Black Lung, Emphysema, Asbestosis

Question 1

Black Lung Disease

Answer 1

Cause: Inhalation of coal dust
Effects: Coal particles settling in airways and lungs -> Healthy lung tissues and the immune system attempt to fight and remove particles -> Inflammation of lung tissues (alveoli) -> overtime results in scarring -> Scarring severity increases w/ amount of coal dust inhaled and duration of exposure

Question 2

Asbestosis

Answer 2

Cause: Inhales asbestos dust
Effects: particles lodged into alveoli within lungs -> irritates and scars lung tissues -> lungs become stiff and unable to expand and contract

Question 3

Emphysema

Answer 3

Cause: Smoking cigaretttes or long-term exposure to other airborne irritants
Effects: damaged lung alveoli -> weakend and ruptured inner walls of alveoli -> larger air spaces instead of multiple small ones -> Reduced SA of lungs -> Reduced O2 reaching bloodstream -> Pneumothorax (collapsed lungs)/ cor pulmonale (right-sided heart failure) / Bullae (large holes in lungs)

Question 4

Pneumothorax

Answer 4

collapsed lungs