Respiratory Disorders PDF

Respiratory Disorders Outcome D1b, Lesson 4 Respiratory Health The respiratory system, like the digestive system, links the internal environment of the body with the external environment The quality of both environments plays a key role in the health of the respiratory system Change...

Respiratory Disorders Outcome D1b, Lesson 4 Respiratory Health The respiratory system, like the digestive system, links the internal environment of the body with the external environment The quality of both environments plays a key role in the health of the respiratory system Changes in the external environment and lifestyle choices impact how the system functions Upper Respiratory Tract Infections Usually caused by viruses or bacteria When it is bacterial, antibiotics are taken Affect structures in upper respiratory tract Nasal passage  trachea Usually short-term infections and do not obstruct breathing Tonsillitis Infection of the tonsils Located in the pharynx Most commonly a viral infection (rather than bacterial) Tonsils can be removed surgically if infections are frequent and breathing is impaired Children used to have their tonsils removed as a precaution, but this is no longer common Tonsils help to prevent bacteria and other foreign pathogens from entering the body so if they are removed unnecessarily, this can lead to more infections later in life Tonsillitis Laryngitis Inflammation of the larynx Commonly caused by a viral infection, allergies, or overstraining the voice Larynx inflammation leads to vocal cords not vibrating normally Reduces ability to speak normally or at all Symptoms include sore throat and hoarseness Laryngitis Lower Respiratory Tract Infections Primarily caused by infections, obstructive pulmonary disorders (OPD) and lung cancer Affect structures in upper respiratory tract Bronchi  alveoli Impact breathing which can impair the delivery of oxygen to cells Bronchitis Bronchi become inflamed and fill with mucus Mucus is expelled by coughing Acute bronchitis – short-term disorder, cause by bacterial infection, treated with antibiotics Chronic bronchitis – long-term disorder, caused by regular exposure to irritants and foreign bodies, cilia become destroyed, no cure but treatment aims to reduce symptoms Commonly caused by smoking Bronchitis Pneumonia Alveoli become inflamed and fill with liquids Interferes with gas exchange and body becomes starved for oxygen Lobular pneumonia – caused by bacteria (Streptoccocus pneumoniae), has a preventative vaccine Viral pneumonia – caused by a virus, less severe, can be treated with anti-viral medication Pneumonia Pleurisy Swelling and irritation of the pleura membrane Caused by viruses, bacteria, blood clot in the lungs, or cancer Symptoms include a sharp stabbing pain in the chest, usually in one area Treatment involves treating the cause of the swelling and irritation Pleurisy Emphysema The walls of the alveoli break down and lose their elasticity Reduces the surface area for gas exchange and causes oxygen shortage Permanent and incurable Patients will use a low-flow oxygen tanks to help breathe and acquire sufficient oxygen Only caused by smoking Emphysema Cystic Fibrosis Genetic condition affecting the lungs The normally thin mucus lining become very thick and sticky Usually, pathogens are trapped by mucus then expelled by coughing With CF, the pathogens are trapped and then cannot be expelled because it is too thick Leads to repeated lung infections that reduce lung function and difficulty breathing No cure, but treated with medication to thin the mucus and antibiotics to treat the infections Life expectancy