1. Why is Studying Lung Disease important? Flashcards
What percentage of deaths are lung diseases responsible for?
20%
Give examples of causes of respiratory diseases?
- Lung cancer (biggest cause of cancer)
- Pneumonia
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Pulmonary circulatory disease
- Pneymoconioses
- Asthma
What proportion of people visit their GP at least once a year because of a respiratory condition?
around 1/3
What are the differences between airway diseases and small lung disorders (giving examples)?
Airway diseases
• Localised obstruction - sleep apnoea, laryngeal carcinoma, thyroid enlargement etc.
• Generalised obstruction - asthma, COPD, CF
Small lung disorders (restrictive)
• Within the lung - sarcoidosis, asbestosis, fibrosing alveolitis etc.
• Outside the lung - pneumothorax, mesothelioma (caused by asbestos), scoliosis, obesity etc.
Give 4 examples of infections of the respiratory system
- TB
- Infective bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Empyema
Give 2 examples of pulmonary vascular disorders
- Pulmonary embolism
* Pulmonary hypertension
What 3 devices can be used to examine the respiratory system?
• Spirometer
Give 5 functions of the lungs
- Gas exchange
- Host defence
- Metabolic funcitons
- Development, growth and repair
- Vocalisation
What is dyspnoea and what causes it?
• Sensation of difficult, laboured or uncomfortable breathing
Causes
• Physiological - strenuous exercise, pregnancy
• Psychological - stress, anxiety, panic attack
• Pathological - heart disease,, lung disease, pulmonary vascular disease
What are the symptoms associated with lung disease?
- Dyspnoea
- Difficulty walking uphill
- Able to walk 100m
- Can only walk 1.5k at own pace
- Could be breathless at rest
(depends on severity)
Give 4 examples of causes of breathlessness
- Lung disease
- Pulmonary Vascular disease
- Neuromuscular disease
- Systemic disorders e.g. anaemia
