Respiratory Flashcards
Learning outcomes
What is obstructive respiratory disease and name some?
Obstructive lung disease impedes exhalation, causing breathlessness.Breathing becomes harder, especially during exertion, as less time is available for complete exhalation.
Examples:
COPD, emphysema, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis.
What 3 ways is carbon dioxide transported in the blood?
dissolved in plasma
converted to bicarbonate and water
bound to proteins (haemoglobin)
What is COPD?
A progressive chronic lung disease characterised by airflow restriction and breathing difficulties. Alveolar damage.
2 main pathologies:
Emphysema
Chronic Bronchitis
Main causes:
SMOKING
Air pollution
Treatment :
Low level oxygen so as not to switch of their respiratory drive
What is asthma?
Chronic inflammation condition causing narrow airways in response to a trigger.
Pathophysiology (LEARN!!):
Bronchial inflammation and odema
Bronchoconstriction
increased mucus production
Triggers:
allergens
pollutants
exercise
cold air
Etiology:
Genes
Enviromental
Explain what happens when asthma is serious?
Effect: Increased airway resistance reduces airflow in and out of lungs.
Consequence: V/Q mismatch causes hypoxemia (low O2 in blood), potentially leading to hypoxia (low O2 in tissues)
Additional Effects: Air retention, hypercapnia (too much CO2).
Severity: Severe cases can be life-threatening.
What is Cystic Fibrosis?
It is an autosomal recessive disorder. The gene codes for abnormalities in chloride channel proteins, resulting in decreased chloride secretion.
Abnormal Chloride Channels: The mutated CFTR protein gene leads to defective chloride channels on the surface of cells. Chloride is an important component of salt, and when these channels don’t work properly, there’s a decrease in the movement of chloride ions across cell membranes.
Without normal chloride transport, the production of mucus becomes thick and sticky instead of thin and watery. This thickened mucus clogs the airways in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe and trapping bacteria and viruses, leading to frequent infections and inflammation.
Effect of CF on the body?
Affects secretory epthelia in multiple areas of the body; Respiratory, GI tract, pancreas. Causes thick sticky mucous - prevents cillia action
Chronic cough
SoB
Repeated chest infections
Malnutrion due to decreased enzyme secretion
Treatment of CF?
chest physiotherapy
positive pressure devices
inhaled mucus thinning solutions
antibiotics
nutritional supplementation & enzymes
Signs and symptoms of asthma attack?
SoB
Wheezing (mostly on exhalation)
Coughing (dry or produce mucus)
Chest Tightness
Rapid breathing
Difficulty speaking
Anxiety/Panic
What is respiratory acidosis?
Respiratory acidosis is a condition that occurs when the lungs can’t remove enough carbon dioxide (CO2), leading to an increase in the level of CO2 in the blood. Normally, the lungs help maintain the balance of acids and bases in the body by expelling CO2, which is produced as a waste product of metabolism. However, if the lungs are unable to remove CO2 efficiently, it accumulates in the bloodstream, leading to a decrease in blood pH and an increase in acidity.
Treatment:
Low level oxygen
bronchodilators
respiratory stimulants
drug antagonists
What is the difference between bronchiectasis and bronchitis?
Definition: Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition characterized by irreversible dilation and damage to the bronchial tubes. Often co-exists with COPD and asthma
Definition: Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, usually caused by viral or bacterial infections
What is the difference between chronic bronchitis and emphysema?
In chronic bronchitis, there is inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes (airways) in the lungs. It is characterized by a persistent cough that produces sputum (mucus) for at least three months in two consecutive years.
The inflammation leads to increased mucus production and narrowing of the airways, making it difficult to breathe.
Chronic bronchitis is often caused by long-term exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, or chemical fumes.
Emphysema involves damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, primarily due to long-term exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke. The damage to the alveoli causes them to lose their elasticity, making it difficult for them to expand and contract properly during breathing.
As a result, the lungs lose their ability to efficiently exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Emphysema leads to shortness of breath, especially during physical activity, and can cause a chronic cough and wheezing.
Over time, the damage to the lungs becomes irreversible and can significantly impair lung function.
How does alpha-1 anti-trypsine deficiency lead to emphysema?
Reduces body’s ability to protect the lungs from damage caused by enzymes produced by white blood cells.
Apha-1 antitrypsine helps neutralize these enzymes, but in deficiency, they can’t be controlled.
This imbalance leads to destruction of lung tissue (aveolar walls/septa/pulmonary capilliaries) resulting in emphysema.
