Respiratory Disorders Flashcards
What are the respiratory disorders studied?
- drowning
- carbon monoxide poisoning
- tonsilitis
- common cold
- pneumonia
- pleurisy
- emphysema
- cystic fibrosis
- asthma
- lung cancer
What are the two respiratory disorder classifications?
restricitve and obstructive
What is a restrictive respiratory disorder?
the lung volume is decreased
What is an obstructive respiratory disorder?
when lung volumes are normal but flow rates are blocked
What is a laryngospasm?
a closing of the larynx
What are 10% of drowining caused from?
a laryngospasm
When do fresh water drowinings occur?
when the water washes away the caoting of the alveoli, causing them to collapse
How do salt water drowning occur?
salt water drownings cause a hypertonic environment for the alveoli and therefore fluid enters the lungs which prevents oxygen from entering the bloodstream
What is carbon monoxide (CO)?
a colourless, odourless, high density gas.
What is carbon monoxide the result of?
incomplete combustion for example, from an improperly working furnace
What does carbon monoxide do in the body?
it binds to the RBCs 200x better than oxygen
Is carbon monoxide poisoning fatal?
yes, if not treated immediately
What is tonsillitis?
an infection (viral) of the tonsils
What happens if a child has many infections of the tonsils?
the tonsils are surgically removed
It is believed the tonsils help prevent bacteria and other pathogens from entering the body - therefore a removal may increase the number of illnesses later in life
What is infectious rhinitis?
an upper respiratory tract infection of the common cold
What kind of infection is the common cold? What causes it?
It is a viral infections caused by the rhinovirus
How is the common cold spread?
through respiratory droplets in the air or direct contact with an infected person or contaminated surface (1 day before symptoms appear and up to 5 days after)
What are signs of the common cold?
- nasal congestion and watery discharge
- mouth breathing
- change in tone of voice
- sore throat
- headache
- slight fever
- cough
What are treatments for the common cold?
rest, fliuds, NOT anitbiotics - it is a virus.
Is there a cure or vaccine for the common cold?
no
The common cold is highly contagious. Initially, mucous membranes of nose, pharynx swell and increase secretions.
What is the best way to reduce the chances of getting a cold?
to wash your hands
What is bronchitis?
an infection of the bronchi
What are the two types of bronchitis?
acute and chronic
What is acute bronchitis and how is it treated?
it is caused by a bacteria and treated with antibiotics
What is chronic bronchitis and what is it caused by?
It is a long term infection. It is usually caused by an irritant like smoking. The cilia become damaged and can’t clear debris.
How is chronic bronchitis treated?
by quitting smoking
What is pneumonia?
when the alveoli become inflamed and fill with liquid
what is the result of pneumonia?
gas exchange is impaired and the body becomes starved for oxygen
How can an X-ray show pneumonia?
lungs should appear black on an x-ray and if there is a white mass, it means there is fliud and therefore pneumonia.
What is lobar pneumonia?
pneumonia that affects a lobe of the lungs
What is bronchial pneumonia?
pneumonia that can affect patches throughout both lungs
What bacteria causes bacterial pneumonia?
streptococcus pneumoniae
How is bacterial pneumonia treated?
with antibiotics. It can be somewhat prevented with the pneumococcal vaccine
How is viral pneumonia treated?
with anti-viral medication
What usually happens after viral pneumonia?
less severe secondary bacterial infection can follow which is then treated with antibiotics
What is the pleura?
a sac surrounding the lungs.
What are the two layers of the pleura ? What do they do?
visceral - layer covering the lung
parietal - layer covers in inside of the chest wall or rib cage
What is between the two layers of the pleura?
a space in which a small amount of fliud circulates to lubricate the two surfaces as they slide over one another during breathing
What is pleurisy?
inflammation (irritation, swelling, stickiness) of the pleura
Pleurisy is not a disease, but a symptom of another condition (e.g. virus and bacterial infection
What are symptoms of pleurisy?
sharp, stabbing pain in chest - usually localized in one area
What is the treatment for pleurisy?
to treat the cause (the virus or bacteria causing the pleurisy
What is emphysema?
a chronic respiratory disorder
What happens with emphysema?
the alveolar walls break down & lose their elasticity. The surface area is greatly reduced which makes breathing difficult
What is the cause of emphysema?
usually from many years of smoking, the effects are permanent and incurable
What are the treatments for emphysema?
- a low-flow oxygen tank that delivers a higher exygen concentration
- lung volume reduction surgery (LVR) removal of damaged tissue to let healthy tissue work more efficiently
What is cystic fibrosis?
It is a genetic condition that causes the cell lining of the alveoli to secrete a thick, sticky mucus. That mucus attract bacteria and numerous infections result
What are the treatments for cystic fibrosis?
- medicines to help thin the mucus
- antibiotics for infections.
- new treatments include gene therapy
- an inhaler is used to spray healthy versions of the gene, the healthy gene then make proper mucus
There is no cure
What is the lfie expectancy for cystic fibrosis?
is usually low-early 30s
What is asthma?
it is a chronic respiratory disorder where the bronchi and bronchioles are affected. The bronchiole muscles tighten and mucus is produced which makes breathing difficult
What are the causes and trigger of asthma?
it is thought that asthma is somewhat inherited.
TRIGGERS:
pollen, dust, smoke, pets, and exercise
What are the symptoms of asthma?
- chest tightness
- wheezing
- night-time cough
- restricted breathing
What are short term treatments for asthma?
- bronchodilators which give immediate relef to tightened bronchioles
- inhalers
What are the two types of inhalers?
- metered -> the medicine is forced out by a chemical propellant
- powdered -> no propellant
What are the long-term treatments for asthma?
- medications
- corticosteroid treatment to control spasms in the bronchioles (QVAR inhaler)
- prednisone which is stronger
What are the types of obstructive lung disease: lung cancer?
primary or secondary. Benign lung cancer is rare. Primary is a major cause of death. Poor prognosis for lung cancer
What is lung cancer linked with?
cigarette smoking
Why do metastases develop frequently in the lung?
venous return and lymph vessels bring tumor cells from distant site in body -> heart -> lung
What are carcinomas and what do they do?
Carcinomas are when abnormal cells multiply and form malignant tumours called carcinomas. The impeded healthy lung tissue, making breathing difficult
What are the main causes of lung cancer?
- carcinogens (cancer causing agents) that are found in cigarette smple are the leading cause
- exposure to radon, a heavy gaseous radioactive element found in rocks soil and some buildings
- exposure to asbestos, found in some insulation & ceiling tiles
How are lung cancers diagnosed?
- X-rays
- CT scan (computated tomography, a cross section of the lungs is taken)
- helical low-dose CT scan can detect very small tumours
What are the treatments for lung cancer?
- surgery on localized lesions
- chemotherapy and radiation
- poor prognosis unless tumor is in early stages of development
