Definition
A lower intensity of physiological respiratory sounds indicates reduced air movement in the airways. This sign is typically found in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where bronchospasm or other mechanisms limit respiratory flow.
Respiratory sounds can also be reduced in the presence of pleural effusion, pneumothorax and obstructive endobronchial lesions. If in some areas the air does not pass (for example, due to an atelectasis) the so-called respiratory silence can be perceived.
Furthermore, the reduction of respiratory noise is found in cases of respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia and intra-abdominal abscesses.
Possible Causes * of Reducing Breath Noises
- Cardiac arrest
- Asthma
- COPD
- Bronchiectasis
- Bronchitis
- Respiratory Distress
- Pulmonary embolism
- Emphysema
- Cystic fibrosis
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Heart failure
- Pleural mesothelioma
- Pneumonia
- Silicosis
- Tuberculosis
- Lung cancer
