Upper airways

Under certain conditions, such as hyperbaria,airway heat losses can account for a considerable percentage of total body heat production (in some cases > 100%). Normally these threats are ameliorated by rapid moderation of inspired air temperature and humidity by exchanging heat and water vapor between the mucus and airstream in the upper airway. Recovering much of the heat and water vapor contained in expired air minimizes heat and water losses to the ambient environment and aids in whole-body thermoregulation. 

Kaufman, J. W. (1999). The role of upper airway heat and water vapor exchange in hygroscopic aerosol deposition iii the human airway. In Toxicity Assessment Alternatives Methods, Issues, Opportunities (H. Salem and S.A. Katz, Eds.), pp. 63-70. Humana Press Inc., Totow a, NJ. 

Upper airway The portion of the human conducting airways proximal to... 

The aerodynamic particle diameter determines the fate of particles in the respiratory system. Coarse particles are deposited in the nose and nasopharynx. Smaller particles that pass the upper airway can be deposited in the bronchial region and lower airway. A size-selective deposition model and sampling of particles has been standardized both in Europe and internationally. The... 

Yeadon, M., Price, R. and Payne, A.N. (1994). A method for measurement of upper airway mucus secretion in guinea-pigs in vivo. Am. J. Resp. Crit. Care Med. 149, A329. 

Coates E.L. and Ballam G.O. (1989). Breathing and upper airway CO2 in reptiles role of the nasal and vomeronasal systems. Am J Physiol 256, 91-97. 

Up to 80% of asthmatics have symptoms of rhinitis, and inflammation of the upper airways may increase AHR.1,3 Treatment of rhinitis with intranasal corticosteroids may improve asthma symptoms and is recommended for asthma patients with rhinitis. 

Several factors suggest an association between OSA and systemic disease. Breathing against a closed upper airway during... 

Upper respiratory tract infection (URI) is a term that refers to various upper airway infections, including otitis media, sinusitis, pharyngitis, and rhinitis. Most URIs are viral and often selflimited. Over 1 billion viral URIs occur annually in the United States, resulting in millions of physician office visits each year.1 Excessive antibiotic use for URIs has contributed to the significant development of bacterial resistance. Guidelines have been established to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use for viral URIs.2 This chapter will focus on acute otitis media, sinusitis, and pharyngitis because they are frequently caused by bacteria and require appropriate antibiotic therapy to minimize complications. 

Allergic rhinitis A highly prevalent, allergen-induced, upper airway inflammatory disease characterized by chronic hyperreactive airway mucosa with periods of acute exacerbations. 

Continuous positive airway pressure Therapy delivered using a nasal mask to improve the patency of the upper airway by maintaining sufficient air pressure to alleviate sleep-disordered breathing. 

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