Stertorous
Stertorous Breathing: Definition, Causes, and Clinical Implications[edit | edit source]
Stertorous breathing, a term rooted in clinical medicine, refers to a distinctive respiratory sound reminiscent of heavy snoring or gasping. Often indicative of partial upper airway obstruction, this sound provides clinicians with essential cues about a patient's respiratory health and potential underlying conditions.
Etymology and Definition[edit | edit source]
Derived from the Latin word “stertor,” which means "to snore," stertorous describes a specific type of snoring or gasping sound evident during respiration. This sound is characterized by its low pitch, non-musical quality, and confinement primarily to the inspiratory phase[1].
Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]
Stertorous breathing arises from:
Partial obstruction of the upper airway, specifically above the level of the larynx. Vibrations in the tissues of the naso-pharynx, pharynx, or soft palate. This distinguishes stertorous breathing from stridor, which is caused by turbulent airflow either within the larynx or below it[2].
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Identifying stertorous breathing is crucial as it often signals:
- Airway Obstruction: This sound can indicate blockages, like those caused by enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or even tumors.
- Post-Seizure State: Stertorous respiration is often audible in patients recovering from a tonic-clonic seizure during the post-ictal phase, suggesting that the patient is transitioning from the seizure activity to a recovery state[3].
- Sleep-Related Disorders: Conditions like sleep apnea might manifest initially as stertorous breathing, prompting further investigation[4].
- Narcotic Overdose: Patients who have overdosed on narcotics can also exhibit stertorous breathing due to depressed respiratory drive[5].
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Stertorous breathing provides a clear auditory clue to potential respiratory or neurological conditions, necessitating prompt clinical evaluation and intervention. Recognizing this sound can be instrumental in ensuring patient safety and guiding treatment decisions.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Ropper, A. H., & Samuels, M. A. (2009). Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology. McGraw-Hill Medical.
- ↑ Murphy, R. L. (1979). Differential diagnosis of stridor and stertor in the neonate. Clinical Perinatology, 6(1), 69-83.
- ↑ Fisher, R. S., & Engel Jr, J. J. (2001). Definition of the postictal state: When does it start and end? Epilepsy & Behavior, 2(4), 341-349.
- ↑ Young, T., Palta, M., Dempsey, J., Skatrud, J., Weber, S., & Badr, S. (1993). The occurrence of sleep-disordered breathing among middle-aged adults. New England Journal of Medicine, 328(17), 1230-1235.
- ↑ White, J. M., & Irvine, R. J. (1999). Mechanisms of fatal opioid overdose. Addiction, 94(7), 961-972.
| Stertorous Resources | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| |
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
