Radiography

Special radiological investigations include fluoroscopy (or screening) of the lung and diaphragmatic movements: lateral, oblique and apical views: X-rays focused at different depths in the lung (tomography to detect local lesions; such as a cavity or tumour; and the introduction of a radio- opaque medium into the bronchial tree (broncography) to demonstrate bronchiectasis or bronchial narrowing, or into the pulmonary artery (angiography) to demonstrate arterial occlusions by embolism. Computerized axial tomography (the “CAT scan”) may be used to define the precise size, site and consistency of an intrathoracic lesion.

Ex.3. Read the text and complete the following sentences using the material in the text:

1. The very common symptoms in most respiratory disorders are…

2. There are various types of cough…

3. Sputum is…

4. According to the nature and extent the sputum may be…

5. Dyspnea means…

6. Cyanosis may be caused by…

7. Haemophysis is called…

Common symptoms of the diseases of the respiratory tract

Many of the diseases affecting the respiratory system produce common symptoms and signs.

1. Cough. This is a very common symptom seen in most diseases of the respiratory tract and usually due to some form or irritation. There are various types of cough, such as moist or dry, depending on whether the cough is accompanied by sputum or not.

2. Sputum or Phlegm. Sputum is an excretion from the lining mucous membrane of the respiratory passages. According to the nature and extent of the disease the sputum varies in amount and character. In the early stages of disease sputum may be absent, appearing later when the lesion in the respiratory tract has progressed. The sputum may be a clear white colour, when it is called mucoid. In more severe lesions, especially inflammatory diseases, the sputum is purulent.

3. Dyspnea. Dyspnea means difficulty in breathing or as it is most usually called, breathlessness. The underlying, cause in most cases is a deficiency of oxygen. Any disease which interferes with the proper uptake of oxygen, stimulates the respiratory centre, so that an increase in the respirations occurs to overcome this oxygen deficiency.

4. Cyanosis. In many chest diseases there is a deficient intake of oxygen which causes cyanosis. Cyanosis usually means a severe degree of involvement of the respiratory system.

5. Pain. This is usually due to pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura) which accompanies many forms of chest diseases. The inflamed layers of the pleura when rubbed together during respiration cause pain.

6. Coughing up blood is called hamoptysis and may vary from staining of the sputum to frank blood.

Ex.4. Read the text and translate it in a written form paying special attention to the sentences with underlined word-combinations .

Patients with diseases of the respiratory system

As in other branches of medicine, a careful and detailed history and physical examination are the cornerstones of an accurate diagnosis in patients with disorders of the respiratory system. In addition, the roentgenographic examination occupies a particularly important role in the evaluation of patients with lung disease. Since abnormalities of the respiratory system are frequently a manifestation of a systemic process, attention must be focused not only on the chest; a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's entire health status is essential.

The history must contain a detailed occupational and personal history with a description of exposure to hazards such as coal, silica, asbestos and so on.

The family history should consider pulmonary diseases which may be on a genetic basis.

Dyspnea is a cardinal manifestation of diseases involving the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. A detailed physical examination of both organ systems is therefore mandatory to every patient with symptom. Dyspnea secondary to cardiac disease is often recognized by the presence of other evidence of 'heart failure, of cardiac enlargement and cardiac murmurs.

Patients with diseases involving the respiratory system may also present with chest pain which is frequently caused by inflammation of the pleura, occurring in pneumonia, tuberculosis and malignancy. Pleuritic pain is usually localized to one side of the chest and is related to movements of the thorax and to respiration. Lesions confined to the pulmonary parenchyma do not produce pain, while diseases involving the organs in the mediastinum may cause local discomfort with radiation characteristic of the specific organ.

Ex.5. Assessment of the respiratory system begins with a thorough patient history. Ask the patient to describe his respiratory problem.

A. Put the words in the correct order to make questions.

B. Make up a dialogue using these questions.

1. Does he smoke long how?

2. Severity, persistence and duration is its what?

3. Has long how had he it?

4. One attack differ does from another?

5. He a is smoker?

6. What the in when position is patient occurs dyspnea?

7. Got has he a cough?

8. The symptoms relieves what?

9. Does each how long attack last?

10. Any in particular or make it worse does activity an attack bring on?

11. At night it only occur does during sleep?

Ex.6. Read the texts. Find out and put down the expressions describing throat and voice pathology. Make up your own sentences using these expressions.