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RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS - Emphysema |
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| Emphysema is the
destruction, or breakdown, of the walls of the alveoli located at the end of
the
bronchial tubes. The damaged alveoli are not able to exchange oxygen and
carbon dioxide between the lungs and the blood. The bronchioles lose their
elasticity and collapse during exhalation, trapping air in the lungs. The
trapped air keeps fresh air and oxygen from entering the lungs. |
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Signs & Symptoms
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- Difficulty in breathing (Dyspnoea)
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Barrel chest
- Anxious facial expression
- Pursing of the lips on expiration
- Usually pink in colour
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Difficulty breathing except when in an upright position (Orthopnea)
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Treatment |
- Keep calm and reassure the casualty
- Let the patient adopt the position most comfortable
- usually sitting
- Ask him to breath slowly and deeply
- Let the patient use his inhaler (if he has one)
- Give oxygen therapy (
@ 4 litres per
minute - but beware of
hypoxic drive)
- Constantly monitor the situation: record breathing
and pulse every 10 minutes
- Be prepared to ventilate or carry out CPR
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