Tracheobronchitis and bronchitis

Acute Tracheobronchitis. Acute tracheobronchitis is a primary disease but usually develops as a secondary infection following the common cold, sinusitis, whooping cough, or some other illnesses. It consists of diffuse inflammation of the trachea and bronchi, the mucous membranes of which are edematous and covered with sticky, grayish, mucoid exudates. Productive cough, hoarseness, chill, sweats, fever, and general malaise are usually present. They may develop suddenly or gradually. The sputum, at first mucoid, usually becomes purulent. Examination of the chest often reveals moist râles. Sometimes there are no physical signs at all. The fever usually subsides within a few days.

Chronic Bronchitis. A chronic cough, productive of mucoid or purulent sputum, with little impairment of the general health, is not uncommonly encountered in persons with asthma, sinusitis, emphysema, and other disorders. Chronic bronchitis is never a primary disease and it always necessary to determine its primary cause. The physical signs of chronic bronchitis consist of coarse and moist râles. Some persons have a predisposition to bronchitis. The prognosis in young persons, when the primary cause can be determined, is favorable but beyond middle life chronic bronchitis is a persistent disease.

Ex. 22. Pronounce and memorize the following words:

Upper Airways

Drain відтікання; lining ['laInIN] слизова оболонка; obstruction непрохідність|непрохідний|, закупорка, обструкція; closure ['klquZq] закриття; rhinitis [raI'naItIs] риніт; decongestant протизастійний засіб|кошт|, протинабряковий|набряковий| засіб|кошт|; encourage [In'kArIG] стимулювати; conventional [kqn'venSqnl] звичайний, традиційний; gargle [ga:gl] полоскати; overwhelm ["quvq'welm] вражати;

jaw [GO:] щелепа; soothing болезаспокійливий, заспокійливий; lessen зменшувати(ся), скорочувати(ся); tickling дертя; rawness [‘rO:nIs] хворобливість; reflux [‘rI:flaks]27відтікання, відплив, рефлюкс.

Ex. 23. Read and translate the following text:

Disorders of the sinuses and throat

The sinuses are cavities in the bone around the nose. There are four pairs of sinuses: the frontal (in the forehead), ethmoid (between the eyes), sphenoid (deeper in the head, behind the eyes), and maxillary (in the cheekbones). They are connected to the nasal cavities by small openings. Normally, air passes in and out of the sinuses and mucus drains through these openings into the nose. Sinusitisis an infection of the lining of one or more these cavities. When the sinus is infected, the membranes of the nose swell and cause a nasal obstruction. Swelling of the membranes of the nose may close off the opening of the sinus and thus prevent drainage of pus or mucus. Pain in the sinus, difficulty breathing through the nose, and fever may result from inflammation itself or from the pressure within the sinuses that result from closure of the opening. The infection can be bacterial, viral, or fungal. A common cold is the most frequent factor in sinusitis. Because the mucous membranes of the nose extend into and line the sinuses, a bacterial infection in the nose easily spreads into the sinuses. Secondary infections from colds, chronic allergic rhinitis, and a dental abscess can cause the sinusitis. If the infection is bacterial, the physician will prescribe a course of oral antibiotic therapy. The patient may take decongestants in the form of drops, sprays, or tablets to open the passages and encourage drainage of the sinuses. Sometimes endoscopic sinus surgery or conventional surgery may be performed.

The pharynx is the segment between the tonsils and voice box. Thus, pharyngitis is another name for a sore throat. The inflammation can be either acute or chronic. A bacterium or virus causes acute pharyngitis. The chronic form can be caused by a continuing infection of the sinuses, lungs, or mouth that spreads to the pharynx. Constant irritations such as smoking, breathing heavily polluted air, or consuming too much alcohol can also cause chronic pharyngitis. The signs of pharyngitis are sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and fever. If a patient has a bacterial infection, the physician will prescribe a course of antibiotic therapy. The patient can relieve the pain by gargling with warm salt water several times a day.

