Love to do some charity work. Have a passion for writing and do it in my spare time
W. Mocroft, Philanthropist, Master Degree in International Business, Las Vegas
Answered Jan 24, 2019
Pulmonary edema means that there is fluid collecting in the lungs. This often presents as decreased breathing sounds on that side. The fluid accumulating in the space causes decreased transmission of the sound waves that results in decreased breathing sounds. Other sounds called basal crept are also common in these patients.
Crackles, on the other hand, are a feature of atelectasis and interstitial fibrosis. The rhonchi are present in asthma and COPD and represent large airways with echoing sounds. The different sounds auscultated from the lungs can give us a valuable insight into the lung pathology. Hearing these breath sounds gives us the evidence needed to make a diagnosis.
In pleural effusion, fluid accumulates in the pleural space, impairing the transmission of normal breath sounds. because of the acoustic mismatch, breath sounds are diminished. Crackles commonly accompany atelectasis, interstitial fibrosis, and left-sided heart failure. Rhonchi suggest secretions in the large airways. Wheezes result from narrowed airways, such as in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bronchitis.