RESPIRATORY SYSTEM Flashcards
RESPIRATORY DISEASE - DEFINITION
Type of disease that affects the lungs and other types of the respiratory system
RESPIRATORY DISEASE - SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Dyspnoea
- Cough
- Chest px
- Wheeze
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Chest infections
- Mucus production coughing up blood
CAUSES OF BREATHLESSNESS - DEFINITION
CAUSES OF BREATHLESSNESS - CAUSES
- Asthma
- Chest infection
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Panic attack
- COPD
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- Heart failure
- Lung cancer
CAUSES OF BREATHLESSNESS - CVS
- Angina
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Some abnormal heart rhythms
o Atrial fibrillation
CAUSES OF BREATHLESSNESS - GI
- Any condition that leads to the build up of air or foodstuffs could cause both bloating anf breathlessness
- Stool inside the intestines
- IBS
- Celiac disease
- Lactose intolerance
- Constipation
- Ileus
- Bowel obstruction
- Gastroparesis
ACUTE BRONCHITIS - DEFINITION
Inflammation of lining of bronchial tube, which carries air from lungs
ACUTE BRONCHITIS - CAUSE
- Usually caused by viruses, typically same as colds and flu (influenza)
- Smoking
- Air pollution
- Dust
- Toxic gas from environment
ACUTE BRONCHITIS - POPULATION AFFECTED
- Can affect all ages, most common in children under 5
- More commonly developed in winter
ACUTE BRONCHITIS - RISK FACTORS
- Smoking
- Low resistance- may result from another acute illness such as a cold
- Exposure to irritants at work- e.g., grain or textiles
- Gastric reflux- repeated bouts of severe heartburn can irritate throat and inc chance of bronchitis
ACUTE BRONCHITIS - CLINICAL PRESENTATION
- Cough
- Production of mucus=- clear, white, yellowish-grey or green, rarely may have streak of blood
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Slight fever/chills
- Chest discomfort
- Potential body aches, mild headache
ACUTE BRONCHITIS - PROGNOSIS
- Usually improves within a week to 10 days without lasting effects, although cough may linger for weeks
- Antibiotics won’t work as it won’t kill influenza virus
BRONCHIOLOTIS - DEFINITION
- Common lung infection
- Causes inflammation and congestion in bronchioles
BRONCHIOLOTIS - CAUSE
Virus- influenza, rhinovirus, etc
BRONCHIOLOTIS - POPULATION AFFECTED
- Young children and infants
- Peak time is during winter
BRONCHIOLOTIS - RISK FACTORS
- Premature birth
- Underlying heart or lung conditions
- Depressed immune system
- Exposure to tobacco smoke
BRONCHIOLOTIS - CLINICAL PRESENTATION
- Early- runny/stuffy nose, cough, slight fever (not always present)
- After this may be a week or more of difficulty breathing or whistling of nose
- Many infants have an ear infection (otitis media)
BRONCHIOLOTIS - PROGNOSIS
- Most children get better with care at home
- Small % hospitalised
- See doctor if audible wheezing, breathing very fast, laboured breathing, lethargic appearance, refusal to drink, skin turning blue (cyanosis)
WHOOPING COUGH - DEFINITION
Highly contagious respiratory tract infection
WHOOPING COUGH - CAUSE
- Bacteria called Bordetella perussis
- When infected person coughs or sneezes, tiny germ-laden droplets are sprayed into air and inhaled by others
WHOOPING COUGH - POPULATION AFFECTED
- Before vaccine, considered childhood disease
- Mainly affects children too young to finish full course of ABs or teens/adults whose immunity has faded
WHOOPING COUGH - RISK FACTORS
- When vaccine wears off- leaves most teenagers and adults susceptible during outbreak
- Infants under 12 months who are unvaccinated or haven’t received full set have highest risk for severe complications and death
WHOOPING COUGH - CLINICAL PRESENTATION
- Once infected, takes about 7-10 days to show symptoms
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Red, watery eyes
- Fever
- Cough
- After week or two- provoke vomiting, red/blue face, extreme fatigue, end with high pitched ‘whoop’ sound during next breath of air
WHOOPING COUGH - PROGNOSIS
- Deaths are rare but most commonly occur in infants
- See doctor if prolonged coughing causes vomiting, face to turn red/blue, pauses in breathing, inhale with whooping sound
- Complications- bruised/cracked ribs, abdominal hernias, broken vessels in skin or whites of eyes
- Infant complications- pneumonia, slowed/stopped breathing, seizures
- Make sure fully vaccinated and boosted
PNEUMONIA - DEFINITION
- Infection that inflames air sacs in one or both lungs
- Sacs may fill with fluid or pus, causing cough, fever, child, and difficulty breathing
PNEUMONIA - CAUSE
- Variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi
- Community acquired- most common type, occurs outside of hospitals. Caused by:
