Lesson 3: Diseases and Disorders of the Respiratory and Circulatory System PDF

Infectious Diseases of the Respiratory Tract Common Cold Common cold is a contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract and is usual result nasal of a viral infection by rhinovirus. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose because of excessing nasal secretions, nasal congestion, and mild fever....

Infectious Diseases of the Respiratory Tract Common Cold Common cold is a contagious infection of the upper respiratory tract and is usual result nasal of a viral infection by rhinovirus. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose because of excessing nasal secretions, nasal congestion, and mild fever. Children have greater risk of getting cold between 6-12 times a year, while adults typically acquire colds between 2-4 times annually. Colds do not have a cure, but its symptoms can be relieved by taking enough rest and drinking lots of water. Influenza Influenza or flu is a contagious illness caused by several influenza viruses called myxovirus. Patients experience chills, fever, severe headache, muscular pains, runny nose, and general discomfort. Although symptoms are similar with the common cold, influenza is a more severe disease that can even lead to pneumonia and death. Influenza can spread globally in seasonal epidemics with severe cases of three to five million and about 250,000 to 500,000 annual deaths. Several new strains of flu viruses have emerged recently as a result of mutation. These include Influenza A(H1N1), which caused a global pandemic and affected millions in June 2009. In the Philippines, the number of A(H1N1) cases reached 3207, causing nine deaths. The pandemic led to the shutdown of many schools with infected students (DOH, July 30, 2009). Vaccinations and antiviral drugs are available in some countries. Pneumonia Pneumonia refers to any infection of the lungs caused by bacteria, virus, fungi, or protozoa in rare conditions. Its symptoms include fever, chest pain, fluid in the lungs, and difficulty in breathing. The disease causes inflammation of the lung's air sacs or alveoli, which become filled with pus or fluid. Since pneumonia can resemble the common cold or flu, it can easily be overlooked. Bacterial pneumonia that may be caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, or Legionella pneumophilia can manifest as severe symptoms that last longer than usual and can cause death if left untreated. Chest X-rays accompanied by blood and sputum tests can identify the type of pneumonia. The general treatment includes taking all the prescribed medications and participating in follow-up care. Tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is the nineth leading cause of death worldwide. The World Health Organization reported that 10.4 million were afflicted with TB, while about two million dies from it each year. Approximately one-third of the world's population is infected with this disease. Tuberculosis is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which can spread through respiration droplets by coughing, sneezing, or spitting phlegm. In general, you need a long exposure before becoming infected. Inside the lungs, the bacteria induce a localized pro-inflammatory response that leads to the formation of small lump-like lesions called tubercles. Known to commonly affect lungs, TB can also spread to other parts of the body such as the bones, joints, urinary tract, and the central nervous system. These cases are known as extra-pulmonary TB. Symptoms of a person with active TB include a bad cough lasting for three weeks or more, discolored or bloody sputum, weight loss, weakness or fatigue, slight fever (usually in the afternoon), night sweats, loss of appetite, and pain when breathing or coughing. Skin test, sputum test, and chest X-rays can confirm if one has the disease. Tuberculosis is a curable disease. Infected patients must take several antibiotics for at least six months. If not given proper medical attention, TB can lead to death. Respiratory Disorders Asthma Asthma is a chronic and allergic condition that makes the breathing airways narrow and swollen and causes them to produce extra mucus. Asthmatic individuals experience recurring periods of breathing difficulties, wheezing while exhaling and inhaling, shortness of breath, and coughing. The exact cause of asthma is unknown, but several factors or allergens help trigger asthmatic 1 attacks. These include the inhalation of pollen, dust mites, and animal dead skin cells (dander). Approximately three to six percent of the population have asthma. Although some may treat it as a mild nuisance, it can be life-threatening. Asthma cannot be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. Sometimes, asthma can disappear by the time a child reaches adolescence. Relieving asthmatic symptoms involve the elimination of the triggering agent, the use of nebulizer with saline solution, the use of a bronchodilator, or a short-term dose of corticosteroids. Bronchitis Bronchitis is the inflammation or swelling of the breathing passages (bronchial tubes), the pathway between the nose and the lungs. The disease is often caused by viral lung infections, but it can also be triggered by industrial pollutants and tobacco smoke. The small passageways of air and its lining may become inflamed, infected, narrower, and clogged by mucus. People suffering from bronchitis have difficulty breathing and cough with phlegm. The disease comes in two forms-acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis occurs when a patient experiences a nagging cough that lasts for one to three weeks. If this condition lasts for three months or more and happens within two consecutive years, it becomes chronic bronchitis. This can lead to the scarring of the bronchial tubes, production of excessive mucus, and infection from microorganisms. Acute bronchitis can be treated with sufficient rest and drinking enough fluids. Chronic conditions accompanied by cough for more than three weeks must be given proper medical attention. Emphysema Emphysema is a long-term disease of the lungs caused by prolonged exposure to respiratory irritants like tobacco chemicals and air pollutants such as factory fumes or coal. This pulmonary disease damages the alveoli of the lungs as well as the breathing passageways. As the patient inhales air, the air sacs expand, break, and get damaged, forming a scar tissue. The alveoli turn into large, irregular pockets with holes in them, making them less elastic and inefficient. With some surface area of the lungs damaged, the amount of gas that can be exchanged is also reduced. People with emphysema do not get enough oxygen supply and cannot efficiently eliminate carbon dioxide. Thus, a patient may experience difficulty and pain during breathing and shortness of breath even while resting. It is an incurable disease and no treatment is available. However, symptoms can be relieved, and progression can be slowed down. Since smoking is usually the main reason, stopping it may impede the progress of the disease. Medications such as use of bronchodilators, antibiotics to stop infection, steroid aerosol spray, oxygen supply, and surgical procedure to remove the damaged lung tissue can help patients with emphysema. