Chapter 7.3 Flashcards
How are bacterial infections usually treated?
Antibiotics
What is tonsillitis?
Infection of the tonsils which are located in the pharynx
What is the common cause of tonsillitis?
A viral infection rather than a bacterial infection
When will the tonsils have to be removed?
If infections are frequent and breathing is impaired
What is the purpose of the tonsils?
They help to prevent bacteria and other foreign pathogens from entering the body
What is a consequence of removing the tonsils?
It might increase the number of infections later on in life
What is Laryngitis?
Inflammation of the larnyx
What are some causes of Laryngitis?
Viral infection; allergies and overstraining of the voice can also lead to laryngitis
What happens when the larynx is inflamed?
Vocal cords are not able to vibrate as they normally do reducing the ability to speak normally
what are the 2 upper respiratory tract infections?
Tonsillitis and Laryngitis
What are the primary causes of lower respiratory disorders in Canadians?
Infections, Obstructive Pulmonary disorders and lung cancer
What is bronchitis?
A disorder that causes bronchi to be inflamed and filled with mucus
What is acute bronchitis?
A short term disorder that is caused by a bacterial infection and can be treated with antibiotics
What is chronic bronchitis?
A long term disorder that is caused by regular exposure to irritants and foreign bodies
What is the main cause of Chronic Bronchitis?
Because there has been exposure over a long period of time, the cilia are destroyed and their cleaning action no longer works
What happens as a result of the cilia not working in chronic bronchitis?
The bronchi become even more inflamed and infection is more likely
What is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis?
Cigarette smoking
What is the treatment for chronic bronchitis?
Since there is no cure, treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms and complications with medication and regular exercise
What Pneumonia?
A disease that occurs when the alveoli in the lungs become inflamed and fill with liquids
What happens in Pneumonia when the alveoli are filled with liquids?
The liquid interferes with gas exchange and the body become starved for oxygen
What are the 2 main types of Pneumonia?
Lobular and Bronchial pneumonia
What does lobular pneumonia affect?
A lobe of the lung
What does bronchial pneumonia affect?
Patches throughout both lungs
What are the main causes of Pneumonia?
Bacterial infection and viral infection
What is lobular pneumonia caused by?
The bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae
How can pneumonia affect other tissues?
The bacteria can spread through the bloodstream
How can pneumonia be prevented from spreading throughout the body?
A vaccine called pneumococcal vaccine which provide long term protection from bacterium
Which pneumonias are usually less severe?
Viral pneumonias are less severe and can be treated with antiviral medications. However they may be followed by a bacterial infection which have to be treated by antibiotics
What is Pleurisy?
A lung disorder that is caused by the swelling and irritation of the pleura
What are the causes of Pleurisy?
Viral infections
Blood clots in the lung
Cancer
What are the symptoms of pleurisy?
A sharp stabbing pain in the chest
How is pleurisy treated?
By treating the cause of the swelling and irritation
What is emphysema?
An obstructive respiratory disorder where the walls of alveoli break down and lose their elasticity
What happens as a result of alveoli breaking down and elasticity being reduced in emphysema?
The surface area for gas exchange is reduced causing oxygen shortages in the tissues. Exhaling also become difficult because of loss of elasticity
What is emphysema caused by?
Smoking
What is the treatment for emphysema?
It is permanent and incurable but medication can help open up the bronchioles
What do people with emphysema usually require?
A low flow oxygen tank that provides oxygen that varies with an individual’s breathing rates. This is called a variable performance system
What is a high-flow system or a fixed performance system?
An oxygen system that provides a constant concentration of oxygen that meets or exceeds an individuals needs
What is lung volume reduction surgery?
An experimental surgery for treatment of emphysema
What happens in lung volume reduction surgery?
Up to 30% of the most damaged tissue from each lung is removed. The goal is to have healthy portions work better
What is cystic fibrosis?
A serious genetic condition that affects the lungs
What is cystic fibrosis caused by?
An abnormal gene that disrupts the function of cells lining the passageways of the lungs
What happens when the cells lining the passageways of the lungs don’t function properly?
The homeostatic balance of salt and water cannot be maintained, causing the thin mucus and liquid coating on the inside of the lungs to become very sticky and thick
What does the mucic do in the lungs for people with cystic fibrosis?
The mucus traps pathogens but they cannot be expelled, causing repeated infections that reduce lung function
What is the treatment for cystic fibrosis?
Medicines thin the mucus and antibiotics treat lung infections
What is Asthma?
A chronic obstructive lung disease that affects bronchi and bronchioles making breathing difficult or impossible
What do people with asthma have in their airways?
Constant inflammation and they are extremely sensitive to triggers
What happens during an asthma attack?
The bronchi and bronchioles swell and the bronchial muscles tighten and mucus production increases
What do most people use to manage their asthma?
An inhaler that is a handheld device that delivers medications deep into the lungs
What are the 2 types of inhalers?
A metered dose inhaler and a dry powder inhaler
What do metered dose inhalers do?
Force medicine out of the inhaler when the inhaler is compressed through the action of a chemical propellant
What is different in dry powder inhalers?
They do not contain a chemical propellant so medicine does not come out as fast
What is a nebulizer?
For asthma it is a mask worn over the mouth and nose . The mask contains medicine suspended within the mist
What is the purpose of asthma medications?
They work to reduce the inflammation in the airways and relax the bronchial muscles
What does a peak flow meter meter measure?
Lung volume and can show when lung volume is decreasing
What is lung cancer?
The uncontrolled invasive growth of abnormal cells in the lungs
What do the abnormal cells in lung cancer form?
Malignant tumors or carcinomas
What do the tumors do in lung cancer?
They reduce the surface area available for gas exchange and may stop air from entering the bronchioles. They may also damage tissues or produce toxins that are harmful to the lung cells
What is the most common cause of lung cancer?
Smoking
What is the second most common cause of lung cancer?
Exposure to radon, a heavy gaseous radioactive element found in quantities of rocks and soil
Why is it challenging to successfully treat lung disorders?
Because they are usually difficult to diagnose before they progress to an untreatable phase
What can lung cancer be detected by?
A specialized x-ray called a CT scan and a new type of scan celled a helical low-dose CT scan
what is a technology that was developed to stop the spread of lung cancer?
A technology that uses DNA to pinpoint cells that are most likely to become cancerous
How can liposomes be used to fight cancer?
They consist of a phospholipid bi-layer that is filled with drugs and released into the bloodstream to attack cancer cells
