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Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is a term often used as a synonym for pneumonia but can also be applied to other types of infection including lung abscess and acute bronchitis. Symptoms include shortness of breath , weakness, fever , coughing and fatigue. [ 3 ]
The lower respiratory tract consists of the trachea (windpipe), bronchial tubes, bronchioles, and the lungs. [6] Lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs) are generally more severe than upper respiratory infections. LRIs are the leading cause of death among all infectious diseases. [7] The two most common LRIs are bronchitis and pneumonia. [8]
Double pneumonia is a historical term for acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). [15] However, the term was, and, especially by lay people, still is used to denote pneumonia affecting both lungs. Accordingly, the term double pneumonia is more likely to be used to describe bilateral pneumonia than it is ALI or ARDS.
Respiratory failure is classified as either Type 1 or Type 2, based on whether there is a high carbon dioxide level, and can be acute or chronic. In clinical trials, the definition of respiratory failure usually includes increased respiratory rate , abnormal blood gases (hypoxemia, hypercapnia, or both), and evidence of increased work of breathing.
Diagnosis of pneumonia is made clinically, rather than on the basis of a particular test. [13] Evaluation begins with a physical examination by a health provider, which may reveal fever, an increased respiratory rate , low blood pressure (hypotension), a fast heart rate (tachycardia) and changes in the amount of oxygen in the blood.
A lower resting heart rate or slower heartbeat will fill the ventricles/heart better and allow for more of a forceful contraction of blood out to the rest of the body, says Dr. Weinberg.
Pneumonia and sepsis are the most common triggers, and pneumonia is present in up to 60% of patients and may be either causes or complications of ARDS. Alcohol excess appears to increase the risk of ARDS. [47] Diabetes was originally thought to decrease the risk of ARDS, but this has shown to be due to an increase in the risk of pulmonary edema.
A medical monitoring device displaying a normal human heart rate. Heart rate is the frequency of the heartbeat measured by the number of contractions of the heart per minute (beats per minute, or bpm). The heart rate varies according to the body's physical needs, including the need to absorb oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide.