What are respiratory diseases?

Respiratory diseases are common clinical diseases and are also frequently occurring diseases. Severe cases of these diseases can put patients’ lives in danger. Many people don’t know what respiratory diseases are. In fact, common colds and lung infections are all respiratory diseases.

1. Acute upper respiratory tract infection

This disease is the most common respiratory infectious disease among medical students. It is mostly caused by viruses. According to epidemiological characteristics and clinical manifestations, it is divided into common cold, pharyngitis and bronchitis. The clinical manifestations vary depending on the cause of the disease. Generally, the onset is acute, with dry throat and runny nose. After 2-3 days, some patients feel body aches accompanied by sore throat, and the disease usually recovers within a week. It is best for patients to avoid going to crowded places to avoid infecting others.

2. Acute tracheitis and bronchitis

Acute tracheitis and bronchitis are mostly caused by infection, physical and chemical stimulation or allergy, which leads to acute inflammation of the trachea and bronchial mucosa. Generally, the first symptoms of acute upper respiratory tract infection are nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, headache, chills, fever, etc. There is also cough, which starts as an irritating dry cough with pain under the sternum, and sticky sputum after 1-2 days. Occasionally there is blood. Treat the symptoms by resting, keeping warm, and drinking plenty of water. Prevent colds, eliminate air pollution and smoke, actively exercise, strengthen your physical fitness, and don't smoke.

3. Pneumococcal pneumonia

Pneumococcal pneumonia is an acute inflammation of the lung parenchyma caused by bacterial infection. Chills, fever, and body temperature quickly rises to 39 to 40℃. It is often accompanied by headache, chest pain, body pain, cough, sticky sputum, blood or rust color, shortness of breath and cyanosis.

4. Pneumothorax

Spontaneous pneumothorax refers to a disease caused by the rupture of lung tissue and the visceral pleura on its surface without trauma, resulting in the entry of air into the pleura. The onset is acute, and most cases have obvious triggers such as coughing, holding the breath or excessive exertion. There is a knife-like, stabbing chest pain that worsens with breathing or coughing. Dyspnea with cyanosis and dry cough. In patients with empyema and bronchitis, coughing worsens and purulent sputum is coughed up, which is often related to changes in body position.