Disorders

Question 1

What is Asthma?

Answer 1

What is it?:
- A chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that causes narrowing and swelling, often triggered by allergens or irritants.

Symptoms:
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, coughing

How can it be diagnosed?:
- Spirometry, peak flow meter, allergy tests, and medical history.

Effects:
- Reduced airflow to lungs, difficulty breathing, and decreased physical activity levels.

Possible Treatments:
- Inhalers (bronchodilators, corticosteroids), allergy medications, avoiding triggers, and lifestyle changes.

Question 2

What is Emphysema?

Answer 2

What is it?:
- A type of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) that damages the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, reducing oxygen exchange.

Symptoms:
- Shortness of breath, chronic cough, wheezing, and fatigue.

How can it be diagnosed?:
- Pulmonary function tests (spirometry), chest X-rays, CT scans, and arterial blood gas analysis.

Effects:
- Permanent lung damage, difficulty in oxygenating blood, and increased risk of respiratory infections.

Possible Treatments:
- Smoking cessation, bronchodilators, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and, in severe cases, surgery.

Question 3

What is Cystic Fibrosis?

Answer 3

What is it?:
- A genetic disorder causing thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs, leading to severe complications.

Symptoms:
- Chronic cough, frequent lung infections, difficulty breathing, salty-tasting skin, and poor weight gain.

How can it be diagnosed?:
- Genetic testing, sweat chloride test, and chest X-rays or CT scans.

Effects:
- Persistent lung infections, impaired digestion, reduced life expectancy, and progressive lung damage.

Possible Treatments:
- Airway clearance techniques, antibiotics, enzyme supplements, bronchodilators, and specialized CF medications.

Question 4

What is Pneumonia?

Answer 4

What is it?:
- An infection of the lungs causing inflammation and fluid buildup in the alveoli, typically caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Symptoms:
- Fever, cough (productive or dry), shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and chills.

How can it be diagnosed?:
- Chest X-rays, blood tests, sputum culture, and physical examination (listening to lung sounds).

Effects:
- Impaired oxygen exchange, respiratory distress, and potentially life-threatening complications if untreated.

Possible Treatments:
- Antibiotics (for bacterial pneumonia), antivirals, rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications for symptoms.

Question 5

What is Chronic Bronchitis?

Answer 5

What is it?:
- A form of COPD characterized by long-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes, leading to mucus production and airflow obstruction.

Symptoms:
- Persistent cough with mucus, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest discomfort.

How can it be diagnosed?:
- Pulmonary function tests, chest X-rays, CT scans, and sputum analysis.

Effects:
- Chronic lung damage, increased risk of respiratory infections, and reduced quality of life.

Possible Treatments:
- Smoking cessation, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Question 6

What is Lung Cancer?

Answer 6

What is it?:
- A type of cancer that begins in the lungs, often caused by smoking, exposure to carcinogens, or genetic factors.

Symptoms:
- Persistent cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue.

How can it be diagnosed?:
- Imaging tests (X-rays, CT scans), biopsy, sputum cytology, and molecular testing of tumour samples.

Effects:
- Tumor growth in lung tissue, metastasis to other organs, and severe respiratory impairment.

Possible Treatments:
- Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, depending on stage and type.