D2.3 - Respiratory Health

Respiratory Health

• Learning Objectives: Explain how diseases impact the respiratory system.

Effects of Smoking

• Increased mucus secretion
• Damaged cilia, less effective at cleaning
• Increased coughing to clear airways
• Coughing irritates airways, increasing susceptibility to infection
• Dirt particles accumulate in lungs
• Bronchial restriction

Effects of Carbon Monoxide

• Carbon monoxide (CO) is a competitive inhibitor in red blood cells.
• CO attaches to hemoglobin 200 times stronger than oxygen (O₂) or carbon dioxide (CO₂).
• This makes hemoglobin unavailable for O₂ or CO₂ depriving cells of oxygen.

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

• Usually caused by viruses or bacteria.
• Bacterial infections often treated with antibiotics.
• Examples: Tonsillitis, Laryngitis.
• "-itis" suffix means inflamed.

Tonsillitis

• Viral infection of tonsils.
• Tonsils located in the throat; stop bacteria and foreign substances entering the body through the mouth or nose.
• Tonsils can be surgically removed, but this can increase infections later in life.

Laryngitis

• Inflammation of the larynx (contains vocal cords).
• Usually a viral infection.
• Reduces vocal cord vibration, potentially causing loss of voice.

Lower Respiratory Tract Disorders

• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Pleurisy
• Emphysema
• Cystic fibrosis
• Lung cancer

Bronchitis

• Causes bronchi to become inflamed and filled with mucus.
• Mucus expelled by coughing.
• Can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).
• Chronic bronchitis is often caused by regular exposure to foreign bodies or irritants, which damage cilia.

Pneumonia

• Lungs become inflamed and filled with liquids.
• Interferes with gas exchange, leading to oxygen deprivation.
• Two types:
  • Lobular: affects a lobe of the lung.
  • Bronchial: affects parts of both lungs.

Pleurisy

• Caused by swelling and inflammation of the pleural membrane.
• Many causes, such as infection, blood clots in the lung, or cancer.

Emphysema

• Alveoli walls break down and lose elasticity
• Reduces the surface area available for gas exchange, causing oxygen shortages.
• Almost always caused by smoking.

Cystic Fibrosis

• Genetic condition impacting cells lining the lungs.
• Prevents proper salt/water balance, leading to thick, sticky mucus.
• Mucus traps pathogens, causing repeated infections.

Asthma

• Chronic lung disease affecting bronchi and bronchioles, making breathing difficult.
• Can range from mild to severe.
• Constant inflammation in airways, sensitive to triggers like pollen, dust, cigarette smoke.
• Asthma attack: airways narrow due to swelling, bronchiole tightening, increased mucus.
• Inhalers treat asthma by reducing inflammation and relaxing bronchiole muscles.

Lung Cancer

• Growth of abnormal cells (tumors) in the lungs.
• Tumors reduce gas exchange area in the lungs.
• Can prevent air entering bronchioles.
• Damaged lung tissue.
• Production of toxins that harm cells.