1. Bacteria- Streptococcus pneumoniae- occurs on its own once infected with a cold or flue
2. Bacteria like organisms- Mycoplasma pneumoniae- typically produces milder symptom’s
3. Fungi- most common in people with chronic health problems or weakened immune systems. Found in soil, bird droppings, etc
4. Viruses- most common in children younger than 5 - Hospital acquired- can be serious because bacteria causing it may be more resistant to ABs
- Health care-acquired- occurs in people who live in long-term care facilities, similar to hospital
- Aspiration- occurs when you inhale food, drink, vomit or saliva into lungs. More likely if something disturbs normal gag reflex, such as brain injury or swallowing problems
PNEUMONIA - POPULATION AFFECTED
People over 65
PNEUMONIA - RISK FACTORS
- Most serious for infants and young children (under 2)
- People over 65
- Health problems/weakened immune system
- Being hospitalised
- Smoking
PNEUMONIA - CLINICAL PRESENTATION
- Mild to severe
- Chest P when coughing or beathing
- Confusion (65+)
- Cough, may produce phlegm
- Fatigue
- Fever, sweating and shaking chills
- Lower body temp
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
- New-borns may not show signs
PNEUMONIA - PROGNOSIS
- Ranges from mild to life-threatening
- Get vaccinated to prevent
TUBERCULOSIS - DEFINITION
- Potentially serious disease that mainly affects lungs
- Inc prevalence in 1985 post HIV outbreak as HIV weakness immune system
TUBERCULOSIS - CAUSE
- Spread through droplets
- Bacteria
- Contagious, but not easy to catch
- 2 weeks of treatment= no longer contagious
TUBERCULOSIS - POPULATION AFFECTED
Infants/children and elderly people
TUBERCULOSIS - RISK FACTORS
- HIV/AIDS
- Diabetes
- Severe kidney disease
- Very young or advanced age
- Some drugs with treat rheumatoid diseases
TUBERCULOSIS - CLINICAL PRESENTATION
- Latent TB- have Tb but bacteria in body are inactive and cause no symptoms, treatment important to prevent it becoming active
- Active TB- show symptoms, can spread to others, can occur weeks or years after TB bacteria infection
- Soughing for 3 or more weeks
- Coughing up blood or mucus
- Night sweats
- Loss of appetite
- Chest P especially when coughing or breathing
TUBERCULOSIS - PROGNOSIS
- Any TB strains are resistant to drugs
- Multiple medication needed to be taken for months to get rid of infection and prevent AB resistance
EMPHYSEMA - DEFINITION
- Lung condition causing shortness of breath
- Alveoli damaged, over time inner walls of air sacs weaken and rupture- creating large air spaces instead of small ones
- Reduces SA of lungs reduced oxygen to bloodstream
- During exhalation, damaged alveoli don’t work properly and old air is trapped, leaving no room for oxygen-rich air to enter
EMPHYSEMA - CAUSE
Long-term exposure to airborne irritants e.g., tobacco smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes and dust
EMPHYSEMA - POPULATION AFFECTED
Cigarette smokers
EMPHYSEMA - RISK FACTORS
- Smoking
- Age- 40-60
- Exposure to second-hand smoke
- Occupational exposure to fumes or dust
EMPHYSEMA - CLINICAL PRESENTATION
- Can have it many years without noticing
- Main symptom is shortness of breath, so doesn’t become a problem until it interferes with daily life
- Causes shortness of breath whilst at rest
EMPHYSEMA - PROGNOSIS
Complications include- collapsed lungs, heart problems, large holes in lungs (bullae)
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS - DEFINITION
Productive cough that lasts at least three months, with recurring bouts occurring at least two consecutive years
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS - CAUSE
- Usually caused by viruses, typically same as colds and flu (influenza)
- Smoking
- Air pollution
- Dust
- Toxic gas from enviro
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS - POPULATION AFFECTED
65+
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS - RISK FACTORS
- Smokers
- Low resistance- may result from another acute illness such as a cold
- Exposure to irritants at work- e.g., grain or textiles
- Gastric reflux- repeated bouts of severe heartburn can irritate throat and inc chance of bronchitis
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS - CLINICAL PRESENTATION
- Cough
- Production of mucus=- clear, white, yellowish-grey or green, rarely may have streak of blood
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Slight fever/chills
- Chest discomfort
- Potential body aches, mild headache
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS - PROGNOSIS
No cure but can be significantly improved through managing condition through medication and lifestyle changes
ASTHMA - DEFINITION
Airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus
