Category Archives: Respiratory

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Posted on August 13, 2018 by

Quick refresher in May’s BJGP: Interstitial lung disease, characterised by progressive scarring of the lungs Typically presents in 6th or 7th decade Presents with persistent progressive breathlessness, with or without cough Signs include finger clubbing and velcro crackles – not … Continue reading →

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Community-acquired pneumonia; a couple of points

Posted on August 5, 2018 by

So, I was reading an article on CRP in the March 2018 BJGP, and a couple of interesting things came up. The most important one is that I’m out of date on my CRP thresholds. I was still using the … Continue reading →

Posted in Credits 2018, Infectious Diseases, Respiratory | Leave a comment

Noisy breathing in newborns

Posted on August 2, 2018 by

Periodic increases/decreases in breathing sounds are normal in babies. Wheeze: Can be infection (mild or serious) or heart failure. Check for signs of heart problems; murmur, absent femorals, etc. Check sats. Normal sats and normal feeding are reassuring. If any … Continue reading →

Posted in Paediatrics, Respiratory | Leave a comment

COPD algorithm

Posted on September 8, 2017 by

This is our practice algorithm for COPD treatment: Treat intermittent symptoms with a SABA. If more severe, differentiate between low-risk and high-risk patients. Low-risk patients are those with: FEV1 >50% <2 exacerbations/yr For low-risk patients: First-line treatment: LAMA If symptoms … Continue reading →

Posted in COPD, Credits 2017, Medication, Respiratory | Leave a comment

Community acquired pneumonia in children

Posted on March 10, 2017 by

Signs of severity Temperature 38.5 or greater RR >70 in infants or >50 in older children Moderate to severe recession in infants Severe dyspnoea in children Nasal flaring Grunting Intermittent apnoea in infants Sats <95% (this was what the BMJ … Continue reading →

Posted in Credits 2017, Paediatrics, Respiratory | Leave a comment

Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction

Posted on October 9, 2016 by

The cause of EILO is unclear, but it may be due to laryngeal hypersensitivity. It’s most common in athletic females under 20. Symptoms include shortness of breath, throat discomfort, chest tightness, and wheeze developing during intense exercise. EILO, for obvious … Continue reading →

Posted in Credits 2016, ENT, Respiratory | Leave a comment

Occupational asthma

Posted on August 1, 2016 by

Occupational asthma is caused by an immune reaction to specific agents that are inhaled in the workplace. There are around 400 causative agents, although a small number of these cause most cases. It is different from work-aggravated asthma. Frequently affected … Continue reading →

Posted in Asthma, Credits 2016, Respiratory | Leave a comment