Lung Diseases

Question 1

What are the 4 lung diseases?

Answer 1

Emphysema
Pulmonary tuberculosis
Fibrosis
Asthma

Question 2

What is emphysema?

Answer 2

Caused by smoking or exposure to air pollution
Foreign particles trapped in alveoli
Destruction of alveoli walls
Inflammation —> enzyme breaks down elastin
Reduces gas exchange
Sufferers take in oxygen rich air from a tank

Question 3

What is pulmonary tuberculosis?

Answer 3

Bacterial disease
Builds a wall around bacteria in the lungs
Forms small, hard tubercles
Exchange surface is damaged, so tidal volume is reduced
Less air can be taken in, so patients have to breathe faster (increased ventilation rate)

Question 4

What is fibrosis?

Answer 4

Formation of scar tissue in the lungs
Scar tissue is less elastic, so volume is reduced
FVC is reduced
Increased ventilation rate

Question 5

What is asthma?

Answer 5

Airways + bronchioles become inflammed and irritated
Constricts / narrows bronchioles
Less oxygen enters blood as a result
FEV is reduced
Inhaler = bronchodilator