Lung And Heart Flashcards
What are the three main types of lower respiratory infections, and what causes them?
Bronchitis, pertussis, and pneumonia are the main types of lower respiratory infections. They can be caused by viral, bacterial, or fungal pathogens that multiply on the epithelium. This causes inflammation and increased mucus secretion which may obstruct the airway.
What are some common symptoms of lower respiratory infections? How are they diagnosed?
Common symptoms include:
* Cough
* Shortness of breath
* Fever
* Generalized malaise
* Chest pain
Diagnosis is typically done through:
* Auscultation of the lungs
* X-ray
* CRP blood test
* Microbiological tests (e.g., sputum culture, PCR)
What is bronchitis and how is it treated?
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Treatment typically involves rest, fluids, and cough suppressants
When can an athlete with bronchitis return to sport?
A physician should clear an athlete to return to sport after bronchitis. There is a lack of reliable studies to guide return to sport decisions for lower respiratory infections.
What is pertussis, and how is it spread?
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious, acute respiratory illness characterized by severe coughing episodes. It is a bacterial infection caused by Bordetella pertussis, and it is spread through droplets.
What are the complications of pertussis?
Pneumonia is a common complication of pertussis.
How is pertussis treated and prevented?
Pertussis is treated with antibiotics and supportive care such as rest and fluids. Cough mixtures and suppressants are not effective treatments. The best way to prevent pertussis is through vaccination. However, immunity from childhood vaccination wanes after 5-10 years.
Describe the three stages of pertussis.
Stage 1 (1-2 weeks): This stage is similar to a common cold with symptoms like a runny nose, low-grade fever, and a mild cough.
Stage 2 (1-10 weeks): This stage is characterized by intense coughing fits followed by a “whoop” sound during inhalation. Vomiting and exhaustion after coughing fits are common.
Stage 3 (2-3 weeks): This is the recovery phase where coughing fits gradually become less severe and less frequent.
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid.
What is a pneumothorax?
A pneumothorax occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall, causing the lung to collapse.
What are the causes of a pneumothorax?
There are several causes of pneumothorax:
Spontaneous: Happens without an obvious cause, often in tall, young males.
Trauma: Caused by a chest injury or broken rib.
Damage from underlying disease: Certain lung diseases can increase the risk of pneumothorax.
What are the symptoms of a pneumothorax?
The primary symptoms are sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.
How is a pneumothorax diagnosed and treated?
Diagnosis is done through physical examination, chest x-ray, and CT scan. Treatment depends on the size of the pneumothorax:
* Small pneumothorax (<15%): Conservative treatment with weekly chest x-rays is the standard approach.
* Larger pneumothorax (>15%): A chest tube is inserted into the lung for re-expansion for several days.
When can an athlete with a pneumothorax return to sport?
Athletes should refrain from strenuous training until the pneumothorax is properly treated and resolved. They will need a repeat x-ray and physical examination before returning to sport, and the timeline for return will vary depending on the individual case.
What are the symptoms and signs of asthma?
** Asthma is characterized by:
* Wheezing (primarily during exhalation)
* Coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness during exercise
* Inflammation, increased mucus production, and airway narrowing
* Expiratory resistance and air trapping
How is asthma diagnosed?
- Medical history review
- Physical examination
- Allergy tests
- Pulmonary function tests
What are the different types of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) used to diagnose asthma?
Various PFTs help diagnose asthma:
* Spirometry: Measures airflow and how well air moves in and out of the lungs.
* Diffusing Capacity: Assesses how effectively oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the lungs and bloodstream.
* Bronchodilator Reversibility: Checks if lung function improves after inhaling a bronchodilator like albuterol.
* Exercise Testing: Used to diagnose exercise-induced asthma (EIA) or bronchospasm (EIB).
What are the two main categories of asthma treatment medications?
- Long-term control medications: These are taken daily to keep asthma under control. Examples include inhaled corticosteroids (e.g., fluticasone, budesonide), leukotriene modifiers (e.g., montelukast, zafirlukast), long-acting beta-agonists (e.g., salmeterol, formoterol), and combination inhalers.
- Quick-relief medications: These are used as needed to provide rapid, short-term symptom relief during an asthma attack. Examples include short-acting beta-agonists (e.g., albuterol, levalbuterol), ipratropium, and oral or intravenous corticosteroids.
What is the difference between exercise-induced asthma (EIA) and exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB)?
- EIA occurs in people with underlying asthma, and exercise triggers or worsens their symptoms.
- EIB affects individuals without a history of asthma who experience bronchospasm specifically during exercise.
How is exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) treated?
- Short-acting beta-agonists are the primary treatment for EIB, taken 15-20 minutes before exercise.
- Long-acting beta-agonists have also shown effectiveness in treating EIB.
- Note: All β-agonists are prohibited by WADA except for salbutamol (albuterol) and salmeterol, which require a declaration of use. Other β-agonists need a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
- Warming up and humidifying the air using masks can also help, although this is not always feasible.
- Avoiding exposure to cold temperatures and pollutants is also recommended.
Describe the warm-up strategy for asthmatic athletes.
- Asthmatic athletes can benefit from inducing a “stress asthma reaction” 1-3 hours before competition to make their airways less responsive during the actual event.
- This can be achieved through high-intensity interval training (3-4 x 20-30 second sprints) or steadily increasing sport-specific activity for 5-30 minutes.
- A bronchodilator medication should be taken 15-60 minutes before competition.
What does the acronym PAC stand for, and what are its characteristics?
PAC stands for Premature Atrial Contraction. It is an early heartbeat where the P wave on an EKG changes, but the QRS complex usually remains normal. PACs can cause palpitations and are often caused by stress, caffeine, alcohol, fatigue, or underlying heart conditions. They are diagnosed through an EKG and treated with lifestyle modifications. Medications like beta-blockers may be prescribed if PACs are frequent and cause symptoms.
What is an echocardiogram, and what is it used for?
An echocardiogram, or “Echo,” is a non-invasive test that uses sound waves to create images of the heart. It provides information about the heart’s structure and function, helping diagnose and monitor various heart conditions.
What is athlete’s heart, and what are its signs?
Athlete’s heart refers to the normal structural and functional changes that occur in the heart due to regular athletic training. It involves an increase in left ventricle (LV) muscle mass, wall thickness, and chamber size to accommodate increased volume and pressure loads.
Signs of athlete’s heart include:
* Bradycardia (heart rate less than 60 bpm)
* Systolic murmur
* Extra heart sounds
* ECG/EKG abnormalities, such as ST changes
* Enlarged heart visible on an echocardiogram