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) COPD is associated with a group of lung diseases: emphysema, asthma, and chronic bronchitis. Patients experience a progressive and long-term obstruction of airflow that makes breathing difficult. COPD is preventable, since its most common cause is smoking (including second-hand smoke). Pulmonary infections can be slowed down using antibiotics, but no cure will be available if emphysema sets in. Lung Cancer Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men and women that can result from uncontrolled growth and proliferation of cells. It can be triggered by long-term exposure to carcinogens such as asbestos and tobacco smoke. For example, smoking allows more than 70 cancer-causing chemicals to enter the body. These carcinogenic chemicals can cause the uncontrolled growth of malignant cells, called tumors, which may occupy the space in the lungs used for gas exchange. If left untreated, the cancer cells can migrate or metastasize to other parts of the body. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are coughing (with blood), mucus production, weight loss, shortness of breath, and blockage of airways. Unfortunately, lung cancer is rarely detected early. Treatments include the surgical removal of the damaged part, chemotherapy, and radiation. Survival rates for lung cancer patients remain low. 2 Disorders of the Blood Vessels Atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis is the disease of the arteries that is associated with cholesterol buildup called plaque inside the walls of the arteries. The arteries harden and lose their elasticity and degenerate. The blockage narrows the diameter of the arteries and impedes normal the blood flow. The organs and tissues will thus be deprived of oxygen, and they may cease to function normally. The blockage is worst when there are fat deposits in the vessels that serve the heart, brain, and lower parts of the body. A reduced blood supply blood flow in the legs may lead to irreversible damage; the condition may cause bacterial infection and eventually, the death of leg tissues. Extreme cases may require amputation, especially if antibiotic therapy fails. Several procedures from medications to surgery, such as angioplasty and bypass graft surgery, can clear clogged arteries. However, the best way to prevent the disease is to avoid too much fat in the diet, quit smoking, control weight gain, and exercise. Stroke Stroke is a disorder that results from blockage brought by the hardening of arteries in the brain or in the neck vessels leading to the brain. A blood clot fixed within a blood vessel, called thrombus, can block the passage of blood. Sometimes, a wandering clot called embolus can also stop blood flow. Stroke can also occur from a hemorrhage where a diseased artery suddenly bursts. This condition, called cerebral hemorrhage, occurs when a patient has atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. Once stroke occurred, intensive rehabilitation is needed as soon as possible for a speedy recovery. Diseases of the Heart Coronary Heart Disease The inability of the blood to reach the coronary arteries of the heart can lead to a disease known as coronary heart disease. Because of aging or atherosclerosis, the walls of the arteries may thicken and harden, and blood volume may be reduced. Eventually, the reduced blood flow causes a painful sensation in the chest, left arm, and shoulder known as angina pectoris. Inadequate blood flow can also lead to an infarct or an area of damaged cardiac tissue. Myocardial infarction is the technical term for a heart attack associated with damage to a large part of the heart. Heart attacks can be prevented by moderate exercise, rest, good diet, smoking cessation, and lowering stressful factors. Cardiologists also prescribe small doses of aspirins and other drug treatments to patients. Hypertensive Heart Disease Hypertension or elevated blood pressure results from the tightening of the arterioles, the smallest arteries of the body. Because of the clenching condition, it increases the resistance of blood flow, as when you tighten the nozzle of a garden hose and water pressure builds up in the hose. In this situation, the heart must work harder than normal to force blood through these tightened blood vessels. Over time, the heart muscle may thicken and enlarge and become overworked. The overburdened circulatory system will then break down, possibly causing the failure of the heart or kidneys, or the onset of stroke and accelerating the development of atherosclerosis and heart attacks. Treatment of hypertensive heart disease is promising because of the availability of a wide variety of antihypertensive drugs. Rheumatic Heart Disease This is a heart disease that usually occurs in children. It usually begins with untreated bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. This bacterial toxin causes the body to trigger an immune reaction, and the patient suffers a rheumatic fever. This further causes damage to the heart, specifically the inflammation of the innermost layer of the heart known as endocarditis. 3 Disorders of the Blood Hemophilia In hemophilia, the blood does not clot property Bleeding thus persists. People with this genetic condition are called hemophiliacs o bleeders. the disease is caused by the lack of one of the plasma proteins associated with clotting. In advance stages, hemophilia can result in anemia because of excessive and continuous blood loss. Treatment of bleeding episodes can be resolved by the administration of antihemophilic factor (AHF) which speeds up the clotting sequence. However, if too much blood is lost, a complete transfusion is necessary. Anemia Anemia is a condition wherein the red blood cell count stays persistently low, (below four million whereas, the normal RBC count is 4.7 to 6.1 million. It may also be caused by the decrease in the amount of hemoglobin in RBCs than normal, deficiency of normal hemoglobin, or production of abnormal hemoglobin. This situation will affect a red blood cell's ability to carry its full share of oxygen to the body's tissues. Anemia may result because of nutritional deficiencies, diseases or injuries associated with organs for blood cell formation (bone marrow) and destruction (spleen and liver), or excessive loss of blood and hereditary in the case of sickle cell anemia. Iron-deficiency anemia can be treated with iron supplements and iron-rich foods. Pernicious anemia can be treated with folic acid supplements. Leukemia Leukemia is a disorder characterized by an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells. It is said to be one of the most dangerous blood disorders. In acute leukemia, which is common among children, the marrow produces monster-sized, cancer-looking white blood cells. Because of their enormous size, they crowd out other red blood cells and blood platelets, giving them only a little space to grow. Modern treatment includes radiation and drugs, which help wipe out malignant cells. 4