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
