The person's lungs are not moving air well in emphysema. Also irritants cause increased production of phlegm, which can reduce air movement, hence, diminished breath sounds.
No, depending on the person's current condition, there may be wheezing, crackles, rales, etc. In emphysema, though, lung sounds can become very diminished.
Decreased breath sounds can be caused by several factors, including obstructive conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which limit airflow. Other causes include pleural effusion, where fluid accumulates in the pleural space, and pneumothorax, where air enters the pleural cavity, both of which can dampen lung sounds. Additionally, lung consolidation from pneumonia or tumors can also lead to diminished breath sounds in affected areas. Lastly, obesity or chest wall deformities may restrict lung expansion, contributing to decreased breath sounds.
A patient with diminished breath sounds on one side of the chest may have several conditions, including a pleural effusion, pneumothorax, or atelectasis. Pleural effusion is the accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, while pneumothorax involves the presence of air in the pleural cavity. Atelectasis refers to the collapse of lung tissue, which can also lead to reduced breath sounds. A thorough clinical evaluation and imaging studies are essential for accurate diagnosis.
no breath sounds
When the doctor listens to the lungs through a stethoscope (ausculation), diminished or bronchial breath sounds may be heard. By tapping on the chest (percussion) while listening through the stethoscope, the doctor can often tell if the lung is collapsed
Vesicular breath sounds are soft and low pitched. These are the most commonly heard breath sounds. Diminished vesicular sounds are less robust than vesicular sounds. These sounds can occur in patients who move a lowered volume of air, such as in frail, elderly patients or shallow breathing patients. For audio recordings and more details, see http://www.easyauscultation.com/lung-sounds.aspx
A doctor can tell if a person has abnormal breath sounds by listening with a stethoscope. This is often seen in people with COPD or asthma.
Air is normally able to pass through the bronchial tree normally is the bronchial tree is open via laminar flow. Breath sounds are heard during auscultation of the chest, using a stethoscope. Normal breath sounds are termed as vesicular breath sounds. However, in conditions such as a pleural effusion where there is air within the pleural cavity, the flow of air becomes disturbed. Therefore, there will be absent breath sounds and if the effusion is large, bronchial breath sounds will be heard which are both abnormal.
Smokers' lungs often produce distinctive sounds during auscultation, such as coarse crackles or wheezing due to inflammation and mucus buildup in the airways. These sounds can indicate chronic bronchitis or other respiratory conditions associated with smoking. Additionally, diminished breath sounds may be present if there is significant lung damage. Overall, the lung sounds can reflect a variety of pathologies related to prolonged tobacco use.
The two main symptoms of atelectasis would be shortness of breath (dyspnea) and decreased chest wall expansion.Other characteristics include diminished breath sounds and fever.shortness of breath and decreased chest wall expansion. If atelectasis only afects a small area of the lung, symptoms are ususally minimal. If the condition affects a large area of the lung and develops quickly, the individual may turn blue
Chest Clear HS Normal typically refers to a medical assessment of the lungs, indicating that there are no abnormal sounds (such as wheezing, crackles, or diminished breath sounds) detected during a physical examination. "Chest clear" suggests that the lungs are functioning properly, and "HS" may stand for "heart sounds," indicating that heart sounds are also normal. This finding is generally reassuring in a clinical context, suggesting no immediate respiratory issues.
In a dehydrated patient, lung sounds may be decreased or diminished due to reduced air movement in the lungs. This can result in faint or barely audible breath sounds on auscultation. Dehydration can also lead to thickening of lung secretions, which may produce crackles or rales.