Disorders of the Respiratory System Flashcards
What is asthma?
a chronic lung condition with inflammation, constriction of the airways, and difficulty breathing
What are common triggers associated with asthma?
allergens, respiratory infections, irritants, and physical activity
What kind of medications are available for asthma treatment?
long-term controller medications that are taken daily, or rescue medications taken as needed at the first sign of an attack
What is COPD?
a condition marked by progressive destruction of the air sacs in the lungs and loss of respiratory membrane for oxygen exchange
What are some symptoms of COPD?
shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, chest tightness, fatigue, and frequent respiration
How is COPD diagnosed?
using the PFT
What is the PFT
a test using a spirometer that measures airwau obstruction
Which cancer causes the most deaths in the US?
lung cancer
What causes most of the lung cancer in the US?
cigarette smoking
What are the most common symptoms of lung cancer?
cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, hemoptysis, chest pain, and voice hoarseness
What are the two main types of lung cancer?
small cell and non-small cell
What is the difference between small cell and non-small cell lung cancer?
small cell cancer is more aggressive and spreads quicker, they also both have different treatment methods
What is pneumonia?
an infection in one or both of the lungs that causes the alveoli to fill with fluid or pus
What are some common symptoms of pneumonia?
fever, chills, shortness of breath, chest pain when breathing, and cough that produces green or yellow sputum
What is the most common bacteria that causes pneumonia?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
What is the most effective way to prevent bacterial pneumonia?
through vaccination
How is pneumonia diagnosed?
through a physical exam and a chest x-ray
What is occupational lung disease?
lung conditions caused by long-term exposure to harmful substances in the workplace
What are some common forms of Occupational Lung Disease?
asbestosis, mesothelioma, pneumoconiosis, and silicosis
What is asbestosis?
a chronic lung disease that results from breathing in asbestos fibers which leads to scarring in the lungs and stiff tissue
What is mesothelioma?
a tumor of the tissue that lines the pleura
What is pneumoconiosis
also known as black lung disease, causes scarring and inflammation of the lungs from inhaling coal dust
What is silicosis?
condition causing scarring of the lungs by breathing in silica dust
What is influenza?
a highly contagious illness that includes cough, fever, muscle aches, runny nose, and fatigue
