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What are Lung Infiltrates? This video covers the medical definition and provides a brief overview of this topic.💥Lung Infiltrates [Full Guide] https:/...
- 4 min
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- Respiratory Therapy Zone
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (often called "COPD") is a condition in which the airways in the lungs become inflamed and narrowed and the air sacs be...
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In this video, we'll be taking a look at lung sounds in COPD patients. We'll be discussing the different types of lung sounds like wheezing, and crackles, rh...
- 6 min
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- Ecgkid Portal
- Overview
- Wheezing
- Crackling
- Rhonchi
- What are healthy breathing sounds?
- Testing and diagnosis
- Treatment
- Other symptoms of COPD
- When to contact a doctor
- Summary
COPD can give rise to several different lung sounds, such as wheezing, crackling, and ronchi. A doctor may listen for sounds that they classify as bronchial, bronchovesicular, or vesicular sounds.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of lung conditions that cause breathing-related difficulties. COPD can cause a variety of different lung sounds, including rhonchi, wheezing, and crackling.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute notes that COPD can cause a wheezing sound when a person breathes. Wheezing sounds occur due to the vibrations of the narrowed walls of small airways.
COPD causes the small airways to narrow, resulting in whistling sounds as air attempts to travel through the narrow passages during exhalation.
Crackling, otherwise known as rales, describes a sound in the lungs that resembles a crackling or clicking sound when a person breathes in. According to one 2021 study, crackling sounds are common in COPD.
There are two distinct types of crackling sounds detectable in the lungs: coarse and fine.
Coarse crackles are more typical of COPD and present as prolonged, low pitched sounds. Fine crackles are more high pitched.
The crackling noise stems from air bubbles passing through fluid, such as mucus, in the airways. Coughing occurs as a biological reaction to clear this fluid.
According to one 2018 article, rhonchi are low pitched, continuous gurgling or bubbling sounds that a person might hear when they inhale and exhale.
These breathing sounds point to a buildup of secretions in the upper airways, which can occur with COPD.
Generally, healthy breathing sounds are silent through the mouth.
Doctors may classify normal breathing sounds from the lungs as:
•Bronchial: These are loud, high pitched, and harsh. They tend to be louder as a person breathes out.
•Bronchovesicular: These have a mid-range pitch. They are audible as a person breathes in and out.
•Vesicular sounds: These are soft and low pitched. They tend to be louder as a person breathes in.
A doctor can evaluate these sounds most effectively with a stethoscope, and they will analyze all sounds based on their duration, intensity, pitch, and timing.
The most common test for diagnosing COPD is spirometry. This measures how much air a person can breathe in and out of the lungs. It also measures the speed at which a person exhales or completely empties the lungs.
Other tests for COPD may involve chest X-rays or arterial blood gas tests to measure oxygenation in the blood. This latter test will reveal how efficiently the lungs disperse oxygen throughout the body.
Although there is currently no curative treatment available for COPD, there are many treatment options to help relieve the symptoms and reduce the risk of flare-ups.
Some possible treatments include:
•bronchodilators
•steroids
•pulmonary rehabilitation
•supplemental oxygen
Some other symptoms of COPD may include:
•shortness of breath
•ongoing cough
•chest tightness
•frequent colds or other respiratory infections, such as the flu
Severe COPD can cause:
A person should contact a doctor if they notice any symptoms of COPD.
They should seek emergency care if they experience:
•blue or gray fingernails, which indicate low levels of oxygen in the blood
•a fast heartbeat
•difficulty catching their breath or talking
A person should also seek immediate help if their recommended treatment is not working.
Q:
Which lung sounds associated with COPD can a person hear without a stethoscope?
A:
Early on, it is only possible to hear wheezing with a stethoscope and at the end of expiration. However, as obstruction of the lower airways becomes more severe, wheezing can be audible without a stethoscope and throughout expiration. Adithya Cattamanchi, MDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice. Was this helpful?
- Lindsey Todd
Nov 12, 2024 · The range of conditions linked to lung infiltrates is vast, from benign to severe, including infections like pneumonia, fluid accumulation as in pulmonary edema, cancerous growths, or inflammation from autoimmune diseases. This article provides an overview of lung infiltrates, discussing their causes, potential implications, and treatment options.
Jul 21, 2024 · Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a group of long-term, inflammatory lung conditions that limit airflow in your lungs. Some examples include emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
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Nov 24, 2023 · the lungs; the airways, such as the trachea and bronchial tubes; blood vessels and muscles; the ribs; the diaphragm; When a person breathes, these parts work together to provide the body with oxygen.
