Respiratory issues in aging Flashcards
What is the function of the respiratory system?
The primary function of the respiratory system is to deliver oxygen from the air to the blood and remove carbon dioxide.
What are the effects of aging on the respiratory system?
Advancing age makes the airways and tissues of the respiratory tract become less elastic and more rigid. FVC will have decreased, decrease in blood O2, decrease of activity of alveolar macrophages, decrease ability to perform vigorous exercise and susceptibility to pneumonia, bronchitis and emphysema.
What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
COPD is a disease which is characterised by airflow limitation that is fully reversible and is associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lung to noxious particles or gases.
What are the risk factors of COPD?
Genes Exposure to particles Tobacco smoke Dust Indoor pollution Outdoor pollution Lung growth and development Oxidative stress Gender Age Respiratory infections Previous tuberculosis Socioeconomic status Nutrition Comorbidities
What is the mechanism of COPD?
Inflammation results in Obstructive bronchiolitis (small airway disease- airway inflammation, airway remodelling) and Emphysema (loss of alveolar attachments, decrease in elastic recoil) which both result in airflow limitation.
Symptoms of the diagnosis of COPD?
The symptoms include: Dyspnoea, chronic cough, chronic sputum production, history of exposure to risk factors
What are the effects of COPD?
1) Impaired exercise capacity
2) Prevalence of diseases associated with inactivity
3) Effects the physical capacity
4) Worsening of symptoms of exercise limitation
What are the goals of COPD treatment>?
Relieve symptoms Prevent disease progression Improve exercise tolerance Improve health status Prevent and treat complications Prevent and treat exacerbations Reduce mortality
What are the advantages of pulmonary rehabilitation?
Covers a range of non-pulmonary problems that may not be addressed by medical therapy:
Exercise deconditioning
Relative social isolation
Altered mood states (especially depression)
Muscle wasting
Weight loss
What baseline tests are done?
Spirometry Resting Blood Pressure and HR Incremental Exercise Challenge (Cycle or Walk) Online Gas analysis HR Borg Scale (Dyspnoea) Achieve VO2 peak 6 minutes walk test or shuttle walk test (max distance covered) Questionnaires: Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire Short Form 36 Quality of Well Being Scale
What are the guidelines for Pulmonary rehabilitation?
At least three exercise sessions per week are necessary for sustained improvement (two of which should be supervised), supervision is vital and length of outpatient course region of 6-8 weeks
Aerobic training for Pulmonary rehab?
Course duration 4-12 weeks
Supervised training sessions 2-5 times per week
Session duration 20-30 mins
60% of the maximum attained power output or VO2 peak
Walking and cycling
60% of the maximal walking speed achieved of the shuttle test should be used
Strength training for Pulmonary rehab?
High repetition, low intensity
50-85% of 1RM increases peripheral muscle function
should include functional training (using own body weight)
Upper body resistance training: therabands, light weights (1-2kg) and bags loaded with weight e.g. tin cans
What are the expected improvements for exercise?
VO2 peak will increase
6 minute walking test (54m considered significant)
decrease in dyspnoea
Increases functional capacity which promotes independence
