Class #9

Question 1

Asthma

Answer 1

• A chronic, inflammatory lung disease that causes recurrent breathing problems
• Underlying cause not known; triggered by allergies
• Signs: chronic cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, mucous production
• Treatment: prescription drugs, especially cortical steroids

Question 2

Chronic Bronchitis

Answer 2

• A type of COPD where there is long-term inflammation of the bronchi
• Due to smoking, infections, environmental pollution
• Signs: Chronic cough, build-up of mucous, SOB
• Treatment: Prescription medications (steroids), oxygen therapy, lung reduction surgery, lung transplantation

Question 3

Pulmonary Emphysema

Answer 3

• A type of COPD where alveoli are damaged
• Smoking, air pollution, fumes/ dusts, genetic inheritance
• Signs: SOB, cough, fatigue
• Treatment: Stop smoking, antibiotics, steroids, oxygen, lung reduction, exercise

Question 4

Cystic Fibrosis

Answer 4

• Chronic, progressive disease in which mucous glads in lungs overproduce mucous causing infections (cysts) and scarring (fibrosis)
• Genetic inheritance
• Signs: Thick mucous leading to infections and difficulty breathing
• Treatment: medications to reduce mucous, physical therapy, exercise, diet, lung reduction and/or transplantation