ASTHMA - CAUSE
- Not clear, thought to be due to combination of enviro and genetic factors
- Triggers:
1. Airborne allergens- e.g., pollen, dust mites
2. Respiratory infections
3. Physical activity
4. Cold air
5. Air pollutants
6. Strong emotion/stress
ASTHMA - POPULATION AFFECTED
Female adults
ASTHMA - RISK FACTORS
- Blood relative with asthma
- Overweight
- Smoker
- Exposure to second hand smoke
- Exposure to exhaust fumes
ASTHMA - CLINICAL PRESENTATION
- Variable
- May have infrequent asthma attacks
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness or P
- Wheezing when exhaling, common in children
- Trouble sleeping caused by shortness if breath
- Worsening signs- more frequent and bothersome, inc difficulty breathing, need to use quick-relief inhaler
ASTHMA - PROGNOSIS
- Can be minor or major
- Can’t be cured but symptoms can be controlled
- Important to work with doctor to track signs and symptoms and adjust to changes
CYSTIC FIBROSIS - DEFINITION
- Inherited disorder that causes severe damage to lungs, digestive system and other organs
- Affects cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices- usually thin and slippery, people with CF have a defective gene causing secretions to be sticky and thick
- Instead of acting as a lubricant it plugs up tubes, ducts and passageways especially in lungs and pancreas
CYSTIC FIBROSIS - CAUSE
- Mutation in a gene- cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene- changes protein that regulates movement of salts in and out of cells
- Results in sticky mucus in respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems as well as inc salt in sweat
- Children need to inherit one copy of the gene from each parent in order to have disease
- If children develop one copy they won’t develop CF, however they will be carriers and could pass it one to their children
CYSTIC FIBROSIS - POPULATION AFFECTED
- Northern Europeans
CYSTIC FIBROSIS - RISK FACTORS
- Family Hx
- Most common in Northern European ancestry
CYSTIC FIBROSIS - CLINICAL PRESENTATION
- Variable
- May not experience symptoms until teenage years or adulthood
- Tend to have higher salt in sweat, parents can tell when kissing their children
- Respiratory- persistent cough that produces thick mucus, wheezing, exercise intolerance, repeated lung infections, recurrent sinusitis
- Digestive- thick mucus can block rubes that carry digestive enzymes from pancreas to small intestines- without these unable to absorb nutrients from food resulting in foul smelling stools, poor weight gain and growth, intestinal blocks particularly in new-borns, chronic or severe constipation
CYSTIC FIBROSIS - PROGNOSIS
- Requires progressive treatment/daily care, but usually able to attend school or work
- Improvements in screening treatments mean people with CF now may live into mid-late 30s or 40s, some into 50s
- Genetic screening
LUNG CANCER - DEFINITION
- Leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide
Types:
1. Small cell- almost exclusively in heavy smokers
2. Non-small cell- umbrella term for several types, includes squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma
LUNG CANCER - CAUSE
- Smoking- both smokers and those exposed to second hand
o Damage to cells which line lungs
o Inhalation of carcinogens changes kung tissue immediately - Other than smoking, no clear cause
LUNG CANCER - POPULATION AFFECTED
65+
LUNG CANCER - RISK FACTORS
- Smoking
- Exposure to second hand
- Previous radiation therapy
- Family Hx of lung cancer
LUNG CANCER - CLINICAL PRESENTATION
- Rarely symptoms in early stages
- New cough that doesn’t go away
- Coughing up blood
- Chest P
- Shortness of breath
- Hoarseness
- Losing weight
- Bone P
- Headache
LUNG CANCER - PROGNOSIS
- Many complications- coughing up blood, shortness of breath, P, fluid in chest, cancer that spreads
- 2/5 live for a year after diagnosis
- 1/10 live for ten years
PNEUMOTHORAX - DEFINITION
- Collapsed lung
- Occurs when air leaks into space between lung and chest wall
- Air pushes on outside of lung and it collapses
PNEUMOTHORAX - CAUSE
- Chest injury- blunt or penetrating
- Lung disease- damage inc likelihood, e.g., CF
- Ruptured air blisters- develop at top of lung, occasionally burst allowing air to leak into space that surrounds lungs
- Mechanical ventilation- severe type, imbalance of air pressure created within chest by ventilator
PNEUMOTHORAX - POPULATION AFFECTED
- Tall, thin people
- Smokers
PNEUMOTHORAX - RISK FACTORS
- Smoking
- Genetics
- Previous pneumothorax
PNEUMOTHORAX - CLINICAL PESENTATION
- Sudden chest P
- Shortness of breath
- Severity depends on how much lung is collapsed
PNEUMOTHORAX - PROGNOSIS
- Insert needle or chest tube between ribs to remove excess air
- Can heal on its own
