Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Lower Respiratory Conditions
Number of Conditions: 3
Asthma exacerbation
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Respiratory Emergencies
Sub-category: Lower Respiratory Conditions
Symptoms:
shortness of breath; wheezing; chest tightness; coughing; rapid breathing; use of accessory muscles for breathing; cyanosis in severe cases
Root Cause:
Acute inflammation and narrowing of the airways caused by triggers like allergens, infections, or irritants, leading to increased airway resistance and airflow obstruction.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation (symptoms, history of asthma), physical exam (wheezing on auscultation), and pulmonary function tests like spirometry or peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Pulse oximetry and arterial blood gases (ABGs) may be used in severe cases.
Treatment:
Oxygen therapy, bronchodilators (short-acting beta-agonists like albuterol), corticosteroids (oral or IV), anticholinergics (ipratropium), and sometimes magnesium sulfate in severe cases. Address triggers and provide mechanical ventilation if needed.
Medications:
Short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) like albuterol (bronchodilator), inhaled anticholinergics like ipratropium (bronchodilator), systemic corticosteroids like prednisone or methylprednisolone (anti-inflammatory), and magnesium sulfate (smooth muscle relaxant) in severe exacerbations.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Asthma affects about 5-10% of the global population; exacerbations vary widely but are a common cause of emergency department visits.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Poor asthma control, exposure to allergens or irritants, respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, smoking, and comorbidities like obesity.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With timely and appropriate treatment, most exacerbations are reversible. Severe cases without treatment can lead to respiratory failure and death.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Hypoxia, respiratory failure, pneumothorax, pneumonia, and cardiovascular strain.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Respiratory Emergencies
Sub-category: Lower Respiratory Conditions
Symptoms:
increased shortness of breath; wheezing; chronic cough; increased sputum production; fatigue; cyanosis; confusion in severe cases
Root Cause:
Acute worsening of chronic airflow limitation due to increased airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and possible infection or exposure to irritants.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, physical exam (wheezing, decreased breath sounds), pulse oximetry, arterial blood gases (ABGs), chest X-ray, and sometimes sputum analysis or blood tests. Spirometry is used to assess baseline lung function.
Treatment:
Oxygen therapy (target SpO2
Medications:
Albuterol (short-acting beta-agonist), ipratropium (anticholinergic), systemic corticosteroids like prednisone or methylprednisolone for inflammation, and antibiotics like azithromycin or amoxicillin /clavulanate for bacterial infections.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 10-15% of adults worldwide; exacerbations are a leading cause of hospitalizations.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Smoking, exposure to air pollutants, respiratory infections, poorly controlled COPD, and advanced age.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Recovery is possible with treatment; recurrent exacerbations accelerate lung function decline and increase mortality risk.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory failure, pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension, and right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale).
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Respiratory Emergencies
Sub-category: Lower Respiratory Conditions
Symptoms:
severe shortness of breath; rapid breathing; cyanosis; hypoxia unresponsive to oxygen therapy; low blood pressure; organ dysfunction in severe cases
Root Cause:
Widespread inflammation and increased permeability of the pulmonary capillaries, leading to alveolar fluid accumulation, impaired gas exchange, and hypoxemia. Often caused by sepsis, trauma, or pneumonia.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation, arterial blood gases (ABGs) showing hypoxemia, chest X-ray or CT scan (diffuse bilateral infiltrates), and exclusion of cardiac causes (normal pulmonary capillary wedge pressure).
Treatment:
Mechanical ventilation with low tidal volumes, prone positioning, sedation, and supportive care for underlying causes (e.g., antibiotics for infection, fluids, and vasopressors for shock).
Medications:
Sedatives like propofol or midazolam (reduce ventilatory distress), vasopressors like norepinephrine (support blood pressure), antibiotics for infections, and diuretics like furosemide for fluid overload.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in 10-15% of ICU patients; mortality ranges from 30-50%, depending on severity.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Sepsis, major trauma, pneumonia, aspiration, pancreatitis, blood transfusions, and inhalation injuries.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; depends on severity and treatment. Survivors may have lasting pulmonary fibrosis and reduced quality of life.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory failure, secondary infections, pulmonary fibrosis, and multi-organ failure.