LUNG DISEASE Flashcards
What are the main factors that increase risk of lung disease
1) smoking - 90% suffering from ld have smoked heavily
2) air pollution - particulates and gases
3) genetic makeup
4) infections - other chest infections more likely to suffer
5) occupation - working with harmful chemicals, gases/dust
What do lung diseases affect
ventilation and gas exchange
What is tidal volume
volume of air in each breath
What is the average tidal volume
between 0.4dm3 and 0.5dm3 (adults)
What is ventilation rate
number of breaths per minute
What is the average ventilation rate for healthy people
15 breaths
What is the forced expiratory volume
maxiumum volume of air that can be breathed out in 1 second
What is the forced vital capacity
the maximum volume of air that can be breathed out forcefully after a really deep breath in
What can you use to measure tidal volume, ventilation rate etc
spirometer
What does a spirometer do
measures the volume of air breathed in and out
What is 1dm3 equivalant to
1 litre
What are 4 examples of lung diseases
1) pulmonary tuberculosis (TB)
2) fibrosis
3) asthma
4) emphysema
What does becoming infected with tuberculosis cause
1) immmune system forms a wall around the bacteria in the lungs to form small hard lumps called tubercles.
2) tissue infected with these dies and the gas exchange surface is damaged
3) tidal volume is decreased
What does a reduced tidal volume mean
less air can be inhailed so breathing rate needs to increase to get enough air, increasing ventilation rate
What other lung disease can tuberculosis form
fibrosis
What are the common symptoms of tuberculosis
1) persistant cough
2) coughing up blood and mucus
3) chest pains
4) shortness of breath
5) fatigue
What is fibrosis
the formation of scar tissue in the lungs that is thicker and less elastic than normal lung tissue meaning the lungs are less able to expand & can’t hold as much air = tidal volume and FVC are reduced & rate of gas exchange reduced (thicker membrane)
What can cause fibrosis
infection or exposure to substances like asbestos or dust
What are the symptoms of fibrosis
1) shortness of breath
2) dry cough
3) chest pain
4) fatigue
5) weakness
What is asthma
respiratory condition where the airways become inflames and irritated
What are the usual causes of asthma
allergic reaction to substances like pollen or dust
What happens during an asthma attack
1) smooth muscle lining of bronchioles contracts and lots of mucus is produced
2) causes constriction of the airways
3) airflow is severly reduced in and out
4) means FEV is severly reduced
What are the symptoms of asthma
1) wheezing
2) tight chest
3) shortness pf breath
What can relieve asthma attacks
drugs (in inhalers)
What do the drugs in inhalers do
cause the muscles of the bronchioles to relax , re-opening the airway
What does emphysema cause
inflammation, which means phagocytes are attracted to the area that produce an enzyme which breaks down elastin, meaning alveoli cant recoil or expel air as well
What causes empysema
smoking or long-term exposure to air pollution
What are the effects of empysema
alveoli cant recoil or expel air as well so air remains trapped in them, and the alveoli walls are destroyed so gas exchange rate decreases
What is elastin and where is it found
protein found in elastic, in the walls of the alveoli
What are the symptoms of empysema
1) shortness of breath
2) wheezing
Why do sufferers of lung disease often feel tired and weak
the gas exchange rate is reduced, so the rate of aerobic respiration is also reduced = less energy released