Tonsils are located at the back of the mouth. They filter our harmful microorganisms that could infect the body. When the tonsils become overwhelmed by a bacterial infection, they become inflamed. This infection is known as tonsillitis. Symptoms of tonsillitis are similar to those of the flu. The primary symptom is a sore throat that makes it difficult to swallow. Others are headache and fever. The lymph nodes in the area of neck and jaw may be enlarged. Drinking soothing fluids and gargling with warm salt water several times a day help lessen the pain. If a bacterial infection is the cause of the sore throat, the physician will prescribe a course of oral antibiotic therapy.

Laryngitis is an infection or irritation of the larynx (voice box), which is located at the top of the trachea (windpipe). The symptoms of laryngitis are hoarseness, tickling and rawness of the throat and constant need to clear the throat. Usually, a virus causes acute laryngitis, but it also can be the result of a bacterial infection. Laryngitis can occur in the course of another illness such as an ordinary cold, bronchitis, flu, or pneumonia. Excessive drinking of alcohol or heavy smoking or reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus most often causes chronic laryngitis. If the cause of disorder is bacterial, the physician may prescribe a course of antibiotics. The best treatment of viral laryngitis is to rest the voice as much as is practical and drink warm, soothing liquids.

Ex. 24. Make up a dialogue on obtained information.

Ex. 25. Read the following text, write out key words of it, and retell the text:

COUGH

A cough is a normal protective reflex, designed to defend the respiratory system against irritants. However, a forceful cough can be painful and bothersome. Some of these coughs need the physician’s attention. Others respond to simple self-care and the right medicine.

What causes a cough? Here are some typical irritations that cause coughing:

Infections, such as cold and flu;

Environmental irritants, such as cigarette smoke, smog, dust, home aerosol sprays, and cold and dry air;

Asthma, which inflames and constricts the air passages;

Gastroesophageal reflux – the backup of stomach acid into the esophagus when a person lies down;

Medications, such as inhaled corticosteroids or certain medications prescribed for high blood pressure and heart disease;

Coughing itself. Sometimes there is no medical explanation for a cough. Some people cough to release nervous tension, gain attention, or express anger. Whatever the reason, one cough can irritate the person’s throat and lead to another, setting up a vicious cycle.

A cough begins when an irritant reaches one of the cough receptors in the nose, throat, or chest. The receptor sends a message to the cough center in the brain, signaling the body to cough. After a person inhales, the epiglottis and vocal cords close tightly, trapping air within the lungs. The abdominal and chest muscles contract forcefully, pushing against the diaphragm. Finally, the vocal cords and epiglottis open suddenly, allowing trapped air to explode outward.

OVERVIEW

The most common disorders of the respiratory tract are bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis and some others. Bronchitis is the inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the main air passageways of the lungs. The cause of bronchitis is the viral infections. The infection spreads to the bronchi, producing the deep cough, soreness and feeling of constriction in the chest, breathlessness, chill, and slight fever. Rest, drinking extra liquids, and cough medicines are the cornerstones of treatment of bronchitis.Pneumoniais an inflammation of the tissues of the lungs. The causes of pneumonia are different. Among them are bacteria; influenza and other viruses; and chemical irritants. Cough, breathlessness, pain in the chest, chill, and high fever are the major signs and symptoms of pneumonia. The treatment may include antibiotics as penicillin or erythromycin. Hospitalization may be necessary in severe cases. Pharyngitisis a sore throat. A bacterium or virus causes acute pharyngitis. The chronic form can be caused by a continuing infection of the sinuses, lungs, or mouth that spreads to the pharynx. The patient can relieve the pain by gargling with warm salt water several times a day.Tonsillitisis an inflammation of tonsils. The symptoms are a sore throat, headache and fever. Drinking soothing fluids and gargling with warm salt water several times a day help lessen the pain. If a bacterial infection is the cause of the throat, the physician will prescribe a course of oral antibiotic therapy.

LESSON 41

GRIPPE