety

COPD: type 1

Chronic bronchitis: Inflammation of bronchioles and excessive mucus production, productive cough and rhonchi (wet lung)

COPD: type 2

Emphysema: destruction of aveoli, causes trap of stale air. Unproductive cough, barrel chest, purse lip breathing, wheezing dry lungs)

Pulmonary Edema

Fluid builds up in aveoli, usually happens with congrestive heart failure. Sever dysnpea, crackles, pink sputum

Pneumonia

fever, chills, a productive cough, and localized crackles or rhonchi.

Epiglottitis: 

A life-threatening bacterial infection causing severe inflammation of the epiglottis. Classic signs are high fever, sore throat, drooling, and stridor.

Croup: 

A viral infection of the upper airway in children, characterized by a low-grade fever and a “seal-bark” cough and stridor. Humidified oxygen may be indicated for extended transport.

Pulmonary Embolism

A blood clot (or air bubble/foreign body) that lodges in the pulmonary arteries, blocking blood flow to a portion of the lung. Presents with a sudden onset of dyspnea, sharp chest pain, and tachycardia.

Pneumothorax: 

Air in the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse

Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Occurs without trauma, common in tall, thin men. Presents with sudden dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain.

Open Pneumothorax:

 An unsealed opening in the chest wall allows air to enter the pleural space.

Tension Pneumothorax:

A life-threatening emergency where air enters the pleural space but cannot exit. Pressure builds, collapsing the lung and shifting the heart and great vessels (mediastinal shift), which leads to obstructive shock. Signs include severe respiratory distress, absent lung sounds on the affected side, tracheal deviation (a late sign), JVD, and hypotension with narrowing pulse pressures.

Hemopneumothorax: 

Blood and air in the pleural space.

Stridor:

A high-pitched, brassy, crowing sound heard primarily on inhalation. Indicates a partial upper airway obstruction (e.g., foreign body, croup, epiglottitis).

Wheezing:

A high-pitched whistling sound, most prominent on exhalation. Caused by constriction of the lower airways (bronchioles). Common in asthma, COPD, and anaphylaxis.

Rhonchi: 

Low-pitched, noisy, rattling sounds, like snoring or rumbling. Prominent on exhalation. Suggests mucus or fluid in the larger airways. Common in bronchitis and pneumonia.

Crackles

Wet, popping, or crackling sounds, like cellophane being crumpled. Heard on inspiration. Caused by air passing through fluid in the alveoli. The classic sound of pulmonary edema (CHF) or pneumonia.