M10.06.02 Common Complaints of the Respiratory System

Understanding common complaints related to the respiratory system is essential for medical students to conduct thorough assessments and diagnose respiratory disorders. This section outlines prevalent symptoms, their significance, and their clinical implications.

1. Cough

• Description: A reflex action to clear the airways, often associated with irritation or infection.
• Clinical Significance: May indicate respiratory infections, allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or lung cancer.
• Key Points to Remember: Duration, frequency, presence of sputum, and associated symptoms aid in differential diagnosis.

2. Dyspnea

• Description: Subjective sensation of difficulty in breathing, ranging from mild to severe.
• Clinical Significance: Can signify various respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, including asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, heart failure, or anxiety.
• Key Points to Remember: Assess severity using grading scales (e.g., mMRC), identify triggers, and evaluate associated symptoms.

3. Wheezing

• Description: High-pitched whistling sound during breathing, typically associated with narrowed airways.
• Clinical Significance: Commonly seen in asthma, chronic bronchitis, COPD, or allergic reactions.
• Key Points to Remember: Characterize wheezing by location, timing, and associated symptoms to guide diagnosis and management.

4. Chest Pain

• Description: Sensation of discomfort or pressure in the chest region.
• Clinical Significance: Can indicate various conditions, including myocardial infarction, pleurisy, pneumonia, or pulmonary embolism.
• Key Points to Remember: Assess onset, location, radiation, exacerbating factors, and associated symptoms for accurate diagnosis.

Related Abnormal Conditions

• Asthma: Characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing, dyspnea, and cough.
• Chronic Bronchitis: Persistent cough with sputum production lasting at least three months per year for two consecutive years.
• Pneumonia: Inflammation of the lung tissue typically caused by infection, presenting with fever, cough, and dyspnea.
• Pulmonary Embolism: Blockage of a pulmonary artery by a blood clot, leading to sudden onset dyspnea and chest pain.

Bibliography

1. West, J. B. (2016). Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials. Wolters Kluwer.
2. Mason, R. J., Broaddus, V. C., Martin, T. R., King, T. E., Schraufnagel, D. E., & Murray, J. F. (2015). Murray & Nadel’s Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. Elsevier.
3. Irwin, R. S., & Rippe, J. M. (2017). Irwin and Rippe’s Intensive Care Medicine. Wolters Kluwer.