WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UPPER AND LOWER AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION?
Asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema are all diseases of the lower airways (bronchial tubes). The trachea, larynx (voice box), and pharynx (area behind the tongue) comprise the upper airway and are not involved in these conditions. Croup,laryngitis, tracheitis, and epiglottitis are infections or inflammations of the upper airway; they may lead to upper airway obstruction. They are more common in children than in adults; also, children are more prone to upper airway obstruction because of the child’s smaller airway. A tumor or foreign body can also obstruct the upper airway. Any patient with upper airway obstruction can present with expiratory wheezing just like asthma, so the distinction is important, Accurate diagnosis of upper airway obstruction can usually be made by a combination of history and physical examination, Xrays of the neck, and spirometry. Stridor (a highpitched, inspiratory wheeze) is common in upper airway obstruction and is not usually heard with asthma and oth
