Respiratory distress

Causes

• Acute exacerbation COAD
• Acute asthmatic attack
• Severe pneumonia
• Pulmonary oedema especially in patient with poor reserve
• Neuromuscular disease
• Drug induced

Clinical features

• General appearance- cyanosis, tachypnoea, distress
• Restlessness, confusion, ultimately coma
• Flapping tremor, bounding pulse, chemosis, headaches

Management

• Investigation and treatment hand in hand
• Give O , treat infection, cardiac failure etc.
• Bronchodilators and physiotherapy
• Do CXR, FBC, U&E, ABG, PEFR, ECG, sputum and blood culture where needed
• Patient may require intensive care with the use of respiratory stimulants and assisted ventilation