The respiratory system -Diseases and conditions

Question 1

Respiration and health

Answer 1

-Diseases and conditions can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, genetic mutations, environmental factors or lifestyle choices

Question 2

Upper Respiratory Tract

Answer 2

• These infections involve the nasal passage, pharynx, or larynx
• Some infections such as strep throat can lead to systemic body infections

Question 3

Tonsilitis

Answer 3

-Tonsilitis is a bacterial or viral infection of tonsils
- Tonsils are two oval shaped organs located in pharynx
* They prevent bacteria and other harmful substances from entering the respiratory system

Symptoms: red or swollen tonsils, sore throat, fever, swollen glands in the neck
* reoccurring infections that make breathing or swallowing difficult may be relieved by a tonsillectomy(taking them out)

Question 4

Laryngitis

Answer 4

-Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx
-Causes by an infection, allergy or by overstraining the voice

Symptoms: Hoarness or losing of the voice due to inability of vocal cords to vibrate
*usually clears up on its own
*persistent hoarness is a warning sign of cancer

Question 5

Pneumonia

Answer 5

-Pneumonia is a disease that causes inflammation and fluid build up in one or both lungs
* usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection
* normal gas exchange is disrupted and the body is deprived of oxygen

Question 6

2 types of pneumonia are…

Answer 6

Lobular pneumonia and Bronchial pneumonia

Question 7

Lobular pneumonia

Answer 7

-Only in a single lobe of the lungs in infected
- Usually cussed by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria
-Bacteria can spread and cause infections elsewhere in the body
-Preventative vaccine exists

Question 8

Bronchial pneumonia

Answer 8

-Patches in both lungs have infections around the bronchi and bronchioles

Question 9

Bronchitis

Answer 9

-Occurs when the bronchi become red, inflamed and filled with mucus
-Caused by bacterial infections or regular exposure to toxic chemicals/dust

Symptoms: coughing, increased mucus production, fatigue, shortness of breath, fever and chills

Question 10

2 types of bronchitis are..

Answer 10

Acute bronchitis and Chronic bronchitis

Question 11

Acute Bronchitis

Answer 11

-Usually caused by bacterial infection
-Can be treated by antibiotic chronic bronchitis

Question 12

Chronic bronchitis

Answer 12

-Long term disorder caused by the destruction of cilia in the bronchi due to regular exposure to concentrations of dust, chemical compounds or cigarette smoke
-Lack of cilia means bronchi become inflamed and vulnerable to infection
-Mucus accumulates in bro chi which leads to persistent cough
-Cannot be cuter but is treated by quitting smoking, medications, and specialized exercise programs

Question 13

Asthma

Answer 13

-A lung disease that causes chronic inflammation of the lungs overproduction of mucus in the lungs
-Airways(bronchi & bronchioles) become narrow and airflow is reduced
-During an asthma attack muscles around the airways contract and mucus production may increase, further blocking airflow

Question 14

Symptoms and treatments of asthma

Answer 14

Symptoms: wheezing, coughing, tightness in chest, shortness of breath

Treatment: There is no cure but can be managed by, handheld inhalers that deliver medication deep into lungs and relax the bronchioles mucked and reduce inflammation to open airways

Question 15

Emphysema

Answer 15

• chronic respiratory disease that affects the ability of the lungs to expel air
  *loss of elasticity reduces respiratory surface for gas exchange causing lack of oxygen in tissues

Symptoms: difficulty exhaling due to collapsing air ways. Most common cause in smoking

There is no cure but lifestyle changes and avoiding airborne irritants can slow progression. Using an inhaler to open airways may relieve symptoms

Question 16

Cystic Fibrosis

Answer 16

-A genetic disease that causes a thick buildup of mucus in the lungs resulting in infection, inflammation, and damage to the lung tissues
*Genetic mutations means that the protein responsible for regulating celluar balance of water and salt is not made and cells produce extra thick, sticky mucus
* More likely to get lung infections from bacteria due to increased mucus production

There is no cure but gene therapy is being explored as a treatment. This would mean inserting functioning copies of the gene using a modified virus

Question 17

Lung Cancer

Answer 17

-Lung cancer is caused by uncontrolled cell growth and division in the lungs forming a tumour( carcinoma)
* as the carcinoma grows it reduces respiratory surface in the lungs
*if the tumour cells metastasize(break away from the tumour and travel to other parts of the body) the cancer cells will spread to other body parts

-Removal of a lobe or lung, called pneumonectomy may remove the cancer
-Smoking whether active or passive, is a major cause of lung cancer